Crime in Kensington and Borough Park Down in 2016

The NYPD's 66th Precinct. Image via Google Maps

BOROUGH PARK, BROOKLYN — Overall crime is down so far this year in the NYPD’s 66th precinct, which covers parts of Kensington, Borough Park and parts of Mapleton and Midwood, police statistics show.

A total of 183 major crimes were recorded through March 13 — 12 percent fewer than during the same period last year.

However, in the past month, overall crime has risen 9 percent compared to 2015, according to police numbers.

At the precinct's monthly community meeting last Thursday, Capt. Kenneth Quick, who heads the 66th, blamed the increase on warm weather.

In 2015, the months of February and March were unusually cold, he said, which deterred crime. This year's weather has been comparatively mild, and crime statistics have been more typical of the season, he said.

NYPD officials also reminded community members at Thursday's meeting that they're still searching for the suspect behind a March 13 sexual assault near the intersection of 50th Street and 9th Street.

Capt. Quick said at the meeting that the 66th Precinct has begun assigning officers to specific geographic areas — a pilot program currently being tested in various precincts throughout the city.

This way, Quick said, officers are patrolling and policing areas of the community they already know well, increasing their effectiveness. In a few instances, community members have even been provided cellphone numbers for their area's officers, he said.

“The officers like it,” Quick said. “I think the community likes it. And it’s also driving our response time down.”

The 66th's next community meeting will take place on April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at 5910 13th Avenue.