Justice at a Crossroads in New York City: Reexamining Crime, Victimization, Enforcement, Incarceration, and Racial Disparities
New York City is at a pivotal moment. After decades of declining crime and a shrinking criminal legal system, recent years have brought major reforms, renewed public debate, and pressing questions about safety, fairness, and enforcement.
The Justice at a Crossroads in NYC project was launched to provide a clear, data-driven picture of where the City has been and where it may be headed. DCJ, in collaboration with our partner at the University of Maryland Dr. Min Xie, released two complementary reports that together provide a comprehensive, data-driven picture of how the city’s criminal legal system—and experiences of crime—have evolved from the 1990s to today.
In a public webinar held on May 6, researchers presented key findings from both reports: the FIRST REPORT analyzes trends in official system data—such as arrests, prosecutions, incarceration, alternatives to incarceration, and racial disparities, the SECOND REPORT offers a first-ever look at New York City’s annual crime victim survey, capturing both reported and unreported victimization and shedding light on how residents perceive police and access support services. An executive summary draws out key insights from both reports, providing a high-level synthesis.
We were joined by Elizabeth Glazer, Founder of Vital City, and Stanley Richards, President & CEO of The Fortune Society. Their reflections helped connect the data to the lived experiences of New Yorkers and the evolving conversation around justice and public safety.