Crime Drops To Lowest Level Ever Recorded In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY — Brooklyn's crime plummeted to its lowest level ever in 2017 with less homicides and shootings than at any time since records began and fewer murders than any year since 1971, Brooklyn Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Thursday.

Brooklyn had 14.1 percent fewer murders, 29 percent fewer shootings and 30.4 percent fewer shooting victims than in 2016, Gonzalez said.

"The historic declines in crime that we are experiencing in Brooklyn can be described as nothing short of a miracle," Gonzalez said in a statement.

"But they were not achieved by chance — they are a testament to the dedicated work and smart-on-crime strategies of the NYPD, my prosecutors and our other partners in law enforcement and in the community."

While crime for all major categories dropped five percent in Brooklyn compared to the previous year, the borough did see an increase in rapes with 19 more incidents reported, the DA said.

However, the borough is set to have the lowest amount of murders since the city started keeping track of them in 1971 with 110 recorded, including nine reclassified as homicides from previous years, according to the DA. There were 18 less homicides compared to 2016.

(Courtesy of Brooklyn District Attorney's Office)

Brooklyn also had sharp decreases in shootings, with 287 in 2017, and shooting victims, with 341 recorded this year, the lowest for both since they started keeping track in 1995, the DA said.

(Courtesy of Brooklyn District Attorney's Office)

East New York had the biggest decrease in murders this year with a 52.2 percent drop, from 11 to 23, according to the DA. The neighborhood also had a 35.7 percent drop in shootings.

Crown Heights had a 57 percent decrease in shootings compared to last year and a 40 percent decrease in murders, from 10 to six. Brownsville also had significant drops with murders down 35.7 percent and shooting down 32.6 percent, according to the DA.

Gonzalez, who was elected to officially take over as DA in September and will start his first term next year, said he plans to announce a new "reform agenda" in 2018 to help continue the drop in crime.

"Next year, I pledge to continue the focus on enhancing safety while putting forth an ambitious reform agenda that will identify new opportunities for diversion, reduce reliance on incarceration and promote a fair system of justice that strengthens communities’ trust and engagement," Gonzalez said in a statement.

Image: Patch file photo