Sunset Park precinct in top three in crime reduction in 2012

With an overall decrease in major crime of 6.65 percent in 2012, compared to the previous year, the 72^nd Precinct came in third, citywide, in terms of crime reduction.

The numbers reflect statistics in the seven index crimes as reported through the NYPD’s CompStat system, as of December 30, 2012. The biggest decrease in terms of percentage was in murder, which was down 60 percent, with two in 2012, compared to five the prior year.

Also down were robberies, which dropped 14.6 percent in 2012, according to CompStat. There were 205 in 2012, compared with 240 the previous year. Another big drop came in the incidence of burglaries, which were down 13.7 percent, with 177 reported in the 72^nd Precinct in 2012, compared to 205 the year before. The category of felonious assault also registered a decrease of 11.4 percent; there were 225 incidents reported in the 72^nd Precinct in 2012, compared to 254 the prior year.

Two crime categories showed increases. Grand larcenies were up .5 percent, with 393 in 2012 compared to 391 the year before. Grand larceny auto incidents were also up 12.1 percent. There were 111 in 2012, compared to 99 in 2011.

While not part of the index of seven major crimes, shootings are also reported through CompStat. They increased 100 percent in the 72^nd Precinct from 2011 to 2012, with four in 2012, compared to two in 2011. The number of shooting incidents in the precinct also doubled: There were four incidents in 2012, compared to two in 2011.

The 72^nd Precinct stats compare favorably with Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, which encompasses 13 precincts, including the 72^nd Precinct, as well as with the city as a whole. Crime was up in Brooklyn South 3.42 percent for 2012, and 3.32 percent citywide, according to CompStat. That represents an increase of 4,451 individual crimes citywide; there were 587 more crimes in Brooklyn South in 2012 than the year before.

Captain James Grant, commanding officer of the 72^nd Precinct, said the precinct’s success is “due to the hard work” of its officers, especially Lieutenant Billy Meyer, who oversees Special Operations.