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However, while everyone in New York City is feeling the heat this summer, not every area is feeling the crime wave (measured by murders, which are the least common but most accurately measured crime).

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Jarrett Murphy
Jarrett Murphy
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As of August 1, 35 of the city's 76 precincts had seen an increase in homicide. The largest percentage increases were in the 114th precinct in Astoria and the 25th in East Harlem; both have seven murders so far this year, a 600 percent rise over 2009. But the more alarming increases are in the 75th precinct, which covers East New York and has suffered 20 slayings so far compared to 12 by this time last year, and the 47th precinct in the Yankee Stadium area, with 16 killings versus nine in 2009.

Meanwhile, 27 precincts have seen a decrease and 14 have the same number of murders as at this time last year. Some of the decreases are substantial: Flatbush's 71st precinct, for one, had eight murders through August 1, 2009 and had only two by the start of August this year.

As of August 1, 13 of the city's precincts had reported no murders in 2010; only 11 precincts could claim that distinction at this time last summer.

The variations from precinct to precinct contribute to a citywide murder level that, while higher than last year's, isn't rising as fast now as it did this winter. Through March 26, New York City's murder count was 22 percent higher in 2010 than in 2009. Now it's only 17 percent higher.