Rising Crime Rates

From The Peopling of New York City

Flushing began to go downhill during the 1970s as crime intensified and stores closed down because of a slowdown in funding (Worsnop). Interestingly enough, times have not changed much regarding the new Flushing, even while it stands very far from the economic decline it once was headed for. After all, Flushing Meadows Park ranks second after Central Park with the highest crime rates of New York City parks and third in the most violent crimes. There were 99 crimes in the park from April 2006 to September 2007, including two rapes and one murder. The major crime there was grand larceny, with 45 such occasions. The NYPD ascribes almost half of the 2007 crimes to the National Tennis Center (Walsh). A Corona High School student said she feels “threatened because there's a lot of gangs around here," and that "There should be more security in the park" (Rudish). While on the topic of gangs, an incident involving them occurred in 2005 in which almost 24 suspected gang members were arrested on “suspicion of terrorizing Flushing and Chinatown residents while raking in millions annually through illegal gambling and pirated DVDs.” “Gambling, extortion, ecstasy and ketamine trafficking, money laundering and witness tampering” were among the array of charges members faced (“Feds”).

There exist certain areas in Flushing that are not suited for an evening stroll, particularly when alone, such as “the industrial zone on both sides of Flushing River, especially Willets Point” (Roleke). "I don't come after dark because it's obviously not safe. It's not a crowded place with a lot of lights and a lot of people," said a 32-year-old jogger in Queens (Rudish).

What’s more is the existence of prominent black market dealings and illegal services, often offered by Koreans, which take place in Downtown Flushing. Specifically, Prostitution is one of the underground crimes that occur (Roleke). According to urban planning and historic preservation consultant Paul Graziano, four brothels had to be closed down recently.