79th Precinct Community Council Meets

The 79th Pct. Community Council held its monthly meeting Wednesday night, and the resounding concern by all participants was how to address the rise in crime incidents in the area.

Special guests at Wednesday’s meeting included Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, Tyrone Woods of Council Member Al Vann’s office and Mr. Levin of the D.A.’s office.

--Dr. Kim Best, president of the 79th Precinct Community Council opened the meeting pointing out the rise in the number of shooting incidents. She expressed concern, but also emphasized the importance of community involvement. People criticize and complain, but they do not come out to the meetings or participate in the events that are available, said Best.

“We take all complaints, and we follow up on all complaints,” said Best, who said the council was in the process of setting up an independent outreach resource center. “We’ve got to take back out streets. I want to see progress. We as a community need to start mentoring our young; they need jobs to keep them busy.”

--Officer Thomas Bilach, who has been with the precinct for two years, received an award of recognition for his recent police work in the 79. The recognition follows an incident that took place two weeks ago, where Bilach apprehended a robber breaking into a church. Deputy Inspector Peter Bartoszek presented him with the award: “He’s a fine representative of the precinct,” said Bartoszek.

--Raymond Murphy, chair of the Grievance Committee, encouraged people to file all grievance complaints with him or P.O. Brown or Ellerbee in the public affairs department, concerning crime in their area: 718-636-6626. It’s going to be a disaster with kids this summer, as far as crime activities, he said. “They don’t care who you are or how old you are. But I guarantee you, if you make a complaint, we will follow up on that complaint,” said Murphy. “If you’re afraid to talk to the police, you can talk to me.”

--Deputy Inspector and Commanding Officer Peter J. Bartoszek presented his address: He said the precinct is experiencing a lot of challenges as of late. A priority area is in and around the Armstrong Housing Development; from Lexington to Gates between Tompkins and Nostrand, he said. There were 11 shootings since February, 8 in the last four weeks:

“One of the worst days of my career was last Thursday, when we experienced four separate shootings in one day:”

1.     One on Franklin and Fulton—the first time there has been a shooting on Fulton in more than a year—at around 1:30 at night, he said. The man who was shot was not cooperating with the department, so they are still investigating the incident.

2.     Another shooting on Monroe and Nostrand, where an innocent lady was caught in a crossfire

3.     Another on Throop, where a 15-yr-old girl was shot right in the leg unprovoked. The incident was caught on camera.

4.     An another incident on Gates and Nostrand, where a shooter fled the scene and then barricaded himself inside of a home. After a long standoff, officers were able to bring him out and arrest him.

Inspector Bartoszek added that Brooklyn North Borough Department chief Nelson provided additional resources over the weekend to the precinct, and the Bartoszek said they are putting these resources in place now to double down on addressing these incidents.

“We are continuing to gather intelligence,” he said. “But I can tell you that we will stop this.”

• On Fulton Street between Nostrand and Atlantic, there have been 15 incidents within the last month and a half. Burglars are now drilling thorough the walls. They will only stop once they are caught, he said. Detectives are working on it now, he added
• There is now increased foot patrol on Fulton Street and around the Armstrong Houses with the help of PSA-3
• He pointed out a great deal of gunfire reported around Lexington and Tompkins.
• Along Marcy and Gates, there have been reports of wild roving bands of children, between the ages of 12-16, who have been largely responsible for the assaults and robberies in the area. He said it was the same kids who they are finding out on the street at 3:00 in the morning. He said, precinct police are starting to take the kids back to their homes and talk with the parents: “People are asking, ‘What are we going to do to control these kids?’” said Bartoszek. “But it’s not about throwing cuffs on kids; it’s about steering them in the right direction. But I need the help of mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, everyone if this is going to get better.”
• Bartoszek then took questions, complaints and grievances from the audience

--Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries made two announcements:

• Jeffries referenced the incident this past weekend in Fort Greene, where an 18-year-old girl was arrested for throwing her baby down a trash compactor. He pointed out that there was a Safe Surrender Abandonment Law that has been on the book for ten years that permits anyone to legally turn in a baby to a hospital, no questions asked: “There’s no reason for anyone to engage in what we just saw,” said Jeffries. He said he will be working to launch a public information campaign and also work towards amending the schools’ sex education curriculum to include information about the Safe Surrender Abandonment Law.
• June 15th is the day the rent regulation law in New York City expires. The change would affect 2.5 million New York City residents currently living in rent-regulated buildings. The change could force a rate increase that is double, triple and even quadruple what many tenants are paying now, said Jeffries: “Landlords know that if they can increase rents, they can force you out eventually and move others in,” said Jeffries. He also pointed out how this change would only serve to expedite gentrification. “We will quickly see the city become largely for the wealthy and well off, because they will be the only ones who will be able to afford to live here.” Jeffries encouraged residents to get out the word to contact the governor and urge him to renew rent regulations. “Stand with us in this fight,” he said. “We want to make sure that tenants are able to stay in their homes as long as they want.”

--Officer McClowd gave a crime prevention brief. She pointed out that there has been an increase in reported larcenies, burglaries and i-snatches, mostly at the hands of kids. She encouraged people to be alert and aware of their surroundings, so that if something were ever to occur, they would be able to provide a description of the individual.

She said, as far as burglaries, people are climbing through the windows to steal mostly electronics. She advised people who are living on the first floor, if they have an air conditioner, to take it out and lock their windows, when they leave the house during the day.

She pointed out that there are several free programs the police department offers to ensure resident safety, such as a survey of any home where officers can provide tips on how to better secure the home; property etching of bicycles and computers; the gun turn-in program, and several others that are detailed in a pamphlet that is available at each precinct. For more information, you may call 718-636-6626

--Mujaheed Bey, team chief of NYC CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) spoke at length about ways the organization can assist all residents to plan for emergency response. He encouraged the community to sign up for a 10-week program to get certified.

The 79th Precinct Community Council meets every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Job Corps building, 585 Dekalb Avenue, 2nd Floor at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting is on June 22, 2011.