NYPD: New York City's 2017 crime rate was lowest since 1951

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- New York City ended 2017 with the lowest levels of crime since 1951, "when the Dodgers played in Brooklyn," Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday.

Officials say there were 290 murders in New York City in 2017, 45 fewer than the year prior and a far cry from the 2,245 murders the city endured in 1990. The drop in murders results in the lowest per-capita murder rate in nearly 70 years.

Several other so-called index crimes -- shootings, robberies, burglaries and grand larcenies auto -- also dropped.

"Crime in New York City has reached a new low," Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill said. "The murder rate hasn't been lower since the Korean War. As we celebrate this New York miracle, we continue deepening relationships with the public, emphasizing the shared responsibility we have to our safety. I am confident we can do more. And we will."

A nagging trouble spot remains the number of rapes, which increased 0.3 percent. There was also a slight increase in the number of crimes committed in the subway.

"Last year was the safest year in modern New York City history," de Blasio said. "To see crime levels as low as we have today, you'd have to go back to 1951, when the Dodgers played in Brooklyn and a slice was 15 cents. I want to thank Police Commissioner O'Neill and the entire NYPD for continuing to raise the bar and remaining steadfast in their commitment to keeping our city safe."

By the numbers, per NYPD:

For 2017, there were 96,517 crimes reported, compared with 102,052 in 2016. This is a reduction of 5,535 crimes, or -5.4 percent.

There were 290 murders reported, compared with 335 in 2016. This is a reduction of 45 crimes, or -13.4 percent.

There were 1,446 rapes reported, compared with 1,442 in 2016. This is an increase of 4 crimes, or +0.3 percent.

There were 13,950 robberies reported, compared with 15,528 in 2016. This is a reduction of 1,578 crimes, or -10.2 percent.

There were 20,013 felonious assaults reported, compared with 20,917 in 2016. This is a reduction of 904 crimes, or -4.3 percent.

There were 12,048 burglaries reported, compared with 13,035 in 2016. This is a reduction of 987 crimes, or -7.6 percent.

There were 43,082 grand larcenies reported, compared with 44,484 in 2016. This is a reduction of 1,402 crimes, -3.2 percent.

There were 5,688 grand larceny autos reported, compared with 6,311 in 2016. This is a reduction of 623 crimes, or -9.9 percent.

There were 789 shooting incidents reported, compared with 997 in 2016. This is a reduction of 208 shootings, or -20.9 percent.