Rise in rapes and aggravated assaults in northern Queens – QNS

According to the NYPD’s latest crime statistics, the number of reported rapes and aggravated assaults in northern Queens jumped during the 28-day period from June 3 to 30 compared to the same period last year.

The number of reported rapes in northern Queens increased 121.4% year-over-year, from 14 cases in the 28-day period in 2023 to 31 in 2024.

The largest increases during that 28-day period were seen in the 114th and 115th precincts. In the 114th precinct, which includes Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside and Jackson Heights, the number of reported cases rose from one last year to six this year. In the 115th precinct, which includes East Elmhurst, North Corona and Jackson Heights, there was an increase from two last year to seven this year.

The number of serious assaults in northern Queens increased 46.9% year-over-year during the 28-day period, from 239 reported cases in 2023 to 351 in 2024.

The largest increase in aggravated assaults was seen in the 115th Precinct, with the number of reported cases more than doubling during that 28-day period, from 32 last year to 69 this year.

However, the number of grand larcenies reported across the county declined significantly during the 28-day period – the only serious crime category to see a significant decline compared to the previous year.

In northern Queens, grand thefts fell 9.2%, from 597 reported cases in 2023 to 542 in 2024. The 110th Precinct, which includes Corona and Elmhurst, saw the largest decline in cases, with the number of reported grand thefts there falling from 148 last year to 108 this year.

Southern Queens saw a 22.3% decrease in grand thefts over the 28-day period, from 264 cases in 2023 to 205 in 2024. The 106th Precinct, which includes Howard Beach, Lindenwood and Ozone Park, saw the largest decrease in grand thefts, with the number of reported cases there falling from 46 last year to 29 this year.

The total number of reported major crimes – murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, grand theft and auto thefts – increased year over year in northern Queens and decreased in southern Queens. Major crimes in northern Queens increased 6.46% during the 28-day period, from 1,347 last year to 1,434 this year. In southern Queens, major crimes decreased 8.62%, from 893 last year to 816 this year.

Year to date, both North and South Queens have seen a slight increase in serious crimes compared to last year through June 30. North Queens has seen a 2.64% increase, from 7,992 in 2023 to 8,203 in 2024. South Queens has seen a 1.63% increase over the same six-month period, from 5,220 in 2023 to 5,305 in 2024.