Build The Block: 78th Precinct Holds Neighborhood Policing Meeting For Sector A

PARK SLOPE – Officers from the 78th Precinct held the first “Build The Block” Neighborhood Policing and Safety meeting for Sector A (Adam) yesterday evening at the Premier Eglise Methodist Church at 424 Dean Street.

The Precinct rolled out the Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO) Program in October as part of the NYPD’s citywide plan to assign officers to specific neighborhoods or sectors to work with the local communities in resolving problems in those areas.

The 78th Precinct’s Sector A (Adam) covers approximately 5th Avenue to the Gowanus Canal between Atlantic Avenue and 15th Street. NCO Officers Joseph Swicicki and John Sears oversee a team of sector officers to “control crime and disorder” in the designated area, as Chief of Patrol Services Terence Monahan said at the roll-out event.

Officer Swicicki was not able to attend the NCO meeting as he was at Methodist Hospital continuing the investigation into Monday afternoon’s fatal collision on 9th Street that left two young children dead and their mothers injured. The 78th’s Crime Prevention Officer Brian Ferguson joined Officer Sears in sharing information and answering questions from the approximate twenty attendees.

Regarding the tragic traffic incident, Officers Sears said, “There was nothing that would have prevented that.”

The officers told concerned neighbors that they would do their best to assign officers, when possible, near the dangerous intersection where the incident occurred, noting that the intersection at 9th Street and 4th Avenue is an APL (Accident Prone Location)—a high traffic location where officers “are strongly encouraged to summons a little heavier,” according to Officer Sears. “With the police presence it slows everybody down…. I know 4th & 9th Street is an APL, so they are actively summonsing and showing presence in that area. It’s definitely on the radar.”

“In between directed patrols, radio runs, 311 calls, chasing e-bikes down we have to worry about the APLs,” he said. Officer Ferguson suggested that the community petition the NYC DOT to install a street camera at the 9th Street and 5th Avenue intersection.

Though he couldn’t elaborate on the case, Officer Sears then assured concerned Sackett Street residents that his team is still investigating the incident involving several shots being fired at buildings on their street (between 4th and 5th Avenues) early last Monday, adding that it is a “high priority location” where sector officers are directed to frequently patrol the block.

The officers then listed other items that the community should be vigilant about, including:

A rise in bicycle thefts – along with using reliable locks to secure their rides, community members can make an appointment with Officer Ferguson to register their bikes.

A spike in package thefts – the officers reminded attendees to not buzz/let strangers into their buildings as thieves look for boxes left in vestibules/lobbies. Officer Ferguson also suggested using an app (e.g., UPS My Choice) or access point if you know you will not be at home when UPS or Fed Ex delivers.

An increase in burglaries – along with not buzzing/admitting strangers into your building, the officers advised not leaving fire escape windows open because thieves often gain access to the roof of a building then work their way down the fire escape checking for open windows.

They also noted that several local businesses have recently reported receiving counterfeit bills. “It’s the people you’d least likely suspect that are doing it—kids and females,” Officer Sears said, adding if you receive a fake bill, either bring it to a bank or bring it to the Precinct so it doesn’t continue to get passed around.

Officer Sears then noted which local schools the NYPD will assign high visibility directives. They include MS 51 (350 5th Ave), PS 124 (515 4th Ave), PS 133 (610 Baltic St), PS 372 (512 Carroll St), Al-Madinah School (383 3rd Ave), and Park Slope Christian Academy (98 5th Ave). In an effort to counter the spate of recent school shootings, these locations will be “highly visibly patrolled.” Parents can contact Officer Sears if they’d like their child’s school to be considered for the list.

“The challenge of this [NCO] program is everybody has a complaint and we have to field everybody’s complaint,” Officer Sears explained, “but everybody thinks their complaint is the most important, so we prioritize…it’s tough…but we get to them. We don’t forget about you and we take care of this stuff to the best of our abilities.”

Officer John Sears
917.941.5262
john.sears@nypd.org

Officer Joseph Swicicki
929.375.5093
joseph.swicicki@nypd.org

Crime Prevention Officer Brian Ferguson
718.636.6433
brian.ferguson2@nypd.org

To learn more about the 78th Precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officer program click here and to find your Build The Block Meeting click here.