By Tom Tracy
Cops are bringing out the big wheels when it comes to crime in Coney Island.Residents in Brighton Beach and around Lincoln High School on Ocean Parkway were surprised to see mobile command centers parked in the neighborhood Thursday.The THVs, or Temporary Headquarters Vehicles, were brought to the area to keep a “visible presence” in areas that have seen crime increases of late, according to sources.After parking the THV, cops went out into the street, passing out crime prevention literature to residents, as well as talking to them to find out about any neighborhood problems that they had.“The cops went out there to address some of the traffic problems in Brighton Beach and to respond to some complaints about kids from Lincoln High School creating mischief in some of the train stations after dismissal,” said Joe Guestella, the president of the 60th Precinct Community Council.The THV’s were there for the day and are expected to return in the next few weeks, according to sources.Officials said that felony crime in Coney Island jumped by ten percent in 2005, although homicides in the precinct dropped by nine.Officials said that there were 17 homicides in the 60th Precinct in 2004. In 2005 only 8 homicides had been reported.As of January 29 of this year, felony crime was up by nearly 17 percent with a 109 percent jump in grand larcenies, or non-violent thefts of $1,000 or more that include credit card theft and identity theft.According to statistics, robberies were up by nearly seven percent, but felony assaults and burglaries have fallen by ten percent and 46 percent respectively.Over the last 12 years, the 60th Precinct, which covers Coney Island, Brighton Beach and Seagate, has fallen by 63.9 percent.
