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Crime drops 17 percent in 107th Pct.

By Daniel Arimborgo

The 107th Precinct covers Fresh Meadows, Jamaica Estates, parts of Flushing and Hollis Hills.

Murders were up by one, with three committed in 2000. Grand larceny, the only other major crime category to show an increase, was up 9 percent to 604 incidents in 2000 from 560 in 1999.

Car theft recorded the largest drop in terms of sheer numbers, decreasing by 329 thefts, or 25 percent. There were 927 committed in 2000, compared to 1,256 in 1999.

Rapes went down by one to 16 in 2000.

The 383 robberies committed in 2000 represented a 24 percent decrease. In 1999 there were 507, the released statistics show.

Felonious assault was down 10 percent, dropping to 220 in 2000 from 243 in 1999.

Burglaries were down 9 percent, with 582 reported in 2000, compared to 728 the prior year.

Carol Ann Foley, president of the 107th Precinct Community Council, praised Capt. Patrick Heaney, who she said has been at the precinct for only six months.

“He's got a lot of the patrols out now,” Foley said. “You're talking about numerous amounts of cars, so it's hard to keep an eye on all of them. But he has a lot of patrols.”

“I definitely feel the streets are safer,” she added. “They have the guys out there, they have them working, and maybe that's what the neighborhood needs. I think it's working. If you have a gripe, he addressees it. I think he's doing a pretty darned good job.”

“I'm very pleased that the statistics show that crime is down in the 107th,” said Bob Harris a member of Community Board 8. “I'm very happy that members of the Cunningham Civic Association who support the police were instrumental in closing down the Porterhouse Grill, which was one of the worst shootings we have had in decades.”

While there were three murders last year, Harris pointed out “you're talking about just three murders in the whole precinct.”