Major thefts are occurring throughout the county, but car thefts are on the rise in the southern neighborhoods – QNS

According to the NYPD's latest crime statistics, the number of reported grand thefts across Queens during the 28-day period from September 30 to October 27 decreased significantly in both north and south Queens compared to the same period last year. Another notable trend during this period was that vehicle thefts declined sharply in northern Queens but increased sharply in southern Queens.

In northern Queens, grand thefts fell 13.4% year-over-year, from 560 in 2023 to 485 in 2024.

While all eight precincts in northern Queens saw a decrease in grand theft, the largest decrease was in the 104th Precinct, which includes Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth and Middle Village. Cases reported there fell from 70 last year to 50 this year.

Grand thefts in southern Queens fell 16.8% over the same 28-day period, from 285 in 2023 to 237 in 2024.

The 103rd Precinct, which includes Hollis Park Gardens, Hollis, Lakewood and Jamaica, saw the most significant decrease in grand larceny in southern Queens. Cases reported there fell from 61 last year to 41 this year.

There were big changes in vehicle thefts across the county, but the trend was in opposite directions between North and South Queens.

In northern Queens, vehicle thefts fell 27.8% over the 28-day period, from 277 in 2023 to 200 in 2024.

The largest decrease in vehicle thefts in northern Queens was in the 108th Precinct, which oversees Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside. Reported cases in the district fell from 37 last year to 14 this year.

In Southern Queens, however, vehicle thefts increased 20% year-over-year, from 165 in 2023 to 198 in 2024.

The 107th District, which includes Cunningham Heights, Hilltop Villageand Fresh Meadows saw the most significant increase in cases during this period. The change almost entirely reflected the sharpest decline in the 108th District in northern Queens, rising from 17 last year to 38 this year.

Year-over-year, the total number of major crimes reported for the 28-day period ending Oct. 27 — murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, grand larceny and vehicle theft — decreased in both north and south Queens, though in the latter case only very slightly.

The number of serious crimes in northern Queens fell dramatically, falling by 14.09%, from 1,441 in 2023 to 1,238 in 2024. This sharp decrease is due in large part to the fact that all serious crimes except rape There has been a decline in reported cases, including grand larceny and vehicle theft have fallen sharply over this period.

In southern Queens, the number of serious crimes remained largely unchanged, decreasing by only 1.24%, from 884 in 2023 to 873 in 2024. The contrasting trends between grand thefts and vehicle thefts are a big reason for such a small change.