BRONX CRIME RATES FALL AFTER PERSONNEL SHAKE-UP

For the first time in more than a year, crime rates in the Bronx are
falling, with total reported crime dropping 12 percent so far in 2001
compared with the same period last year. That decline outpaced the 10
percent citywide drop in the same period.

The drop follows a shake-up of the senior police personnel in the borough
after a spate of shootings and murders in early 2000.

After his appointment in August, Police Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik
replaced the borough's highest-ranking commander. Although the incidence of
murder and some other violent crime leveled off late last year, Mr. Kerik
has continued to reshuffle his Bronx command cadre, replacing or promoting
the top officers in 7 of the borough's 12 precincts since September.

Police statistics began showing evidence of lower reported crime in
February, and data made available this week appear to reflect a full-
fledged turnaround. Besides a 26 percent drop in Bronx murders — to 42 in
the first 11 weeks of this year from 57 in the comparable period of 2000 —
declines of more than 30 percent were reported in the number of shooting
incidents and in the number of gunshot victims.

The Bronx data showed that arrests for gun violations increased 19 percent
this year, while narcotics arrests fell 24 percent. The only category of
violent crime that increased was rape, with reported cases rising 12
percent this year.

Assistant Chief Patrick Timlin, the senior Bronx commander, attributed the
improvements to revised patrol tactics and a focus on high-crime areas.
Since January, the police have employed what is known as Operation Razor,
in which the number of officers assigned to three of the borough's most
troubled precincts has grown by about 20 percent.

"We put our efforts in the areas hardest hit by crime, where we got the
most bang for the buck," said Chief Timlin, who has expanded police
presence particularly in Tremont, Morris Heights, Highbridge, Bedford Park
and other areas where reported crime had increased by more than 10 percent
last year.

Chief Timlin said his first priority in assuming command had been to reduce
the number of murders and shootings. For instance, he assigned extra
officers to clubs and other gathering spots where violence typically
erupted. "As long as we maintain our focus, we are not going to lose what
we've been able to gain," he said.

The improvement has not escaped the notice of residents of some troubled
neighborhoods. Msgr. John J. Jenik, pastor of Our Lady of Refuge, a Roman
Catholic church in Bedford Park, said he had complained to the police
several times in recent years about drug dealers, and had even taken to
wearing a bulletproof vest. "The drug dealing used to be right in your
face," he said. "Now we see the cops."