Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced a historic decline in gun violence in 2024. Data from the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office showed the fewest shooting incidents and victims on record, surpassing previous lows set in 2019.
There was a 15% decrease in shooting incidents, dropping from 338 in 2023 to 287 in 2024, which now stands as the lowest number since such records began. Additionally, shooting victims and shooting-related homicides have seen 14% and 16% decrease, respectively. "Brooklyn continues to get safer year after year and we’re now the safest we’ve ever been in terms of gun violence, with shootings and shooting victims reaching record lows. Murders and other serious crime declined as well in 2024 as we return to pre-pandemic levels. This tremendous success is a testament to the productive partnerships between my office, the NYPD and our law-enforcement partners; to the technological investments we’ve made in crime-solving tools; and to our comprehensive approach that uses preventative measures and community-centered strategies to reduce shootings. While we still have much work to do, I am optimistic that we will keep building on this progress into 2025 and beyond," Gonzalez said in the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office release.
In addition to the decline in violent crime, the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office achieved an 89% conviction rate across 113 trials in Supreme Court. Notable cases included convictions of four gang members involved in shootings and homicides and a construction company owner responsible for a fatal building collapse, each receiving significant prison sentences.
The fight against cybercrime has strengthened with the creation of a Cyber Currency Unit. This unit targeted over 20 domains linked to romance scams, around 140 domains related to fraudulent investment schemes targeting Russian speakers, and 40 domains involved in NFT fraud targeting artists. The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office also launched an educational campaign to help Brooklyn residents recognize and avoid these financial crimes.
Brooklyn's Conviction Review Unit recently exonerated its 40th individual since its creation in 2014, setting it apart from other District Attorney's offices in the city. As the year ends, the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office is set to continue its approach to justice and public safety into 2025.
