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Upcoming

Community

Council Meetings:

New York City Pol ice Department Programs & Informat ion

Captain John M. Chell

A Message From The Commanding Of f icer. .

February 2014

NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

61st PRECINCT NEWSLETTER

Dear members of the 61stPrecinct community,

I am Captain John M. Chell, the Commanding Officeof the 61stPrecinct of the New York City Police DepartmenThis is the second edition of our Community Newsletterwhich will be published monthly. The Community Newslet-ter will serve to keep you informed of quality of life issues,crime prevention tips and will also provide contact informa-tion for vital 61stPrecinct units such as the Community Af-fairs Unit, Domestic Violence Unit and the Crime Preventio

Unit.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite eachand every one of you to our monthly Community Council

Meetings. At the Community Council Meeting, you will havan opportunity to meet myself as well as other members ofmy staff including the precinct community affairs officers. Atthe meeting, I will present a summary of the state of the precinct as well as discuss current crime trends, quality of lifeissues and traffic conditions. Members of the public will alsohave an opportunity to ask questions about crime and topicof concern related to the Police Department. Please reviewthe column to the left of the page for upcoming dates and

locations of the meetings.

I look forward to continuing to build our partnershtogether as one community as we help keep our neighbor-

hood safe by reducing crime, increasing traffic safety for mo-torists and pedestrians alike, and as we increase the quality o

life for all residents, visitors and business owners.

-

Wednesday

March 12, 2014

At 7:30 pm @ theBainbridge Center,

3093 Ocean Avenue.

(Opposite Walbaums

grocery store.)

-

Wednesday

April 9, 2014

At 7:30 pm @ The

Homecrest Presbyte-

rian Church, 1413

Avenue T.

-

Wednesday

May 14, 2014

At 7:30 pm @ the

61st Precinct

2575 Coney IslandAvenue

Join the NYPD Explorer

Program

(Open to everyone

between the ages of 14

and 20.)

Contact P.O. Jermaine

Aspinal @ 718-627-6614

Join the NYPD

Auxiliary Program

(Open to everyone

age 17 and older.)

Contact P.O. Chris

Mullen @ 718-627-

6628

Operation ID

Register your elec-

tronic Devices with

the NYPD

Contact P.O. Philip

DiSanto @ 718-627-

6832

Join the NYPD

Go to:

NYPDRecruit.com

Or Call

212-RECRUIT

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61st Precinct Contact Information and Important Phone Numbers

Address : 2575 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223

Main Telephone Switchboard: 718-627-6611

Community Affairs Officers: Police Officer Samuel Shaya (Samuel.Shaya@nypd.org)

Police Officer John Stewart (John.Stewart@nypd.org)

Office Phone # 718-627-6847

Crime Prevention Officer: Police Officer Philip DiSanto(Philip.DiSanto@nypd.org)

Office Phone # 718-627-6832

Police Youth/Explorer Program: Police Officer Jermaine Aspinall

Office Phone # 718-627-6614

Auxiliary Program Coordinator: Police Officer Christopher Mullen (Christopher.Mullen@nypd.org)

Office Phone # 718-627-6628

Domestic Violence Unit: Sergeant Karen Brennan

Office Phone # 718-627-6606

61st Precinct Monthly Crime Statistics

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If you would like to be added to the NYPD Community Affairs e-mail list, please fill out the form below

and return it to the 61st Precinct. You will receive crime prevention tips and updated information

about the latest programs available to the public. To date, we have received over 400 submissions which

is one of the highest in the city.

Recent Traffic and Collision Information

In accordance with Mayor De Blasios Vision Zero campaign, one of the top priorities of the

New York City Police Department is to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from motor vehicle colli-

sions. Officers on patrol will focus enforcement related to keeping pedestrians and motorists safe by

issuing summonses that include the failure to stop at stop signs and red lights, as well as the failure to

yield to pedestrians.

Our current top pedestrian related collision location is the intersection of Coney Island Avenue

and Avenue Z. Our partnership with the community includes sharing vital information so that our

friends, family and neighbors will remain safe.

Quality of Life and 311

Officers at the 61stPrecinct treat all complaints made to 311 with great importance. Complaints

made to 311 require the response of Officers on patrol and are reviewed on a regular basis by CaptainJohn M. Chell, as well as the Community Affairs Officers. If you would like to discuss a 311 issue or

quality of life issue please feel free to contact one of the 61stPrecinct Community Affairs Officers. Our

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Monthly Crime Trends and Information

The 61st Precinct has experienced an increase in theft of property from parked vehicles. Perpetratorshave been gaining access to parked vehicles by breaking side windows, as well as by entering unlocked vehicles.The community is reminded to always remove all personal property from their parked vehicles and to alwaysmake sure the vehicle doors are locked. Please refer to the vehicle crime prevention tips below for informa-

tion on how to keep your vehicle and property safe.

The 61st Precinct has also experienced an increase in Grand Larcenies specifically related to pickpocketcomplaints. The pickpocket incidents have occurred primarily on MTA buses and generally involve female vic-tims. The perpetrator has focused on removing property from unsuspecting riders pocketbooks. The prop-erty removed generally consists of wallets and credit cards. Often times riders are unaware that they havebeen the victim of a pickpocket until many hours later when they attempt to look for their items. Please refer

to the included crime preventions tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of a pickpocket.

Crime Prevention Tips on Safeguarding your Vehicle

The NYPD would like to advise the community of the importance of safeguarding your vehicle while parked.

The following is a list of safety tips:

Do not leave satellite radios, portable GPS system, or suction cups on the windshield whether temporarily

parking or parking overnight.

Do not leave wallets, purses, backpacks, jewelry, credit cards or any other valuable property in your vehicle

while it is parked.

Do not leave cell phones or other electronics in the glove compartment.

Activate any theft deterrent devices you may have.

Do not leave packages or valuables in the vehicle.

Do not keep your license, registration or title in the vehicle.

Make certain that your vehicle is locked.

If possible, park in a bright, well lit area.

If you have a garage, use it. Lock both the vehicle and the garage.

Contact the 61stPrecinct Crime Prevention Officer to have your vehicle VIN etched.

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Pick Pocket Crime Prevention Tips

Pickpocket and purse-snatchers conduct most of their criminal activity in commercial areas. Most of them

choose females as their victims because purses and pocketbooks are easier to steal than mens wallets. You ca

protect yourself from these criminals if you follow these basic tips:

While riding on buses and trains be mindful of persons who may attempt to pick your pocket or purse.

Be particularly aware of your purse/wallet in crowded situations, such as during rush hour on trains and

buses.

Keep your keys separate from your purse. If your bag is stolen, the thief will not have access to your home

Keep your keys in your pocket.

Pickpockets often use a diversion to get your attention while they attempt to steal your wallet from yourpurse. They often work in teams; one will bump into you while the other reaches in to your bag. This often

occurs in stores while you are waiting to pay for an item. Sometimes they will stage or fight to divert your at-

tention.

When dining out, never hang your purse over a chair in a restaurant.

When walking with a purse, keep it over your shoulder on a short strap with the flap facing your body.

Be careful when making withdrawals at banks. Thieves often watch customers through the windows.

Minimize the amount of money, credit cards and valuables you carry by only taking items that are necessaryfor the day. Minimize the amount of money, credit cards and valuables you carry by only taking items that are

necessary for the day.

Be alert when approached by a stranger asking for directions or the time of day. Thieves often use this ap-proach when sizing up their victims.

Contact the Crime Prevention Officer in order to take advantage of Operation I.D.

Operation Identification is offered free of charge by the New York City Police Department. The pro-gram involves engraving an identifiable serial numbers all portable valuables such as computers, cell phones andtablets. This program can be implemented by contacting your local Precinct's Crime Prevention Officer. Themarked property will be more difficult for a thief to sell and recovered stolen property in the possession of a

thief is easily traceable to its rightful owner and will allow for stolen property to returned.