Shooting incidents in most large upstate New York cities have decreased substantially over the last five years, according to new data from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.

A monthly shooting activity report from its Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative found that shooting incidents involving injury or death decreased have so far decreased in 2024 when compared to a five-year average from 2019-2023.

The data does not include shooting incidents that authorities determined to be non-criminal, like an accidental discharge or “justifiable homicide,” which is deadly force used in self defense or defense of others.

In addition, shooting incidents with injury declined 28% between January and August 2024 compared to the same eight-month period in 2023.

The New York City Police Department reported a 12% decline in shootings in New York City through August 2024 compared to the same time last year.

Crime in New York and the U.S. overall surged in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Violent crime across the U.S. dipped to near pre-pandemic levels in 2022, according to FBI data, but the issue of crime has been a sticking point and political drag particularly in New York and for Gov. Kathy Hochul in the post-pandemic era even as numbers show violent crime is down. In 2022 and 2023, Hochul spearheaded changes to the state's bail laws through the state Legislature, including a provision this year that grants judges more discretion in setting bail in a wider array of cases.

“Public safety is my number one priority, and protecting New Yorkers and their communities is the foundation of all our efforts,” Hochul said in a statement Wednesday. “Our strategies for tackling gun violence are proving effective, but our work is never finished – we will continue investing, innovating and partnering with law enforcement to make New York a safer place for everyone.”

Crime continues to be an issue in the 2024 elections. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, running for a third full term, launched her first ad of her reelection bid focused on public safety. It has played a substantial role in the state’s competitive congressional races.

Crime has routinely been a top issue for New Yorkers in the last few years. A Siena College poll from August found 54% of voters who responded believe crime has worsened in the state over the last year.