NYPD: Rapes spike by 11% in '24, overall crime down 2% so far
Mayor Eric Adams talks about the latest NYPD crime statistics at a news conference Wednesday. Credit: Ed Quinn
Rapes in New York City have increased substantially so far in 2024 over last year, with a surge of almost 60% in June alone, according to the latest crime statistics released by the NYPD on Wednesday
The 11% spike in rapes for the first six months of 2024 comes at a time when most other serious crimes in the city have been on a steady decline this year to an overall drop of about 2% for the first six months, compared with the same period in 2023.
It has also dampened the impact of significant drops in homicides of 18%, as well as a nearly 10% decrease in burglaries, a 4% drop in grand larcenies and a decline of more than 10% in auto thefts, according to the data. The combined results have driven major crimes down 1.95% for the year. Shooting incidents are also down 8.5% this year.
At a news conference, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban touted the drop in crime — which dipped 4% in June alone — as continued evidence of the effectiveness of crime fighting efforts not only on the streets but in the subways.
“Six straight months, crime has decreased,” Adams said Wednesday. “We have had a full frontal assault on disorder.”
NYPD Chief Michael LiPetri, who oversees department crime control strategies, said the increase in rapes has been driven by more occurring in a domestic relationship or by an acquaintance, with smaller spikes in stranger rapes. In June, there were 175 rapes reported, compared with 110 in the same period a year ago. Of those reported last month, 90% were categorized as domestic or acquaintance cases in which the survivor and the suspects are known to each other in some way, according to NYPD data.
Since March 31, cops have seen more victims coming forward to report rapes and other sex crimes that occurred months earlier, LiPetri said.
“We encourage that,” LiPetri said of the delayed rape reporting.
A recent New York Court of Appeals decision reversing the rape conviction of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sparked criticism it would possibly have a chilling effect on other rape victims considering coming forward but LiPetri said the NYPD has not seen that.
Adams maintained Wednesday his long-held refrain: “New York is the safest big city in America.”
In addition to the crime data, NYPD officials also detailed plans for the 48th annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display, which this year is taking place on the Hudson River, beginning at about 9:25 p.m. The fireworks barges will be positioned off West 14th Street and West 34th Street, the first time the event will have occurred on the Hudson since 2013.
Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey said there will be increased security along the West Side roadways near the river, including measures that will be visible and those unseen. Adams said there was no credible threat to the event.
However, in anticipation of possible protests around the fireworks display, police officials said they will have additional units at the ready, including those at a protest expected in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park.
Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, who head the counterterrorism unit, said drone detection technology will also be deployed to deal with any unauthorized use of drones.
Rapes in New York City have increased substantially so far in 2024 over last year, with a surge of almost 60% in June alone, according to the latest crime statistics released by the NYPD on Wednesday
The 11% spike in rapes for the first six months of 2024 comes at a time when most other serious crimes in the city have been on a steady decline this year to an overall drop of about 2% for the first six months, compared with the same period in 2023.
It has also dampened the impact of significant drops in homicides of 18%, as well as a nearly 10% decrease in burglaries, a 4% drop in grand larcenies and a decline of more than 10% in auto thefts, according to the data. The combined results have driven major crimes down 1.95% for the year. Shooting incidents are also down 8.5% this year.
At a news conference, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban touted the drop in crime — which dipped 4% in June alone — as continued evidence of the effectiveness of crime fighting efforts not only on the streets but in the subways.
“Six straight months, crime has decreased,” Adams said Wednesday. “We have had a full frontal assault on disorder.”
NYPD Chief Michael LiPetri, who oversees department crime control strategies, said the increase in rapes has been driven by more occurring in a domestic relationship or by an acquaintance, with smaller spikes in stranger rapes. In June, there were 175 rapes reported, compared with 110 in the same period a year ago. Of those reported last month, 90% were categorized as domestic or acquaintance cases in which the survivor and the suspects are known to each other in some way, according to NYPD data.
Since March 31, cops have seen more victims coming forward to report rapes and other sex crimes that occurred months earlier, LiPetri said.
“We encourage that,” LiPetri said of the delayed rape reporting.
A recent New York Court of Appeals decision reversing the rape conviction of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sparked criticism it would possibly have a chilling effect on other rape victims considering coming forward but LiPetri said the NYPD has not seen that.
Adams maintained Wednesday his long-held refrain: “New York is the safest big city in America.”
In addition to the crime data, NYPD officials also detailed plans for the 48th annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display, which this year is taking place on the Hudson River, beginning at about 9:25 p.m. The fireworks barges will be positioned off West 14th Street and West 34th Street, the first time the event will have occurred on the Hudson since 2013.
Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey said there will be increased security along the West Side roadways near the river, including measures that will be visible and those unseen. Adams said there was no credible threat to the event.
However, in anticipation of possible protests around the fireworks display, police officials said they will have additional units at the ready, including those at a protest expected in Manhattan’s Washington Square Park.
Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, who head the counterterrorism unit, said drone detection technology will also be deployed to deal with any unauthorized use of drones.
Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.
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