NYC sees no homicides for days after Sandy

By NBC News staff Superstorm Sandy has brought its share of calamity and devastation to New York City, since it made landfall in the Northeast on Monday evening. But there's at least one ray of light: There were no homicides over an almost five-day period. New York Police Department Detective Cheryl Crispin confirmed that as of 5 p.m. ET Friday, there had been no homicides in New York City since a reported death at 3:40 a.m. Monday in the 62nd Precinct in Brooklyn. That's unusual in the United States' largest city: In the week of Oct. 15 to Oct. 21 this year, for example, there were five murders, according to the NYPD CompStat Unit. That same week in 2011 saw 13 murders. The homicide rate in New York has been declining in recent decades. In 2011, 515 deaths were classified as homicides, according to city figures. In the Monday incident, a man who had reportedly been beaten by a group of men died at Lutheran Medical Center in New York, WNBC's Jonathan Dienst reported. Four people were arrested. But despite the lull in homicides, Superstorm Sandy was deadly: The U.S. toll has risen to nearly 100. More content from NBCNews.com: Near-freezing cold, potential nor'easter add to misery Some angry over decision to hold New York Marathon Death toll nears 100; 'could be more,' NYC mayor says New York Harbor reopens to offer fuel supply Cops: NYC man pulls pistol after cutting in line for gas Deadliest zone: Staten Island reels from devastation Wind, flames, Our Fathers: The inside story of Breezy Point's terrible night 'We'll figure out a way': Breezy Point looks ahead War veterans hit Sandy's front lines for rescues, cleanup How to avoid post-storm insurance and repair scams New Jersey investigating reports of price gouging Your Sandy photos: Show us the heroes in your life Sandy's aftermath: How you can help Full NBC News coverage of Sandy aftermath Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook