By Howard Koplowitz
Crime in Forest Hills and Rego Park jumped 13 percent between 2010 and 2011, according to NYPD statistics.
Of the seven major felony crimes recorded by the 112th Precinct, six saw an increase last year. Only robberies, which dropped 12.6 percent, fell.
The seven major felony crimes are murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto.
There were 903 major felony crimes in the 112th, which covers Forest Hills and Rego Park, in 2011 compared to just 799 in 2010 — a more than 13 percent increase.
The 112th Precinct could not be reached on why it believed crime was up in its jurisdiction.
City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) said despite the increase, the neighborhood is one of the safest in Queens and the city.
“While there was an increase in crime percentages in the 112th Precinct from 2010 to 2011, we need to take into consideration the tough economic times. Often, crime levels and the economic climate are not mutually exclusive,” she said in a statement. “Recognizing that Forest Hills and Rego Park has the second lowest crime rates in Queens, we still must be extremely vigilant and aware in our communities.”
Heidi Chain, president of the 112th Precinct Community Council, said a new high school and mall opening up in the neighborhood contributed to the increase and noted that many of the violent incidents were committed by and against youth.
“I’m absolutely concerned about it,” she said. “I think we need more police officers. Some of the stuff is kid on kid.”
There were two murders in Rego Park and Forest Hills in 2011 and one killing in 2010.
There were 11 rapes in the precinct’s coverage area in 2011 and only four in 2010 — a 175 percent increase, the largest jump percentage-wise in the 112th.
In terms of incidents, there were 93 more grand larcenies — 476 — in 2011 than there were in 2010 — 383, or an increase of about 24 percent.
Felony assaults, burglaries and stolen cars all saw single-digit percentage increases.
Of those three, felony assaults saw the largest increase at 6.9 percent. There were 62 felony assaults in 2011 and 58 in 2010.
Burglaries increased by 6.6 percent from 2010 to 2011. There were 144 burglaries in the 112th Precinct last year and 135 in 2010.
Stolen cars had the smallest increase at 5.1 percent.
There were 104 cars stolen in the precinct in 2011 and 99 stolen in 2010.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
