NYPD: Homicides, shootings fall in first half of 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Police Department says the city saw declines in reports of both homicides and shootings in the first half of 2016.

According to crime statistics released on Monday, there were 161 homicides in the five boroughs through June. That was a 6.3 percent drop compared to the 172 reported over the same period last year.

The NYPD said shootings were down about 20 percent in first six months of this year. It said there were 435, compared to 545 last year.

Police officials say the declines were driven in part by a crackdown on violent street gangs. They said arrests for gun-related crimes are up 20 percent so far this year.