Deputy Inspector Richard DiBlasio Named New Commanding Officer Of The 70th Precinct

The NYPD announced this weekend that former 68th Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Richard DiBlasio will be taking over as head of the 70th Precinct as now-former 70th CO Inspector Eric Rodriguez settles into his new role at the NYPD Applicant Processing Division.

Deputy Inspector DiBlasio has been with the NYPD since 1987, first working in the 61st Precinct, followed by the 63rd and 84th Precincts, and finally the 68th. The Brooklyn College graduate taking over for Inspector Rodriguez is becoming something of a tradition–DiBlasio’s 2011 transfer into the 68th Precinct as Commanding Officer came on the heels of Rodriguez’s transfer out of that position and into his Commanding Officer role at the 70th.

We hope that’s not the only tradition Deputy Inspector DiBlasio will be carrying on–local crime numbers have only fallen during Inspector Rodriguez’s time at the 70th, which he continuously attributed to valued communication from area residents.

“Community policing is a core component of the NYPD’s methodology,” Community Affairs said in a statement on Friday, “and you can be sure that Deputy Inspector DiBlasio will work diligently to build on the efforts of his predecessor.”

This afternoon, Deputy Inspector DiBlasio told us he’s very happy to be taking the reins.

“This is a wonderful command with a good history,” he said. “The officers here work hard to protect the community… they are the success of this precinct.”

When we brought up his success following Inspector Rodriguez at the 68th, he said, “I’m already one for two. Now I have to be two for two!”

Congratulations and welcome to Deputy Inspector DiBlasio–we look forward to seeing what you do with the place.