Despite long-term security improvements, crime in Central Park will rise in 2024

CENTRAL PARK, NY – Crime in Central Park is making headlines again, but even though the latest NYPD data shows that reports of certain crimes increased in 2024, the park is still much safer than it was years ago.

For example, the number of robberies has increased by 200% since the beginning of the year, from 10 in 2023 to 30 in 2024.

The number of serious crimes in the park has increased by 46% compared to 2023. The number of serious assaults has also increased – from 7 to 10 incidents – but the number of minor assaults and petty thefts has decreased significantly, by about 22% and 19% respectively.

According to the New York Police Department, two rapes have already been reported in the park this year.

There were no murders in the park in 2024, and there were none last year either.

Parking is much safer than before

In the long term, the number of robberies in the park has decreased by 84.9% since 1990.

The last year for which a full-year comparison is possible is 2023. Data for 2001 and 2023 show that all major crimes recorded by the NYPD have declined significantly. Robbery? Decrease of almost 38%. Aggravated assault? Decrease of 10%, from 10 to 9 incidents.

If you want to see the numbers yourself, you can access the NYPD data for the Central Park Precinct here.

Are you concerned about safety in Central Park? Email: [email protected].