Crime is when someone does something bad that breaks the law, like stealing or hurting another person. New York City is a big place with lots of people and different neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods are safe and some are not.
The police in New York City work to keep everyone safe by catching people who break the law and punishing them. They have to work really hard because there are a lot of people in the city and sometimes bad things happen.
The police also work with people in the community to prevent crime from happening in the first place. They talk to people who live in neighborhoods that are not safe and ask them what they need help with. They might help fix streetlights or make sure there are more police officers around.
Even though the police work hard, crime still happens sometimes. That is why it is important to always be aware of your surroundings and stay safe. If you see something that looks like a crime, you should tell a grown-up or call the police right away.