Notes From May's 70th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Last night was the monthly 70th Precinct Community Council meeting, held every last Wednesday at the UCP building (175 Lawrence Ave. between Ocean Pkwy and E 2nd St.) at 7:30pm. The next meeting is scheduled for June 26 at UCP–not Brooklyn College, as was announced last month. Until then, here’s what you should know:

• District Manager Shawn Campbell invited all to attend Community Board 14’s Annual Reception on Wednesday, June 19, to thank the officers of the 70th Precinct.

• Inspector Rodriguez introduced Assistant Chief Owen Monaghan, the new Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South.

• Auxiliary Captain Yehuda Katz was given a plaque to celebrate his 15 years of service to the precinct.

• Inspector Rodriguez confirmed that the Parade Ground security cameras have been fixed. He also said they weren’t ARGUS cameras–but no word on whose cameras they are.

• The initiative to ticket bicyclists on the sidewalk was clarified. “We’re not targeting 8 year old kids,” Inspector Rodriguez said. He said much of the ticketing is to prevent people from stealing property like phones or purses and riding off.

• If you had problems with fireworks on your block last 4th of July, let the precinct know–they will send extra patrols out to your area.

• The Inspector also talked about “shoulder surfing,” a scam that’s growing more common in the city. You put your bank card into an ATM, someone comes up and tells you it’s not working, you go to the one next to it where another person watches over your shoulder for your pin number, and then can use the first machine where your card has been activated. So, not Ditmas-specific, but do be careful about that.

One worrisome statistic–while precinct-wide crime overall is down 11% from last year, there have been 14 rapes this year as compared to 5 last year. Inspector Rodriguez said the vast majority of incidents were acquaintance rapes, and reiterated that rape suspect Eric Dancy was arrested earlier this month.

Still, it seems like a good time to remind neighbors of some safety resources available to us.

• Bike Patrol is available to escort folks home from the subway Sunday-Thursday 8pm-12am, and Friday-Saturday 8pm-4am. The service is free–just call 718-774-7592 about 45 minutes before boarding your train.

• Right Rides provides free, safe rides home for women and LGBTQGNC individuals Friday and Saturday nights from 11:59pm-3am. They cover 45 neighborhoods across NYC, so call 888-215-SAFE (7233) to make sure they’re available where you’re coming from.