66th Precinct Community Council Talks Eric Garner Protests, Safety For Synagogues And Mosques & More
Since it was only the day before NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton announced police overtime for the Eric Garner demonstrations and marches had cost the NYPD $22.9 million since December 3, it was hardly surprising to hear the 66th Precinct Commander, Deputy Inspector Michael Deddo, begin the Community Council meeting Monday, December 15, by picking up that thread.
“So many things are going on in the city,” he said, referring to protests surrounding a grand jury’s move to not indict NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the chokehold death of Eric Garner. “We’re working harder so it won’t affect us. A tip of my hat to the officers. The 66th Precinct is being taken care of.”
“Hopefully, you haven’t noticed a decrease in our patrols,” he added.
With more synagogues in the 66th than any other NYPD precinct, the November 18 attack on worshipers at an Israeli synagogue ending in five deaths has meant that 66th Precinct officers have been visiting local synagogues and mosques to reassure congregants of their safety. The precinct’s counterterrorism unit often joins in these visits. For Hanukkah, which started at sundown Tuesday, December 16 and ends Wednesday evening, December 24, the precinct will be increasing patrols.
Expecting the precinct to end the year with an outstanding CompStat record, Commander Deddo bragged a bit as he noted the 66th is one of the NYPD’s leading precincts in crime reduction. He attributed the precinct’s success partly to the great support it gets from its elected officials, community leaders, and the many volunteers from diverse community groups. He also thanked those who held its feet to the fire.
On other subjects:
January 8 NYC DOT Street Safety Meeting at PS 130. Following the death of 14-year-old Mohammad Naiem Uddin, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver at E. 7th Street Caton Avenue last month, the NYPD has posted additional enforcement there, Commander Deddo said in answer to a question from the floor. The public meeting with NYC DOT, including Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, will discuss safety concerns and is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. January 8, at PS 130. Commander Deddo will be there, as will Councilman Brad Lander, who organized it. You must RSVP to attend.
Holiday Thievery. Christmas and Hanukkah brings gifts to everyone, including thieves. Be careful with your wallet. Don’t carry lots of cash. To keep your presents safe, lock them in the trunk of your car, where they are out of sight and mind. Always lock your car. Thieves check window latches, but if there’s nothing lying on the car’s seats, there’s no temptation. Should you also be concerned about home security, the precinct will send its crime prevention expert, Officer Michael Riomao, to help make your place burglary resistant. Call for an appointment: Tel: (718) 851–5620.
Green-Dot Money-Pak Scams. Officer Riomao reports earlier versions of this scam have been drastically curtailed in the 66th Precinct. But the newest version offers what sounds like great car deals on the internet or eBay with very believable bait. Once you’re hooked, the seller starts wheeling you in, badgering you to put the money on a Green Dot Money Pak card. If you do that, it’s gone. The police recommend hanging up and calling 911 immediately. A detailed description appears in a New Jersey consumer advice column. Watch out! This story is an eye-opener.
Illegal Commercial Truck Parking at Washington Cemetery. Thanks to the 66th Precinct’s enforcement action against trucks with commercial plates parking overnight at Washington Cemetery, the problem was 80% solved, said two people who came to the meeting to express their thanks. The 66th Precinct acted after a fistful of neighbors from the Washington Cemetery area complained about the trucks at the last 66th Precinct Community Council meeting on November 20. Councilman David Greenfield and Community Board 12 Chair Yidel Perlstein appeared at the meeting’s end and met with the delegation.
Cops of the Month. The two officers, Sergeant Wheeler and Officer Hull were honored for their work arresting a man targeting shoppers on Eighth Avenue. The area is a main shopping street where there are lots of shoppers and vendors, and where distracted mothers pushing baby strollers often leave their bags hanging off the strollers or lying on top. In the last month there has been a spike in robberies. Finally the precinct got a break. Someone called in to identify a man who, the informant said, had been swiping the bags.
Hull and Wheeler, members of the daytime plainclothes unit, had been following him on foot for about 15 minutes when they saw him allegedly snatching purses from strollers. But to make the bust, they needed help, so they called in Brooklyn Asian COP and the Civilian Observers Patrol, who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Fujianese, English and other Asian dialects. The man was arrested and charged with eight counts of grand larceny.
Detective Milici Promoted. Many people in the precinct have worked with Detective Mike Milici in his 10 years’ service as detective at the 66th. Once a Kensington kid, in recent years he’s been an integral part of the 66th Community Affairs staff. Congratulations to him on his promotion to Lieutenant Second Grade.
The next meeting of the 66th Precinct Community Council is Thursday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. To confirm the meeting, call Community Affairs Office at (718) 851–5601.