Update on the 66th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Jole Carliner emails over her notes:

The 66th Precinct Community Council meeting last Thursday evening was held at Community Board 12’s offices at 5910 13th Avenue, Borough Park, and moved quickly from Pledge of Allegiance to final question in less than 45 minutes.

In his remarks, Commander Sprague:

* Introduced Captain Anthony Carter, the new executive officer of the 66th, who spent the last 4 years in Crown Height’s 71st Precinct. Capt. Carter will handle day-to-day operations, including traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle safety.

* Hailed PO Anthony Napolitano, 66th Anti-Crime Unit, as the Cop of the Month. Smart thinking and patience helped Officer Napolitano sting a scam artist when he arrived to pick up a second handout from an elderly woman. The perp, who claimed to be friends with the woman’s son, had initially collected $8,500 from her with a story about raising bail money for her son.

* Summarized Current Comp Stats. Precinct is working hard to knock back burglary stats to last year’s level. Nonetheless, apartment burglaries are up 38% this year. Unlocked back windows and front doors account for many of these burglaries.

* Announced Formal Trespass Affidavit Program (FATP) a new program to combat burglaries in cooperation with NY State District Attorneys. Under FATP, by signing and notarizing an affidavit, building managers and/or owners can authorized police to enter a building unannounced to check for criminal activity and conduct “Vertical Foot Patrols.” Contact Crime Prevention Officer PO Vaughan at (718) 851-5620 for details, or precinct at (718) 851-5611.

* Pointed out grand larceny was down 20% this year but still accounts for 1/3 of crime in 66th, ID theft is also down. Still, Commander Sprague advised residents to shred all personal info, even stuff that appears useless. The 66th just arrested a gang pulling magnetic strips from store gift cards to reuse as credit cards in Latin America.

* Commented on Dahill Road mugging/robbery. With arrest of teenager who pulled off similar style muggings elsewhere in the 66th, the 66th has a possible suspect. Mugger identification is biggest problem in robbery. In this case, there was no visual or photographic record. Precinct has made 7 arrests recently for felonious assault/robbery—the street crime categories.

* Commander Sprague confirmed again that the Crime Analysis unit would break out Comp Stat figures for Kensington. It is in the works, but will take time.

* Advised a resident to call 911 if spooked by suspicious people in front of residence.

Thanks, Jole!