NEW YORK, Dec.5 (Xinhua) – According to the latest figures provided by the New York Police Department (NYPD), in the first 11 months of 2020, shootings in New York have reached levels not seen in years. .
From January to November, the number of shootings in New York City rose 95% from the same period last year, to 1,412 from 721, the NYPD said, adding that in November alone the number of shootings in the city increased 112% from the same period last year, 115 from 51.
The NYPD further reported that 40% of those accused of shooting had previously been arrested for possession of a firearm, while 21% of shooting victims also had one.
“Whatever the challenge, our NYPD cops have been innovative and determined to do their job this year,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, adding, “Our job to reinvent the kind of maintenance of l The order New Yorkers deserve is constantly evolving, in keeping with our agency’s best traditions, to reflect the needs of everyone in our city. “
The NYPD has not given the reason for the spike in shootings, but local media reported that the city government’s plan to transfer $ 1 billion from the police department’s $ 5.9 billion budget for 2021. led to a drop in morale within the police.
At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has left at least 24,323 dead in the city, triggering a partial shutdown of businesses and pushing the unemployment rate to new highs.
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