On April 28th, 2008, Inspector Thomas Harris, Commanding Officer of the 70th Precinct, bid farewell to the officers and community of the 7-0 as he left the precinct house for the last time. He is retiring after serving on the force for 23 years.
On his way down the steps with his family in tow, he was enthusiastically applauded by throngs of officers, community residents, and other supporters. Countless officers lined up waiting to cheer him on as he walked out.
Among many other distinguished guests in attendance were Chief of the Department Joseph Esposito, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Assistant Chief Joseph Fox, representatives of elected officials, members and staff from Community Board 14, and officers of the 70th Precinct Community Council.
Before he left, he drove a lap around the block in the very first patrol car he was assigned to at the beginning of his career in the Police Department.
Best of luck to you, Inspector!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Inspector Thomas Harris Retires
April 2008 Meeting
Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, April 30th at 7:30 PM in the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City's Community Room at 175 Lawrence Avenue.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Unity Showcase Festival - Sunday, April 13th - Prospect Park
NYPD Patrol Borough Brooklyn South presents
Unity Showcase Festival
Sunday, April 13th
11 AM - 5 PM
Bartel Pritchard Square
15th Street & Prospect Park West
(B68 Bus to 15th Street/Last Stop, F Train to 15th Street-Prospect Park)
Brooklyn South will be hosting the annual Community Precinct Unity Showcase in Prospect Park. There will be entertainment, food, games and refreshments for both children and adults. Catch a glimpse of the entire world right here in Brooklyn!
Contact Det. Tommy Nihill for more details: 718-287-1259
Thursday, April 3, 2008
February 27, 2008 Meeting Minutes
70th Precinct Community Council
February 2008 Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
7:30 PM
United Cerebral Palsy of New York
175 Lawrence Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
Officers Present
Ed Powell, President
Roseanne Boland, Treasurer
Jonathan Judge, Recording Secretary
Mavis Theodore, Sergeant-at-Arms
Elected Officials & Other Representatives
Capt. James Fulton, Brooklyn South Narcotics
Doris Ortíz, District Manager, Community Board 14
Eli Slavin for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Roz Sokol for Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz
Wendy Ann Powell for Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs
Pinny Ringel for Council Member Simcha Felder
Chaim Deutsch for Council Member Michael Nelson
The regular meeting of the 70th Precinct Community Council was called to order at 7:54 PM. Mr. Powell invited everyone to join him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. He then acknowledged the various representatives of elected officials present at the meeting (see above).
1. Message from Brooklyn Community Board 14 – Doris Ortíz, District Manager
Ms. Ortíz said that she was glad to be at the 70th Precinct Community Council meeting again and pledges to attend as many meetings as possible, since the Council serves a very important role in the community. The Community Board has many meetings and plans for the communities of Flatbush, Midwood and parts of Kensington, so please join the Board’s mailing list and participate in committee meetings. For more information, please contact the Board office during business hours at 718-859-6357.
2. Report from the President – Ed Powell
Auxiliary Unit: Recently, Mr. Powell watched a mobilization drill, and he complemented the Auxiliaries of the 70th Precinct on their excellent performance.
Holiday Charity: After December’s Holiday Party, the Council distributed gifts with Santa at the Urban Women’s Safe Haven. Evelyn Cardona, the Assistant Program Director thanked the 70th Precinct for its help to the women’s shelter and safe haven community. For more information about the Urban Women’s Safe Haven, call 718-260-2900.
3. Dedication Plaque for Hynda Lessman Schneiweiss – Mavis Theodore
Ms. Theodore announced that the 70th Precinct Community Council, Brooklyn Community Board 14, the Newkirk Area Neighborhood Association (NANA), the Flatbush Development Corporation (FDC) and Public School 217 will be honoring the 22 years of dedication and service that Hynda Lessman Schneiweiss has given to the community. In her honor, the Learning Leaders program will be donating over $1,000 worth of books to the library at Public School 217.
4. Report from the Commanding Officer & Open Forum – Inspector Thomas Harris
Passing of Marsha Edell: Long-time member of the 70th Precinct Community Council and Secretary of the Nottingham Civic Association recently passed away.
Explorer of the Year: Victor Hernandez, a member of the 70th Precinct Youth Explorers was named Explorer of the Year out of all the Explorers City-wide. The Precinct congratulated him on this impressive and distinct honor.
Cop of the Month: The Cop of the Month Award will be postponed until the next meeting because the officers who will be receiving that honor are recovering from injuries sustained in the course of their duties.
New Executive Officer (XO): Captain George Mastrokostas, who has served very well during his tenure at the 70th Precinct, has been reassigned to the 61st Precinct. He will be greatly missed. Captain Peter Venice will become the new XO. The Precinct heartily welcomes him into this new position.
Flatbush Shomrim: The Precinct recognizes and honors the contributions of Flatbush Shomrim, whose President is Chaim Deutsch, for helping the Precinct make over 200 arrests.
Brooklyn South Auxiliaries: Inspector Harris thanked the Brooklyn South Auxiliaries for helping to make the Precinct and Borough safer, and commended them for the excellent job they do fighting crime in our communities.
Brooklyn South Showcase Festival: Patrol Borough Brooklyn South will be hosting its Showcase Festival on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at Prospect Park. All are invited to attend. For more information, contact Community Affairs at 718-851-5557.
Open Forum: Inspector Harris opened the floor to members of the public to speak about any public safety concerns in the community.
1. A resident complained about car repair shops consistently conducting repairs on the streets that affect the community’s quality of life.
2. A resident thanked the Precinct for its help in resolving various issues near Woodruff Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, but they would like more attention from the Precinct to make more progress in that neighborhood.
Inspector Harris directed the residents to the appropriate officers to assist them with their issues.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan Judge
Recording Secretary
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
March 2008 Meeting
Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, March 26th at 7:30 PM in the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City's Community Room at 175 Lawrence Avenue.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Community District 14 Youth Conference Planning Meeting
Brooklyn Community Board 14's Youth Services Committee is meeting on Thursday, March 20th at 7 PM in the Board office (810 East 16th Street) to formulate plans for a proposed Youth Conference within Community District 14, which has the same boundaries as the 70th Precinct.
Various City agencies, including the 70th Precinct, and other community organizations are attending. All are welcome to come and participate in the discussion and planning process.
For more information, contact the Board office at (718) 859-6357.
Monday, March 3, 2008
January 2008 Meeting Minutes
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 30, 2008 MEETING
UCP COMMUNITY ROOM - 175 LAWRENCE AVENUE
7:30 PM
Officers Present
Ed Powell, President
Beverley Kilpatrick, Vice President
Jonathan Judge, Recording Secretary
Mavis Theodore, Sergeant-at-Arms
Elected Officials & Other Representatives
Doris Ortíz, District Manager, Community Board 14
Eli Slavin for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Shawn Campbell for Assembly Member James Brennan
Roz Sokol for Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz
Wendy Ann Powell for Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs
Pinny Ringel for Council Member Simcha Felder
The regular meeting of the 70th Precinct Community Council was called to order at 7:45 PM. President Powell invited everyone to join him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The President hten acknowledged the various representatives of elected officials present at the meeting (see above).
1. Report from the President - Ed Powell
President Powell spoke on the importance of encouraging greater community participation in the Council. There is tremendous potential that the Communtiy Council can fulfill since everyone who is a member is, by that fact, a community leader. Most importantly, each member helps to disseminate information about public safety to the rest of the community by talking to their neighbors, or reporting to community organizations about what occurs at our meetings. Increasing the Council's reach, therefore, is important for improving public safety within the 70th Precinct.
2. Dedication Plaque for Hynda Lessman Schneiweiss - Mavis Theodore & Beverley Kilpatrick
Hynda Lessman Schneiweiss, a long-serving member and officer of the Council, active in Brooklyn Community Board 14, Newkirk Area Neighborhood Association (NANA), the Flatbush Development Corporation, and Public School 217, has fallen quite ill and is currently in hospice. To show the community's deepest appreciation and gratitude for a lifetime of community service, the above-mentioned community organizations will be dedicating a plaque to Ms. Schneiweiss. More information will be available at the next meeting about the dedication event.
Ms. Theodore, who volunteers for Learning Leaders, an organization that donates books to school libraries, will be holding a book collection drive in honor of Ms. Schneiweiss' service to that organization.
3. Officer of the Month & Open Forum with Officers of the 70th Precinct - Inspector Harris
Cop of the Month
Officer Clarke, a member of the Hot Spot Unit, was on patrol on Flatbush Avenue and Vanderveer Place, and noticed a man walking around with an open container of alcohol in a paper bag. Officer Clarke went to approach him, but the individual threw the open container out and ran. When Officer Clarke inspected the contents of the bag, he found a gun in it as well. He pursued the individual and apprehended him.
New 70th Precinct House
A resident inquired about the status of plans to relocate the 70th Precinct house. Inspector Harris stated that the City has set aside funds to build a new precinct house at 1326 Ocean Avenue between Avenue H and Avenue I, and is in the process of acquiring the property. CB14 District Manager Doris Ortiz announced that the Board's Public Safety Committee will be meeting on Money, February 4, 2008 to hear a presentation from the NYPD on the steps for moving the precinct to Ocean Avenue. Anyone interested in more information about the meeting should call the Board office at 718-859-6357.
4. Donation to United Cerebral Palsy's Doorways to Independence Program - President Powell
United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, Inc. has been seeking donations to its Doorways to Independence Program, which helps modify homes of disabled individuals to make it more accessible for them. Because UCP has been an excellent friend to the Council, and performs many wonderful services to the community, President Powell moved that the Council make a donation of $100.00 to the Doorways to Independence Program. The motion was seconded, and hearing no objections, it was adopted unanimously.
5. Remarks from Captain James Fulton, Brooklyn South Narcotics
Captain Fulton spoke briefly about the current priorities of Brooklyn South Narcotics and ways in which the NYPD is trying to combat drugs in Brooklyn neighborhoods.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan Judge
Recording Secretary
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
February 2008 Meeting
Join us at our February meeting on Wednesday, February 27th at 7:30 PM in the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City's Community Room at 175 Lawrence Avenue.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
January 2008 Meeting
Join us at our first meeting of the new year on Wednesday, January 30th at 7:30 PM in the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City's Community Room at 175 Lawrence Avenue.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
December 2007 Meeting Minutes
UCP COMMUNITY ROOM - 175 LAWRENCE AVENUE
7:30 PM
Officers Present
Ed Powell, President
Roseanne Boland, Treasurer
Jonathan Judge, Recording Secretary
Laura James, Corresponding Secretary
Mavis Theodore, Sergeant-at-Arms
Elected Officials & Other Representatives
Doris Ortíz, District Manager, Community Board 14
Eli Slavin for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Roz Sokol for Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz
Wendy Ann Powell for Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs
Pinny Ringel for Council Member Simcha Felder
The regular meeting of the 70th Precinct Community Council was called to order at 7:50 PM. President Powell invited everyone to join him in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The President then acknowledged the various representatives of elected officials present at the meeting (see above).
1. Remarks from Representatives of Elected Officials & Other Distinguished Guests
Katharine Levine, Civil Court Judge
Ms. Levine wished everyone a happy holiday season.
Pinny Ringel for Council Member Simcha Felder
Council Member Felder gives everyone his best and wishes all a happy and healthy holiday season.
Wendy Ann Powell for Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs
Assembly Member Jacobs is hosting a canned food drive for food pantries between January 22nd and February 1st, 2008. Those who want to contribute should make donations to the Assembly Member’s District Office at 2294 Nostrand Avenue during business hours.
Roz Sokol for Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz
Assembly Member Cymbrowitz thanks the 70th Precinct for all its hard work, and wishes all a happy and healthy Christmas, Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year.
Doris Ortíz, District Manager, Community Board 14
Ms. Ortíz wished everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. She looks forward to working with the community as the new District Manager and urged everyone to feel free to contact her at the Board office at (718) 859-6357.
2. Report from the President – Ed Powell
Mr. Powell thanked Jack Katz, Executive Director of the Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District, for providing refreshments for the holiday party.
3. Open Forum with Officers of the 70th Precinct & Other Remarks – Inspector Harris
State of the Precinct Update
The Inspector was pleased to announce that crime was down 20% for the year compared to last year. The Precinct is expecting 66 to 80 new officers for the Impact Zone in January from the next graduating class.
Cops of the Month: P.O. John Petrie & P.O. Thomas Kennedy
On November 20, 2007, the two officers observed a drug deal on Dorchester and East 21st When they attempted to intervene, the suspect pulled out a gun, but the officers were able to subdue him and secured the weapon.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 PM. Following the meeting, the Council commenced its Holiday Party, which included an impressive magic show by Council Member Nathan Thompson.
Respectfully submitted,
Jonathan Judge
Recording Secretary
