County Executive George Latimer announcing crime data, with Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins and Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor
Crime rates in Westchester County have once again declined, according to the latest data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Westchester County Executive George Latimer attributed this encouraging trend to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the strong collaboration with community partners.
The report highlights significant progress in three key areas: shootings, murders, and overall crime—all of which have seen positive decreases. These improvements reflect the County’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
Shootings: Source: DCJS, data through September 30, 2024
Year to date shootings are down 34.5%, from 29 shootings in January to September 2023 to 19 shootings in January to September 2024.
With 2.1 shootings per month, Westchester in 2024 has the second lowest number of shootings on record. Only 2019 was better with 1.9 shootings per month. Since the pandemic spike, shootings are down by about 50%.
Murders: DCJS, data through May 31, 2024
Murders were down 57% year over year, from 7 murders in January to May 2023 to 3 murders in January to May 2024. This level of murders is the lowest number of murders of any Jan-May period since 1990.
Crime: DCJS, data through May 31, 2024
Crime is down 10% year over year. Westchester has currently 53% less crime than in 2000 and 33% less crime than in 2010. Crime is lower than 2017 and it is only 9% higher than the historic lows of 2018-2019.
Latimer said: “Our commitment to fighting crime in Westchester County is stronger than ever. We’ve invested in the Westchester County Department of Public Safety at record levels because I am dedicated to keeping this County safe for all of us. This progress is thanks, in large part, to the dedication and bravery of our law enforcement officers.”
Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “The collaboration between our law enforcement, community leaders, and residents is key to our success in reducing crime. Westchester is proof that when we work together, we can create safer communities for everyone. This decrease in crime is a direct result of our collective efforts and dedication to public safety.”
Westchester County Department of Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor said: “These positive statistics reflect the relentless dedication of our law enforcement officers, who work day in and day out to protect and serve. Their commitment has led to this significant drop in crime, helping to ensure a safer environment and peace of mind for all Westchester residents.”
At the press conference held on Oct. 16 to announce the data, both Jenkins and Latimer took aim at those who did not believe the statistics.
“During our poliartized poiltical times it is a disservice for anyone to suggest that the real data that is infront of people is just not true…No one should be looking at anything but the reality, the numbers don’t lie,” said Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins.
County Executive Latimer used a sports analogy to those who dispute the crime data. “I am a Jets fan, but the Jets lost to the Bills. It is a matter of fact that they lost. The next day nobody said the Jets won. Things happen and tere is a certain reality to it. The scoreboard didn’t lie.
“We cannot tell ourselves a fantasy becuase it satisifes a narrative or ideology.. If the numbers were going in the other direction we would determine what we can do to turn it around. You can’t look at the scoreboard and deny the final score. The scoreboard tells us that law enforcement in Westchester has had a postive result. What we are doing is working,” said Latimer.
