13th Avenue Explosion Fallout, A Crime Update, And More At 66th Precinct Community Council Meeting
The 66th Precinct has reopened 13th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd streets to traffic but the memory of the explosion on October 3 that blew the front off of a three-story building, killing two and injuring 13, is still very much on the minds of those who participated in the rescue or witnessed the 4-alarm fire.
At the 66th Precinct Community Council meeting, held Thursday, October 15, Captain Kenneth M. Quick told the audience the explosion “is still impacting 13th Avenue. It is under very active investigation by the Fire Marshall and the NYPD. We’re looking for video surveillance and making other inquiries. When we have solid information, I’ll be sure to share it.”
Meanwhile he appeared rather pleased and amazed by the “outpouring of support from elected officials, from Councilmen Brad Lander and David Greenfield, who were out there with the community.” Councilman Lander set up a relief center, as did the Red Cross and city agencies.
Councilman David Greenfield thanked Capt. Quick for being at the site 24 hours a day. Captain Glen Snyder of the NY Rescue Response Team called the precinct’s handling of this emergency professional.
Crime Stats
In the past 28 days, robberies are down to ten, a drop of 37.5 percent, but burglaries have increased 42 percent over last year and grand larceny has increased almost 12 percent over same time last year.
The precinct has seen a surge in burglaries along 8th and New Utrecht avenues to 50th Street, and around Ocean Parkway north of Ditmas Avenue to Ft. Hamilton Parkway.
Quick says he has a suspect for the 8th Avenue burglaries and has issued an alert to Kensington, encouraging people to call the 66th Precinct’s crime prevention officer, Michael Riomao, for an on-site security review of their home. He also advised residents to install a wooden brace in fire escape windows to prevent access and to call 911 if they see people exploring their back yards. He also warned about guys on bikes who are driving up the grand larceny stats by nabbing cell phones from peoples’ hands in Kensington around Ft. Hamilton Parkway.
A Kensington woman complained about a man with a vicious dog who has been harassing women around Caton and McDonald avenues for quite a long period of time, but women are afraid to speak up for fear of being harmed. Recently, the man exposed himself to her, which is what prompted her to speak up at the Community Council meeting.
Cops of the Summer Months
Commander Quick presented the June Cop of the Month Award to Officer Dominick Ciaravino, an Anticrime Unit plainclothes officer, who questioned and searched a man on New Utrecht Avenue, finding drugs and money with red dye on it. The man had been involved in seven bank burglaries and two robberies.
The July Cop of the Month Award went to Officer Priscilla Colon, who tracked down a robbery perp several blocks away from his hit and arrested him at Avenue P and East 5th Street.
And for August, Officer Sam Nazario was named Cop of the Month for noticing that a man walking with others near 10th Avenue and 41st Street was carrying a visible .45 caliber pistol. Officer Nazario, also of the Anticrime Unit, took him into custody, safely (photo below).
Among the many groups in attendance at the packed meeting held in Community Board 12’s offices on 13th Avenue and 59th Street were a posse of six Police Academy rookies who’ve spent the past two weeks at the 66th getting on-the-job training and will return after they graduate to full-time duty.
The Brooklyn Asian Civilian Observation Patrol and the Shomrim were also present, as well as Councilman Mathieu Eugene, 40 District, who spoke about his summer job’s program.
The next council meeting will be held at Community Board 12’s office on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30pm at 5910 13th Avenue in Borough Park. Refreshments will be served.