There were 516 homicides in the city last year , up from 496 in 2007 . The number of homicides in New York City rose about four percent in 2008 compared with the previous year , preliminary figures from the city 's police department showed . The number of murders has been declining for years The NYPD cites its Operation Impact as a chief reason for the improvement . The operation places more uniformed officers in areas where crime rates are high .
There were 516 homicides in the city last year , up from 496 in 2007 . The number of murders has been declining for years The NYPD cites its Operation Impact as a chief reason for the improvement . The operation places more uniformed officers in areas where crime rates are high .