Notes From January’s 70th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Last night 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, February 26. Until then, here’s what you should know:

• Commanding Officer Inspector Eric Rodriguez praised police-community collaboration as the reason crime has never risen in 70th in its entire 20 years. Inspector Rodriguez says we’re already down three crimes from this time in 2013, although there have been spikes in certain categories of crime, including robberies (seven of which 18-year-old Desean Walcott was arrested for earlier this week).

• There have also been five shootings in the 70th since December 30, all of which have resulted in arrests, gun recoveries, and/or suspects identified. He says the suspect collared for the January 20th shooting in the Church Avenue subway station had been involved in many previous issues on/near E 18th Street, so that arrest was a particularly important one.

• The 70th has a new impact zone by the Flatbush-Nostrand Junction, in addition to the zone that covers parts of Church Avenue. Over 20 new officers will be supervising the zone, so be sure to say hello if you see them walking around!

• Burglaries are down, although Inspector Rodriguez says several bikes have been taken from garages. If you see what you believe to be a theft in progress, be sure to call 911 and the precinct will dispatch officers to check the situation out.

• The Precinct has noticed cars being stolen and abandoned a short distance away, often because drivers are leaving their cars running while not inside. Take your keys with you if you don’t want to lose your ride.

• The precinct is currently analyzing data in order to make a plan for Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero. For now, Inspector Rodriguez invites neighbors to make suggestions about how to improve pedestrian safety, including raising awareness about the dangers of using electronics like cellphones and iPods while crossing streets.

• Inspector Rodriguez recommended neighbors call 311 for ongoing issues, and officers will respond to fix the problem. Neighbors also brought a few concerns to the meeting, including a woman who’d experienced mail theft,  the owner of a McDonalds on Ocean and Parkside who’s having problems with loiterers, a neighbor concerned about drug activity near the Avenue H subway station, and a woman who wanted to thank the officers who helped her after finding a suspicious package outside her door.

• The Bethesda Church of God presented the precinct with a plaque for all of their help over the years (pictured above).

• The Citizens Police Academy starts in March. If you’re interested in joining, call Officer Scotto at 718-851-5557 or email 70PCTCommunityAffairs@nypd.org.

• Community Board 14 District Manager Shawn Campbell wants neighbors to know that even if you’re not part of the board, you are welcome to join topical committees. Stop by their February meetings, and see what’s of interest to you.

• A representative for 45th District Councilmember Jumaane Williams announced another round of free one-on-one mortgage counseling to be held at his office (4517 Avenue D between E 45th and E 46th Streets) on Thursday, February 20. Congratulations to the Councilmember, who is now both a deputy leader of the New York City Council as well as chairman of the Housing Committee.