Notes From The May 66th Precinct Comunity Council Meeting

Musical chairs at the NYPD. In recent years a stint as commander of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, which covers the 13 precincts in south Brooklyn, the 66th among them, has offered its chiefs a stepping-stone to NYPD advancement. Chief Thomas Chan, 55 years old, Brooklyn South’s commanding officer for the past two years, was recently promoted to a 3-star chief at NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau, based at 1 Police Plaza. He is the first Asian-American in the NYPD to attain a 3-star rank.

Another former chief at Brooklyn South, Chief Joseph Fox, ran it for 11 years, until his promotion two years ago to head up the Transit Bureau, a 3-star post. Chan’s successor as commander at Brooklyn South is 2-star Assistant Chief Owen J. Monaghan (pictured to the right), who worked with Fox at the Transit Bureau as executive chief. Another alumni of Brooklyn South from many years ago is newly appointed 4-star Chief of Department Phillip Banks III.

Introduced by 66th Precinct commander Deputy Inspector Michael Deddo at its monthly Community Council meeting Thursday May 23, Chief Monaghan came to meet “the hardworking people of the 66.” Since his appointment April 26, Chief Monaghan has been making the rounds of the precincts in his new Brooklyn south command. His focus, he said, will be on “crime reduction, counter terrorism, taking care of the community and our own cops.”

For D.I. Deddo, these promotions tighten the safety net his officers rely on to do their job effectively. In their bright blue T-shirts, a flock of Community Affairs officers from 1PP, took a bow at the meeting to show Chief Chan’s continued support.

District Attorney Aaron Nottage, First Deputy of the Kings County DA’s Grey Zone, is another important connection on whom the precinct counts heavily. He is often at 66th Precinct Community Council meetings, and Commander Deddo frequently cites his work — particularly his help in keeping car break perps in on bail long enough to get them into drug rehab. Otherwise, he says, someone arrested on a misdemeanor will be back out on the street in just three days.

(In its most recent CompStat report, pictured below, the precinct’s 28-day figure shows grand larceny auto crimes up 550%, i.e., from just two last year in the same 28-day period to 13 this year.)

One way to squelch the 66th’s recent spike in stolen cars (some were copped in Sunset Park, too), is to catch thieves in the act. This “takes time, and lots of effort,” D.I. Deddo said. On the other hand, crime prevention is cheaper, safer, and far more effective. A good half of the car breaks, Deddo underlined, happen because people leave their cars unlocked. Furthermore, he said, “Do not leave your Kindle in the back seat.”

Scams: To forestall phony monks from conning elderly Asian women out of their savings by invoking the “Bless Money’’ scam — something that’s been happening elsewhere in Brooklyn — the 66th Precinct’s Community Affairs officers are paying visits to local senior centers to warn members about these “monks.”

Loud Noise and Music: Complain to 311 about loud neighborhood parties. That is what it’s for.

Sunday, June 9: The Church/McDonald Avenue Bangladesh Business Assication will host a Mela, with singing, music, dancing, politicians and speeches on the stage at Avenue C, and lots of food.

Events Planning: In just the last couple of months, the precinct has had to prepare for and handle several parades, holiday celebrations, a mela, and at least one Jewish holiday per month. All of them have gone smoothly, D.I. Deddo said, thanks to teamwork and careful planning, which is critical to an event’s success. The basics are pedestrian and traffic safety, and countering any terrorist activities.

• In his comments Commander Deddo said, “We’re doing more with less.”

• Regular arrests up 11%/month; 20% a year.

• Crime Reduction at the 66 Precinct is the third best in Brooklyn.

• DWI up 175%.

In the short term, crime is up: the most recent CompStat report whose cut off date is May 26, above, shows a 22% increase in felony crimes compared with last year to date, and an almost 19% increase in crimes during the last 28 days, with rape and grand larceny auto leading the way.

Some Kensington locals feel neglected by the 66th, this reporter said. Squad cars go rushing by, but rarely do locals see any cops standing around on the street. They’d like to see a cop outside a squad car, ideally sitting on a Kensington Plaza bench, or elsewhere on Church Avenue, taking a coffee break, and open to talking a minute with the passersby.

At this D.I. Deddo seemed surprised. “Church Avenue gets a lot of our attention,” he said. “The Church/McDonald intersection is a major traffic hub. Along with the graffiti and Kensington Plaza’s benches, the precinct monitors that corner all the time.”

Pressed about the departure of the former beat cop, Commander Deddo explained he just wasn’t a good fit. He says he is far happier in his new assignment.

The last 66th Precinct Community Council meeting before the summer break will take place Thursday, June 20 at 7:30pm at Community Board 12’s office, 5910 13th Avenue (the B16 bus will take you nearby). For more information call the Community Affairs desk at 718-851-5601.