NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for August 2020

September 2, 2020

For the month of August 2020, there was a 166% increase in the number of shooting incidents across the city (242 v. 91) as the number of shootings rose in all boroughs except Staten Island. The number of people murdered citywide increased to 53 v. 36 (+ 47%) for the month, while the number of robberies increased to 1,276 v. 1,226 (+4%) and the number of burglaries increased to 1,310 v. 1,076 (+22%) citywide. Overall crime for August 2020 increased to 9,093 v. 9,033 (+0.7%).

The NYPD’s efforts to address the surging violence includes shifting officers to areas experiencing upticks in shootings, collecting timely intelligence about crime and criminal conditions and addressing them in real time, a combination of short and long-term investigations to root out the persistent drivers of violence, and having officers engage with residents at the grassroots level through Neighborhood Policing to focus on the problems and solve them locally.

The NYPD continues to take illegal guns off New York City streets. In August 2020, gun arrests increased with 359 gun arrests compared to 357 in August 2019.

“Despite all the continuing challenges, our NYPD officers are undaunted,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “The work of our officers represents the best of the policing profession and it continues as they increasingly engage with all of our community partners to protect life, prevent crime and build safer neighborhoods.”

Key highlights from this month's crime statistics:

• Murder is up +34% (291 v. 217) for the first eight months of 2020 when compared to the first eight months of 2019.
• There were 242 citywide shooting incidents in August 2020, compared to 91 shooting incidents in August 2019, a +166% increase. Year-to-date, through August 31, there is a +87% spike in citywide shooting incidents (1,014 v. 541).
• Burglary increased +22% (1,310 v. 1,076) in August and is up +42% (9,942 v. 7,008) year-to-date through August 31.
• For the month of August, rape decreased by -22% (126 v. 162). Rape continues to be underreported. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The NYPD Special Victims Division's 24-hour hotline is 212-267RAPE (7273).
• Year-to-date, through August 28, citywide hate crimes declined -37% (182 v. 288).

Statistics on Index Crimes

Additional Statistics For July 2020

August Rape Breakdowns

Hate Crimes Statistics Summary from January 1, 2020 – August 30, 2020

These statistics represent the time period between January 1, 2020 – August 30, 2020 for the respective years of 2019 and 2020.

Note: Recent Coronavirus-related incidents fall under the anti-other category as there are primarily two motivating factors behind those crimes: The victim’s race (Anti-Asian) and the perception that they have Coronavirus. Also, all crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revisions, or change.

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