Despite a reputation of being a haven for crime and “sketch-ocity,” an FBI study released Monday shows that New York remained one of the safest large cities in the country in the first half of 2006. With a decrease of over 7% in overall crime during that timeframe, New York continues to improve on a stellar record of crime drops over the last decade or so.

This crime drop started in around 1993, with Rudy Giuliani’s first term as mayor. The team of Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton proved extremely effective at stopping petty crime, and then moving on th larger criminal acts like murder and rape, and on to criminal enterprises and organized crime. Their crime reduction process, CompStat, was adopted in other cities across the world due to its widespread success.

Despite this drop, I am concerned about the large growth of murder rates. The amount of murders in NYC grew at over ten times that of the nation, which is a perplexing and staggering figure, especially considering the drop in all other major crime statistics. It will be interesting to watch this statistic in the coming months as they eventually release their findings for the rest of 2006.

[Photo courtesy Wikipedia]

Door number twenty-three reveals… the anti-resolution!

Inevitably, thoughts of New Year’s Eve turn to that other New Year’s “tradition”: the New Year’s Resolution. Does anyone here still do this? I’ve noticed that, in my circles at least, the big New Year’s Resolution has become more of an anti-resolution: “I resolve not to resolve.” It’s not so much due to the fact that everyone thinks they’re beyond improvement, but really quite the opposite. It’s more like, “Well, I’m an imperfect work in progress every day of the year. I accept and embrace that, and it’s not going to change whether I make some silly resolution or not.”

So is this attitude a New York thing? And urban thing? Or just the norm these days? Outside of NYC, I know plenty of people that still claim to make a New Year’s resolution or two each year…

For all posts in this series, click here.

Behind door number twenty-two… a midnight run in Central Park!

Speaking of New Year’s Eve planning, one of my favorite uniquely New York traditions is the annual Midnight Run in Central Park. To me, that’s a hell of a lot more in line with my whole New York experience than the Times Square bedlam will ever be. Central Park, fellow runners, fireworks, plus a DJ, a costume contest, and champagne. What could be more New York that that? And the fact that it sells out every year indicates that lots of people feel the same.

[image from here]

For all the posts in this series, click here.

And behind door number twenty-one… New Year’s Eve planning!

Really, is there any other night of the year that is even remotely as hyped? Valentine’s Day shares with it the proliferation of exorbitantly priced, mediocre dining and dancing/partying experiences, but still, it doesn’t even approach the wide reach and fever pitch associated with New Year’s Eve plans and expectations.

We know that New Yorkers avoid the Times Square hootenanny like the plague, but outside of that, the options here are (like with everything else) seemingly endless. Some people opt for the big, lavish night out with the masses at clubs and restaurants. Others attend swank private parties. And still others spend a chill evening in with close friends and/or family.

But no matter your plans, one thing is guaranteed: it’s something you’ve already spent a good deal of time thinking and talking about. Or will be soon.

For all the posts in this series, click here.

Two weeks of kids on school break is enough to fray anyone’s nerves, especially after a gift-wrapped extravaganza of toys with “some assembly required” and “batteries [in a size or format you've never heard of before] not included.” How can you entertain the small people for two weeks without losing your mind?

Avoid the temptation to stock up on too many kiddie events — animated movies, tickets to The Grinch, etc. Look for things you can both enjoy doing. And no, don’t even think about the Museum of Natural History — everyone on the planet has the same idea. Here are my suggestions:

1. The Metropolitan Museum, but NOT the Egyptian wing and Arms&Armor, which will be packed with strollers (and which your kids will see a wearying number of times on school field trips anyway). Go to the uncrowded sections like Assyrian art, musical instruments, or period rooms.

2. Coney Island (Brooklyn). Yes, in winter. The Aquarium is worth the trip all on its own, but if you go on the right day, some of the boardwalk attractions might be open — and everyone likes Nathan’s hot dogs (admit it). And it’s fun to walk on a beach in New York City, no?

3. The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show (Bronx). Yes, this is going to be totally mobbed, but it’s worth it. Seeing miniature replicas of the Empire State Building, Gracie Mansion and the Brooklyn Bridge made out of twigs and leaves and dried oranges is delightful at any age. Plus you can warm up in the tropical section of the conservatory. Go early on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds.

4. Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (Upper West Side). They’re kinda busy this week with religious services (great if you’re into that), but afterwards the cathedral gets back to its quirky “medieval” and frankly pagan family activities.

5. The Village Chess Shop (Downtown). Sure, you could stay home and play boardgames all week, but it’s so much more fun in a bohemian locale. Besides, the Village is full of kiddie-things-for-grown-ups — best of all, enormous, fancy cupcakes.

Any other suggestions?

Each Thursday, Metroblogs NYC will be posting an interesting, little-known trivia tidbit that will help you get to know this city we call home and will also shock and amaze others at parties or around the coffee machine at work. If you have a suggestion for a good trivia subject, LET US KNOW. You can read past trivia entries here.

We all know the famous song “Mony Mony” by Tommy James and the Shondells. But, did you know that it was actually inspired by a New York billboard?

In 1968, Tommy James was living at West 52nd and Eighth Avenue, on the 18th floor of a highrise. On one winter night, he and his writing partner were struggling to come up with lyrics to a brand new song, where they were specifically looking for a girls name that was previously unheard of. Tired and full of frustration, James stepped out onto his terrace and observed the Mutual of New York sign, which just read “MONY” with a dollar sign in the center of the O. He immediately knew he had the name he was looking for.

“Mony Mony” peaked at #3 on the pop charts that June.

Last night I had a holiday dinner at the Mama Mexico on 49th and 3rd.

What they’re famous for is their guacamole, which they make right in front of you. Normally I can’t stand mashed up avocado, but Mama Mexico’s is to die for. Plus you get to watch them throw together the ingredients.

There were about a million specials, and I couldn’t keep them straight, even with them written out in front of me. But what I remembered was the appetizer special, lobster quesadillas. Portions at Mexican restaurants always seem gigantour, and I hate that overly full, sluggish feeling from eating too much, especially since I’d already gorged myself on chips and guac. The special quesadillas were the perfect amount of food, and the combination of lobster, sour cream, and just a little cheese was unbelievably good.

Although my dining mates made good use of the mojitos and margaritas, I abstained (enzyme disorder = [alcohol = poison]) except for a sip of a margarita which was strong and tasty.

Unfortunately I can’t say the same thing about my dessert. The warm chocolate cake was totally dry. Also, I could have done without the traveling mariachi band, but that might be my general aversion to live music, as well as the ear-bleedingly loud, drunk woman at the next table. Ah, the Christmas spirit.

Door number twenty conceals… Free Metrocards!

That’s right, folks. It’s gridlock alert time! And to deal with this annual tradition, the MTA has created a holiday tradition of their own: handing out free Metrocards to people who park at Shea Stadium and take public transit into Manhattan.

Not sure how effective this is, but I’m definitely all for creative solutions to our seasonal traffic nightmares.

Click here for all of the posts in this series.

ny1.com

Has anyone else heard of the latest season of “Pimp My Ride” happening right here in our very own little metropolis? Okay so Xzibit won’t be there, and I’m pretty sure you won’t see many 22’s, but the installation of touch screen LCD’s are the newest renovation to the ever so popular New York City taxi.

The LCD’s will tell passengers their location in the city (aka a map), where there are restaurants nearby, allow them to pick music, check if their flights are on time, and there will even be a credit card swiper for passengers to pay quickly and conveniently with credit.

They began installing the LCD’s on Monday, and are said to have 200 in place by the end of the year. By the end of 2007 every single NYC taxi should have the touchscreens. Now if only I could catch the cash cab and actually be able to afford to take a cab around town…

It’s hard to believe, especially on the heels of Roger Toussaint’s re-election, but today is the one year anniversary of the “Great Transit Strike of 2005″. At exactly this moment one year ago today you were probably bitching out and cursing the MTA and TWU as you tried to figure out how the hell you were going to get to work or wherever it was you needed to be. And unlike this year, the weather was MUCH colder this time last year, so it made for a pretty inconvenient week before Christmas. The last transit strike was in April of 1980 and that lasted an epic 11 days, but the one last year lasted just over three days. But those three days were chocked full of all sorts of stories, annoyances and blog posts! Nothing makes the word flow quite like a transit strike–trust us. For your reading pleasure, a ton of links to the extensive Metblogs NYC Transit Strike Coverage are waiting for you…just after the jump…

Photo from Express Train
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