NYPD Appoints New Chief to Head Patrol Borough Brooklyn South

Assistant Chief Thomas Chan, the highest ranking Asian-American in the NYPD, has been transferred from lower Manhattan to assume the post of commanding officer at Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, overseeing 13 precincts, the 66th included.

This post was recently vacated by 30-year NYPD veteran Assistant Chief Joseph Fox, promoted to full Commanding Officer on August 2 to head up NYPD Transit. Already I've seen more cops on the F line subway platforms. Fox, who started out in the 70th Precinct, was known for his hands-on approach to policing. He built strong bonds with many in his 10-year assignment here, and was a mentor to Deputy Inspector John J. Sprague, the 66th Precinct commander.

New Borough Commander Chan grew up in Chinatown and spent his 30 years in the NYPD in Manhattan. His only other Brooklyn experience was before becoming a cop: he was an EMT and volunteered in Bensonhurst and Lutheran Medical.

Following Fox's lead, who rebuilt police/community relations after the Abner Louima case and the Crown Heights Riot, Commander Chan plans to be "accessible" to the community, as he focuses on cutting the number of  "assaults, homicides and shootings, because these have an immediate impact on the public," he said.

Patrol Borough Brooklyn South has seen a 27.7% increase in felonies this year (from 1,562 last yr to 1,994 as of Aug 21) and a 29.3% increase in rape (from 116 to 150 as of Aug 21).

Meanwhile many were sorry to see Fox go. As NYPD Transit Chief, he, too, faces a 17% overall increase in subway crime, with grand larceny—theft of cell phones, electronic gadgets, and credit cards worth $1,000 or more—up 28% as of the August 21 figures.

Good luck to both of them.