NEW YORK, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- In the first 11 months of 2020, shootings in New York City surged to levels unseen in years, according to the latest figures provided by the New York Police Department (NYPD).
From January to November, the number of shootings in New York City rose by 95 percent over the same period last year, or 1,412 vs. 721, said NYPD.
In November alone, the number of shootings in the city increased 112 percent over the same period last year, or 115 vs. 51, it added.
NYPD said that 40 percent of those accused of a shooting had a past gun possession arrest, while 21 percent of shooting victims had one as well.
"Whatever the challenge, our NYPD officers have shown innovation and determination to get the job done this year," Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said.
"Our work to reimagine the kind of policing New Yorkers deserve is always evolving, in line with our agency's best traditions to reflect the needs of everyone in our city," he added.
NYPD didn't give the reason behind the shooting spike. Local media reported that the city government's plan to shift 1 billion U.S. dollars from the police department's 5.9 billion dollars budget for 2021 has led to low morale among the force.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed at least 24,323 lives in the city, triggering partial lockdown of businesses and propelling jobless rate to new highs.
