Crime & Safety
Police Commish Calls Attention to Historically-Low Murder Rate
Brooklyn slayings for year fall under 200 for the first time since 1963.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Brooklyn is now safer, and he has statistics to prove it.
In the wake of a gun buyback program last weekend that took over 100 weapons off city streets, Kelly said Brooklyn has seen the lowest murder rate since 1963, with a count of 195.
In the 88th Precinct, which covers Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, there were two murders last year, down from 11 in 2001—an 81.8 percent decline.
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"Murders in Brooklyn fell to below 200, to 195, for the first time in nearly a half-century in part because of concerted efforts to get guns off the streets in partnerships like these," Commissioner Kelly stated on Saturday after speaking with Brooklynites and policemen at the Crown Heights church.
Kelly said that the program had "critical support" from District Attorney Charles Hynes, the Brooklyn clergy and borough residents.
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