New York ( CNN ) -- Calling a sharp drop in overall violence throughout America 's most populous city `` one for the record books , '' New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this week that 2009 saw historic crime-rate declines across the city 's five boroughs . The declines occurred in nearly every crime category , including the `` lowest number of murders ever , '' Bloomberg said Monday . According to the mayor 's office , there have been 461 homicides to date on Monday in 2009 . That number is down nearly 11 percent from the same time a year ago , with 516 murders recorded in 2008 . Bloomberg said 2009 is on track to have the fewest murders in New York City 's history since reliable recordkeeping began in 1963 . Bloomberg , with New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly at his side , relayed the latest findings at the New York Police Department graduation ceremony for the city 's 250 newest officers . The mayor said the drop in New York 's crime rate can be attributed to a combination of using new technologies and strong management , using statistics in police planning and responses , adequately funding the department and focusing resources to address problem areas . Along with stringent gun laws , regulations and enforcement mechanisms , the combination of all these strategies `` have helped to substantially reduce the level of violence on our streets , '' Bloomberg said . Bloomberg and Kelly called special attention to `` Operation Impact , '' the city 's program aimed to address particularly dangerous locales . Started in January 2003 , the operation floods troubled areas , known as `` Impact Zones , '' with teams of rookie and veteran police officers . The program has allowed the police department to mass resources to provide security for those living in high-risk locations , Kelly said . `` Police officers are saving lives in New York City every day , usually in the poorest neighborhoods , '' Kelly said . New York City had not had a year with fewer than 600 recorded murders before 2002 , but there have been eight consecutive years with fewer than 600 slayings , according to crime records . This year also saw the 19th straight year of overall decline of major felony crimes , authorities said . The highest spike in New York City murders came in 1990 , when 2,262 people were killed , according to the NYPD . Since 2001 , all major crime rates in New York have declined by 35 percent , according to the police department . Rape and robbery are down 38 percent and 34 percent , respectively . Murders and assaults have dipped by 29 percent , according to the department . National violent crime trends also are on the decline , according to the FBI . The bureau released nationwide crime statistics in June for the first half of 2009 , showing a nearly 4.5 percent drop in overall violence . Murder is down by 10 percent from a year ago across the United States , according to the FBI . The new class of officers from Monday 's graduation joins the largest police force in the world , one with about 38,000 uniformed personnel . `` The world will be watching them start their careers , '' Kelly said at Monday 's graduation . `` Their first assignment is on patrol at Times Square on New Year 's Eve . ''
As of 2001 , New York had five murders ; that 's down almost 11 % from 2008 . Since 2008 , all major crime rates in New York have declined by almost 11 % . Mayor Michael Bloomberg credits use of technology , adequately funding police . Mayor also credits the targeting of high-crime areas with large numbers of officers .