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Major crime drops in ‘04 for 107th Pct.

By Zach Patberg

In contrast, the 21 rapes reported in 2004 represented a 61.5 percent hike from the previous year, although burglary rates – thought by some to be the community's biggest crime problem - shrank by almost 25 percent, according to the numbers.The 2004 figures provided by the New York Police Department comprised a breakdown of seven crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, grand larceny and auto theft.The 107th Precinct covers Fresh Meadows, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Briarwood and Kew Garden Hills.Despite some noticeable changes in crime rates, members of the largely residential community said they noticed little difference in 2004 compared with the year before - an observation supported by the 8.9 percent drop to 2,229 total reports of major crimes indicated by the precinct statistics.Burglary appears to be an exception. William Buzzone, of the 107th Precinct Community Council, said a growing problem with home invasions was somewhat tempered last year when police busted a ring of thieves working in the area. But he said burglary, which fell from 724 incidents to 552 incidents in 2004, was still a cause for concern and he urged residents to take steps to raise their awareness.Steps Buzzone mentioned include requesting a crime prevention officer to survey one's home for any needed safety measures, remembering to lock doors, close windows and reporting anything that looks suspicious.”The police need the public to be their eyes and ears,” he said.Robbery reports also fell by 13.5 percent in 2004 as well as auto theft, which dropped by 23.4 percent, the statistics showed.There were 709 grand larceny reports last year, a 23.5 percent hike from 2003, that surpassed burglary as Fresh Meadow's most common crime, according to the precinct figures.Overall, Buzzone and others said they were content with the consistently low crime rate in their community, which statistics show has declined by 73 percent over the last 11 years.”The precinct has always responded very well to problems people are having,” Buzzone said.Reach reporter Zach Patberg by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.