New York City Police Department’s 5th precinct captain, Craig Nilsen, presented the latest crime statistics and enforcement progress in combating counterfeiting and retail theft at a community meeting held at the New York City Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association on March 5th. In recent years, retail theft, which has been a persistent issue in the precinct, has seen a significant 50% decrease, leading to commendations from the community for his leadership in crime prevention.
Nilsen revealed that in the past month, overall crime rates in the precinct have dropped by approximately 20% compared to the previous year, with a significant 35% decrease in crime rates over the past week. The police have been actively targeting crime hotspots to enhance enforcement, particularly focusing on the persistent issue of counterfeit handbag sales in the West Broadway area. In an effort to combat the sale of fake handbags, the 5th precinct partnered with the 1st precinct to conduct confiscation operations supported by the Police Headquarters, including the deployment of a rapid response team. Recent raids have resulted in the seizure of a large number of counterfeit designer bags, with 50 fake bags confiscated just the day before.
Previously, vendors selling counterfeit goods would swiftly flee before the police arrived, making law enforcement challenging. Nilsen disclosed that they utilized a newly acquired high-powered telescope to allow undercover officers to observe suspects from a distance, gather evidence, and make decisive arrests. He stated, “Those selling fake bags thought we didn’t see them, but they couldn’t escape.”
In addition to cracking down on counterfeit goods sales, the 5th precinct has intensified enforcement efforts against retail theft, yielding significant results. Nilsen noted that retail theft has long been a key factor affecting the precinct’s security, but recent cases have seen a 50% decline. The police are now categorizing these incidents further, tailoring strategies to combat various forms of theft, from petty shoplifting to in-store robberies, in a comprehensive approach to deter crime.
Since assuming the role of precinct captain in December, crime rates have continued to decline under Nilsen’s leadership. Allen Chan, Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District (BID), praised the new captain for his boldness and tactical acumen, which have led to such notable law enforcement effectiveness on the ground.
According to precinct sources, the new officers have recently undergone extensive training by the Law Enforcement Department to enhance their professional knowledge, ensuring they maintain high vigilance and sharpness during patrols.
The community meeting was chaired by Chu Chaoran, Chairman of the New York City Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, with representatives from Assemblyman Lee Rongen’s office and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in attendance.