NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for February 2020

For the month of February 2020, major index crime in New York City saw an overall +22.5% increase when compared to the same period in 2019. There was a -20.0% decrease in the number of murders this month (20 v. 25). The City saw a +7.1% increase in shooting incidents (45 v. 42). Robbery, assault, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto all saw increases.

Criminal justice reforms serve as a significant reason New York City has seen this uptick in crime. To combat the increased victimization of New Yorkers, the NYPD is leveraging multiple strategies, including:

• Redeployment: The NYPD has identified 15 areas where there is an uptick in street crime and is redeploying resources in real time, including moving more vehicle and foot patrols.
• Staffing surge: The Department is increasing police presence by reassigning police officers from administrative roles to enforcement positions. This effort will include the use of overtime as needed.
• Focus on youth: There continues to be an uptick in youths committing robberies against other kids. Part of our new youth strategy includes a Youth Forum. For the third time, NYPD officials will meet this week with outside partners from the District Attorney's offices, the Department of Probation, the Department of Education and Corporation Counsel regarding effective enforcement and prevention strategies to address rising youth crime.

"Every single day, in real time, we are monitoring individual crimes, evaluating crime trends and redeploying accordingly," said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. "Each number represents a victim. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with New Yorkers and our law enforcement partners to zero in on the drivers of crime and deliver justice for the victims. The men and women of the NYPD are relentless in their efforts to overcome challenges and provide New Yorkers with the level of safety they deserve."

"While crime is at a record low in New York City, there is more work to do to ensure that every New Yorker feels safe in their neighborhood. We will continue to use precision policing to target enforcement and deepen our work with communities to fight crime," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Impact of criminal justice reforms on crime year to date: In the first 58 days of 2020, 482 individuals who had already been arrested for committing a serious (felony) crime such as robbery or burglary were rearrested for committing an additional 846 crimes. Thirty-five percent, or 299, were for arrests in the seven major crime categories – murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto – that is nearly triple the amount of those crimes committed in the same 58 days in 2019. All of people were arrested for offenses that prior to Jan 1 and bail reform, could have landed them in jail.

These are arrests – and they do not reflect completely the number of crimes committed by these alleged felons. On top of this – if you add in the "DPs" or decisions to decline to prosecute for these crimes, there are 803 crimes (11.3% of all felony arrests that are no longer eligible for bail) that were not prosecuted, compared to 527 in the same period last year (6.7% of all felony arrests that are no longer eligible for bail).

Key highlights from this month's crime statistics:

• Murder is down (20 v. 25) -20.0% in February 2020 when compared to February 2019.
• Year-to-date, burglary, assault, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto have all seen increases.
• There were 42 shooting incidents in February 2019, compared to 45 shooting incidents in February 2020, resulting in a +7.1% increase.
• For the month of February, rape decreased by -6.0% (125 v. 133). Rape continues to be underreported. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The NYPD Special Victims Division's 24-hour hotline is 212-267-RAPE (7273).
• Citywide hate crimes are down -2.0% this year as of March 1, 2020.

Statistics on Index Crimes

Note: Due to the leap year, the data compares a 29-day period in 2020 with a 28-day period in 2019. There were 237 additional crimes on February 29

	February 2020	February 2019	+/-	%
Murder	20	25	-5	-20.0%
Rape	125	133	-8	-6.0%
Robbery	1,182	891	+291	+32.7%
Assault	1,413	1,294	+119	+9.2%
Burglary	904	759	+145	+19.1%
Grand Larceny	3,495	2,821	+674	+23.9%
G.L.A.	493	305	+188	+616%
TOTAL	7,632	6,228	+1,404	+22.5%

Additional Statistics on Transit/Housing Crime and Shootings, 2019-2020

	February 2020	February 2019	+/-	%
Transit	266	189	+77	+40.7%
Housing	347	351	-4	-1.1%
Shooting Incidents	45	42	+3	+7.1%

February Rape Breakdowns

CompStat Year	Count	Occurred Same Year	Occurred Previous Year	Occurred 2 Years Prior	Occurred 3 Years Prior	Occurred 4 Years Prior	Occurred 5+ Years Prior
2020	125	89	22	3	4	0	7
2019	133	95	24	3	2	1	8
2018	122	83	17	7	1	1	13
2017	88	66	14	2	0	1	5
2016	110	79	17	4	2	1	7
2015	80	56	14	2	1	2	5

Hate Crimes Statistics Summary from January 1, 2020 – March 1, 2020

Motivation	2020	2019	+/-	%
Asian	0	3	-3	-100%
Black	10	3	+7	+233%
Disability	0	0	0	***.*
Ethnic	0	0	0	***.*
Gender	2	1	+1	+100%
Hispanic	1	0	+1	***.*
Muslim	0	3	-3	-100%
Other	7	2	+5	+250%
Religion	2	3	-1	-33%
Semitic	36	41	-5	-12%
Sexual Orientation	4	6	-2	-33%
White	2	3	-1	-33%%
Grand Total	64	65	-1	%-2

Note: All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revisions, or change.

MAYOR DE BLASIO CALLS ON CDC TO SEND NEW YORK CITY MORE COVID-19 TESTING KITS AND FDA TO APPROVE TESTS DEVELOPED BY PRIVATE HEALTH INSTITUTIONS

Mayor Bill de Blasio today urged the CDC to increase the City's supply of COVID-19 testing kits. Mayor de Blasio also called on the FDA to expedite the approval of all appropriate testing approaches developed by private institutions. With approval of these test methods and kits, the City could see testing capacity across the city increase by nearly ten times what it is now, and lower the time it takes for test results to be available.

"Quick detection is vital to stopping the spread of the virus,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We need the CDC to step up so our experts can do their job and protect New Yorkers. Our single greatest challenge is the lack of fast federal action to increase testing capacity, and without that, we cannot beat this epidemic back.”

Previously, the CDC sent New York City two test kits to begin testing locally at the City’s Public Health Lab. The City has requested additional testing kits from the CDC and will continue to do so in order to meet the City’s commitment of testing as many people as possible.

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez - Statement on 2500 Williamsbridge Road. I stand with the community. ‬

STATEMENT FROM COUNCILMAN MARK GJONAJ REGARDING 2500 WILLIAMSBRIDGE ROAD

  Tuesday, March 03, 2020,

   Today, my office was informed that the property at 2500 Williamsbridge Road was recently sold. I have reached out to the purchaser to discuss their intentions for the site and they would not confirm the final use of the property. We have been informed by the New York State Office of Government Affairs and Federal Policy that no application has been filed for this site at this time. While we are not able to confirm the intended use of this location, my opposition to it being used as a treatment center remains firm.

This site is in close proximity to a school, house of worship and a residential community – which makes its use as a treatment center a nonstarter. I will continue to work with elected officials, government agencies and local leaders to explore all available means to ensure that this property is used in a way that is consistent with its surroundings and wishes of the community.

We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more.

If you have any questions, please contact our office at 718-931-1721 or Mgjonaj@council.nyc.gov

Councilman Mark Gjonaj on the Proposed 200 Adult Men's Shelter for Blondell Avenue

There has been a proposal by the NYC Department of Social Services for a placement of a 200-men homeless shelter at 1400 Blondell Avenue. On Monday, February 24, 2020, Councilman Gjonaj is hosting a Community Town Hall with Assemblyman Benedetto and Bronx Community Boards 10 and 11 to discuss the proposed site for the shelter from 6PM to 8PM at the Jacobi Hospital Rotunda (Adjacent to Building 4) located at 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461.

Are you opposed to the proposed site of the shelter?

Yes

No Are you opposed to any new homeless shelter in the District? Yes No

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Since there was very short notice about the meeting at Jacobi Hospital it gave the appearance that Councilman Mark Gjonaj wanted a low turnout (which he got). Several people said that they were opposed to an Adult Men's Homeless shelter, but would be in favor of a family homeless shelter since Community Board 11 is responsible for 394 Homeless families or 849 homeless people that have been placed in other community boards.   

We have taken out the select option and suggest that you call Councilman Mark Gjonaj's office at 718-931-1721, and let Councilman Gjonaj that you are not opposed to a family shelter being placed at 1400 Blondell Avenue, and you want Councilman Gjonaj to have compassion for those who are less fortunate and the families which have become homeless.

If Councilman Gjonaj continues with this lack of concern for the community the city will have the 200 Adult Men placed on Blondell Avenue, just like Morris Park Avenue was changed over Councilman Gjonaj's unwillingness to come up with a different solution. 

  

2nd Annual Bay Plaza 5K Run-Walk

March is here that means Daylight Savings and 2^nd Annual Bay Plaza 5K!

American Cancer Society Partners with The Mall at Bay Plaza to Present the 2nd Annual Bay Plaza 5K Run-Walk!  We would love to have your Bronx community members  join us. Please see attached flyer and Press release.  

March is Colo-rectal Cancer Awareness Month and we are thrilled to announce that The Mall at Bay Plaza will present the 2nd Annual 5K Run-Walk to benefit programs at the American Cancer Society, such as cancer research and early detection and prevention for Bronxites.

Join us On Sunday, March 29^th .  We will come together to honor cancer survivors, raise awareness about reducing risks and raise funds to fight this horrible disease. This timed 5k run/walk will travel through the beautiful Bay Plaza property and will engage the Bronx as a whole.

Participants will enjoy snacks, activities, cancer information, and live music throughout the morning.  Awards for fastest runners and top fundraisers will also be presented immediately following the run.

Sign up today! 2^nd Annual Bay Plaza Run

Nitisha Moore

Community Development Manager

(718) 517.3206 | m: (570) 982.7609 | f: (718) 886.8981
American Cancer Society, Inc. | Northeast Region 132 west 32nd Street New York, NY 10001 cancer.org | 1.800.227.2345

KZA Realty Group Helps Bring Full-Service Health Care Center to Tremont Renaissance with a Major Leasing Deal

 KZA Realty Group helped improve the quality of life in the Tremont section of the Bronx by bringing a full-service family health center to the new Tremont Renaissance building at 1910 Webster Avenue.

Kathy Zamechansky, owner and president of KZA Realty Group, represented Mastermind, Ltd . in the 15-year lease deal with the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. Michael Dubin and Hector Rodriguez at Savitt Partners, LLC, represented the city.

“Mastermind Development’s investment strategy requires us to add value to the communities we serve. This has been fundamental, and natural, to our vision as a lifelong New York, Bronx based company,” said Radame Perez, Chief Operating Officer. “From

the inception of planning Tremont Renaissance, our aim was to develop a property that addressed 3 critical areas that are in crisis throughout the city as a whole, but severely impact many neighborhoods in the outer boroughs - those would be, access to quality, sufficient, and affordable – housing, nutrition, and health care.“

The 15-year lease is valued at $14,146,767.86 and covers 21,643 square feet on the ground floor of one the most exciting new developments in the Bronx, a borough that is undergoing rapid transformation as the borough’s real estate boom continues.

“As soon as the developers started building the Tremont Renaissance, excitement began to ripple throughout the neighborhood,” said Kathy Zamechansky, owner and president of

KZA Realty Group. “The building is a catalyst and a reflection of the vitality that is energizing the Bronx.”

The Health and Hospitals Corp. plans to open a comprehensive family health center to provide pediatric, primary, urgent and elder care. Amenities at the pace-setting Tremont Renaissance, a mixed-income residential development consisting of 256 apartments and a

parking garage, include a fitness and yoga studio, a children’s play area, an internet lounge and rooftop terraces.

Radame Perez also added “With over 60% of our 256 apartments already occupied, 15,000 square feet of our 40,000 square foot commercial space open for business as a supermarket, and now a signed lease commitment for a full service Health Care Center to assume the remaining commercial space, we feel we’ve done well with Tremont Renaissance and are eternally grateful for KZA bringing the last piece of the puzzle to us with New York Health and Hospital.”

The location is a half-block from the Metro-North Tremont station (less than eight miles from Grand Central Terminal), two subway lines and several bus routes.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON NEW CORONAVIRUS CASE IN NEW YORK CITY

  “Three family members of the Westchester resident who was diagnosed yesterday with the Coronavirus have tested positive for the Coronavirus. A female child attends SAR Academy and High School in the Bronx. A male child attends Yeshiva University in Manhattan and has not been on campus since February 27. Both children and their mother, who also tested positive, remain in home isolation in Westchester.”

“Yeshiva University is working closely with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to take every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of students and the community. City disease detectives are on campus to identify close contacts of the student and connect those individuals to testing immediately. As of this morning, two contacts have transferred to Bellevue hospital for testing. We will continue working closely with our State partners to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep New Yorkers safe.”