The number of vehicles being stolen, categorized by the NYPD as grand larceny auto, has increased throughout Queens year-to-date, compared to the same period in 2022, according to the latest crime stats released by the NYPD.
Grand larceny auto incidents are up 39.6% in northern Queens for the year through Nov. 19, rising from 1,718 incidents last year to 2,398 this year. In southern Queens, grand larceny of automobiles rose 14.2% over the same period of time, from 1,423 to 1,625.
The increase in grand larceny auto incidents across Queens can also be seen over the past month.
The biggest increases over the 28-day period ending Nov. 19 were seen within the confines of the 112th Precinct in northern Queens and the 102nd Precinct in southern Queens. In the 112th Precinct, which covers Forest Hills and Rego Park, the number of cases increased from seven during that same 28-day time span last year to 20 this year. The 102nd Precinct, which covers Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven and Ozone Park, experienced an increase from 24 to 40.
The NYPD is dealing with a significant increase in grand larceny auto incidents across the five boroughs, with the number of cases up 17.8% year to date. Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan in early September to combat car theft throughout the city, but the numbers have not changed since. The mayor’s plan involves providing each precinct with two patrol vehicles with mobile license plate readers to identify and track stolen vehicles.
While grand larceny auto has seen a large year-over-year increase across Queens, the change in total major crimes — murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto — has been less significant. As of Nov. 19, northern Queens has experienced a year-to-date increase of 6.22% in major crimes, from 13,875 to 14,738. Southern Queens has barely experienced any change, with a 0.27% decrease, from 9,777 to 9,751.
Despite the fact that northern Queens has seen an increase in major crimes year-to-date, there was actually a downward trend across almost all categories over the 28-day-period ending Nov. 19, compared to the same period in 2022.
There was a 4.5% decrease in major crimes across northern Queens during the 28-day period, from 1,312 last year to 1,253 this year. Other than felony assault and grand larceny auto, every major crime experienced a drop in cases. During the same 28-day period, southern Queens experienced a 3.3% decrease in major crimes.
Throughout Queens year-to-date, the major crime of grand larceny has experienced the most significant decline. In northern Queens, grand larceny cases have dropped 4.7%, from 6,281 to 5,988. There has been a similar trend in southern Queens as well, with these cases dropping 3.2% year-over-year, from 3,323 to 3,217.
The downward trend in grand larceny cases can also be seen when comparing the 28-day periods ending Nov. 19 this year and last year in both northern and southern Queens. In northern Queens, grand larceny cases dropped 7.1%, from 533 to 495. Flushing, Queensboro Hill, College Point, Whitestone and Bay Terrace, which are all within the confines of the 109th Precinct, had the steepest decline in northern Queens, from 107 cases to 92.
Over this same 28-day period, grand larceny cases in southern Queens dropped 12.1%, from 305 to 268. The precinct with the most significant drop in cases from the same 28-day period last year was the 113th Precinct, which oversees Hollis, South Jamaica, South Ozone Park and St. Albans. The number of these cases declined from 305 to 268.
