The murder rate in New York City has spiked an alarming 20% in the first two months of the year, prompting NYPD brass to rethink strategy to curb the deadly trend. Since Jan. 1, 54 murders have been recorded in the city, up nine from the same period a year ago, according to the grim stats released Monday. Shootings have also climbed 20% — with 149 so far in 2015 compared with 126 in the first two months of 2014. But overall, crime has dropped 11% in most major crime categories, including burglary, robbery, rape, grand larceny and auto theft.