By Michelle Han
Crime was down in every major category in the 112th Precinct so far this year except for felony assaults, which rose, and murders and rapes, which remained the same, the latest crime statistics showed.
The 112th Precinct, covering Forest Hills and Rego Park, has typically enjoyed one of the lowest crime rates in Queens, second only to the 111th Precinct in Bayside.
Figures for the first three months of 2000 showed crime in the 112th Precinct was down 4.2 percent overall. Crime rates fell or at least remained the same in all major categories except for felony assaults.
Felony assaults in 2000 were up 23.8 percent through April 2, the most recent date for which statistics were available, said police spokesman Alan Krawitz. There were 26 complaints for felony assaults in 2000, compared to 21 for the same period last year, Krawitz said.
Capt. John Lavalle of the 112th Precinct said the increase in felony assaults was matched by an increase in arrests for felony assaults.
The arrests were up 54 percent for this year so far, he said.
Lavalle said police were also cracking down on automobile thefts, a continuing problem for motorists in Forest Hills and Rego Park. Over the past seven years, the number of auto thefts has dropped 78 percent, Lavalle said.
There were 184 auto thefts so far this year, compared to 185 last year, statistics show. There were 134 grand larceny complaints so far this year, down 12.9 percent from 154 last year.
Burglaries were also down. There were 115 burglaries this year, 4.9 percent fewer than 121 for the same period last year, statistics show.
There were 59 robberies, 1.6 percent less than the 60 for the same period last year, according to the statistics.
The 112th Precinct remained murder free this year as it was during the same period last year. There were two rapes this year, the same as last year, and both were involved domestic situations, Lavalle said.
Overall, the crime rate for the opening quarter of 2000 was 520 reported incidents, 4.2 percent lower than the 543 incidents for the same period last year, statistics show.
