Suffolk Crime Rates 'Historically Low' In 2018: Officials

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - Officials announced during a press conference this week that crime rates in Suffolk County decreased overall in 2018.

According to Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart, total crime has dropped 28 percent since 2014.

In 2017, Suffolk County experienced a record-breaking drop in crime rates. However, that rate continued to drop all throughout 2018.

The number of violent crimes went down by an additional 22.5 percent and property crime decreased an additional 11 percent.

Hart credited the hard work of local police officers for the decrease in crime rates.

"There are a number of reasons we are experiencing these record low numbers, but let me be clear, the number one reason is the men and women of this police department who wake up everyday and go out not knowing what they'll face that day and with the possibility that they won't come home," she said.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who was also present at the meeting, stated the crime levels were at "historically low levels."

"Because of the work of the Suffolk County Police Department, this county remains and is now safer than it has ever been before," he said.

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