First Precinct Reports Burglaries, Robberies Down for Year

Officers from the Suffolk County Police Department First Precinct reported some good news for the Town of Babylon during their most recent community meeting – burglaries, robberies and shootings are down compared to this time last year.

Burglaries were down nearly 100 from 532 as of October 31, 2012 to 437 on the same day this year, a drop of 15.4 percent. Similarly, robberies have dropped by 25 this time last year from 182 to 157, or a change of -13.7 percent.

While much less common than the other crimes, shootings had also fallen throughout the Town of Babylon, which is covered by the department's First Precinct. 2012 saw 25 shootings total through the end of the year while 2013 had only seen 15 through the end of October.

Officers at the monthly community meeting credited vigilant residents and fellow officer's work for helping to lower the number of reported crimes in the area.

The past month also saw a similar, but lesser, trend in Deer Park and North Babylon during October. Deer Park reported five residential burglaries while North Babylon had two during the month – both down by one from September's total.

Deer Park did see its commercial burglaries bottom out to none reported, after a month where the area had seen six. North Babylon had one commercial burglary reported in October.

The precinct itself recorded only four total commercial burglaries for the entire month. Officers called that number an "extreme low" for Babylon Town.

Deer Park did, however, see two vehicles stolen and four robberies committed during the month, similar to the previous month's totals. North Babylon reported in with two stolen vehicles as well as a single robbery.

First Precinct officers reported a total of 760 arrests during the month, up slightly from 710 in September. That number included 117 arrested for possession of a controlled substance and 89 possession of marijuana charges.

The precinct will hold their next public community meeting at the West Babylon Public Library on Thursday, December 5 at 7 p.m. All concerned residents are urged to come and speak to officers.