Watch CBS News

Long Island Sees Double-Digit Drop In Crime Rate

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Crime on Long Island is down significantly, according to new stats from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy attributed the double-digit decreases in murders, burglaries and other violent crimes to an increased police presence on the street.

"If you just take those officers who are not on patrol, behind their desk, and put them out on patrol, you can both lower crime and lower your costs, and I think we've been successful in that regard," he told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

LISTEN: Sophia Hall reports

Podcast

In Nassau County, police credited programs where people can participate anonymously, without any questions asked. These include the gun buyback and prescription drop box programs.

Officers also cited ShotSpotter technology, which enables them to quickly ascertain the location of from which a weapon was fired, with contributing to the crime drop.

Does Long Island seem safer to you as of late? Sound off in our comments section below…

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.