CRIME

The Daily News has a story today about the rise in murders so far in 2008 compared to the same time period in 2007. According to the NYPD's stats (PDF), the number of murders citywide was up 26 percent in 2008 through March 16 to 92 versus 73 during the period in 2007.

Still, compared to two years ago or seven years ago or 15 years ago, murders are way down.  read more »

Last Thursday's fatal shooting at celebrity hangout Stereo recalled an interesting quote from The Observer's September 2007 article about the since-shuttered Chelsea nightclub's recurring legal troubles:

"Stereo strongly believes that their patrons from Tuesday through Saturday are generally not into fighting or carrying weapons."  read more »