By Craig Giammona
Blake also said that while there 30 shooting incidents in 2005, there was an increase to 40 in 2006.”We really have to work harder in that area,” Blake said.The 103rd precinct covers downtown Jamaica, Hollis and Hollis Park Gardens. The fatal police shooting of Sean Bell occurred in the confines of the precinct Nov. 25, though the officers involved were from a unit based in Manhattan.At Monday's meeting, Blake acknowledged that Bell's family had setup a vigil outside the precinct house on 168th Street.”We're working closely with them to make sure they have everything they need,” Blake said. “It's been very orderly, very peaceful.”Blake said the vigil began when Valerie Bell, Sean's mother, arrived outside the precinct at 4:56 a.m. Jan. 1. She plans to stay there until Feb. 19, Blake said.December's precinct council meeting was dominated by the Bell shooting and Blake had bypassed his normal crime stat reports and had extended discussion of current events. It was back to business Monday night and Blake began the meeting by reporting that crime was down in the 3.19 percent in the major crime categories 2006, as compared to 2005. Blake said murders had jumped from nine in 2005 to 15 in 2006. There was also a spike in burglaries, which jumped from 545 in 2005 to 585 in 2006.Blake said there were also 100 grand larcenies from autos, primarily incidents where wallets, laptops and other valuable items were left unattended in cars.”You guys can help us out on that one,” Blake said. “We'll also work on our deployment to combat that.”Reach reporter Craig Giammona by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
