In New York City crime rates in just about every category are declining substantially—particularly murder rates. 2014 saw murder rates at the lowest number in more than 50 years—since accurate figures started being recorded. This last year capped a two-decade fall in the Big Apple’s crime rates, most cities fluctuate crime rates but New York seems to get safer and safer. A recent shift in police to low-level crimes is indicated as being a major factor driving the decline. Preventing small crimes will keep larger ones from taking place.