I’m not familiar with NYC or a lack of filing per se, but I could believe an honest lack of reporting downtrends the real numbers.

I’ve been victim to several violent crimes in my city in the 2020-2022 timespan (multiple pistol brandishing in traffic, one shot out window, and a knife brandishing in a grocery store)

In the first instance I was asked if I wanted to file a report about an hour later after the man had long fled (I had only a partial plate and they couldn’t get a match based off that information.) I was told, really, no there’s not much that would come out of it but they would file if I asked they do. I thanked the officer for his time and let him know I wouldn’t bother burdening him with the paperwork.

I never bothered reporting the next several incidences.

The only report I know was filed was the knife wielding man threatening to kill me in front of my child at 5.00 PM on a Friday in a crowded grocery store. I waited 35 minutes for police to respond to the call for the sole fact that the man might be waiting in the parking lot and I didn’t intend on leaving without a police escort lest I have to shoot down a man in front of my child. Never requested a report there, but I know it was filed.

I found out because I was telling my barber about it a week later and he mentioned that story was in the local city paper’s police blotter.

I can’t say it’s particularly unique. I’ve had coworkers harassed in similar fashions, they never reported because they knew it was a waste of everyone’s time. The police officer that works security at our old church told me he had it happen once off-duty he just flashed his own pistol and badge and the fool fled.

He never filed for his own incident.

Why bother?

Ah, here in Philadelphia, we've gotten used to the police response of "there's nothing we can do"

Officer, I have footage of the person committing assaults, we have several witnesses, including several victims, and oh look, that's him walking past.

"Oh yeah, we know about that guy. If you see something happening, call 911. Nothing I can really do."

911, meanwhile, rings out, because of staff shortages.

When did this change happen? Is there some evidence that it would be the cause?

I came to post a very similar sentiment, but about Oakland, CA.

Reward police for lowered stats, watch the stats magically deflate. Et voila!