Crimes committed by those under 18 were on the rise in 2025, according to the NYPD.

“We have not turned the tide on youth violence," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

In 2025, 18% of the city's shootings were committed by teens under the age of 18. The highest percentage since 2018.

“When it comes to youth violence it’s always been really high, and no one really had an answer," said Barry Cooper, executive director and founder of The BRO Experience Foundation.

Some officials have called for New York to roll back Raise the Age legislation, that was enacted in 2018. The law increases the age of criminal liability from 16 to 18. They argue that the fear of real jail time will deter these criminals, but not everyone agrees.

“We have to be way more intentional if we want correction and want people to be different when we take them away from their community what are we offering them," said Cooper.