CORONA — Felony domestic violence assaults have doubled in the 110th Precinct compared to this time last year — with domestic incidents up overall — and officials believe residents are reporting the incidents due to increased police outreach.
There have been 22 domestic felony assaults through Feb. 22 of this year, compared with 11 during the same time period last year, records show. An attack is classified as a felony when an object is used, officials said.
Overall this year, there have been 38 felony assaults through Feb. 15, compared to 22 last year, a 72 percent increase, according to NYPD statistics.
Harassment complaints are also up from 32 to 40, and there have been two domestic rapes compared with none last year, according to statistics.
Incidents have increased steadily, with 1,087 domestic complaints in 2014, up from nearly 1,000 in 2013, records show. It's similar to an increase in the neighboring 115th Precinct.
While they're keeping an eye on the increase, officers at the 110th Precinct are more interested in having incidents reported, they said.
"We want people to report it," Executive Officer Ralph Forgione said."We're constantly telling people, call us, even if you see something, just let us know."
The precinct's domestic violence unit is made up of four officers and one sergeant who are constantly following up with victims and cases — handling hundreds of incident reports a year, which range from verbal abuse to attempted murder.
Their workload often resembles that of a detective's, with additional administrative responsibility, according to Deputy Inspector Ronald Leyson. Outreach is a cornerstone of that work.
"We do a lot of outreach, both through the local clergy, through local pols, and through the community council and any other community groups," Leyson said — adding that the precinct's popularity with new immigrants informs the kind of outreach they do.
"We do a lot of outreach to emphasize immigrant status is irrelevant. If you're a victim of a crime you're the victim of a crime," he said.
Often the outreach coincides with other events, like a Lunar New Year celebration at Queens Center Mall on Sunday, where they'll have an information table set up.
The officers will also refer victims to a number of support centers, including Safe Horizons, the Queens Family Justice Center in Kew Gardens, and the Department for the Aging.
These groups offer counseling, financial planning and practical assistance like changing locks on apartments or homes and computer literacy.
