Drug arrests, grand larcenies and burglaries have contributed to the jump in crime reported in Central Park according to new figures. Police say the public carelessly leaving unattended property particularly in places like lawns and playgrounds remains a problem. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.
Manhattan
By Geoffrey Croft
Overall reported crime in the seven major categories tracked by police rose 22% - 38 so far this year vs. 31 compared to the same period last year.
Drug arrests saw the biggest increase climbing more than 500 %. Police have so far made 37 arrests compared to 6 over the same period last year.
Central Park precinct arrests for drug offenses shot up 850 % - 19 vs 2 arrests compared to the same time last year. That figure does not include arrests in the park made by the Narcotics Division of NYPD's Organized Crime Control Bureau which are up 350 % - 18 vs 4.
The police are also warning the public to be mindful of leaving personal belongings unattended.
Grand larcenies are still climbing - 26 vs 22.
E. 85th Street. The park's basketball courts remain hot spots for thefts. The Central Park Conservancy put up warning signs and installed hooks on the fence so players could hang bags.
Easy Targets. Bags lying around on park benches.
Last year the Central Park precinct began regularly assigning beat cops to the basketball courts (above) in an effort to combat a rash of thefts.
Police say the pubic are leaving unattended property particularly in places like lawns and playgrounds while the park's two basketball courts also remain hot spots for thefts.
The larcenies at one location prompted the precinct to assign a beat cop to the courts at . E. 85th near the great lawn beginning last year.
The Central Park Conservancy put up warning signs and installed hooks on the fence so players could hang bags.
"You just can't just leave your property unattended and come back after a little while and expect it to be there when you get back, this is the city," a police officer in the park said. "It's just common sense. It's unfortunate but that's the way it is. "
Burglaries in the park saw a 500% increase - 5 vs 0. Concession buildings are the targets being robbed according to law enforcement sources.
While the park's entire parameter is lined with cameras, surveillance cameras inside the 843 acre park is still limited.
On Friday a 21-year-old Bronx man grabbed a jogger by Lasker Rink and attempted to rape her according to charges filed against him.
By The Numbers:
Murder 0
Rape 0
Robbery 4 vs 4
Burglary 5 vs 0
Felony Assault 3 vs 5
Grand Larceny 26 vs 22
Grand Larceny Auto 0
Separate From Major Crimes numbers
Petit larceny 38 vs 39
Narcotics (Pct arrest.) 19 vs 2 up 850 %
OCCB narcotics - (Organized Crime Control Bureau) 18 vs 4 up 350%
Source: NYPD CompStat (June 19 - June 26)
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