Despite a trio of Red Hook robberies that kept residents wary last month, overall crime in the 76th Precinct continues to slide in the 76th Precinct.
In 2010 most major categories of crime are down,recent police data shows. For the week ending Feb. 21, robberies have fallen 15.4 percent, according to police statistics. Car thefts have dropped 40 percent, while burglaries declined 11.8 percent.
But assaults are up 12.5 percent, with nine reported this year compared to eight in 2009; and grand larceny is up ten percent, with 33 reported so far in 2010, compared to 30 in 2009.
No rapes have been reported yet this year, and one murder was reported.
In the past 28 days, the crime drop has been steeper, down 17 percent, the data shows.
The trio of Red Hook robberies occurred on Feb. 14-15, and Captain Kenneth Corey, the commanding officer of the precinct, said that once an arrest was made — a 14-year-old was nabbed after the third robbery — no more incidents have been reported.
Corey said two arrests were made in the murder, which occurred outside the Red Hook housing development.
“February has been a pretty good month for us here,” Corey told the 76th Precinct Community Council at its Mar. 2 meeting.
The precinct covers Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Red Hook, Boerum Hill, and Gowanus.
–Gary Buiso
