Reports of serious crime decline in city

KINGSTON, N.Y. » Reports of serious crime in Kingston were 7.4 percent lower in the first half of 2017 than in the same period a year earlier, according to statistics from the state Department of Criminal Justice.

Serious crimes classified as “violent,” however, jumped 11.8 percent year over year, including a doubling of the number of reported robberies, the statistics show. Property crimes fell 10.4 percent. Serious crime is defined by the FBI as murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and vehicle theft. Within that classification, violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, while property crimes includes burglary, larceny and vehicle theft.

The total number of reported serious crimes in Kingston from Jan. 1 to June 30 of this year was 237, down from 256 in the first six months of 2016.

Reports of violent crimes increased from 34 to 38, while reports of property crimes dropped from 222 to 199.

The city is on pace for 474 reported serious crimes this year, evidence of a continued steady decline and down sharply from the recent peak of 1,208 in 2005.

In recent years, reports of serious crime in Kingston totaled 560 in 2016, 731 in 2015, 743 in 2014, 761 in 2013 and 842 in 2012.

Police Chief Egidio Tinti said Tuesday that tactics long deployed by the city police department, which has 73 sworn officers, still are working today.

“The combined use of technology, teamwork — both within the police department and with outside agencies — and a focus on community service and interaction has helped us slightly reduce the serious crime in Kingston,” Tinti said in an email. “We continue to respond to the needs of the community and appreciate the increased participation of the city’s residents, business owners and visitors.”

Tinti, a strong proponent of so-called “community policing,” has said his department also has made good use of social media, such as Facebook, and other tip-related initiatives.

Mayor Steve Noble could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but he has praised Tinti in the past for the declining crime numbers in Kingston.

“Under Chief Tinti’s leadership, our community-oriented policing approach is rooted in respect, open communication and community awareness, all of which I believe are essential as we continue to build collaborations and partnerships,” Noble said upon the release of city crime statistics last year.

The news statistics show no homicides in Kingston in the first half of this year. There also were none in all of 2016 and 205 after two occurred in 2014.

Among other reported crimes, the statistics for the first half of 2017 show:

• Three rapes, down from six in the first half of 2016.

• 10 robberies, up from five.

• 25 aggravated assaults, up from 23.

• 28 burglaries, up from 26.

• 170 larcenies, down from 193.

• One motor vehicle theft, down from three.