Despite a sharp decrease in overall felony crime, murder on the streets of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South has jumped 33 percent so far in 2009, according to the latest official police statistics.
In the jurisdiction, which includes 13 precincts, there have been 60 murders in 2009 as compared to 45 at this time in 2008.
Of all the citywide patrol units, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South has the distinction of currently being tied for the highest murder rate with Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, which patrols Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York and Crown Heights.
Data shows the largest increases were in the relatively safe precincts.
For example, in the 62nd Precinct covering Bath Beach and Bensonhurst, there have been six murders in 2009 as compared to two at this time last year.
In the 63rd Precinct, covering Marine Park, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach and Flatlands, there have been six reported murders so far this year as compared to four at this time in 2008.
The 60th Precinct, covering Coney Island and Brighton Beach, has also seen a sharp increase in murder, particularly in the western end. Thus far there have been eight reported murders in the precinct jurisdiction in 2009 as compared to three at this time last year.
The 67th Precinct covering East Flatbush leads Patrol Borough Brooklyn South in reported murders with 13 so far in 2009 as compared to nine at this time last year.
Other precincts in the patrol area citing an increase in murders include the 66th Precinct covering Kensington and Borough Park with four reported murders compared to two at this time last year; and the 69th Precinct covering Canarsie, also with four reported murders compared to two at this time last year.
Precincts reporting drops in murder include the 70th Precinct, covering Midwood and Flatbush, with four reported so far this year as compared to five at this time last year; and the 61st Precinct covering Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach and parts of Gravesend and Midwood which has two reported murders so far this year as compared to four at this time in 2008.
Also seeing decreases in murder is the 72nd Precinct, covering Windsor Terrace, Sunset Park and Greenwood Heights, with one reported murder as compared to three at this time last year; and the 78th Precinct, covering Park Slope, which has seen no murders this year as compared to one at this time in 2008.
The 76th Precinct covering Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Red Hook is flat with has three murders in 2009 as compared to three at this time last year.
The 68th Precinct covering Bay Ridge reported one reported murder so this year as compared to none at this time last year.
While murder is up in the patrol area, overall felony crime including murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and auto theft is down 15 percent.
Of these categories, only murder is on the rise while robbery is down nearly 21 percent for the year.
“Violent crime is something we are taking a close look at and we are always proactive,” said a Patrol Borough Brooklyn South source. “We have impact cops [an increased presence] in these violent areas and we constantly move them to address violent situations. We also monitor any violent and felony crimes on a daily basis.”
Inquiries to NYPD headquarters as to the number of gun arrests, shooting instances, and violent trends such as an increase in gangs in the area were not answered as of press time.
— With Tom Tracy
