UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Crime numbers on the Upper West Side are having a mixed start to the year.
In one precinct, reported major crimes are down by nearly 30 percent compared to January last year — and by nearly 24 percent compared to two years ago.
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But in the other, it’s nearly an inverse picture, with major crime numbers up more than 17 percent compared to last year, and over 36 percent compared to two years ago.
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The increased crime numbers can be found in the 20th Precinct, which covers the Upper West Side between West 59th and West 86th streets.
While some crime numbers did fall compared to January last year, like burglary (36.8 percent) and transit (40 percent), many were reportedly higher.
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Overall, major felonies increased by 17.72 percent over January 2023, with the biggest gains seen in felony assaults, with four more reports (66.7 percent), grand larceny (41.9 percent) and robbery (16.7 percent).
Petit larceny —or thefts under $1,000 — rose by over 38 percent, and misdemeanor assault saw 26 more reports over the same time last year, a shocking 83 percent jump.
Even compared to January two years ago, when the pandemic-related spike in crime was in full swing, crime is up by nearly 37 percent — with felony assaults up a staggering 150 percent.
But between West 86th Street and Cathedral Parkway, in the 24th Precinct, the picture was a photo-negative.
Compared to January 2023, reported major crime plummeted 28.42 percent overall, with the biggest declines seen in auto theft (72.7 percent), grand larceny (39.6 percent) and robbery (28.6 percent).
There were also no murders in the precinct this month, compared to one last January, and only one rape, compared to two last year.
Some felonies saw small increases over last year — one additional felony assault and three additional burglaries.
And compared to two years ago, all major felonies were down by over 25 percent, except for felony assault, which was only down 8.3 percent.
Robbery saw the largest decline compared to two years ago, with a 37.5 percent difference.
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