Crime and public safety Manhattan

an nypd boat patrols new york harbor



a slum tour through 5 points in 1885 sketch

starting in mid-19th century, united states became magnet immigrants seeking escape poverty in home countries. after arriving in new york, many new arrivals ended living in squalor in slums of 5 points neighborhood, area between broadway , bowery, northeast of new york city hall. 1820s, area home many gambling dens , brothels, , known dangerous place go. in 1842, charles dickens visited area , appalled @ horrendous living conditions had seen. area notorious caught attention of abraham lincoln, visited area before cooper union speech in 1860. predominantly irish 5 points gang 1 of country s first major organized crime entities.

as italian immigration grew in 20th century many joined ethnic gangs, including al capone, got start in crime 5 points gang. mafia (also known cosa nostra) first developed in mid-19th century in sicily , spread east coast of united states during late 19th century following waves of sicilian , southern italian emigration. lucky luciano established cosa nostra in manhattan, forming alliances other criminal enterprises, including jewish mob, led meyer lansky, leading jewish gangster of period. 1920–1933, prohibition helped create thriving black market in liquor, upon mafia quick capitalize.

as in whole of new york city, manhattan experienced sharp increase in crime during 1960s , 1970s. since 1990, crime in manhattan has plummeted in categories tracked compstat profile. borough saw 503 murders in 1990 has seen drop of 88% 62 in 2008 , has continued decline since then. robbery , burglary down more 80% during period, , auto theft has been reduced more 93%. in 7 major crime categories tracked system, overall crime has declined more 75% since 1990, , year-to-date statistics through may 2009 show continuing declines. based on 2005 data, new york city has lowest crime rate among ten largest cities in united states.