By Nathan Duke
The precinct reported a record 14 percent drop in overall crime for 2007. But the latest statistics for the first three months of this year show that the number of rapes, robberies, burglaries and grand larceny incidents rose over the same period last year. The precinct said crime was 4.35 percent higher during the first three months of 2008 than during that same period in 2007.The 104th Precinct covers Middle Village, Maspeth, Glendale and Ridgewood.In both 2007 and 2008, the precinct reported no murders during the year's first quarter. The number of felony assaults dropped from 33 incidents during the first three months of 2007 to 29 incidents during that same period in 2008, while grand larceny auto dropped from 91 incidents during 2007's first quarter to 82 incidents during the same period in 2008, according to the crime stats.The number of rapes, however, rose from two incidents in 2007's first quarter to seven during the first three months of 2008.There were also 65 robberies reported so far this year in the precinct as opposed to 58 incidents during the same period last year. The precinct also reported a rise in burglaries from 107 incidents during 2007's first quarter to 111 during the first three months of 2008, according to police statistics.The number of grand larceny incidents also rose from 100 during the first three months of 2007 to 114 during 2008's first quarter.The precinct reported dips in five of the crime categories in 2007, including rape, robbery, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto, resulting in an overall 14 percent drop in overall crime. The number of murders and felony assaults, however, rose slightly in 2007.Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
