The talk about crime in the Bronx can quickly become emotional. A shooting on the evening news, a robbery caught on surveillance video or another family mourning a loved one can create the impression that violence is everywhere. But the latest police statistics tell a more complicated story.
Crime remains a serious concern in New York City’s northernmost borough, but according to the New York City Police Department, major crime in The Bronx has fallen significantly in 2026.
During the first nine months of 2026, the NYPD recorded 20,751 major crimes in The Bronx, compared with 23,545 during the same period in 2025. That represents an 11.9% decline, the largest decrease among New York City’s five boroughs.
The improvement follows progress recorded in 2025. According to the NYPD, murders in The Bronx fell approximately 18% in 2025 compared with 2024. Citywide, 305 murders were recorded in 2025, down from 382 the previous year.
The downward trend continued into 2026. During the first quarter of this year, overall major crime in The Bronx fell 9.4%, from 6,950 reported offenses during the first three months of 2025 to 6,298 during the same period in 2026.
Not every statistic moved in the right direction. The Bronx recorded 21 murders during the first quarter of 2026, compared with 19 during the same period in 2025. That early increase demonstrated why broader declines should not be interpreted as the disappearance of violent crime.
By summer, however, several categories showed substantial improvement. Through August, major crime in The Bronx was down 11.9% compared with 2025. Auto theft had fallen 29.2%, from 3,051 incidents to 2,161, while grand larceny declined 14.6%, from 6,167 incidents to 5,265.
August alone offered another snapshot of the changing picture. The Bronx recorded nine murders that month, compared with 14 in August 2025, a 35.7% decrease. Shooting incidents fell from 27 to 21, while the number of shooting victims dropped from 44 to 30.
The numbers matter, but statistics do not erase the experiences of residents who still encounter violence, theft and disorder in their neighborhoods. A borough can become statistically safer while individual communities, blocks and families continue to experience serious crime.
The larger citywide picture also provides context. Through September 2026, New York City recorded 203 murders, compared with 253 during the same period in 2025, a decrease of nearly 20%. Robbery declined 12.2%, burglary fell 13.7% and auto theft dropped 12.4%.
Felony assault, however, increased slightly, by 0.2%, while reported rape increased 3.7%. Police have cautioned that comparisons involving rape are affected in part by New York State’s expanded legal definition of the crime.
The honest story of crime in The Bronx in 2026, therefore, is neither that the borough is crime-free nor that it is spiraling out of control.
Based on NYPD data, The Bronx is experiencing one of the strongest overall crime declines in New York City. But behind every statistic is a neighborhood, a victim and a family. Progress should be recognized without pretending that the work of making communities safer is finished.
The figures are based primarily on official NYPD CompStat and department releases. And to all readers, please remember, The NYPD also cautions that current 2026 statistics are preliminary and can be revised.
