70TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2026
7:30PM
ADAPT Community Network
175 Lawrence Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11230
OFFICERS PRESENT
Ed Powell, President
Nathan Thompson, Vice President
Dovi Zeitlin, Treasurer
Florencia Chang-Ageda, Secretary
Giselle Nakhid, Sergeant-of-Arms
Meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and our President Mr. Ed Powell welcomed everyone who came out in the freezing weather.
Rabbi Perlstein’s anecdote reminded us to choose the right friends for there are no friends in hell. He concluded that it showed great character that everyone should come out on such a night.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bob Moscowitz from Flatbush Shomrim acknowledged Inspector Wernersbach for the work he is doing in regards to the uptick of catalytic converters.
Secretary Florencia Chang-Ageda announced that Community Safety and Human Services Committees will be hosting a Narcan and CPR training at the Community Board 14 office.
President Powell acknowledged Pastor Beaulieu, the 70th Precinct Clergy Liaison. Pastor Beaulieu was unable to speak because of laryngitis.
Jay Taubman of the Cortelyou Library shared that they will be hosting ESL classes in March. There will also be a book discussion on the last day of Marilyn Monroe on March 18. On Mondays from 2-4pm they are hosting ESL Employment Search. Also, on Mondays after 4pm, there will be children movies.
Lauren Collins from Church/Flatbush Alliance shared that they received a grant to revitalize the Church Ave/East 18th Street subway. They will be undertaking a Public Art Project and are accepting photos of people’s relatives who resided in the community years ago, or it can be pictures of their old building to be incorporated into a mural on the side of the subway. She also announced an event to be held at Bobby’s as well as Church Avenue fair on Sunday May3, 2026 and the Flatbush Fair on July 12, 12026.
President Powell announced that February’s 70th Community Council meeting will be held at Adapt, however, March’s meeting will be held in the northern section of the precinct and that Lauren will help in securing a venue that will host.
Sean Gurl from Assemblymember Robert Carroll’s Office notified us that the former Metrocard bus will be at AM Caroll’s office on 2/29/2026 if it can make it through the snow and ice. It will be there to give information about omni cards and to transfer money from the metrocard to the omnicard. The Assemblymember is also working on a bill for Dyslexia Education to ensure that all New Yorkers will be able to read.
President Powell then announced that Congresswoman Clarke always offers citations for the cops of the month.
Eli Slavin from Congresswoman Clarke’s Office gave the office location and number: 222 Lenox Road. 718-287-1142. He also reminded us to ensure that our passports are current and that the expiration date is no less than 6 months away when travelling. The office was able to help a woman who was travelling to Mexico for a reunion and realized that her passport had expired, to get an expedited passport so she could join her friends. He asked that we go to Clarke.house.gov to find out all that’s happening in congress.
Chaim Schneider from Assemblymember Eichenstein’s Office thanked the precinct for the work they do. He asked if anyone has issues with sanitation or snow to feel free to call the office.
Megan Flemming-White from Councilmember Farah Louis’ Office addressed the recent shootings at Newkirk and Flatbush, and at the Hot Spot Tot Lot Park, at Campus Road and East 21st. She thanked the police for their quick response as well as the cure violence group DRUM. She stated that Councilmember Farah Louis was working with CB14 to have lights posted there for visibility and that capital funding will be donated to make changes at the park as well. There was a press conference for childcare with Mayor Mandami, Gov. Hochul, AM Rodneyse Bishotte-Hermelyn, Councilmember Louis and other child care centers. The Assemblymember is making improvements for lighting for certain streets. They are offering discretionary workshops.
President Powell asked if there were any first time visitors. There were several. He welcomed everyone and asked that they continue to attend the precinct’s community council meetings which are an open forum for residents of our community. He pointed out that our officers are usually present at our meetings.
COMMANDING OFFICER’S REPORT
Inspector Wernersbach greeted everyone, then he shared memories of Det Dillon Stewart who died on November 28, 2005. The lack of side panels on the officers vest allowed the bullet that entered his side went straight to his heart. A few months later on January 9, 2006 Officer Frank Henessey was on duty at Newkirk Plaza when a DV call came in. He responded and was running to the location but collapsed at Farragut and Flatbush with a brain aneurysm. Inspector Wernersbach asked for a moment of silence for both officers individually.
OFFICERS OF THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
PO Chiqui and PO Suddah on November 20, 2025 recovered a loaded gun and ammunition from a car at a car stop. The next day conducted a car stop and recovered a ghost gun with 11 rounds of ammunition, Both areas where the stops were conducted are saturated with gang activities. They both received citations from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.
OFFICERS OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Sgt Jason Liao and PO Sergio Laperdi on December 27, 2025 responded to and ED call. He had to have a psychiatric evaluation. His girlfriend told the officers that he had a loaded firearm which he put in his suitcase which was in his car. They had to get a search warrant, which they did and found a loaded Glock 17 firearm, 30 round magazine with 39 millimeter rounds and a 16 round magazine with 59 rounds in it. The top bullet said “I’m sorry“ with a heart on it.
CRIME STATS
70th Precinct is down in every category.
Down in pedestrian accidents by 14%.
Down in bike accidents by 83%.
Shooting on January 15, 2026 at 9:45pm. Police got a call for shots fired. The NST officers responded and interrupted a robbery. Three persons were arrested and 2 loaded revolvers and a semi-automatic guns were recovered. Detectives are still investigating. Officers are posted around Brooklyn College.
There is an uptick in catalytic converters. Inspector put special ops officers on the midnight shift and along with Shomrim team, there has been no more catalytic converters theft. He thanked Bob Moskowitz and his team for their assistance.
Grand larceny bank scams are on the rise. He urged everyone if they receive phone call they should hang up and check directly with their banks. He then introduced our new Crime Prevention Officer Mahmood to us.
COMMUNITY QUESTIONS
Tenant from 470 Ocean Avenue. Tenants and friends are drinking and smoking in the building. What can they do?
Inspector Wernersbach suggested that he get in touch with the Q-Team officers after the meeting.
His second question was if Inspector Wernersbach had any interaction with ICE and what was his relationship with them.
His response was that there was no relationship with them because they are a civil enforcement unit. The only involvement would be if they were being assaulted, like they would for anyone.
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A 66 year old gentleman reported that on January 10, 2026, in front of 1623 Avenue H at the TD Bank. He was assaulted. He walked all the way to the 70th Precinct to report the assault. He had physical injuries. His eye was swollen and he had a knot on his head. The officer told him to walk back in the rain to the bank and report the incident even though his phone was broken and he was an elderly man with injuries.
Inspector Wernersbach told him to speak to Detective Nuzzi after the meeting and that he would take care of the matter. He said he will investigate and see who was at the desk. The officer was from 66 and was covering the desk because most of the officers were at the 20th Anniversary memorial.
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Mr. Vossoughain who lives on East 21st Street expressed his gratitude that Detective Nuzzi and other officer responded to his calling in regards to the shooting at the Tot Lot. He wanted to know why the CO thinks it was a one-off?
Inspector Wernersbach explained that that was not a typical area where gun violence occur. He said that he will work with community stakeholders to ensure that the area remain safe.
***
Jay Taubman reported that he walked to the precinct and that it was very icy and he had to walk in the road. Jay also suggested that there were sleeping bags and blankets at the Cortelyou branch library.
Inspector Wernersbach said that they had to call sanitation and that many of their officers were out distributing salt and shoveling snow.
***
Nathan Thompson asked about vertical patrol assisting with the issue at 470 Ocean Ave. He also commended the Q-Team officers.
President Powell announced that the next meeting would be February 25, 2026. He thanked everyone for coming out.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48pm
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