Notes From February’s 70th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 26 was the monthly 70th Precinct Community Council meeting, held the last Wednesday of each month at the UCP building (175 Lawrence Avenue between Ocean Pkwy and E 2nd Street). The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26. Until then, here’s what you should know:

• Ed Powell took a moment to address the passing of clergy liaison, Community Board 14 member, and “tireless worker for the Pakistani community and all communities” Asghar Choudhri. “He was my friend,” Powell said, “and he will be missed.” 70th Precinct CO Inspector Eric Rodriguez echoed the sentiments, calling Asghar a part of the family whose death is “a huge loss for all of us.” Looking forward, however, Inspector Rodriguez said he hopes to work with the new clergy liaison to carry on Asghar’s legacy of building bridges in the community.

• Officer Kim Walker, who you might know from her work with the Community Affairs team, was promoted to Detective on Friday–and because a concerned neighbor asked, it seems important to specify that she will be sticking with the 70th. Inspector Rodriguez called her promotion “very well earned,” and said the precinct is extremely proud of her. Congratulations, Detective Walker!

• As for crime, Inspector Rodriguez says numbers are overall down 3% so far the year–but there are still a few problems to be addressed. Robberies have seen an increase thanks to a citywide string of holdups, although the precinct has already arrested a suspect in those crimes. In addition, Inspector Rodriguez says, assaults are up–though not random ones, as several cases were domestic assaults. The Inspector says if you’ve been a victim of a domestic assault or know someone who has to please get in touch with the precinct, and they’ll be sure to get you through the right channels. Finally, Grand Larceny Auto is up, which Inspector Rodriguez says is at least partially due to keys being left in cars. So come on, take your keys with you!

• One wonderful thing to note is that since the last meeting, when there had been five shootings within a 28 day period, there have been no more.

• Inspector Rodriguez also spoke about the benefits of collaboration in keeping our precinct’s two decade streak of falling crime rates going. The 70th is currently working with the District Attorney’s office on Operation Crew Cut, which seeks to infiltrate crews or gangs suspected of violent turf-motivated activity, often by way of social media. Inspector Rodriguez also praised our local Shomrim for being “the eyes and ears of the 70th,” and to the several new officers in attendance who have been assigned to our impact zone by the Flatbush Nostrand Junction, he clarified, “The reason I asked you here is community. Everyone is here because they care; that’s the reason we keep our crime down.”

• In terms of traffic safety: Inspector Rodriguez reiterated that not looking at electronics while walking or driving can go a long way to avoiding collisions and injuries. In addition, he asked that in this winter weather, neighbors don’t drive if they don’t have to–and if they must, to please take care on icy roads. Finally, please don’t park your car far from the curb because of snow. When the 70th has to tow sanitation vehicles that are stuck on narrow, snowy streets, it takes resources away that could be used more efficiently.

• A neighbor spoke up, concerned about drivers ignoring school buses’ stop signs and flashing lights and passing said buses each morning around 7am. Inspector Rodriguez said officers’ tours can be adjusted to address this, adding that pills were found in the car that hit a school bus on Dorchester last month, and that the driver was arrested.

• Councilmember Eugene stopped by to express his concern over Officer James Li, who had been shot earlier that day in the 71st Precinct (also within the 40th City Council District). “Making a community safer means changing the culture of violence,” said the Councilmember, who had come from the hospital where Officer Li was recovering. Harkening back to his days with YES, Councilmember Eugene (who is the new Chair of the City Council Youth Services Committee) said he’s working on securing funding for more summer jobs for local youth in order to increase self esteem, teach skills, and keep them on the right path.

• Finally, Community Council Secretary and photographer extraordinaire Nathan Thompson presented Community Affairs officers Scotto, Bourne, and Walker with the fabulous pictures he took at last Halloween’s Prospect Park South parade, thanking them again for getting to know their precinct and its residents so well–a nice way to wrap up the evening.