New York City officials to announce record-setting crime reduction this year

NYPD to announce record-setting crime reduction

NEW YORK — New York officials are expected to announce Monday that 2009 was a record-setting year in crime reduction, reflecting a trend seen across the country.

The NYPD earlier this year projected about 457 murders, which would be the lowest total since the department started keeping records in 1962. Overall, crime was projected to drop by nearly 12 percent from 2008 and 40 percent since 2001. New figures are expected Monday.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says the nation’s largest police department will continue to work hard to combat crime.

Preliminary FBI crime figures for the first half of 2009 show crime falling across the country, even at a time of high unemployment, foreclosures and layoffs. Murder and manslaughter fell 10 percent.