Crime Down in the Area

The latest crime numbers released by the 70th Precinct show that crime in the area has taken a dip.

The NYPD released the latest COMPSTAT numbers, a statistical breakdown of crimes within, through March 18 and overall crime is down 6.7 percent, compared with a nearly 4 percent drop citywide.

Assaults are down just over 38 percent compared with a 3.4 percent citywide drop. The number of burglaries have also taken a dip in the area, down almost 16 percent, while the rest of the city has seen an increase of 5.3 percent.

And burglaries have also taken a considerable dip—down almost 16 percent from this time last year.

"I feel pretty safe in this neighborhood, as opposed to other parts of the city," said Darren Terrince, 22. "I would say this neighborhood is almost too quiet.”

While it may be quiet, there have been three murders so far this year within the precinct's borders, one of which occurred earlier this month on Westminster Road near Caton Ave., which police officials said began as a domestic dispute.

One area that has seen an increase is the number of robberies in the area. There have been 79 robbery complaints filed so far this year, compared with 73 last year, an increase of just over 8 percent.

Many of these were people having pricey electronics, like smartphones, stolen.

“I feel safe," said Brooklyn College grad student Theresa Bartoldus. "I feel more like robberies [burglaries] happen in people’s houses.

"I would walk around at night, but I keep my phone out of sight,” she said.

Anyone who wants to take the extra step to keep their phones protected—even of they're taken—can have them, or any electronic device—etched by the precinct to make it easier to track down if stolen. 

“I feel safe walking around day or night. But I’m always looking around to make sure who is around me,” said Irving Cumberbatch, 44, an art director. 

He said he’s more worried about his phone being stolen on the train.

“I’m a little more cognizant of who is around me, especially if I’m sitting by the door.”

Overall, people we spoke to said they feel safe living here.

“It’s a good neighborhood, anytime, day or night,” said certified nursing assistant Marie Charles, 50.

For a full statistical breakdown of the 70th Precinct and citywide crime numbers, check out the attached PDFs.