Facing a wave of random street and subway violence, a deepening migrant crisis, and the fatal shooting last month of an officer during a routine traffic stop, New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban insists the country's largest city remains safe.

Key Takeaways

1. New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban insists the city remains safe despite recent incidents.

2. Crime was down overall in the first quarter of 2024 in New York City, with decreases in murders, burglaries, and grand larcenies.

3. Shooting incidents were down almost 26% in March from the year before.

4. Some types of crime increased last month over March 2023, including rape and felony assaults.

5. The issue of migrants and crime has become fiercely political, but there is no evidence of a migrant-driven crime wave.

Brief Context

Commissioner Caban highlighted the difference between perception and reality regarding crime rates in New York City. Despite recent high-profile incidents, overall crime was down in the first quarter of 2024. He attributed some of the fears to an influx of migrants and criticized the bail reform laws that allow defendants to be released after being caught.