New York City has been experiencing historic reductions in crime pretty much since the mid 1990's — even as the pendulum has swung the other way in major cities like Chicago, Baltimore, St. Louis and Dallas.

It's hard to pinpoint why exactly New York City crime is trending the way it is, but one reason could be a change in crime-fighting strategy. The NYPD has moved away from zero tolerance and stop-and-frisk policies to emphasize other approaches, like neighborhood and precision policing.

Dermot Shea, the NYPD's chief of crime control strategies, spoke to WNYC's Jami Floyd about the new ways police are fighting crime and strengthening the department's relationship with the city's communities.