Mayor de Blasio (at lectern) and Police Commissioner Bratton (r.) this week announced that 2014 saw the fewest murders in recorded city history.
Photo Courtesy of Demetrius Freeman/Mayoral Photography Office
It has unquestionably been a difficult few weeks for the rank and file of the city Police Department. On Dec. 20, two officers were gunned down in cold blood on a Brooklyn street as they sat in their patrol car. On Monday, two plainclothes anti-crime officers were shot responding to a call of an armed robbery in the Bronx. Both are recovering in the hospital.
And then there is the palpable strain in the relationship between Mayor Bill de Blasio and the unions that represent cops.
But briefly stemming the tide of tension and fear this week were the record-shattering annual crime statistics. De Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton on Tuesday announced that 2014 saw the fewest murders—332—in recorded city history. Additionally, the Big Apple saw the lowest murder, robbery and burglary rates in the past 10 years.
“The city of New York is the safest big city in America, thanks to the hard work of the members of the NYPD who every day tirelessly perform their duty to serve and protect our communities,” beamed Bratton, marking the first year in his second tour as commissioner. “This relentless dedication to public safety has resulted in historically low crime levels and a safer city where millions of people live and work. The NYPD will endeavor to further reduce crime through community relationships and the integration of technology.”
In 2014, Overall Index Crime was down 4.6 percent since the previous year; OIC in transit was down 14.8 percent over the previous year; and housing crime was down 6 percent over 2013. In 2014, complaints to the Civilian Complaint Review Board dropped 11 percent compared to the previous year. And marijuana arrests dropped 10.5 percent compared to 2013.
In November, de Blasio and Bratton rolled out a change in the NYPD’s marijuana policy. The new protocol allows police officers to issue criminal-court summonses, in lieu of arrest, to people found in possession of a small amount of marijuana, 25 grams or less, in a public place open to public view—that is not burning, and is consistent with personal use.
Additionally last year, in an effort to streamline law-enforcement efforts, increase the safety of city residents and visitors, as well as police officers, and ensure fairness within the city’s criminal justice system, the de Blasio administration unveiled the NYPD Mobility Initiative, a $160 million program that will provide officers with up to 41,000 mobile devices, including tablet computers and handheld devices.
The city also invested $210 million in Housing Authority anti-violence programs, launched a $130 million plan to reduce crime among those with behavioral and mental health issues, and invested $12.7 million in gun-violence reduction programs in 14 key precincts, including four borough commands.
“As we begin the new year, we will build on last year’s momentum to ensure the world’s greatest police department keeps getting better, and to ensure we keep our residents and our officers safe from harm,” de Blasio said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
