66th Pct: Felonious Assault & Grand Larceny Up

At the 66th Precinct Community Council meeting last Thursday, March 24, Executive Officer Capt. William J. Russo, presented the Cop of the Month award to P.O. Charles McAnulla for a February 23 arrest of men with 2 guns.  In answering the 911 call at 14th Avenue and 61st Street, P.O. McAnulla also found a large bag of heroin. Several men, 2 guns, and heroin—a good bust and, most important, “No one was hurt!”

Only handfuls of people heard Capt. Russo announce there had been an increase in felonious assaults in the last month: 37 this year to date (YTD) vs. (28 last YTD), a 32.1 % increase, according to the March 20, 2011 CompStat report. “Some of these are assaults on officers making arrests,” he explained, including those that occur during domestic violence cases. “The precinct is adding extra patrols to address this increase,” he said.

Grand larceny (credit card theft, cell phones, or theft over $1,000) is also up. Again, the March 20, 2011 CompStat report showed a 30.7% increase over last YTD:  98 vs. (75). In the last 28 days, however, it hit 66.7%, to 30 from (18).

There has also been a 19.4% increase in grand larceny auto:  to 37 from (31).  On the other hand, while burglary and robbery have gone down in the 2011 YTD figures, in the 28-day figures burglary is up 44%: 36 vs. (25), and  robbery has increased slightly: 17 (15).

Capt. Russo  said he would "make sure officers return in the evening and during the day“ to address the recent burglaries on E. 7th and E. 9th streets around Cortelyou and Avenue C and at Ditmas and 18th avenues.

And in answer to the many complaints posted on The Kensington Prospect about the persistence of double-parking on Coney Island Avenue, he offered to send "officers out to deal with it.“

Not mentioned, although it too has gone up 100%, was rape: 2  (1). This reflects what’s happening citywide (see Gothamist). Because it’s frequently a crime between acquaintances, the police seem stymied at reducing it. Murder, however, is also a crime among acquaintances.

In addition, Captain Russo reported the 66th had issued 40 tickets to bicyclists for violations, but the time frame was not clear.  No pedestrians have been hit by either cars or bikes.

Passover and Easter cancel April's 66th Precinct Community Council meeting.  Come to the next one, Thursday, May 19th, 7:30 p.m. at CB 12’s offices:  5910 13th Avenue, Boro Park.  For info, call precinct at (718) 851–5611.