PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION

Crime Rate Drop Continued in 2003

By Heather Haddon

At the end of a busy year that brought a new precinct commander, a cadre of fresh recruits, and an intensive citywide anti-crime initiative, the crime rate fell by almost 6 percent when compared with 2002. 

In tandem with the citywide trend, crime in nearly every category of crime was down. Mostly notably, there were three less murders, for a total of 13, than in 2002. While the 52nd Precinct was in the top 10 for most murders during 2002, last year it was tied for 13th out of 76 precincts.

The murders that did occur were largely unconnected, according to Deputy Inspector Joseph Hoch, commander of the 52nd Precinct. But there were themes, narcotics being the most prevalent.

While all murders are tragedies, some in 2003 were particularly chilling. In January, a Bainbridge Avenue candy store owner was gunned down as he left work to go home to his family. And in October, a Norwood teen was shot near the Knox-Gates playground after he exited the school bus. The two suspects are high school kids who were allegedly seeking revenge. 

Incidents like these had some wondering if murder was again on the rise in historically higher-crime areas within the precinct. That has not panned out to date, but many residents are worried about lower-level crimes like robberies and muggings. "A lot of the elderly are afraid to go out at night now," said Steven Bussell, who is president of the 52nd Precinct 
Community Council. 

Community crime meetings sponsored by Our Lady of Refuge (OLR) Church have also focused on robberies lately, according to John Garcia, director of Fordham Bedford Children's Services. "A lot of OLR parishioners É were complaining about muggings and 
assaults," said Garcia, who is a lifelong North Fordham resident.

Typically, the muggings were committed by multiple, armed perpetrators who attacked from the rear, according to Hoch. Bussell's neighbor, who was mugged in 2003, couldn't identify his assailants because he never saw their faces. "This makes it very difficult to establish a pattern," Hoch said.

Perpetrators were more identifiable in another crime trend: bank robberies. There was a bank robbery once a day last year in the city (a 64 percent increase over 2002), with the vast majority of perpetrators not carrying arms. Three local banks were hit in December alone.Hoch said the precinct is training banks to improve their security systems. A City Council bill, which Council Member Oliver Koppell co-sponsored last year, would institutionalize many of these upgrades.

Operation Impact was one citywide policy that especially targeted local areas. Almost 100 recruits were brought into the 52nd last January to flood the area bordered by University and Decatur avenues, and 196th Street and Fordham Road. Officers were stationed on the same block for five days a week, made vertical inspections of problem buildings and enforced quality of life laws.

The initiative was responsible for a 44 percent drop in crime in the North Fordham area, according to Hoch. Both Bussell and Garcia agreed that Impact's effectiveness was visible. With the number of new recruits down to 54, Hoch is waiting to hear how many additional officers will arrive this month. While looking to shift some manpower north, he is wary of abandoning the Impact zone -- a move that has doomed previous efforts to bring down crime in particular hot spots. 

But the drug trade that residents say has been visible on many North Fordham street corners for years continues despite Impact, according to Garcia. In his opinion, communication with the precinct about this activity hasn't proven effective.

Hoch defended the precinct's work in answering crime complaints. In 2004, he said he will raise the bar with regard to radio response times. He also noted that cracking down on quality of life crimes -- especially public alcohol drinking and bar infractions -- contributed to the nearly 16 percent drop in felony assaults. 

In other crime categories, grand larceny offenses dipped slightly last year. Hoch attributed this to less credit card and identity thefts through more vigilance against purse snatchings, especially on major commercial corridors.

Rapes held about steady this year, though the three recent assaults on girls in Bedford Park were alarming. The alleged perpetrator, who was an emotionally disturbed Walton High School student, was caught, according to Hoch. "It's a sad case," he said.

It's been a challenging five months for the new precinct chief, who finds the Five-Two's size to be the biggest test. "There are lots of different issues ... because it's a big command," he said. "But there are also lots of active community participants."

Bussell is pleased by Hoch's work and his regular attendance at monthly community council meetings. Garcia also thinks Hoch has been responsive in general, but he is still concerned about lingering drug dealing and muggings.

"The general consensus is crime is down, but the smaller stuff is still not gone," Garcia said. "Those are things that really bring down a neighborhood."

Back to News Index Page