New York City’s homicide rate remains higher than it was before the pandemic in 2019, according to a recent national crime study. The Council on Criminal Justice’s Mid-Year Crime Report revealed that homicide rates are up about 20% through the first half of 2024 compared to the same time in 2019.
Despite a 20% decrease from the same time in 2023, the city has consistently been unable to return to pre-pandemic homicide levels. This has left families like Danette Hollie, who lost her son to a shooting, devastated and seeking justice.
Homicide rates in New York City spiked during the summer of 2020 and have remained stubbornly high ever since. While the national homicide rate has decreased by 2% from 2019 levels, New York City continues to struggle with elevated rates.
Although overall crime in the city is on the decline, with a 2.2% decrease reported by the NYPD in 2024, Hollie believes that crime is still unacceptable. She expressed her concerns about people “getting away with murder,” indicating a lack of accountability in the justice system.
While larger cities like St. Louis, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Baltimore have seen drops in their homicide rates since 2019, New York City remains an outlier with persistently high rates. The NYPD remains optimistic about the downward trend in crime, citing a decrease in gun violence by 11.5% in 2024.
Despite these positive trends, families like Hollie’s continue to mourn the loss of loved ones to senseless violence. The emotional toll of losing a family member to homicide is immeasurable, and the lack of closure only exacerbates the pain.
As New York City works towards reducing its homicide rate and addressing the root causes of violence, it is crucial for the community to come together to support families like Hollie’s and advocate for justice. Only through a collective effort can the city hope to create a safer environment for all residents.
