NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The NYPD has released its first monthly crime stats since the state enacted its new bail reform initiatives, and it shows an increase in nearly all crimes except murders and rapes.
There is a 16.9% increase in all major index categories, with shootings up 27%, robberies up 35%, burglaries up 18%, auto thefts up 70%, grand larcenies up 10%, and felony assaults up 8.5%.
Conversely, murders are down nearly 20 percent, with 25 so far this year after 31 at this point last year. Rapes are also down.
"That is cause for real concern," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "It's also very important to note the good news: murder down, rape down."
NYPD officials are attributing the increase to the release of many defendants, per the bail reform laws, with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea citing a "pretty significant number of people released from Rikers Island."
Additionally, the NYPD has launched a new youth strategy to address and prevent youth crime, which officials say will draw on officers to address crime spikes involving youth as well as promote the mission of keeping all kids safe.
The new Youth Coordination Officers, starting this spring, will complement the Department's Neighborhood Policing philosophy. This effort will revamp how cops and kids interact, with the goal of helping young New Yorkers avoid a first interaction with the criminal justice system and reach their full potential.
"Every single member of the NYPD understands that behind each crime statistic is a victim who deserves justice," Shea said. "Through Neighborhood Policing and precision policing, our officers are fostering critical relationships with the communities they serve. The men and women of this department are second to none and they will continue to be relentless to address upticks in crime."
As the department adapts to the challenges of criminal justice reforms, Shea said the NYPD continues to employ precision policing, where officers focus on the small number of individuals driving crime, including gang and crew violence.
"The men and women of the NYPD work tirelessly to build bonds with the communities they serve," de Blasio said. "These efforts have made New York the safest big city in the country, and I want to thank our officers for always protecting the five boroughs. While we are sober about the challenges we faced last month, the NYPD will use data and targeted enforcement to fight crime. As we double down on our efforts, we will be building bonds with our youngest New Yorkers to make our city safer and fairer."
