Arrests Down, Shootings Up in NYC

In mid-July, this article in the WSJ noted an increase in shootings in New York City as the lockdowns started to ease. Not to worry, though, Mayor de Blasio was ready with “new tactics to curb violence, including deploying additional officers to areas where shootings have taken place, and increasing efforts to foster coordination between police and communities.” Additional cops can’t hurt, but if you have a fixed number in a city deploying more one place means fewer someplace else. “Foster coordination between police and communities” sounds like the kind of vague generality that typically means nothing worthwhile will get done.

So how is it looking four months later?

Ben Chapman reports for the WSJ:

Shootings in New York City have nearly doubled this year, New York Police Department officials said Tuesday, while arrests for major crimes have plummeted.

From Jan 1. through Sunday, the city has recorded 1,359 shootings, an increase of nearly 95% from the 698 in the same period last year, according to NYPD data. The number of shooting victims rose to 1,667 from 828.

Meanwhile, arrests for major crimes have fallen by nearly 13%, driven by drops for every major category except burglaries, car thefts and gun-related crimes, according to the data. Arrests for crimes involving guns are up nearly 19% this year, the data showed.

What does Hizzonor have to say about this?

In a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio attributed the rise in shootings and the drop in arrests to factors related to the coronavirus pandemic, citing the closure of businesses, schools and houses of worship as factors that created a “perfect storm” in the city.

“A lot of things we depend on to keep people safe and stable weren’t there,” Mr. de Blasio said.

That last statement, which I have italicized, I agree with. New Yorkers used to depend on strong leadership from the mayor’s office, backing the police and promoting effective law enforcement. But none of that is there any more.