Notes From The 70th Precinct Community Council Meeting

After the 70th Precinct Community Council missed its meeting last month because of Winter Storm Juno, Wednesday evening’s gathering was slightly longer than normal, with police leaders, elected officials and neighbors discussing everything from a drop in crime in our area to major arrests.

Highlights from the meeting included:

• Deputy Inspector Richard DiBlasio, commanding officer of the 70th Precinct, reported that there was a 6 percent drop in overall crime for the precinct last year, 2014, as compared to 2013. “That’s over 20 years of a continued drop in crime… we’re very glad and very proud of that work,” he said. He also noted that, year to date, the precinct is down 28 percent in overall crime, with the only grand larceny auto being on the rise.

• The number of vehicle collisions in the precinct dropped by half a percent last year, which DiBlasio attributed in part to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative. Collisions involving pedestrians also dropped, decreasing by 15 percent last year. As of now, the precinct is up 35 collisions for the year. “The snow and the ice definitely is a contributing factor for these accidents,” DiBlasio said.

• DiBlasio and other area leaders, including 70th Precinct Community Council President Ed Powell, praised the Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Chief Owen Monaghan, who is retiring from his post after 34 years of service to the NYPD. “After over 30 years of commitment and dedication and loyalty to the citizens of New York City, he and his family made a decision for him to retire. We’re going to miss him,” DiBlasio said. Monaghan will go on to become the MTA’s vice president of security on March 9.

• After a neighbor asked whether or not officers known as “cpops,” essentially officers who served as the local connection between neighbors and the precinct, still existed, DiBlasio said that the officers have a new name but, “we’re still here.”

• After being asked by an audience member if there have been any arrests for the armed robberies at  Lark Café, Ox Cart Tavern, Mimi’s Hummus, and the Stratford Deli, DiBlasio said there have not been any arrests yet. “We don’t give up, so we’re still trying,” said DiBlasio, who also noted that these robberies highlighted the need for high definition cameras at businesses.

• Officers Louis DeFranco and Dalmin Vasquez were honored as Cops of the Month for investigating a domestic violence situation that ended with the officers arriving at a woman’s house as she was being attacked. “They heard her screaming – she let them in, and they made an arrest of the person assaulting the victim,” DiBlasio said. ” … They saved this person’s life.”

• Officer Carl Pattelli was also honored as a Cop of the Month for pursuing an individual who was trespassing on property and then dropped a backpack that contained a 9mm firearm. He and other officers followed the man on foot, with the individual eventually attempting to flee by entering a building through its roof. “The officers got into the building and found him hiding under a bunch of clothing in the hallway,” DiBlasio. said. “Great work, Carl, to you and your team… you took a firearm off the street.”

• Officers Elvis and Jonathan Napoli were honored as Cops of the Month for tracking down a man within minutes of him committing a robbery, DiBlasio said.

• DiBlasio also honored a team of five officers who have made a series of major arrests, including eight burglary arrests, more than 30 drug-related arrests, more than 25 weapon-related arrests, and more. The five officers included:Thomas Gugliucci, James Gale, Steven Richards, Carl Pattelli, and Michael Grill.  “These gentlemen are part of the grease that make the wheels spin in the 70th Precinct,” DiBlasio said. “… That’s just a blip of the work they do.” Among the arrests they’ve made included one of an individual who had about 16 bags of crack-cocaine on him and another of an individual carrying about 17 forged credit cards.

• Harry Schiffman, from Assemblyman Jim Brennan’s office, announced Brennan will host a town hall meeting at PS 139 (330 Rugby Road, by Cortelyou Road), during which there will be a particular emphasis on the education and transportation budgets. The town hall will run from 6:30-8:30pm.

• Rona Taylor, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, said the newly-elected legislator’s office is at 1414 Cortelyou Road – where Assemblyman Jim Brennan is located. To contact them, call 718-940-0428.

• Jacob Gold, from Councilman Jumaane Williams’ office, said the lawmaker’s office is offering free immigration counseling at their office every Monday. Call 718-629-2900 to set up an appointment.

• Councilman Mathieu Eugene said new exercise equipment he funded will soon be installed in Prospect Park.

• Eugene also made mention of the construction that is set to commence on PS/IS 338 – an incoming school at 510 Coney Island Avenue between Turner Place and Hinckley Place. Construction is expected to begin this spring on the five-story, 757-seat school for children in pre-K through eighth grade. “I’m talking to the School Construction Authority to make sure they hire people in the community,” Eugene said.

• Eugene will hold a forum in his office (123 Linden Boulevard) on March 13 from 10am-6pm on a variety of topics, including immigration, housing services, identity theft, and debt management.

The next meeting of the 70th Precinct Community Council will take place on March 25 at 175 Lawrence Avenue. The meeting will begin at 7:30pm.