2010: Your Top Five Police, Fire and Crime Stories

As we wind down 2010 with some of our biggest stories of the year, we also have to turn an eye to some of the most important and impactful stories of police and fire departments in the area.

While Forest Hills may have a strong reputation for safety among neighborhoods in the city, it certainly isn't immune to headline-grabbing events.

Here are just a few of the biggest police, fire and crime-related stories of the last year.

1.    

For first responders across the city, this could easily be one of the biggest stories of the year. Almost a decade after the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, the first responders ar Ground Zero will at last get the treatment they need.

2.    

For many, the slashing attack in Forest Hills' busiest shopping area was a nightmare scenario. It was also one of the most shocking attacks of the year in an area where violent crime is not usually seen.

3.    

While some crimes — including auto thefts — saw an overall increase in the 112th Precinct, the total number of crimes committed in the area went down again, a feather in the cap for members of the local police force.

4.    

Nearly a month after the Sept. 16 storms that crippled much of the neighborhood, President Barack Obama signed a badly-needed disaster declaration for the areas affected by the tornado and macroburst that struck New York City.

5.    

Breaking over Thanksgiving weekend, the beating that occurred at Bartini's in Forest Hills Gardens shocked residents and has led to an investigation that is still ongoing in the neighborhood.