Rapes will increase by 11% in 2024, overall crime has fallen by 2% so far

According to the NYPD’s latest crime statistics released Wednesday, rapes in New York City increased significantly in 2024 compared to last year, with a nearly 60% increase in June alone.

The 11% increase in rapes in the first six months of 2024 comes at a time when most other serious crimes in the city have been steadily declining this year, and compared to the same period in 2023, there is an overall decline of about 2% in the first six months.

According to the data, this also mitigated the impact of a significant 18% drop in the murder rate, as well as a nearly 10% drop in burglaries, 4% in grand thefts and more than 10% in auto thefts. Taken together, the results have resulted in a 1.95% drop in major crimes for the year. Shootings have also dropped 8.5% this year.

Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Chief Edward Caban praised the drop in crime at a press conference – it fell four percent in June alone – as further proof of the effectiveness of crime fighting not only on the streets but also in the subways.

“For six months in a row, crime has gone down,” Adams said Wednesday. “We have seen a frontal assault on the unrest.”

NYPD Chief Michael LiPetri, who oversees crime-fighting strategies, said the increase in rapes was due to cases in which perpetrators were raped in a domestic relationship or by acquaintances, while the number of rapes by strangers was lower. There were 175 rapes reported in June, compared to 110 in the same period last year. Of the cases reported last month, 90% were classified as domestic relationships or by acquaintances, where the victim and suspects know each other in some way, according to NYPD data.

Since March 31, more victims have come forward to police to report rapes and other sexual crimes that occurred months earlier, LiPetri said.

“We encourage this,” LiPetri said of the delayed reporting of rapes.

A recent decision by a New York appeals court overturning the rape conviction of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sparked criticism. The decision could have a chilling effect on other rape victims considering coming forward. But according to LiPetri, the New York Police Department is not showing any signs of doing so.

Adams on Wednesday insisted on his long-held credo: “New York is the safest big city in America.”

In addition to the crime data, NYPD officials also presented detailed plans for the 48th annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display, which will take place this year on the Hudson River and begin at approximately 9:25 p.m. The fireworks barges will be positioned off West 14th Street and West 34th Street. It will be the first time this event has taken place on the Hudson since 2013.

Department Chief Jeff Maddrey said security measures would be increased along West Side streets near the river, including both visible and invisible measures. Adams said there was no credible threat to the event.

However, in light of possible protests related to the fireworks, police officials said additional units would be on standby, including those for an expected protest rally in Washington Square Park in Manhattan.

Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner, who heads the counterterrorism unit, said drone detection technology is also being used to prevent unauthorized use of drones.