Cops Slow To Enforce Broken Windows, Yet Crime Is Still Down

By

Published Jan 20, 2015

Modified Jan 20, 2015

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2025. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The NYPD continues to steadily increase the number of arrests and summonses they issue since the beginning of last month's "slowdown," but infractions for petty offenses are still lower than they were last year, and so is overall crime.

According to CompStat data obtained by the Times, arrests have climbed to 6,910, a 47% increase over the previous week's numbers but a 20% decline from the same period in 2014.

Summonses for offenses like open container or disorderly conduct, while up 121% from last week to 3,283, are still much lower than "normal"; down 56% from 2014.

And yet in almost all major categories [PDF], crime is down by 10.75%. Crime in the subway is down by 42%, even though the police are handing out far fewer summonses for turnstile jumping or resting your feet on a open seat. (Parking tickets have increased by 150%, but are still 38% below their level last year.)

Is it possible to ticket and arrest fewer New Yorkers for petty offenses and also see decreases in serious crime? Guess we'll have to wait for a new mayor and police commissioner to find out.