The murder rate in North Brooklyn is apparently increasing. The New York Sun reports that, as of last week, “the homicide rate had risen 13% in the 10 precincts that make up North Brooklyn; the city as a whole is in a downward trend.” There have been 78 murders in the northern half of Brooklyn this year compared with 69 during the same period last year. We’re not sure that indicates a serious trend, but the number of shootings is also up about 13 percent. Meanwhile, murder arrests are down 10 percent. Citywide, the homicide rate has fallen 15 percent so far this year compared to the same period last year.