Crime in the borough declined by almost 11 percent last year, according to Police Department statistics released April 7 by the mayor's office.
The decrease occurred in almost every single crime category -- murder, rape, robbery, felonious assault, burglary and grand larceny. The only type of crime to increase was misdemeanors, particularly those involving young people.
There were 394 murders in the borough in 1994, down from 514 in 1993. Robberies were down 15 percent. Reports of rape declined by 10 percent.
Borough arrests were up 25 percent last year. And crime figures, both in the borough and citywide, showed a large jump in juvenile arrests, reflecting a police department focus on truancy enforcement.
"I haven't heard of things happening lately," said Anna Cleta, 15, a student at Stevenson High School, as she worked in the deli section of a Pioneer Supermarket in Soundview. "There was a rapist here two weeks ago. There was a robbery a month ago. But I take a cab every night; I feel safe.
Cleta lives in the 43rd Precinct. It is the most populous precinct in the borough and it saw an across-the-board crime decrease in 1994. Murders alone decreased 28 percent: from 69 in 1993 to 50 last year.
Police officials in the precinct attribute part of the double-digit decrease to "warrant sweeping" -- surrounding a block and arresting everyone with an outstanding warrant.
"We are sending a message to the criminal community that if you break the law, you are going to be held accountable," said Captain Edward Delatorre, precinct commander. "I have a vested interest in these statistics because I live in the borough and I'm reaping the benefits of what the police department is doing."
Truancy enforcement is another strategy emphasized last year that has begun to pay off, he said.
"Last year we had one youth officer; this year we have three," said Officer Ellie Colon.
Previously, students left school at lunch, Colon said, and went to a community for the elderly in Parkchester to commit crimes.
"Not enforcing minor offenses doesn't do a young man or woman any good," said Delatorre, adding that by sending the message early, the precinct is scaring juveniles away from more violent crimes. "Children need to be supported and need to know that there is a right and wrong, and if they do wrong, there is a penalty to be paid."
Ariel Buckle, a 38-year-old transit worker, said he is aware that car theft is down.
"I think it is because of the pressure Giuliani is putting on the police department," he said. "Their jobs are on the line. They have to show that they can do the job."