Apr. 3, 2024 By Ethan Marshall
The number of vehicle thefts across Queens went up during the 28-day period from March 4 through March 31, compared to the same period of time last year, according to the latest crime stats released by the NYPD Monday. At the same time, burglaries throughout the borough declined.
Over the course of the 28-day period, vehicle thefts in northern Queens increased 15.6%, from 160 in 2023 to 185 in 2024. At the same time, burglaries in the area decreased 13.8%, from 159 in 2023 to 137 in 2024.
The 112th Precinct, which oversees Forest Hills and Rego Park, experienced the biggest jump in vehicle thefts. Reported cases there rose from three last year to 14 this year.
The 109th Precinct, which covers Flushing, Queensboro Hill, College Point, Whitestone and Bay Terrace, had the most significant decrease in burglaries across northern Queens. Reported cases there plummeted from 48 last year to 28 this year.
In southern Queens, vehicle thefts increased 25.9% over the 28-day period, from 108 in 2023 to 136 in 2024. Burglaries, meanwhile, dropped 16.3% over the same period of time, from 86 in 2023 to 72 in 2024.
The 107th Precinct, which oversees Cunningham Heights, Hilltop Village and Fresh Meadows, had the largest increase in vehicle thefts across southern Queens during this 28-day period. Reported cases there rose from 19 last year to 29 this year. However, this precinct also had the biggest drop in burglaries, with reported cases falling from 21 last year to 12 this year.
Another noteworthy decline experienced in southern Queens was in the number of robberies. Reported cases there during the 28-day period went down 25.6%, from 117 in 2023 to 87 in 2024.
The 105th Precinct, which covers Bellerose, Cambria Heights, Glen Oaks, Laurelton and Queens Village, experienced the deepest drop in robberies during the 28-day period. Reported cases in the precinct fell from 13 last year to four this year.
QNS illustration
QNS illustration
The total number of reported major crimes – murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and vehicle thefts – remained mostly static across the borough during the 28-day period, compared to the same time last year. Major crimes in northern Queens decreased 0.99%, from 1,207 in 2023 to 1,195 in 2024. In southern Queens, major crimes dropped just 0.91%, from 770 to 763.