Violent crime spikes in New York, Los Angeles

Violent crime has spiked in big cities like New York and Los Angeles. The homicide rate in New York City increased 3% from 2020 levels and 52% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019, per New York Police Department statistics. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, homicides in L.A. are up more than 50 percent from 2019-2020.

A man pushed a woman in front of a moving subway train on Jan. 15, killing her. Police arrested him and charged him with murder. The violent attack led New York Mayor Eric Adams to call for improvements to be made to the city’s subway system.

“We know we have a job to do,” Adams said. “We’re going to do both. We’re going to drive down crime and we’re going to make sure New Yorkers feel safe in our subway system and they don’t feel that way now. I don’t feel that way when I take the train every day or when I’m moving throughout our transportation system. That is our battle and that is what I’m going to do as the mayor of the City of New York.”

On the West coast, random acts of violence are on the rise in Los Angeles.

Last week, someone stabbed a young woman to death inside the furniture store where she worked. Police say it was a random attack. No arrests have been made.

The woman’s father is publicly criticizing local politicians for ignoring the recent spike in violent crime.

Recently, some democrats called for a tougher stance on crime after a summer of protests to defund the police. While some say better police pay and training is what’s needed.