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Report says park crime on the rise – Metro US

Report says park crime on the rise

The day after three teenagers were shot in a Bronx playground, a new report reveals a spike in park and playground crime since 2009.

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NYC Parks Advocates reported 13 shootings since July and alleged that crime is up 24 percent since 2009 — jumping from 265 crimes in 2009 to 327 in 2011.

Spokesman Geoffrey Croft wrote that violence in city parks and playgrounds has become a major problem, especially shootings and stabbings.

Out of the 13 shootings, four people were killed and nine injured, according to the group’s data. Also, two people were stabbed, and one died.

Tuesday night, three teens were shot in Agnes Haywood Playground in the Bronx.

Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams, co-chair of the Task Force to Combat Gun?Violence, said the triple shooting, along with Brooklyn and Harlem violence, reflected “madness.”

“There seems to be no corner of this city right now that is truly safe from guns,”?he said.

Five parks — Central Park, Flushing Meadow Corona Park, Riverside Park, Prospect Park and Crotona Park – were responsible for more than two-thirds, or 67 percent, of park crime in the entire city, Croft said.

Croft has pushed for more law enforcement officials to patrol city parks.

The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment.

Reported crimes in city parks so far this summer

On July 30, a man attacked a Spanish tourist with a hammer in City Hall Park.

On July 27, a 14-year-old boy was gunned down in Haffen Park in the Bronx.

On July 25, five people were wounded when a gunman opened fire at a basketball tournament at Rucker Park in Harlem.

Just days before this incident, 4-year-old Lloyd Morgan was killed after a stray bullet hit him in the Bronx.

Tuesday night, three teeangers were reportedly shot while they were inside Agnes Haywood Playground in the Bronx.