Algorithms Solving Crime in NY:  A pattern-recognizing algorithm called Patternizr is being utilized by the NYPD to identify and apprehend criminals.  Michael Sisak of the Associated Press reports that the software, which analyzes incident reports in the department's database is much faster at spotting patterns than the standard process of staff sifting through paperwork looking for similar modus operandi to isolate specific offenders. The software took analytics experts two years to develop before it was rolled out in December of 2016.  In addition to the increased speed in detecting patterns, the algorithm reviews data for the entire city as opposed to manual analysis which is limited to precincts.  While the reporter suggests that this software is a valuable tool even though crime rates are "falling sharply," which is correct for the state, the FBI Preliminary Crime Report for 2018 showed increases in both violent and property crime in NYC over the first six months of last year.