Been reading about what is a pretty nasty crime spree in Jamaica, Queens, with women being abducted and robbed. I think it should be obvious that the more you cut back on police funding, social services and education (as has been happening in NYC) and the worse the economy is (and the recovery may be picking up a bit, but jobs are still scarce), crime WILL increase. It has been shown over and over that jobs, education, more beat cops, and social services keep crime down better than typical revenge-oriented "get tough on crime" policies.

Here is City Councilman Jim Gennaro's statement on the recent crime wave in Queens:

Elected officials and community leaders today called on their neighbors to remain vigilant and safe after a string of recent robberies in the area.

Officers at the 107th Precinct are searching for several suspects who are abducting women and stealing their personal belongings and ATM cards around Jamaica Estates.

“As a resident of Jamaica Estates, I am deeply troubled by the crime being committed in this neighborhood,” Councilman James F. Gennaro said. “It’s important for residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity you see in the area. These heinous criminals need to be brought to justice.”

“I am disheartened to hear of the latest attempt to abduct a senior women near my home on Marengo Street and McLaughlin Avenue,” said Assemblyman David I. Weprin. “It’s imperative that the 107 Police Precinct increase patrols in the area and for neighbors to report any suspicious activity to 911 immediately,” said Assemblyman Weprin.

“All local residents should be wary and report anything suspicious to the police,” said Council Member Mark S. Weprin. “The three terrible incidents that have occurred are three too many.”

“The recent string of crimes attacking women in our community must be met with a decisive response from the police and community leaders, and I stand with Councilman Gennaro in urging every resident to be vigilant and to call 911 immediately if they see any suspicious activity,” said Assemblyman Lancman.

“As everyone must be, I am very concerned about the robberies. I am also concerned that the interval has become so much closer,” said Martha Taylor, Democratic District Leader of the 24th Assembly District. “I agree that we, the residents of Jamaica Estates, must remain vigilant and must cooperate with the police so that these criminals are caught quickly.”

“While arguably, a sign of the harsh economic times we live in, this kind of violent criminal activity has no place anywhere, but especially not in a quiet, residential community such as ours. We are outraged and terribly concerned about the brashness of this developing crime pattern, but have every faith that the NYPD and the 107th Precinct will get to the bottom of this and apprehend those responsible, in an expedited fashion. In the interim, the Jamaica Estates Association has stepped up the level of alert in our private security patrol, and we are advising everyone to be aware and to keep a careful look out of your surroundings, at all times,” said Howard Fried, president of the Jamaica Estates Association.

“The brazenness of these crimes is particularly disturbing,” said Deborah Ayala, president of the Jamaica Hill Civic Association. “I urge the community to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police. Neighbors should join together to protect our community.”

On Jan. 14, 2011, the suspects forced a 68-year-old woman into her car, near Marengo Street and McLaughlin Avenue in Jamaica Estates but she screamed and the suspects fled, police say. This was at least the third time a crime of this nature was committed in the area.

Then, on the evening of Dec. 22, 2010, two men forced a 58-year-old woman into her own car near Kendrick Place and Mayfield Road in Jamaica Hill.

The third incident occurred on April 14, 2010 when police say three men grabbed a 63-year-old woman in Jamaica Estates and threw her into the trunk of her car. They took her personal belongings and used her ATM card to withdraw cash. 188th and grand central

No victim was seriously hurt.

Police are asking anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.