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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 285-04
October 25, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY ANNOUNCE NEW YORK CITY CONTINUES TO DRIVE CRIME DOWN FASTER THAN REST OF COUNTRY

FBI Statistics Show 5.8% Drop in Overall Crime in New York City in 2003 Compared to a .5% Decline Nationwide

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced that New York City continues to reduce overall crime to levels not seen in decades and remains the safest big city in America according to FBI's Uniform Crime Report.  According to the final Crime in the United States Report for 2003, the City experienced a 5.8% drop in overall crime from 2002 to 2003 - compared to the national drop of just .5%.  New York City ranked 210 out of 229 cities across the nation on the total crime index. New York City represents 24% of the national decrease in crime for calendar year 2003 and since 2001, New York City has contributed to 85% of the national decrease in crime.

"Not only does the safest big city in America keep getting safer, but we are driving crime down almost twelve times faster than the rest of the country," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "The brave men and women of the NYPD deserve enormous credit for the remarkable success of anti-crime initiatives and quality-of-life enforcement, while also dealing with the constant threat of terrorism.  The crime rate is down to levels not seen sine the 1960's and we have made the streets safer and more welcoming for residents, visitors and businesses."

"Through Operation Impact, we've continued to target crime in an increasingly focused way, shifting resources as conditions require," said Commissioner Kelly.  "This is perhaps the single most important ingredient in the continuing downward spiral in crime.  We are also encouraged that the State has adopted the NYPD model to apply to other localities."

New York City led the reduction in crime in New York State in 2003.  New York City's decline in overall crime of 5.8% accounted for 88% of the statewide reduction in overall crime of 3.1% in 2003. Violent crime went down 6.9% in the City, compared to national decline of 3%, and property crime went down 5.4% down in the City, compared to national decline of .2%.

For 2003, the total crime index in New York City was 2916.9 crimes per 100,000 people.  Out of the 229 cities with a population of 100,000 or more that reported to the FBI, New York City now ranks 210th between Freemont, CA and Edison Township, NJ.  Out of the nations 10 largest cities, New York City ranked 10th with the fewest overall crimes on the total crime index.  Out of the nation's 25 largest cities, New York ranked 24th, just ahead of San Jose, California.

Nationwide Crime New York City
+1.7% Murder  +1.7%
-1.9% Rape  - 4.7%
-1.8% Robbery  - 4.6%
-3.8%  Assault - 9%
-3.0% Violent Crime  -6.9%
+.1% Burglary - 6.0%
-.5% Larceny Theft  - 3.7%
-1.1% Motor Vehicle Theft  - 12.6%
- .2% Property Crime  - 5.4%
- .5% Total Index  - 5.8%

The following chart shows where New York City ranked in the total crime index for the nation's 10 largest cities.

Year End Rank 2003 City Rate
1 Dallas 9328.2
2 Detroit 9003.7
3 Phoenix 7664.1
4 San Antonio 7441.7
5 Houston 7054.7
6 Las Vegas   5608.8
7 Philadelphia 5553.4
8 Los Angeles   4808.9
9 San Diego   4223.0
10 New York    2916.9






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GENERAL CONTACT:

Paul Browne   (Police Department)
(646) 610-8989


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