Police Rein in Assaults

Last month the New York Police Department said , which oversees Prospect Heights, in order . Recent police statistics from the district suggest the NYPD's efforts are having the desired effect.

In the 28 days preceding Oct. 31, there was no rise in assaults compared to the same period last year.  The number of incidents, 17, was identical. Obviously both neighborhood residents and the police wish that number was zero, but when compared to September, the reduction in crime was sharp.

In the four weeks preceding Sept. 26, there were 34 incidents of assault in the 77 Precinct, a 54 percent increased compared to the previous year. The total number of assaults and the percent change compared to the previous year improved dramatically in October.

A representative of the 77 Precinct could not be reached for comment.

That's not to say all the news is good news: Both robberies and auto theft were up in October.

During the period, 38 robberies occurred in the 77 Precinct, compared to just 16 the previous year, a 137.5 percent increase.

Incidents of auto theft, which had been down during the late summer and early fall, shot up as well. There was a 116 percent increase in auto thefts, as the number of cars stolen rose to 13 from six in 2009.

Although the 77 precinct, which also protects Crown Heights and Weeksville, has managed to rein in assaults recently, the year-to-date figures for the area paint a picture of a precinct that has struggled to reach the record crimes lows the area saw in 2009. Several major categories, including murder, rape, assault and burglary, are up dramatically in 2010.