The New York City murder rate is on pace to reach its lowest point in 52 years.
According to the NYPD, as of December 12th, there were 388 murders on the year, a sizable 20 percent drop from the same time last year, when there were 493 murders.
The NYPD says that number will likely remain under 400 before the ball drops in Times Square, making it the lowest murder rate the city's seen since 1960, when 390 homicides were reported.
(For perspective, 2,245 people in New York City fell victim to homicide in 1990.)
As Gothamist points out, New York City averages about 475 suicides a year. The Department of Health and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner hasn't released exact number of suicides yet for 2012, but if it's near the average rate, there will have been more suicides than murders in New York City this year.
For help and information on depression or a drinking or substance abuse problem talk to your doctor or call 1-800-LIFE-NET, a free, confidential help line for New York City residents. You can call 24 hours per day/seven days per week. The hotline's trained mental health professionals help callers find mental health and substance abuse services.
More information about suicide and self-inflicted injuries is available by searching “suicide report” on www.NYC.gov.