4 The Courier sun • JANUARY 7, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com ‘POLAR BEARS’ TAKE AN ICY DIP INTO THE ROCKAWAY SURF FOR NEW YEAR Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder’s office Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder emerges from the Atlantic cold but victorious at the Rockaway Beach Polar Plunge. BY ERICA SIUDZINSKI editorial@queenscourier.com/@QueensCourier Here’s one way to get a fresh start to 2016. On New Year’s Day, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder took the plunge at the annual Rockaway Polar Bear Plunge. Though smaller than the famous Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge in Brooklyn, which attracts thousands of participants each year, the Rockaway Polar Bear Plunge has a strong and dedicated group of community swimmers, some of whom have been participating for more than 15 years. These brave souls gathered in groups along the beach at subway stops. This past weekend’s unseasonably warm weather made for a slightly less bracing experience for those who braved the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Goldfeder emerged from the plunge looking cold but victorious, before bundling up on the beach. The Rockaway Point Volunteer Fire Department was on hand to help keep everyone safe. Goldfeder personally thanked the fire department for their service in warming everyone up after the plunge. Here’s how Queens cops fought crime borough-wide in 2015 By Anthony Giudice agiudice@ridgewoodtimes.com/@A_GiudiceReport The “World’s Borough” was a safer place in 2015, according to the New York Police Department. The NYPD has released the 2015 crime totals for the seven major index crimes. Overall index crime in New York City fell by 1.7 percent when compared to 2014, and crime since January 2014 has decreased 5.8 percent overall. These preliminary crime numbers show 2015 as having the lowest yearly crime numbers ever in the modern Compstat era. “At this point, 2015 marks the safest year in the modern history in New York City,” said Police Commissioner William Bratton. “Since 1993, we have experienced more than a 75 percent decrease in crime and an 81 percent decrease in murders. Today, we are practicing precision-policing focused on addressing the pockets of crime that remain, while exercising discretion in enforcement and reducing the number of enforcement encounters across the city.” Queens, which is broken into Queens North and Queens South, saw total crime drop in 2015, compared to the previous year. Patrol Borough Queens North, which is comprised of the 104th, 108th, 109th, 110th, 111th, 112th, 114th and 115th precincts, had a 9 percent decrease in total crimes compared to 2014. Patrol Borough Queens South, which is made up of the 100th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, 105th, 106th, 107th and 113th precincts, saw total crime drop over 3 percent compared to 2014. Throughout Queens, the 113th Precinct had the most murders with nine; the 111th Precinct had no murders in 2015, according to the CompStat report for Dec. 27. The 105th Precinct recorded 37 rapes, the most in Queens for the year. The 103rd Precinct had the most robberies and felony assaults for 2015 with 377 and 439, respectively. These numbers are preliminary and subject to change, it was noted. “Last year’s record low crime rate is further proof that the NYPD is the best police force in the world. I want to commend the strong women and men of the NYPD and Commissioner Bratton for protecting our city from all forms of crime,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Thanks to the NYPD, we have closed out the year as the safest big city in the nation while continuing to build bridges between the police and community. And next year, we won’t stop working to ensure our officers have the equipment, support and resources they need to continue protecting our residents each day.” All of the crime data can be found on the NYPD’s new publicly accessible website, which provides incident-level crime data for the seven index crimes. The available information will consist of 19 distinct variables for each crime reported, including the date and time of the occurrence, location and other specific fields, as well as an interactive map to track crime locations. The information will be posted on the NYPD’s website and the NYC Open Data Portal. “It is our hope that the public utilizes this information to increase their awareness and knowledge of crime conditions around the city and in their local neighborhoods,” Bratton said in a statement. “This release of available data is part of the NYPD’s continued effort to promote transparency and collaboration with advocacy groups, community leaders and elected officials as well as members of the public.” “Last year’s record low crime rate is further proof that the NYPD is the best police force in the world.” Mayor Bil de Blasio
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