New York reports record-low crime in first 10 months of Mamdani's tenure

• NYC recorded 536 shooting incidents, 649 shooting victims and 230 murders in the first 10 months of 2026. 
• The mayor retained Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and has defended cooperation with the NYPD. 
• His campaign commitment to eliminate the gang database remains a point of debate.

New York City recorded its lowest number of shooting incidents, shooting victims and murders for the first 10 months of the year, according to figures released by the New York Police Department (NYPD), marking a historic decline in violent crime.

The city registered 536 shooting incidents and 649 shooting victims between Jan. and Oct. 2026, down from previous records of 598 and 746, respectively, set in 2025. Murders fell to 230, below the previous record low of 244 recorded in 2017, CBS New York reported on Nov. 9.

The NYPD attributed part of the decline to its efforts to target organised gangs, with detectives carrying out 26 gang-related operations during the period. Police also seized more than 4,500 illegal firearms across the city.

The figures were recorded during the opening months of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's tenure, placing the crime trends alongside his administration's early public safety agenda. Mamdani, who campaigned on reforming policing practices, has pledged to eliminate the NYPD's gang database, a commitment that has drawn renewed attention as the department credits gang-related operations with helping reduce shootings. 

Detectives conducted 26 gang-related takedowns during the reporting period, prompting retired NYPD detective Dave Sarni to argue that the database remains an important investigative tool. Mamdani has retained Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, signalling continuity in the department's leadership as his administration navigates its public safety and police reform commitments.

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