NEW YORK (VINnews) — More than half of confirmed hate crimes in New York City during the first three months of 2026 were directed at Jewish victims, police officials said Thursday.

Jessica Tisch said that 55% of confirmed cases — 78 out of 143 incidents — were classified as antisemitic. Overall, confirmed hate crimes rose about 12% compared with the same period last year.

Under the updated approach, cases are first flagged for review and then assessed by the department’s Hate Crimes Task Force, in coordination with legal officials, to determine whether they meet the legal threshold.

Police said the change is intended to improve transparency and provide a clearer picture of hate crime trends.

Despite the rise in confirmed cases overall, officials noted that some monthly figures for antisemitic incidents have declined compared with a year earlier.

Separately, the department reported broader crime reductions across the city, including declines in shootings, homicides and burglaries.

City officials credited targeted policing strategies and increased officer deployment for the improvements in overall public safety.