NYPD Steps Up Gun Arrests, Most Crimes Decreased in January

    In line with the NYPD’s claims that it is stepping up efforts to reduce gun violence, the department reported that last month, it made 486 arrests of criminals with guns, which is 185 more gun arrests that it made in January 2020.

     “As we move into 2021, I remain very optimistic about the continuing work of the NYPD to improve both public safety and trust across New York City,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “All New Yorkers have weathered a great deal during 2020, but your NYPD cops remain undaunted in their vital work – not only driving down crime – but also engaging with our many community partners in order to build trust in every borough, in every neighborhood.”

    While the NYPD is arresting more criminals with guns, shooting incidents, however, have increased as well. While 66 shootings were reported in January 2020 to 77 shootings were reported last month. In addition, car thefts also increased significantly from this time last year. 

    The good news, however, was that incidents of every other major crime decreased from this time last year.

     Last month, fewer murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, and crimes of grand larceny, in which more than $1,000 of property or services was stolen, took place than in January of last year.