NYC Major Felonies Persist 30% Above Pre-Pandemic Levels, Contributing to Widespread Public Safety Concerns

New York City continues to grapple with a complex public safety landscape, where official crime statistics indicating overall reductions contrast with persistent public apprehension, particularly among those with vulnerable family members. This dichotomy suggests that personal circumstances significantly influence the perception of safety, as highlighted by a recent social media post stating, > "You’re much more likely to have public safety concerns in NYC if you have little kids or elderly family members who are vulnerable."

Official data from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) reveals a nearly 3% reduction in overall index crime in 2024, translating to 3,662 fewer incidents across the five boroughs. Significant decreases were noted in categories such as murder, robbery, burglary, and grand larceny. Transit crime also saw a reduction, with a 7.5% decrease in December, despite some high-profile incidents.

However, a mid-2025 report from Vital City indicates that while major felonies are dropping compared to 2024, they remain elevated by 30% when compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Felony assaults, which involve serious injury or weapon use, have continued an upward trend since 2008, and misdemeanor assaults also remain high. This persistent elevation in certain crime types contributes to a broader sense of unease, even as overall figures decline.

Public sentiment surveys underscore these lingering concerns. A 2023 Siena College Research Institute survey found that 61% of New Yorkers are concerned about being crime victims, with 51% worried about their or their family's safety in public places. Furthermore, 41% stated they had "never been this worried about personal safety." A 2025 Citizens Budget Commission poll similarly noted that while New Yorkers feel marginally safer than the previous year, this perception has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, with subway safety fears particularly enduring.

In response, Mayor Eric Adams' administration has launched initiatives like "Safer Together" and the "Subway Safety Plan" to address quality-of-life concerns and enhance public safety. Despite these efforts, New York City ranked 117th in a WalletHub study on safe cities, which considered not only crime but also financial stability, natural disaster risk, and health coverage, suggesting a broader definition of safety influencing residents' perceptions.