Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced that New York City remains the safest big city in America, according to data contained in the FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report released today, which covers the first six months of this year. The report shows that violent crime decreased by eight percent in New York City during the first half of 2009, outpacing a national decline.  Property Crime fell by six percent in New York City during the first six months of the year.

“When the economic downturn began, some thought crime could only go up,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Instead of listening to the conventional wisdom, our police department has driven crime down again in 2009 just as they did in 2008. They have done amazing work with fewer resources and we are going to keep the pressure on to keep crime low and keep guns out of the hands of criminals.”

“The men and women of the Police Department have continued to make the city safe, often while putting their lives at risk,” said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly.

According to data included in the FBI report, of the 25 largest cities in the country reporting to the FBI, New York recorded the lowest Index Crime rate, ranking safest. Of the 253 US cities with populations larger than 100,000, New York’s crime rate ranked 241st, placing it between Sunnyvale, California and Amherst, New York.

Percentage Change in Index Crime from First Half of 2008 – 2009, According to FBI Data

Total Crime Index for the Nation’s Largest Cities, According to FBI Data