Our security experts analyzed New York property crime rates from the past 15 years, examining burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft statistics across the state. Several trends stood out. Here’s what they were.
Burglary in New York
One of the findings that stood out was that New York’s burglary rate has dropped 59%, from 68,034 to 27,600 incidents. Peak break-ins reached 68,617 in 2006 before declining steadily. The biggest reduction occurred between 2012 and 2013. Today, these offenses account for about 10% of property crime, which reflects the Empire State’s focus on urban security enhancements and community policing initiatives.
Larceny in New York
Larceny, the Empire State’s dominant property crime at 85% of incidents, has started to show steady progress. We calculated a 25% reduction from 302,220 in 2005 to 226,851 thefts in 2019. Over the 15 years, the numbers have slowly declined across both urban and suburban areas, but there is still a long way to go.
Car Theft in New York
Unlike larceny, car theft in New York has seen remarkable improvement, particularly over the past ten years. Motor vehicle thefts plummeted from 35,736 in 2005 to 12,704 in 2019, representing one of the most significant declines in vehicle crime. Numbers have begun to plateau over the last five years, so we will continue to monitor whether further improvements occur.