By Assemblyman Will Barclay
The State Division of Criminal Justice Services released its “Crime in New York State, 2007 Preliminary Data†report this spring. The summary includes information on crimes reported in New York State for the last 10 years. It contained some good news: Crime has steadily declined in the past 10 years and crime has also steadily declined for the 17th consecutive year.
Overall, the rate of index crimes per 100,000 resident population has declined 33 percent since 1998; the rate of violent crimes, which include murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault fell 35 percent. Property crimes, including burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft, were down 33 percent.
There was also a significant reduction in the actual number of crimes reported. Since 1998, the number of major crimes reported has fallen every year to the lowest levels recorded since statewide reporting began 40 years ago. In 2007, there were 190,052 fewer crimes reported than in 1998, while the population has increased by more than one million.
This is good news for our state and no doubt, state leaders will use this to market our safe state to prospective residents and businesses. While violent crime is down overall, crime is up in areas outside of New York City. According to the study, counties outside New York City now account for 56 percent of the reported crime statewide, as compared to 37 percent in 1990. While a higher proportion of the state’s violent crimes occurred in New York City, that region reported a 41 percent drop in violent crimes since 1998, and the non-New York City counties reported a decline in crime of 3 percent.
Despite general change in state crime demographics, our area remains safe. The report outlines crime for each county. In Onondaga County, there was a 6.6 percent decrease in total crime from 2006 to 2007. There was also a 3.7 percent decrease in violent crime. In Oswego County, there was a 3.6 decrease in total crime from 2006 to 2007 and a 2.3 percent decrease in violent crime.
Clearly anti-crime measures instituted by the state legislature over the past few years are showing a positive effect. The challenge now is to keep pace with criminal activity as it branches out of urban areas or takes on new forms such as identity theft. Interagency cooperation among law enforcement agencies, as well as with lawmakers on the local and state level, will ensure that this state, and our communities, can continue to offer a crime-free lifestyle for our citizens.
If you have any questions or comments or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (315) 598-5185.
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