Decrease in Bank Crime Statistics Noted for 2009 in New York State

March 24, 2010 - Yesterday the FBI released bank crime statistics for calendar year 2009. Overall, bank crimes decreased by just over 11% across the country and by over 52% throughout the state of New York.

Between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, there were 5,943 robberies, 100 burglaries, 19 larcenies, and three extortions of financial institutions1 reported to law enforcement. The total 6,065 reported violations represent a decrease from 2008, during which 6,8572 violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statute were reported.

For the state of New York, between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, there were 241robberies, two burglaries and no larcenies or extortions of financial institutions1 reported to law enforcement. The total 243 reported violations represent a decrease from 2008, during which 5133 violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statute were reported.

These statistics were recorded as of February 22, 2010. Note that not all bank crimes are reported to the FBI, and therefore the report is not a complete statistical compilation of all bank crimes that occurred in the United States.

The FBI has had a primary role in bank robbery investigations since the 1930s, when John Dillinger and his gang were robbing banks and capturing the public’s imagination. In 1934, it became a federal crime to rob any national bank or state member bank of the Federal Reserve System. The law soon expanded to include bank burglary, larceny, and similar crimes, with jurisdiction delegated to the FBI. Now, as then, the FBI has a role alongside local law enforcement in bank robbery investigations.

“It’s good to see the numbers decrease, but there are still plenty of bank robbers that need to be identified. We encourage the public to look at www.bandittrackernortheast.com and contact law enforcement if they recognize any of these people,” said Special Agent Richard Kolko.