The
NYPD
sounded
the
alarm
Tuesday
on
an
uptick
in
Central
Park
crime,
revealing
a
350%
increase
in
reported
robberies
so
far
this
year
compared
with
the
same
period
last
year.
Most
of
the
robberies
occur
in
the
evening
and
target
electronics,
like
phones
and
expensive
headphones,
NYPD
Chief
of
Department
Jeffrey
Maddrey
said.
He
said
there
have
been
18
in
the
park
so
far
this
year,
compared
with
four
over
the
same
time
period
last
year.
Grand
larcenies
—
when
someone
snatches
a
phone
out
of
a
hand
without
causing
injury
or
takes
a
piece
of
property
left
on
a
bench
—
are
also
up,
with
12
reported
in
the
first
four
months
of
this
year
versus
eight
reported
in
the
first
four
months
of
last
year.
Serious
injuries
have
not
been
reported,
but
the
criminal
uptick
in
such
a
famous
place
has
many
park-goers
concerned,
whether
tourists
or
locals.
Maddrey
acknowledged
that
much.
“This
is
one
of
the
most
iconic
locations
in
NYC,
it’s
heavily
used,
all
types
of
events
happen
here
…
and
with
that,
we
have
an
obligation
to
make
sure
the
community
knows
what’s
going
on.
This
helps
us
increase
public
safety,”
he
said.
Police
have
stepped
up
patrols
in
Central
Park
and
are
working
with
the
community
to
spread
awareness.
They’ve
also
extended
deployment
outside
the
park,
utilizing
four
area
precincts
in
addition
to
the
Central
Park
Precinct
in
a
coordinated,
strategic
effort
to
mitigate
crime.
Officers
are
assigned
by
foot
and
mobile,
as
well
as
perimeter
checks.
“We’re
using
all
resources
available
in
the
NYPD
to
address
this.
We’ve
increased
camera
surveillance.
We’re
also
utilizing
our
auxiliaries
on
weekends
to
address
the
condition
here
in
the
park,”
Assistant
Chief
Ruel
Stephenson,
Manhattan
North’s
commanding officer,
said.
“Rest
assured,
all
potential
park-goers
should
feel
safe
using
the
park.”
Officials
announced
an
arrest
in
one
of
the
cases
had
been
made
early
Tuesday,
a
Bronx
man
charged
in
an
alleged
sexually
motivated
robbery
on
April
25.
He
has
nine
priors
and
is
on
parole
until
2028.
In
another
case,
cops
are
looking
for
three
men
on
scooters
who
they
say
stole
two
phones
from
a
tourist
after
showing
a
handgun
with
a
laser.
The
NYPD
believes
the
same
trio
is
responsible
for
at
least
nine
incidents
in
northern
Queens.
Similar
thefts
have
been
reported
elsewhere
in
Manhattan
North
and
in
Manhattan
South,
officials
said,
but
only
one
within
the
park
thus
far.
Anyone
who
sees
something
concerning
is
advised
to
reach
out
to
the
Central
Park
Precinct
for
help.
Police
said
that
happened
just
a
day
ago,
when
someone
witnessed
someone
grab
a
tourist’s
phone
and
throw
it
in
Swan
Lake.
That
phone-grabbing
someone
was
taken
into
custody
and
the
phone
was
returned
to
the
woman
who
had
it
snatched.
Authorities
didn’t
speculate
on
a
possible
reason
for
the
uptick
in
crime
compared
with
the
same
period
last
year.