Getting By with a Little Help from Our Friends

New captain at the 66th: Mathew Harrington, transferred from Manhattan, with Deputy Inspector John J. Sprague, on right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



August and June "Cops of the Month," Officers Duval, left, and Vaks.
Stumbling upon the suspect by chance, the officers arrested him, thereby ending a string of late-night Kensington street robberies.  The mugger specialized in taking his prey from behind.
 

 

“As many of you know, it was a busy summer,” said 66th Precinct Commander John  J. Sprague to his modest audience at the Thursday, September 15 Community Council Meeting, referring to the Leiby Kletzky murder case—the biggest the precinct had handled in years.  “It brought out the best in people. People came in from home or returned from vacation" to help out.

Extending his thanks, D.I. Sprague praised the "great work done by the community, the NYPD detectives, members of the Shomrim Patrol, and officers of other precincts."



As to crime, Sprague said major crimes were up slightly: over 1% as of 9/11 CompStat figures compared to those for last Year to Date (YTD). Grand Larceny showed the biggest increase: up 11.2% over 2010 YTD. Grand Larceny Auto also had a slight rise (6.1%) over last year. And although Commander Sprague didn’t mention it, felonious assault had a big jump: up 16.4% over YTD for 2010.

In his review of the state of the 66, D.I. Sprague noted:

1. More vehicle crime: At the border of the 66, 72, 78, and 63 Precincts, he said, "There are several different groups driving around in vans. They are quick, silent, taking off wheels." While the thefts had few witnesses, a couple of weeks ago, the 66 “caught them live on a vehicle." And he warned, they had a  special affinity for Hondas.

2. Unattended property theft: “People are leaving wallets and purses on the front seat of their cars when they run into a store or unattended in shopping carts at the supermarket. Also in banks and check cashing places." And he added, in what’s becoming an NYPD refrain, "Watch those around you. Call police if you’re being followed."

3. Scams on the rise: Watch out for people offering deals too good to be true: "When someone asks you to help him claim his $10,000 lottery prize because he’s an illegal immigrant, don't."

4. Sexual assaults in  the 72: “It’s not that far away." He urged caution:

♦Always be conscious of your surroundings.
♦If you see something that makes you uneasy, get on the phone and talk loudly to a friend—or pretend to talk to a friend. "Hi, I’m at such and such location."
♦Especially if you’re alone, don’t stop when people try and engage you in conversation.  Keep walking. You've got to protect yourself.

In Kensington news: As of September 12, D.I. Sprague said the beat cop, Officer Silas Samuel, had moved to the anti-crime unit. The precinct plans to name a replacement. Sprague had no comment when asked about the local impact of the NYPD’s monitoring of Muslims, including assigning “rakers” to local mosques and organizations, as reported in an AP story last month.

Additionally, a Kensington man complained about seeing more prostitutes working in abandoned cars along Coney Island Avenue near Turner Place since the closing of a local bar.

The October Police Community Council meeting has been cancelled, but D.I. Sprague will speak and take questions at a special 90-minute Albemarle Neighborhood Association meeting on October 27 starting at 6:30 p.m.