Long Island is experiencing a crime wave.
Long Island remains the safest major metropolitan area in the United States. Nassau County has repeatedly been voted the safest county in the country over the past few years. But the crime wave is real and local residents are right to be concerned, although it is unfortunate when that concern turns into needless panic.
The truth is, violent crime is rare on Long Island, especially outside of some troubled communities, but property crime has risen sharply.
In 2019, a catalytic converter was stolen in Nassau County. Last year the figure was 2,021, leading to an increase in grand thefts from 3,210 in 2021 to 4,584 last year. In Suffolk, 819 had been stolen up to August this year, up from 289 for all of 2021, part of an increase in major thefts to 14,163 from 12,003 in 2021.
And it’s not just car parts. Vehicle thefts, which had been broadly stable in Nassau for five years, increased 75% from 2021-2022. In Suffolk, vehicle thefts are up 15% year-on-year and 50% higher than 2018.
Burglaries are also up in both counties compared to 2021, and shoplifting has businesses, police and shoppers concerned and angry. In Suffolk, shoplifting increased by 94% compared to the same period last year. Nassau officials say shoplifting has also risen sharply there, though changes in crime counts make comparisons difficult. Experts say a variety of factors, from the shift to opaque reusable shopping bags to members of shoplifting rings being released without bail, are contributing to the surge.
But violent crime?
The approximately 22,900 murders nationwide in 2021 put the overall murder rate at around 6.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. But Nassau had just 10 such murders in 2021, and in 2022 that number dropped to six, a rate of 0.4 per 100,000 people. There were 32 such homicides in Suffolk in 2021 and in 2022 that number dropped to 27, or 1.77 per 100,000 people. Rape is as rare as serious assaults.
Each county spends nearly $1 billion on police annually. That, combined with a largely law-abiding population and, experts say, housing so expensive it’s difficult for low-level criminals to live here, makes it an unusually safe area.
The property crime spate is inexcusable, and police commissioners from both counties are adamant they are attacking this along with illegal and deadly drug sales. Nassau police recently arrested eight suspects who are believed to be part of two South American crime rings, one breaking into homes and the other robbing businesses, and that’s a good start.
Local residents should be careful when it comes to protecting their cars, homes and themselves. But they should also have the peace of mind that they understand how safe Long Island is.
EDITORIAL MEMBERS are experienced journalists who provide reasoned opinions based on facts to stimulate informed debate on the issues facing our community.
The members of the Editorial Board are experienced journalists who provide reasoned opinions based on facts to stimulate informed debate about the issues facing our community.
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