The biggest city in the country saw a decrease in overall crime in March, maintaining a trend of stabilization after the post-pandemic spike in violent crime.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban declared on Wednesday that overall crime in the city has continued to decline through the first quarter of 2024, on both above-ground and below-ground streets in all five boroughs.
Although most other serious crimes decreased in March, felony assaults increased by 5.5%.
23% Decline In Crime On Subways
March saw a 23% decrease in crime on the subways, which the police ascribed to the addition of 1,000 cops to the system. The total number of arrests in the subway system since the beginning of 2024 is approximately 53% higher than it was the previous year, with an 83% rise in gun arrests and a nearly 80% spike in fare evasion arrests.
According to Adams, since he took office, the subway has never been safer. He claimed that there were significant drops in crime in March 2024 as compared to the same month the previous year.
But many New Yorkers are on edge due to recent attacks, particularly those on the subway system.
Hate Crime
According to police, a 48-year-old man was attacked with a knife this past Sunday when he was on a No. 2 train at the 96th Street station. The victim was called names and insults based on race by the suspect, who also wanted money.
A picture of the individual authorities believe was behind that attack was made public. The suspect, according to police, is roughly 5'9" with a medium frame. He was last spotted sporting a green shirt, sneakers, dark jeans, and a yellow jacket.