As Albany gears up for its St. Patrick's Day parades this weekend, city officials on Wednesday provided crime statistics for the first few months of this year, showing that while most categories have declined from last year, shooting incidents and homicides have increased.

While most categories of crime have shown "substantial decreases" from 2023, homicides have increased to five from one and shooting incidents have increased by one to eight, Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Police Chief Eric Hawkins said during a briefing attended by community leaders.

Total crime was down 25%, including steep decreases in larcenies, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts, city leaders said. Gun arrests increased to 19 from 13; confirmed incidents of shots fired decreased by two to 15; and gun recoveries increased to 20 from 18, according to their report.

The number of shooting victims has decreased to eight from nine.

Despite the positive signs, the increase in the number of homicides in the city during the winter months is concerning, officials said. All five of the homicides stem from interpersonal disputes between people who knew each other; and four involved incidents that originated in "private spaces," or places outside the reach of officers, Hawkins said.

He said to make progress on those numbers, the city and its community organizations need to work together to holistically address the root causes of violence.

The North Albany Limerick's' St Patrick's Day Parade is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, when the Albany St. Patrick's Day Parade starts.