New York’s Division of Criminal Justice Services has released statewide crime statistics for last year, showing major crimes at an all time low in 2016. The most serious crimes including assault, rape and murder fell by 20 percent over the last ten years.
But a study by USA Today’s Albany bureau finds while major crimes are down statewide, the number of murders reported in Monroe County increased last year, from 38 to 44. The overall Monroe County and Rochester crime rate fell by nine percent, and the long-term rate has declined by 27 percent over the last five years.
There were close to 376,000 so-called Index Crimes statewide, including the top seven violent crimes. That’s the lowest number since statewide reporting began in 1975.
Former Monroe County DA Mike Green is now head of the DJCS. He says in a statement that this shows hard work by law enforcement statewide plus efforts to stop criminals from re-offending and turn their lives around.