Reporting by Phil O’Brien, Dashiell Allen and Catie Savage
Crime and quality of life issues have always been hot topics in New York City, and last week, we asked Hell’s Kitchen residents how they felt about life on our streets. More than 40% of the respondents said they had a personal experience with crime in the past year. When asked about the level of trust in the crime-related statistics shared by city officials and politicians, only 13% showed confidence in the figures.
“Despite what statistics say, it’s clear many New Yorkers don’t feel safe — especially on the subways,” said local Councilmember Erik Bottcher after we shared the results of our survey.
In our survey, 79% of respondents said they felt that there was more crime than five years ago, with just over half saying that there was more crime than last year.
Between 2022 and 2023, the NYPD reported a 24.7% reduction in shootings citywide. According to police data, instances of murder, rape, robberies, grand larcenies and burglaries all decreased last year compared to the previous 12 months, while auto grand larcenies and felony assaults increased.
According to the NYPD’s crime index statistics, crime rates fell 2.4% in the first three months of 2024 compared to 2023, with all major categories seeing decreases except for felony assaults and robberies.
“What we’re seeing out there on the streets and subways is emblematic of the mental health crisis, the substance abuse crisis, the decline of norms of behavior in the public sphere, and more,” CM Bottcher told us. “All levels of government have a lot of work to do to ensure that New Yorkers and their families can go about their day confident in their safety.”
For our part, we have taken on board readers’ suggestions that W42ST continue to report on major crimes and investigate a regular “police blotter” for other crimes. With this initiative, we hope to cut through the noise of social media triggers from Citizen, Facebook and NextDoor to give a calm overview of what’s happening in the neighborhood.
We took the time to talk to locals who had experienced crime, those who formally liaise with the NYPD, and a dive bar night manager who witnesses more than most, as well as to compile reader comments.
THE SURVEY
Last week, 70 W42ST readers responded to our survey. The goal was to understand their experience with and perceptions of crime in the neighborhood. Here’s what we found:
- When comparing crime today to five years ago, nearly eight out of 10 readers (79%) perceive that there is more crime today
- When comparing crime today to one year ago, just about half (52%) perceive that not much has changed
- When asked about the level of trust they have in the crime statistics shared by city officials and politicians, only nine readers (13%) reported high trust in the information they receive
Overall, about four out of 10 respondents (42%) report having a personal experience with crime in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood within the past year.
WHAT READERS SAY
“Squatters and drug addicts have moved into my apartment building. Seen a lot of fighting and open drug use. Doesn’t seem like a leap in crime so much in the neighborhood, but a leap in disorder — garbage, wrong-way mopeds, delivery guys camped out on the sidewalk, empty storefronts not maintained, weed and weed stores everywhere and a lower level of commercial enterprise.” — Caroline Ely
“I think the sight of poverty, homelessness and drug use creates the sense of lack of safety and discomfort but I don’t think that necessarily translates into more crime. The real crime is not enough housing and social services.” — Sinegra
“I haven’t had any personal experiences thankfully. I have neighbors that have had packages stolen from our lobby… and occasionally I’ve had people that don’t live in my building trying to get someone to buzz them [in] at all hours of the night.” — Anonymous
“Just feel as though I have to constantly watch my back when out.” — Jay G
“The deserted streets of 2020 were far more dangerous than anything today. There is still collective trauma from the pandemic that we simply ignore nowadays. We lost a lot during that time and many people became absolutely desperate to survive. It happened so very recently and we are still dealing with the fallout (inflation, poverty, health, mental health, community, homelessness, increased consolidation of monopolies) but everyone seems to want to just pretend it didn’t really matter.” — Gregg
“I no longer feel that ‘see something, say something’ matters. Police just shrug at everything when you feel unsafe.” — DJ
Delores Rubin — President, Midtown North Precinct Community Council
Over the past three years, participants at Midtown North Precinct Community Council meetings have mostly reported quality of life concerns like bicycling infractions (including riding on sidewalks), homeless encampments, and increasing numbers of illegal smoke shops. Additionally, many concerns were previously raised about witnessing shoplifting on a regular basis at local establishments like pharmacies. This concern has not been a subject for discussion in the past five to six months. The reduction of complaints is not an indication that there is a change in the frequency, but rather this is not a top concern at the moment for attendees at our meetings.
While not all these issues are ones that can be solved by NYPD, we have consistently heard of more cooperation across agencies to try to reduce the impacts of these problems.
The number of meeting attendees has also dropped from about 50+ at the height of the pandemic to a steady participation rate, with approximately 30 people each month.
All to say, the survey results may be accurate for those that participate, but may not correlate to the sentiment of MTN Precinct Council meeting attendees.
Peter Cecere — Business Owner, The Purple Tongue
I had two LED lights, table lamps on the table on the high top. I saw the door open and a person came in, grabbed two lights and took off. And I just went after him. I chased him and ran up to 9th Avenue, went north on 9th. And I caught him at the Westway Diner, right outside the front of it. We had a little confrontation there.
I recovered my lights from him, but then I pulled my phone out and called 911 and he started running. I followed him up 44th Street towards 8th Avenue and just chased him. I probably shouldn’t have done it. But I just instinctively felt violated at that point. And this is my business, you have no right to do this.
I have security cameras and an alarm system. What I’m thinking about doing is building a vestibule in the front of the restaurant, and this way if somebody comes in, then there’s another barrier for them. I always tell customers that are sitting there, please don’t leave your bag hanging on the back of your chair. Now they will have to come into the vestibule, the vestibule door will close and then they’d have to come into the second door to enter the restaurant.
Brian Weber — President, Midtown South Precinct Community Council
The most common concerns brought up at MTS Precinct Community Council meetings revolve around narcotic use in public, and about having to navigate around those engaged in narcotic activity. Sometimes it involves individuals who may be homeless, but I think most people are just concerned by behaviors that they’re seeing on the sidewalk.
Brian recommends calling 911 when witnessing public narcotic use…
The important thing about that call is that it’s forming a data point and will help determine how resources are deployed by city agencies. That’s why I encourage people to report things, but I also understand that it’s difficult to always report everything you see.
I think the public gets frustrated because they’re reporting something and they expect — and I don’t fault them for this — they expect that it can be addressed immediately. More often than not, with narcotic activity, it’s not as simple as that.
Joe Sallabi — Night Manager, Rudy’s Bar & Grill
I don’t feel like crime is worse right now, I just feel that there’s more people, so obviously there’s gonna be more incidents of crime. I feel that these days people are more aware of crime because of the Citizen App, and as soon as something happens, you know, it’s on Facebook or Instagram. Back in the day if something happened, people would never hear about it.
I’m out here every day. I walk the streets at five in the morning going home. But it’s a little different for me because I know everybody out there. As I go home at night, the people on the streets say hi to me and I say hi to them.
Sallabi was also witness to a slashing incident early last week outside of Plaza Gourmet Deli (9th Ave at W43rd St):
That was an occurrence of a jealous boyfriend. It wasn’t the kind of thing where a guy just decided to go out and start slashing people that are hanging out in the deli. I helped [a woman] get her phone charged inside the deli, and there was a new guy working there and he made her feel kind of uncomfortable. She’s like, well, that’s OK, I’m just gonna go. And then, unbeknownst to me, she got into a car outside and had her phone charged. That’s when the boyfriend showed up and was jealous that she was in a car with a male. And then that’s how the stabbing happened.
I came out and I spoke with him. But he’s four feet away from me and he still has a knife. I kept telling him to just put the knife down. I was telling him it’s not worth it, she was just getting her phone charged. He still wouldn’t give up the knife and I said if you don’t give up that knife, I’m gonna come take it from you.
That’s when he threw the knife away. He pulled out another knife and started stabbing the guy’s tire. So I had to physically take him to the ground, take the knife away from him.
Most of the time with just words I can stop the situation, because I know one or both sides of the argument. I know the people and the people know me. You’ll see people from all walks of life say hi to me, and I’ll say hi to them. I don’t feel like I’m in danger by stepping in. I totally feel safe.
As for the NYPD, Sallabi says:
The problem isn’t them, it’s what happens after they arrest somebody. I’ll see somebody get taken in, and before I’m off work at night, they’re back on the street. There’s not enough help for those who are mentally ill.
There’s a lot of them that have been on the street for years. And they’re tired of being on the streets, but there’s nothing. They can’t just walk into a place and go hey, listen. You know, I’m tired of being on the streets. I’m tired of stealing things from these stores.
GET INVOLVED
Midtown North Precinct Council meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7pm via Zoom. Email mtncommunitycouncil@gmail.com for more information. You can follow the MTN Precinct on Twitter/X at twitter.com/nypdmtn
Midtown South Precinct Council meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm via Zoom. You can follow the MTS Precinct on Twitter/X at twitter.com/nypdmts
10th Precinct Council meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 7pm in person at the precinct — 230 W20th Street (bw 7/8th Ave). You can follow the 10th Precinct on Twitter/X at twitter.com/nypd10pct
Crime is worse, illegals are worse, cartels are worse, and Council Members don’t give a $hit. Time to vote out all Council Members & get new blood into these positions! New Yorkers first!
“Illegals”, Rick? Ew.
Illegals Rick ? You betcha ! I’m here LEGALLY, and it cost me plenty , and as well I abided by your wonderful country’s laws . I am now a LEGAL AMERICAN RESIDENT ! For many a year . Illegals Rick ? You are right ! I’m a blonde , female. Never have I had such problems as I do now ! I have an “ privvy auto “take me from work (I perform on Broadway ) then home . NOONE will let me walk home which I used to do ! It’s way too dangerous . I am accosted EVERY SINGLE DAY ! I have been robbed , had men follow me home , sexual innuendos, trying to touch my hair ! So, all of you that are pissed that “ Rick “ said illegal , well he’s right ! They are . You know it , I know it , and maybe your women folk know it as well . ( sigh ) I live in Hells Kitchen , love it, and I thank this great Forum for telling us all ABOUT THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT , that many women are afraid to even venture out or talk about . On that note . Thank you for letting me cry , me wee 2 cents worth , which probably means nothing , and yet .. CHEERS 🥃🍹🍷💋💋
Illegals Rick ? He’s right ! No “ewww. “. Kindly read below Mr. G. Thank you . Cheers to you as well . 🍹🍷💋💋💋
Maybe drink less blondie?
Noting the low confidence in public and elected officials. Proof is in the pudding. They do NOT serve the people. They get elected, coast until they get their second term and plan the next election. It’s disgusting. All politicians have to be aware of re-election but never have I witnessed in over 20 years the lack of fight than in this latest crop. No wonder the public has not confidence! They see and live with crime and don’t see anyone who they elected fighting to change it. The elected officials seem to be afraid of helping our police for fear of being called NOT progressive. Good survey.
Spoken like a true elected official, who lost her position (yes, we’ve heard the rumors, but how much is true?) and is gaming to be elected to something again. But as long as you have the same clubs and same District Leaders, you will end up with people like Chris Quinn, Hoylman, Simone, Little Corey and Erik Corey Jr. HK Dems are no different than McManus.
High violent crime and low quality of life in NYC, paired with indifference and incompetence from corrupted NY Democrat leaders is why I, a former lifelong Democrat, am voting Republican down the ballot at all upcoming elections, including the 2024 presidential election. I can’t trust the Democrats anymore and I’d much rather see Trump back in the WH so I can send a genuine eff you to ALL DEMOCRATS! #Trump2024
Ha! Good one. Gave me a nice laugh.
Joe Sallabi is 10000% right. The other aspect is that the fear mongering puts everyone on edge, which isn’t helped by articles like this and news outlets finding the one thing that will get eyeballs. Hell’s Kitchen, and NYC in general has never and will never be a utopia because we are a very crowded city, and with that, minimal crime is amplified.
Remember a few years back there was a huge cyclist outlash because of a few reports of cyclist injuries? This is that — it’s the new shiny thing to worry about. Shootings aren’t great, but they’re not new, nor is robbery and theft.
As a resident of the neighborhood for over 50 years I’ve seen the good and the bad. Do I want a safe neighborhood? Yes!! Do I know that there are trouble spots to avoid? YES! This is NYC, people!
I think you’re Spot on Ritchie. It’s New York City.
Yes it feels dangerous out there—-while our City Council member has paper shredding events, talks about plastic water bottles, prides himself on “transforming “ Tenth Ave with poorly designed and executed bike lanes, and then runs and hides when we demand enforcement to bring lawless bike riders under control. He pretends not to notice his constituents being knocked down by these entitled selfish idiots. His “progressive “ positions are mostly unnecessary nonsense like fat discrimination and getting the Jefferson statue out of Council chambers. What a tremendous list of meaningless accomplishments. He holds Town Hall meetings where questions must be written down because he fears interacting with his constituents (and rightfully so). He seems afraid of his own shadow. And most troubling of all he is obviously easily influenced by his equally clueless colleagues to vote the way they do. Going along to get along instead of thinking for himself. Have I said too much???
No, keep going, you barely touched the surface. You forgot, he spent a lot of time learning three guitar chords, can’t sing and can’t dance, and has nothing to offer but a stupid grin.