Updated 03/31/2009 11:22 AM
City Murder Rate Drops 23 Percent, Police Commissioner Says
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
Despite the sinking economy and fewer police officers on the street, violent crime is dropping in the city.
New York City Police Department figures released today show overall crime dropped 13 percent in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2008.
The murder rate has dropped 23 percent.
There have been 80 homicides in the city through March 22nd, 24 percent fewer than last year.
Rapes, robberies, and felony assaults also decreased. There have been 248 reported rapes so far this year compared to 328 by this time last year. There have also been 3,770 robberies compared to 4,493 in 2008. Felony assaults have dropped to 3,013 from 3,258.
During testimony before a City Council committee today, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the department is requesting federal funding for a new Midtown security initiative, modeled on the Lower Manhattan security initiative.
Next year's preliminary budget calls for the smallest police force since 1990.