New York City: COVID-19 quarantine and crime

Purpose In early 2020, the world faced a rapid life-changing pandemic in form of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Citywide lockdowns with stay-at-home orders and mass closings quickly became “new normal.” With these new mandates, routine activity, mental health financial securities all began to experience major deviations, it clear that this could prove be rather valuable providing opportunity for large-scale criminology experiments. This study aims explore New York City's (NYC) crime patterns during unique social situation. Specifically, has as whole increased or decreased, have particular crimes decreased stressful fluid times? Design/methodology/approach The authors briefly review previous crises worldwide trends but focus on NYC collected by Police Department's statistics unit, “CompStat.” An analysis 13 types from March 30 July 5 was completed, including percent differences individual weekly incidence rates citywide compared same time 2019. Findings demonstrated analyzed, except murder burglary, exhibited statistically significant difference COVID-19 conditions year. Grand larceny auto gun violence significantly weeks, whereas rape, other sex crimes, robbery, felony assault, grand larceny, transit, housing, misdemeanor assault petit decreased. Originality/value Due ongoing nature pandemic, is amongst first studies examine mandates. Expanding our knowledge situations can inform natural disaster responses, well criminal justice policy practice better protect public future crises.