By Howard Koplowitz
Crime fell nearly 6 percent in the 102nd Precinct between 2008 and 2009, according to statistics filed by the city Police Department.
There were half as many murders in the precinct, which covers Kew Gardens, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill and the northern portion of Ozone Park, in 2009 than in 2008.
There were four murders in the precinct in 2009 compared to eight in 2008 — a 50 percent drop.
The precinct recorded decreases in four of the other seven major crime categories, classified as murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and stolen cars.
After murders, the precinct’s largest crime drop came in rapes.
There were 23 reported rapes in the precinct in 2009 compared to 28 in 2008 — a nearly 18 percent decline.
The precinct also recorded double-digit decreases in robberies and stolen cars.
There were 281 robberies in the precinct in 2009 and 336 in 2008 — a 16.4 percent drop.
The precinct saw a nearly 16 percent decline in reports of stolen cars from 2008-09.
There were 281 stolen cars in the 102nd in 2009 and 334 in 2008 — a 15.9 percent decline.
The 102nd also recorded a drop in grand larcenies.
There were 407 grand larcenies in 2009 and 451 in 2008 — nearly a 10 percent drop, according to the statistics.
Overall, crime was down 5.84 percent in the seven major categories.
There were 1,595 incidences of major crimes in 2009 and 1,694 in 2008.
The precinct saw increases in felony assaults and burglaries between 2008 and 2009.
Felony assaults rose 13.3 percent in that span, according to the statistics.
There were 239 felony assaults in 2009 compared to 211 in 2008.
Burglaries rose by more than 10 percent.
There were 360 burglaries in 2009, compared to 326 in 2008, according to the statistics.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
