By Associated Press
Buffalo, NY – The FBI says New York State's crime rate dropped nearly three percent for the first six months of the year.
The agency says violent crimes dipped slightly, with a 5.3 percent decline in the murder rate. Property crimes dropped 3.3 percent.
Governor Pataki says the FBI statistics show that New York is the safest large state in the nation and the sixth safest state overall.
Officials say crime in New York State is at its lowest levels since statewide crime reporting began nearly 40 years ago.