By Ivan Pereira
Police statistics show homicides have risen in the city with 99 reported homicides in 2008 as of March 22, a 20.7 percent increase from the same time last year. Although the Bronx led the city in murders with 30 reported incidents, the Police Department's data found that the Patrol Borough Queens South homicide rate rose with 17 reported incidents so far in 2008 compared to nine a year ago.”I'm very concerned about the increase in crime in the area,” said City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans).Of the three precincts in southeast Queens, police data showed homicide rates went up only in the 103rd Precinct, which covers most of Jamaica and Hollis. As of Saturday, there were five reported murders in 2008, but only two during the same period in 2007, according to NYPD statistics.Over the weekend two more killings took place within the 103rd Precinct's Jamaica jurisdiction and added to that precinct's surge. Comrie attributed the rise to a lack of community outreach programs he said would keep kids out of crime.”I've been working with the Police Department, but we need more after-school centers, we need more discussions with the young people in the neighborhood,” he said.The 113th Precinct, which covers South Jamaica, St. Albans, Hollis, Springfield Gardens and parts of South Ozone Park, has had only one reported murder so far this year, compared to three during the same period in 2007, according to statistics. The 105th Precinct, which covers Queens Village, Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Bellerose, Glen Oaks, New Hyde Park and Floral Park, had two reported homicides as of Saturday, which was exactly the same number of reported incidents at the same point last year. In December, the 103rd Precinct was given 48 new officers as part of the NYPD's Operation Impact initiative to bring down crime. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly designated the precinct's jurisdiction as one of the city's nine high-crime zones in Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx.Comrie said despite the help, southeastern Queens precincts still have a lack of resources since salary cuts to rookie officers have been affecting recruitment. July's police academy graduating class consisted of only 914 of the 1,142 cadets who signed up for the academy, according to police data.”It's sad that we have people who want to serve but can't because of the financial situation,” the councilman said.In addition to the 103rd, 113th and 105th precincts, Patrol Borough Queens South incudes the 107th Precinct in Fresh Meadows, the 102nd Precinct in Richmond Hill, the 106th Precinct in Ozone Park and the 100th Precinct and 101st Precinct in the Rockaways.Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
