Murder rates were 537 in 2008 compared to 2,245 in 1990 . The crack epidemic and its associated drug-related violence had died down , and was under great control by the city . Starting in the 1990s , crime rates dropped drastically , with murder rates that had reached 2,245 in 1990 plummeting to 537 by 2008 , and the crack epidemic and its associated drug-related violence under greater control .