NYC crime: NYPD say the last two months had fewest shootings and murders ever — but subway crime rises

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Monday that January and February saw the fewest number of shootings and murders on record for the first two months of the year — but crime is trending upward in the subways.

According to authorities, the last two months combined had 83 shootings and 97 shooting victims, compared to the previous all-time lows of 92 and 105, set in 2025 and 2019, respectively. In terms of murders, so far the city has seen 32 murders, whereas the previous all-time low was 38 set in 2018.

Police say this comes as part of an 8% drop in overall crime, which translates to about 1,100 fewer crimes reported year-to-date.

“Once again, the NYPD is demonstrating how targeted, data-driven policing is reducing crime and keeping communities safe,” Tisch said. “In the first two months of this year, we have seen the fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, and burglaries in recorded history for January and February combined. The men and women of the NYPD brought major crime down in every borough and there were 1,100 fewer reported crimes than last year. From our public housing – which had historic lows in crime – to our streets and subways, we will always stay focused on keeping New Yorkers safe, and I thank every member of the NYPD for their continued work in getting us here.”

Despite the success, NYPD statistics show that there was actually one more shooting in February 2026 compared to the same time in 2025. The number of victims of gunfire also increased by seven, with 50 being struck last month compared to 43 in February 2025.

NYPD explains increase in subway crime

The number of crimes in the New York City subway system also sharply rose by 18.5%, or about 30 more incidents than the previous year. Cops say these crimes were made up of felony assaults and nonviolent grand larcenies.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell

The number of crimes in the New York City subway system also sharply rose by 18.5%, or about 30 more incidents than the previous year. Cops say these crimes were made up of felony assaults and nonviolent grand larcenies.

Police attributed this surge to the cold and the effect it had on driving those underground to keep warm, adding that they ejected 61% fewer people from the trains during this period.

amNewYork observed more homeless and mentally ill individuals harboring themselves in the trains during the colder days last month.

In response to the crime surge, the NYPD said it has deployed approximately 140 additional cops a day into the transit system. The department already has cops on board trains at all hours of the day, through funding from Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Inside the crime numbers

Meanwhile, murders plummeted last month by 33.3% with 16 incidents compared to 24 in February 2025. Last month saw the second fewest murders for any February on record.

Burglaries dropped a staggering 19.8% year-over-year, from 977 break-ins reported in February 2025 to 784 this past February.

Additionally, grand larceny fell 6.8%, from 3,233 incidents in February 2025 to 3,014 last month. Robberies also decreased 6.4%, from 982 to 919, and felony assaults dropped 6.1%, from 2,035 incidents to 1,910.

Finally, auto theft declined 5.8%, from 841 to 792 incidents.

The month of February also saw 38 hate crimes reported citywide, but 21 of those incidents (representing 55.3% in total) involved victims who were Jewish. This would seem to continue the long-term uptick in antisemitic crimes that have occurred in recent years.