crimestats
(New York, NY/77WABC)-The NYPD has released crime statistics for February 2021, the department says NYC experienced continued reductions in every
major index crime category with the exception of grand larceny auto (GLA).
Overall, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea announced the index crime fell 26.5% compared with February 2020. He says the reduction was driven by a 40.4% decrease in grand larceny (2068 v.3471) and a 32.7% decrease in robbery (791 v. 1175). There was also one less murder in February 2021 compared to the previous year (21 v. 22).
While felonious assault saw a 7.9% reduction compared to February 2020 (1315 v. 1428), shooting incidents increased to 77 v. 44 in February 2020, or +75.0%. The prevalence of gun violence in New York City remains a central focus for the NYPD. Investigators continue to work closely with their local, state, and federal partners to build strong cases against those who traffic, sell, or use illegal firearms.
Commissioner Shea said gun arrests across the five boroughs remain at record highs. For the month of February 2021, there were 400 gun arrests. This is an increase of 63.9% compared to February 2020 or 156 more arrests.
Matt Fraser is the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Information Technology. He announced during NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s briefing Thursday that an additional 200 surveillance cameras are being added to the 200 already in place. The Spot Shotter surveillance is has been expanded by 12 square miles and “by the end of the month we are gonna expand by an additional four square miles.”
Patrol Borough Bronx and Patrol Borough Brooklyn North are leading the way with 117 and 94 arrests, respectively. Through ongoing analysis of emerging crime trends, the NYPD shifts personnel to areas experiencing an uptick in violence. Additionally, precision policing allows investigators to pay close attention to those very few criminals who are the persistent drivers of violence.
“As New York City emerges from one of its most challenging periods, the public safety of all New Yorkers
will be essential to our collective success,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “The men and women
of the NYPD are resilient and up to the challenge before us. Not only are they going in harm’s way to
drive down violence like never before, but they are also connecting with the communities they serve in
innovative, impactful ways.” 
Addressing the uptick in unproved attacks in the NYC subway system and against Asian Americans, the NYPD’s New Deputy Inspector for Hate Crimes Jessica Corey said during the Mayor’s briefing, ” I want to ensure every New Yorker that you have the right to walk down our streets, ride our transit system, and live your everyday lives unmolested and not targeted in unprovoked attacks for the way you speak look or what you believe.”
She added, “for those that believe your voices are not heard, I hear you, members of our hate crimes team hear you and the entire NYC police department hears you.” Corey ensured New Yorkers “our team of investigators will relentlessly investigate any crimes related to hate,” and “seek to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Corey announced there will be a series of meetings in the five boroughs to address community concerns. Dates and locations have not yet been announced.
