Report: New York Sixth Safest State
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New York is the sixth safest state in America, according to preliminary crime statistics to be released today by the FBI that reflect historically low crime rates for the state.
During the first half of 2005, crime in New York State decreased by 2.8% as murder dropped 5.3% and burglary fell 6.4%, according to FBI data. Overall crime has declined by 45% since 1994, Governor Pataki’s office reported.
The numbers reflect a nationwide drop in crime overall, despite a rise in murder (2.1%) and robbery (0.6%), a spokesman for the FBI said. In New York, robbery rose 4.1%, according to FBI data.
Numbers for other states were not available yesterday.
In New York City, crime rates have followed the state’s historic trend, according to police data. Last week, following the arrest of 24 individuals on drug and gun trafficking charges in the Bronx, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told reporters, “New York is on track to have another record-low year in homicides,” with the second-lowest number of shootings since 1993.
According to police data, there were 508 murders reported through December 11, a 6.2% drop from the 542 reported in all of 2004. Two- and four-year crime rate comparisons reflect 8.9% and 18.35% decreases for all reported crimes, police reported.
Still, in the wake of the murders of two New York City police officers in recent weeks, Mr. Pataki has called for a special session of the Legislature to meet on Wednesday to address tougher penalties for illegal gun traffickers and for those who attack police, his office said.
Yesterday the New York State Director of Criminal Justice, Chauncey Parker, issued a statement rallying behind the governor’s public safety initiatives. “These issues are not Republican, Democrat, liberal or conservative, they are public safety issues, and the people of this state deserve nothing less than a vote up or down,” he said.