The NYPD said that both the first seven months of the year and July itself have seen the fewest shootings and murders in recorded history, while transit crime steadily climbs.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch made the announcement Monday, and according to the top cop, there have been 381 shootings in the Big Apple so far this year, a record low. This beat the previous record low last year, which stood at 412 shooting incidents. Released police department data also showed that there were 462 victims of gun violence, whereas 2025 saw 489 shooting victims. There were 149 murders in 2026, also a record low, police said, beating the previous record low of 174 murders set in 2017.
Meanwhile, the NYPD says July 2026 broke records regarding shooting incidents compared to the same month in previous years. There were 59 shootings and 81 victims last month, the lowest in history since July 2025, which saw 75 shooting incidents and 92 victims. Authorities also stated that there were 21 murders last month, an all-time low surpassing the previous record of 24 murders set in 2013.
Overall major crime fell by 12.7% in July, with 9,919 crimes compared to 11,367 the same time last year.
“This summer, the NYPD was called upon to manage an unprecedented series of major and overlapping events, including the NBA Finals, the World Cup, Sail 250, and the largest Fourth of July celebration in the country. Through it all, even as the demands on this department reached historic levels, the men and women of the NYPD delivered double digit declines in major crime and record lows in violent crime across the city,” Tisch said. “For the first seven months of this year and in the month of July, New York City experienced the fewest murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims in recorded history. These incredible public safety achievements are the result of our data-driven precision policing strategy and the tireless work of the members of the NYPD whose long hours and dedication continue to make New York City safer.”
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Photo by Dean Moses
Police said burglary declined by 14.7% in July, while auto theft dropped by 24.6%. Robbery fell by 14.9%, and grand larceny took a hit by 11.8%. Felony assault went down by 6.4%.
Certain areas of the city still pose challenges for the department. From the beginning of the year, through July, transit crime increased by 1% or about 14 incidents, and rose by over 10% in July. Law enforcement attributed the rise in transit crime to felony assaults and nonviolent grand larcenies, which made up 27.7% (47) and 51.4% (88), respectively, of all transit crimes in July. Felony assaults on NYPD officers accounted for 12.5%, and on MTA employees accounted for 10.4% of all total felony assaults. Additionally, felony assaults on elderly people increased 150% (10 vs. 4), accounting for 20.8% of all felony assaults for the month.
Hate crimes likewise continued to rise. From year to date, hate crimes sharply increased by 9.4%, with 56.9% of all hate crimes this year being antisemitic.
Rape has also increased this year by 3.6%, but fell 7.1% in July. Police said recent legislation broadened the definition of rape and has led to increased reports.
FILE – A police officer rolls out crime scene tape at a subway station.Photo by Dean Moses