At the First Precinct Community Council meeting last Monday, First Precinct Dep. Inspector Michael Hurley delivered good news: the First Precinct had the best rate of crime reduction in Manhattan thus far in 2004. Crime had gone down by 11 percent in the First Precinct on a year-to-date basis, compared to five percent overall for New York City, he said. Arrests have increased by ten percent, he added.
According to New York Police Department CompStat numbers, the overall crime rate has fallen in the First Precinct, although the number of assaults and burglaries rose for the Nov. 22-28 period compared to the same period last year. Last week two assaults and eight burglaries were reported, whereas last year saw one assault and five burglaries.
Hurley, the precinct’s commander, told community residents at the meeting that the First Precinct planned to increase foot patrol in the Financial District during the holiday season, especially around shopping areas such as Canal and Fulton Sts. A continuing battle, police also plan to increase efforts to stop illegal street vendors. Capt. Hurley warned residents to take more care in protecting their belongings, as incidents of pick-pocketing and larceny typically rise during the holidays.
The police officers also informed residents of a $500 reward for those able to offer information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone who commits graffiti vandalism. The police clarified that people with information should call 311 while those seeing graffiti crimes in progress should call 911.
In response to a local resident’s request, the First Precinct plans to also include traffic statistics in its monthly community council presentations. The request stemmed from the fact that October’s tragic death of Ernesto Torres, a night porter at Tribeca Tower who was run over by a car, was reported under TrafficStat rather than CompStat.
—Hemmy So
WWW Downtown Express
