It has been a rough year for 90th Precinct, where crime is up 18 percent from its levels of June 2007.There have been 758 “major index” crimes this year – crimes taken into account when calculating a city’s crime rate – up from 644 at this time last year.

The biggest culprits in the crime uptick have been grand larcenies, up 42 percent, and robberies, up 21 percent. In the past month, robberies are up 12 percent from the corresponding period last year.

Recently, these robberies have been concentrated in an area roughly bounded by Boerum Street, Leonard Street, Broadway and Humboldt Street, according to Deputy Inspector John Corbisiero, the Precinct’s commanding officer. Last month, the problem area was a few blocks north in an area roughly bounded by Scholes Street and Manhattan, Johnson and Graham avenues.

Most of these robberies have been force robberies, according to Corbisiero. “They’re walking up from behind and grabbing somebody, maybe punching them and stealing their stuff. They use the term ‘yoke,’” he said.

Corbisiero is looking to deploy some Police Academy graduates to the new hot-spot. He recently submitted a proposal to the office of the Police Commissioner and is awaiting approval.

As for thefts out of cars, Corbisiero stressed that there are too many people leaving valuable property in plain view of potential criminals. Many people take the extra safety measure of moving their valuables to their trunk. But Corbisiero suggested those people should do this before they park, and not after.

As always, Corbisiero pleaded for people to report crimes shortly after they happen, which vastly increases cops’ chances of catching perpetrators.

(Greg Hanlon for The Nabe)