Photo Dominic Totino/Office of Queens Borough President Queens Borough President Helen Marshall (right, head of table) receives progress report on crimes in the borough from Patrol Borough Queens North Police Chief Diana Pizzuti (c.) and Queens South Chief Thomas Dale (r.) during Borough Cabinet meeting, Tuesday, June 16th, at Borough Hall. Both commanders reported double digit drops in serious crimes, but that burglaries and home invasions continue to be a concern. At left is Director of Community Boards Karen Koslowitz. Assistant Chief Diana Pizzuti, Patrol Borough Queens North, and Assistant Chief Thomas Dale, Patrol Borough Queens South, reported the good news at the June 16 meeting of the Queens Borough Cabinet.

Even with the economic downturn, Chef Pizzuti said crime in Queens North is down a little more than 10 percent (10.18). "(Crime) is down by double-digits in five of the eight (Queens North) precincts and down in all eight," she said.

Chief Dale said Queens South is "also experiencing a great year", with a drop of 15.45 percent year-to-date (as of June 14).

Whereas last year, Queens South had an increase in homicides, there has been a decline of 36.4 per cent to date in 2009, going from 33 to 21 murders.

"Queens South is second only to Staten Island in that decline," Dale said, giving much credit to a gun buy-back program held in February. "That was a tremendous help to us," he said.

Gun arrests are also up by 32 percent in Queens South. Overall, arrests are up 13 percent. As a result, shootings are down by 24 percent, dropping from 87 last year to 66 so far in 2009.

Chief Pizzuti said murders are up in Queens North from last year, rising to 11 from 6, and so are rapes up to 72 from 55. "The majority are close to arrest," she said of the homicides. The majority of rapes are domestic, involving parties that are known to each other, she said.

Pizzuti said burglaries are down 16 percent but warned, "This is a crime that is on the increase in the borough, especially in Queens North. Community involvement can help the police, she said. "If you see something, say something."

With the coming Fourth of July holiday, Dale said the police will be on the lookout for fireworks. "We will be out there busting chops," he said. "Fireworks are very serious to us and we don't want anybody getting hurt."

In another presentation, The New York State Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control of the State Liquor Authority (SLA) said they often work as part of a multiagency unit with the NYPD, Fire Depart- ment, Department of Buildings, and Department of Health.

"It's a privilege to apply for a New York State Liquor license," said Howard Rosen, an investigator for the SLA Enforcement Bureau.

With just 13 field investigators for the five boroughs of New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, priorities of SLA enforcement are alcohol sales to underage and intoxicated persons.

Community boards are advisory on liquor license applications, but District Manager Marilyn Bitterman complained Board 7 wasn't notified about one problem location when they were up for renewal.

"I want to know if they haven't renewed their license, why are they operating," she said.

"Before we can bring charges, all violations must be adjudicated," Rosen said. "There has to be due process."

Woody Pascal, Chief Executive Officer of the SLA's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said new legislation would change the way the SLA operates and acknowledged the importance of New York City. "Sixtyfive percent of our work is done in NYC," he said.

For more information visit www.abc.state.ny.us.