Summary of "Peter Moskos on NYC’s Historic Crime Drop and the Lessons for Today" – The Gist
Release Date: August 8, 2025 | Host: Mike Pesca | Produced by Peach Fish Productions
In this compelling episode of "The Gist," host Mike Pesca explores the remarkable decline in crime rates in New York City over the past few decades. Featuring an insightful interview with Peter Moskos, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and author of "Back from the Brink: Inside the NYPD and New York City’s Extraordinary 1990s Crime Drop," the discussion delves into the factors that contributed to this historic crime reduction and the lessons that can be applied today.
Introduction: A Surprising Decline in Crime
Mike Pesca opens the episode by presenting striking statistics:
“There are 14% fewer homicides in the first half of 2025 than in the first half of 2019.”
(01:00)
He underscores that this decline isn't limited to homicides alone but extends to various other crimes, including aggravated assaults, gun assaults, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, and carjacking. Pesca emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying reasons for this positive trend.
Understanding the Crime Drop
Peter Moskos provides context by referencing an NPR report that attributes the crime drop to:
“A reinvestment in communities from both the government and private sources.”
(02:26)
He elaborates that during the pandemic, disruptions led to increased opportunities for crime, particularly among young men who were either unemployed or lacked structure and engagement:
“Young men, we're talking about bored young men, we're talking about men who maybe didn't even have jobs, but the problem was they didn't even have schools to go to.”
(03:44)
Moskos posits that addressing these immediate conditions—through effective policing and community programs—played a significant role in reducing crime rates.
Historical Context and "Back from the Brink"
Moskos introduces his book, "Back from the Brink," which meticulously chronicles NYC's crime reduction in the 1990s through a blend of statistics and oral histories with key figures in law enforcement and politics:
“Peter Moskos... talks to many New York City police officers, architects of policing programs, politicians[,] examining the changes in police leadership and how that led to an extraordinary drop in crime.”
(03:44)
He highlights the transformation within the NYPD, emphasizing data-driven strategies and leadership changes that were pivotal in the crime decline.
Implementation of CompStat
A central theme in the discussion is the introduction of CompStat, a data-driven policing strategy led by figures like Jack Maple and William Bratton:
“CompStat... was about collecting accurate, timely data.”
(15:40)
Moskos explains how CompStat revolutionized policing by shifting from reactive to proactive strategies, allowing the NYPD to allocate resources more effectively based on real-time crime data.
Leadership and Policy Changes
Under Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Police Commissioner William Bratton, the NYPD adopted a mission-focused approach to crime reduction:
“In '94, Bratton comes on and says... we are going to focus on crime, fear of crime and disorder.”
(17:40)
Moskos credits this leadership for setting clear objectives and fostering an environment where innovative policing tactics could thrive, ultimately leading to substantial reductions in crime without increasing police brutality or corruption.
Policing Strategies and Community Impact
The conversation delves into specific policing tactics, such as targeting repeat violent offenders and enhancing community relations. Moskos asserts that effective policing does not necessarily lead to increased complaints of abuse:
“During the time murder was declining, complaints of police abuse were also declining.”
(25:07)
He emphasizes the balance between maintaining public safety and respecting community relations, highlighting that thoughtful, data-driven policing can achieve both.
Addressing Critiques and Challenges
Pesca and Moskos tackle common critiques of aggressive policing, including concerns about mass incarceration and racial disparities. Moskos argues that while there are trade-offs, the strategies employed were crucial in reducing violent crime:
“Arrests went up more in the '80s under Dinkins and community policing than it did in the '90s under Bratton and Broken Windows.”
(25:00)
He acknowledges that aggressive policing may sometimes lead to unintended consequences but maintains that the overall benefits in crime reduction were significant.
Effectiveness of Policies Beyond NYC
Moskos counters the argument that the crime drop was part of a random national trend by pointing out that other cities did not experience similar declines:
“In a lot of those cities, it barely dropped. And it just didn't drop like it dropped in New York.”
(25:45)
He attributes NYC's unique success to its strategic and data-driven approach, which was not widely replicated elsewhere.
Lessons for Today: Sustaining Crime Reduction
Reflecting on more recent trends, Moskos discusses the resurgence of violence in 2020 and attributes it to the absence of effective policing strategies:
“When stop and frisk went away, the murder rate would go back up. And it didn't under de Blasio. It didn't. Then it did in 2020.”
(36:34)
He advocates for maintaining and adapting successful strategies to continue combating crime effectively.
Conclusion: The Importance of Evidence-Based Policing
Peter Moskos emphasizes the necessity of evidence-based policing and strong leadership to sustain public safety:
“Policing remains incredibly popular in the highest crime areas because people generally would prefer to be stopped by police, hopefully treated with a certain amount of dignity and respect.”
(27:16)
Mike Pesca wraps up the episode by highlighting the critical insights from Moskos's research, underscoring the intricate balance between effective law enforcement and community relations.
Notable Quotes:
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Peter Moskos:
“We are going to focus on crime, fear of crime and disorder.”
(17:40) -
Peter Moskos:
“During the time murder was declining, complaints of police abuse were also declining.”
(25:07) -
Peter Moskos:
“Policing remains incredibly popular in the highest crime areas because people generally would prefer to be stopped by police, hopefully treated with a certain amount of dignity and respect.”
(27:16)
This episode of "The Gist" offers a thorough examination of New York City's successful strategies in reducing crime, highlighting the importance of data-driven approaches, effective leadership, and balanced community relations. Peter Moskos's insights provide valuable lessons for contemporary discussions on public safety and policing.