New York City was considered to be the safest big city in America ten years ago, but this year, it is mired in what authorities are calling pandemic-fuelled violence.
New York City was considered to be the safest big city in America ten years ago, but this year it is mired in what authorities are calling pandemic-fueled violence.
This year, murders are up 41 percent, and at their highest since 2011. The number of total victims of gun violence is even more alarming as it has increased by more than 100 percent.
NYC Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in an interview that, "The confluence of COVID into the protests into all of the debate about defunding the police—I can't imagine a darker period," according to local station PIX11.
The worst part about this increase in crime is the number of victims killed or injured by stray bullets who have been innocent bystanders to violence.
This year, they included a one-year-old in his stroller, a lady looking out her third-floor window and a teacher out taking his dog for a walk, to name just a tiny portion
Many factors are being cited as causing such horrific increases in crime. Budgets are in dire constraints this year in NYC across the board.
People are tense, angry and fearful due to the pandemic and the resulting economic woes, plus the loss of freedom due to the lockdowns. Also, perpetrators are harder to identify because of the constant use of face masks.
The "defund the police" movement has led to loss of confidence in the NYPD and other police forces across the nation. Also, partly due to this, the size of the NYPD has been reduced. On top of that, many of the force members have contracted the virus and were no longer able to work.
Recent bail reforms are considered by many to have put many hardened criminals back on the streets.
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