It’s a team effort.
That’s how cops in Coney Island and Brighton Beach are describing the crime-fighting turnaround that the 60th Precinct experienced over the last month.
NYPD statistics show that the 60th Precinct, which was trying to get a handle on a 12-percent jump in felony crime back in April, saw a drastic reduction in crime at the end of May.
Statistics show that crime fell by 11.8 percent for the month.
Police said that 110 felony crimes were reported to police during May 2007. Last month, 97 felony crimes were reported – 13 fewer than the previous year.
The drop in crime is being viewed as a good omen.
Since May is considered to be the beginning of the summer season in Coney Island, cops are hoping that the crime reductions they’re celebrating will continue throughout the summer months, when thousands of beach lovers and amusement park enthusiasts flock to the area.
Deputy Inspector Robert Johnsen, the commanding officer of the 60th Precinct, credited the drop in crime to the work of all of his officers, especially Police Officer Hanjie Lu, who was named “Cop of the Month” during a recent 60th Precinct Community Council meeting.
Lu, officers explained, was responsible for stopping a robber as he tried to escape from Coney Island.
While overall crime was down in May, robberies in the command jumped slightly, from 22 in May, 2007 to 25. The number of robberies has jumped by seven percent for the year, from 114 in 2007 to 122, as of June 1.
Cops said that they are redoubling their efforts to stop the rise in robberies, as well as assaults, which saw a 16 percent rise, as well as burglaries, which jumped by 27 percent for the year.
Car thefts, police said, have dropped by 30 percent, according to recently released statistics.
