While it’s still an active precinct, crime continues to tumble in the 67th Precinct, which covers the streets of East Flatbush.
According to recent police statistics, major felony crime is down nearly 12 percent for the year.
Of these crimes, the biggest drop has been in grand larceny, which has dropped nearly 23 percent with 178 reported incidents so far in 2009 as compared to 230 at this time last year.
Also dropping in double−digit percentages for the year are the categories of burglary, auto theft and robbery.
There have been 120 reported burglaries so far for the year compared to 146 at this time last year, and car thefts are down to 68 reported incidents as compared to 80 at this time in 2008.
Robbery is down about 10 percent with 145 incidents so far in 2009 as compared to 162 at this time last year.
There have been four murders so far this year as compared to six at this time last year, while rape is up slightly with seven reported incidents so far in 2009 as compared to five at this time last year.
Also up for the year is felony assault, which is up about 11 percent with 163 incidents so far this year as compared to 147 at this time last year.
Captain Jeff Schiff, executive officer of the command, said most of the felony assaults are related to domestic violence. The NYPD has also expanded its tracking of domestic violence disputes to include boyfriend−girlfriend and intimate relationships, he said.
Despite the downward trend in crime, the precinct has made seven percent more arrests or about 200 more for the year, said Schiff.
Shootings are up with 21 incidents for the year as compared to 19 at this point last year, and gun arrests are down with 63 as compared to 69 at this time last year.
Schiff said many of the shootings and gun arrests are centered around the clubs in East Flatbush, and cops remain vigilant in policing around them, particularly at closing time.
Schiff also reported that the NYPD sky watch camera installed at the Flatbushâ„Nostrand avenues intersection has succeeded in decreasing a string of robberies in that area.
“We also have overtime in that area between Wednesday and Saturdays,” he said.
Schiff warned residents to remain careful when on their cell phones as perpetrators have been snatching them from people.
There has also been a robbery pattern where the perpetrator will follow someone off the bus and then snatch their small electronic devices, he added.