Shootings and homicides down in Brooklyn since 2020 peak

January 4, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

East New York's 75th Precinct has the highest number of 911 calls regarding Emotionally Disturbed Persons. Scott Roth/Invision/AP

NYPD van. Scott Roth/Invision/AP

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An increase in crime has been a big topic in New York City since the pandemic, however, Brooklyn has seen consistent drops in both shooting and homicides, which are down 31 percent and 21 percent, respectively, since 2020, according to District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

Gonzalez explained that these drops are encouraging trends that show a reversal in a spike of gun violence that occurred during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since that time, shootings have dropped 31 percent, the number of shooting victims has declined 33 percent, and murders have dropped 21 percent.

“I am happy to report that public safety in Brooklyn continued to improve over the past year, as we rebound from the spike in violence that we experienced during 2020,” Gonzalez said. “The significant declines in murders and shootings in our borough are driving the citywide gains against gun violence and are a testament to the hard work and focused approach by my Office, the NYPD and all of our partners.

Not all of the news was good in Brooklyn in 2022. Despite the drop in gun violence and murders, index crimes, which includes rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, and grand larceny, rose by about 21 percent over the last 12 months.

“We still have work to do as we pledge to drive down gun crimes even further and contend with upticks in other crime categories, but I am confident that we are on the right track,” Gonzalez said. “I remain committed to targeting the most violent individuals and to growing our partnerships with community-based groups, violence interrupters and others who are engaged in preventative strategies.”

There were a total of 138 homicides in Brooklyn in 2022, according to the DA’s Office, which is 12 fewer than 2021.

DA Gonzalez pointed out that Brooklyn is leading the way in the reduction of gun violence and murders across all of New York City. For instance, shootings in Brooklyn dropped by 31 percent over the last two years, which accounts for 83 percent of the citywide decline.

The biggest improved areas — Coney Island, East Flatbush, Midwood, Bushwick, and Fort Greene, which all saw a drop in homicides by at least 50%.