By Jeremy Walsh
“We're having a good run,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep it going.”For the month of January, the number of major crimes was down 6.3 percent from last year. Murders stayed the same, with one in 2007 and one in 2008. There were no reported rapes, the same as in January 2007. Robberies were up slightly, with 19 this year compared with 11 in January 2007. Felony assaults were down, with six last month, compared with 11 in January 2007.Burglaries were also down slightly, with 28 last month compared with 35 for the same period last year. Police saw a slight rise in grand larcenies, with 33 in January 2008 compared with 31 in January 2007.Car thefts were also down slightly, with 22 last month compared with 26 for the same stretch of 2007.Rowell said the grand larcenies have mostly been cases of identity theft. He warned people not to leave their wallets in the front seat of their cars. Laptop computers, too, are tempting items for thieves if left in the car, Rowell said.”It's become a crime of opportunity,” he said.The council also hosted Capt. Ron Leyson, commander of the Queens North Patrol Borough's anti-crime unit, who warned residents about burglars.Leyson urged residents to write down the serial numbers of home electronics and to take photographs of their valuables so police can track them at local pawn shops. He also asked neighbors to call 911 if they see people behaving suspiciously in front of nearby homes.”You're not bothering us. I can't emphasize it enough,” he said.Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
