Crime in Nyc

Running Head: CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY
Meagan Cavanagh Crime in New York City Molloy College
CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY Crime, defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is, An act or the commission of an act
that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law (Merriam-Webster, 2013). Crime rates in New York City have significantly dropped since 1963, when accurate statistics began to be recorded (Parascandola, 2010).
Comparing homicide statistics from 1990 to 2009, the five cities with the largest populations: New York City, Philadelphia, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, have had a significant decline in their murder rates. New York City went from having the highest homicide rates out of the five cities to the lowest (Zimring, 2012). Many believe that the dramatic decline in crime was due to the New York City Police Departments quality of life policing, as well as Compstat (Kelling). Compstat, short for Computer Comparison Statistics, is used to manage police operations. Although it is used in different law enforcement environments, in a police situation, numbers are analyzed and the location of crimes and arrests, as well as victims, suspects, days, and times of criminal activity are also recorded. These factors are all used to generate and identify crime patterns, clusters, suspects, and areas of high crime activity. Compstat can be described as a two-pronged examination of police operations. The first prong looks at crime and the effect it has on the community. The second prong observes the internal organization to identify the best practices in managing the police workforce, as well as risk management issues. The most important role of a police chief is to set objectives and goals for his team. There are four basic principles of Compstat: Accurate and timely intelligence, effective tactics, rapid deployment, and relentless follow-up and assessment. It is an organized method and a path to
CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY successful problem solving. However, this method is only one building block in any force that incorporates this into their repertoire (Godown, 2009).
There have been many great efforts that have been made in order to increase the effectiveness of policing and to decrease crime rates. One of these efforts is the four million dollar Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand announced this award on September 4, 2013. This initiative is focused on making New York City a safer place and will support a wide range of programs including prosecution efforts to target violent offenders, crime prevention, education efforts, drug treatment and other alternatives to incarceration, victim and witness support, and improvement in technology. The grant will be directed towards the District Attorneys initiatives to target thieves, parolees, ganginvolved youth, violent gangs, career criminals, drug traffickers, and hate crimes (Congressional Documents and Publications, 2013). Schumer stated that, This investment will help make our streets and neighborhoods safer for children, families, and seniors. When it comes to protecting our citizens we must be tough and smart, and this federal investment will help New York City improve the public safety system (Congressional Documents and Publications, 2013). This program honors Eddie Byrne, a 22-year-old NYPD officer who was killed while protecting a witness. This grant helps to support local government to support activities used to combat and prevent crime (Congressional Documents and Publications, 2013).
New York City has reported a 32% decrease in felony crime rate as well as the number of prisoners behind bars following Mayor Michael Bloomberg taking office. Also, the incarceration rate is 27% lower than the national average (NYC Incarceration, 2013).
CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY Bloomberg stated that, Policing strategies that reduce crime have the added benefit of dramatically reducing incarceration in New York City (NYC Incarceration, 2013). Criminal justice experts believe that although policing and commitment to jail alternatives were factors in
the lowering of the imprisonment rates, the actual reason as to why there have been lower felony rates is unknown. Crime rates have dramatically decreased nationally as well as internationally despite having different tactics (NYC Incarceration, 2013).
Even through the significant drop in the economy, crime rates are still at an all time low. Twenty years ago, this could not be foreseen. Subways, parks, Grand Central Terminal are all examples of places that used to be crawling with criminals. In 2013, these are places that everyone can now feel safe. While on the subway, the fear has lessened throughout the commuters. They do not fear being mugged and assaulted. Now, Bryant Park is filled with children laughing and playing when it once used to be a drug hot spot. Grand Central Terminal is no longer a flophouse. These changes did not come easy however. There were many strategic plans that were enacted in order to consciously make New York City a safer place for its residents and visitors (Kelling).
Throughout my time in the city, there was never a point that I did not feel safe. I took the subway by myself, which is not something I would ever do normally, and not once did I feel as though I was in danger. Walking through the parks, I could see how there were a few characters that hung out there, but as long as you paid them no mind, they did not usually bother anyone. New York City is a beautiful place and through this experience I was able to see many things I did not even know existed. I can now fully appreciate what New York City truly has to offer.
CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY References Godown, J. (2009, August). The Police Chief. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from
www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&article_id=1859&issue _id=82009 Kelling, G. (n.d.). How New York Became Safe: The Full Story by George L. Kelling, City Journal 17 July 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2013, from http://www.cityjournal.org/2009/nytom_ny-crime-decline.html NYC Incarceration, Crime Both Down; Can Mayor Rightfully Claim Credit? (2013). Corrections Forum, 22(1), 12. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.molloy.idm.oclc.org/docview/1313203121?accountid=28076 Parascandola, R. (2010, January 5). 2009 homicides in New York City are fewest since 1963 - NY Daily News. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/2009homicides-new-york-city-fewest-1963-article-1.457879 Schumer, gillibrand announce new york city set to receive over $4 million in DOJ grant; investment will help improve public safety in NYC. (2013). (). Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.molloy.idm.oclc.org/docview/1430265138?accountid=28076 Zimring, F. (2013, June 13). How New York Beat Crime | OUPblog. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://blog.oup.com/2012/06/zimring-scientific-american-nyc-beat-crime/

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Running Head: CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY

Meagan Cavanagh Crime in New York City Molloy College

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