MYFOXNY.COM -
Police announced Saturday the storm-related death count now has increased to 41 as the body of 90-year-old George Stathis was found.
Stathis of 154 Beach 121 Street was found in the basement and according to police, presumably drowned.
Police continued to be deployed to the areas affected by the storm by the thousands on extended tours of duty to provide security and recovery assistance.
The NYPD also said crime during the week of Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath, from Monday, October 29 through Friday, November, declined in New York City by 32 percent compared by the same week the year before.
Murder, rape, robbery, felonious assault, grand larceny, and car thefts all experienced double- digit percentage declines, except for burglary which increased by 3 percent.
Police said 15 shooting victims of the last five days represented a 32% decline compared to the 22 who were shot during the same week last year. Overall, there were 1,061 crimes over the last five days compared to 1,541 last year; down 480 crimes or an overall reduction of 31 percent.
The NYPD said they will use the public address systems on department vehicles Saturday night to inform residents in neighborhoods still without electricity that there are heating shelters available and how to get to them.
Saturday, police continued to acquire and install light towers, moving those from places where electricity was restored overnight to neighborhoods still in the dark. Department personnel Jerry-rigged pick-up trucks to serve as mini-gasoline tankers with pumps, driving from light tower to light tower - there are hundreds - refueling their generators throughout the night.
Police were assigned to maintain order at gas stations with long lines Friday, when ten suspects were arrested in various disputes over line jumping. Those incidents led to a heavier police presence on Saturday, leading to five more arrests for disorderly conduct at gas stations.
NYPD Critical Response Vehicles officers continued to escort military vehicles in delivery of food and water to distribution centers throughout the city on Saturday, when normally they're involved in counter terrorism duties. The CRV have also helped the military with the delivery of approximately one million meals on Friday.
Officers also delivered food and water to another 17 locations, many near public housing.
The NYPD have around 500 Police Academy recruits assist with traffic control at intersections without electricity for traffic signals on Friday.
