NEW YORK — New York City recorded the fewest murders, shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history during the first five months of 2026, according to crime statistics released Wednesday by the New York Police Department.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the city’s continued decline in violent crime reflects the department’s data-driven policing strategy, which focuses on gun violence, gang activity and targeted deployments in high-crime areas.
Through May, the city recorded 102 murders, down 20.9% from 129 during the same period last year. The total marks the lowest number of murders ever recorded in New York City for the first five months of a year. Shooting incidents also reached a historic low, falling 5.7% to 247 incidents, while shooting victims declined 7.1% to 289. Both figures surpassed previous record lows.
The city also set new monthly records in May, reporting 51 shooting incidents and 58 shooting victims — both the lowest totals ever recorded for the month.
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Overall major crime declined 10.6% in May compared with the same month last year, with 1,147 fewer reported crimes citywide. For the year, major crime is down 6.2%, representing nearly 3,000 fewer crimes than during the same period in 2025.
Among major crime categories, robbery dropped 18.1% in May and 11% year-to-date, while burglary fell 19.5% during the month. Grand larceny declined 12.4%, and auto theft dropped 13% in May. Felony assaults increased slightly by 0.4%.
The Bronx continued to lead the city in crime reductions, posting the largest year-to-date decline in major crime at 11%. The borough also experienced significant reductions in auto theft, robbery, burglary and grand larceny.
Crime in public housing developments reached historic lows. Through May, murders in public housing fell 46.7%, while shooting incidents declined 24.5% and robberies dropped 24.3%. Overall major crime in public housing decreased 8.7% year-to-date.
The city’s subway system also continued to show improvement. Major crime in transit declined 6.5% in May, and there were no reported shooting incidents or shooting victims in the subway system during the month.
Police officials credited several initiatives for the reductions, including gang enforcement operations, which have led to 20 gang-related takedowns and the seizure of nearly 2,000 illegal firearms so far this year. The department also reported early success from its Summer Violence Reduction Plan, which deploys thousands of officers to violence-prone areas across the city.
Despite the declines in overall crime, hate crimes increased. The NYPD confirmed 68 hate crime incidents in May, up 74.4% from the 39 reported during the same month last year. More than 60% of confirmed hate crimes targeted Jewish residents. Through the first five months of the year, confirmed hate crimes rose 8.6% citywide.
“Across our city, the NYPD is delivering on its mission to keep New Yorkers safe,” Tisch said. “With record lows in murders, shooting incidents and shooting victims, as well as the safest start to the year in public housing, New Yorkers across every corner of our city are benefitting from a police department that is focused and strategic.”