NYPD commissioner, chief say crime on downward trend in NYC

The NYPD remains committed to reducing crime in the five boroughs, but Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Chief of Department Ken Corey said officers are still frustrated with bail reform laws.

“We are arresting the same people over and over again,” Sewell told Pat Kiernan on Monday during an appearance on “Mornings On 1.” “I understand that there are people who believe that this has no effect, but it does. We know what we see every single day.”

Corey added that detectives and officers are reaching out to him to express frustration with judges refusing to hold repeat offenders on bail.

However, the NYPD officials said that crime is continuing on a downward trend in the city.

“We’re moving in the right direction. So while we look at those numbers, I try to make sure I think about people, because we’re talking about victims,” Sewell said. “While we will remain on those numbers – we’re seeing measurable progress – our focus will always remain on the victims.”

Among the ways that the NYPD is working to help victims and give New Yorkers a sense of security is by adding more officers to the transit system, which Sewell and Corey agree is helping to deter crime.

Corey, who is retiring from the department on Tuesday, also took some time to reflect on his career and noted that even with occasional spikes in crime, New York City is a much safer place than it has been in years past.