November 2007 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 28, 2007 MEETING
UCP COMMUNITY ROOM - 175 LAWRENCE AVENUE
7:30 PM

Officers Present

Ed Powell, President
Jonathan Judge, Recording Secretary
Laura James, Corresponding Secretary
Mavis Theodore, Sergeant-at-Arms

Elected Officials & Other Representatives

State Senator Eric Adams
Eli Slavin for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Roz Sokol for Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz
Wendy Ann Powell for Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs
Pinni Ringle for Council Member Simcha Felder

The regular meeting of the 70^th Precinct Community Council was called to order at 8:00 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. Cops of the Month & Other Awards – Inspector Thomas J. Harris, Commanding Officer

November 28, 2007 is the second anniversary of the murder of Detective Dillon Stewart. The officers assigned to his case swiftly arrested the murderer and worked closely with the Kings County District Attorney’s office to investigate and secure a conviction. On November 8, 2007, Allan Cameron was convicted of Det. Stewart’s murder and sentenced to life without parole. For their outstanding contributions to this case, the following were recognized and were presented awards by Patrol Borough Brooklyn South Assistant Chief Joseph Fox:

Detective First Grade James McCafferty, Brooklyn South Homicide, NYPD

Detective First Grade Charles Platt, 70^th Precinct, NYPD

Assistant District Attorney Mark Hale, Chief Counsel, Homicide Bureau, Kings County District Attorney’s Office

Assistant District Attorney Tom Ridges, Senior Trial Attorney, Homicide Bureau, Kings County District Attorney’s Office

Deputy Inspector Vincent DiDonato, Detective Bureau, Brooklyn South

The Officers and Detectives of the 70^th Precinct

2. Statement about Det. Dillon Stewart’s Case – Assistant Chief Joseph Fox, Brooklyn South

Chief Fox praised the detectives, the Assistant DAs and officers of the 70^th Precinct for solving the case of Det. Stewart’s murder and securing the conviction of his murderer. He praised the exceptionally commendable and admirable way in which the officers worked together to bring justice to Det. Stewart, his family, and the residents of the 70^th Precinct.

3. Statement about Det. Stewart – State Senator Eric Adams

Senator Adams acknowledged that, during his service to the NYPD, he lost his partner and understands how difficult a situation it is for Det. Stewart’s partner, his family, and his fellow officers. He then pledged his continued support for the officers of the NYPD.

4. Announcements – Ed Powell, President

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Community Council will be Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 7:30 PM in the Community Room of United Cerebral Palsy of New York City, 175 Lawrence Avenue, Brooklyn.

Assistance with Incorporation of the 70^th Precinct Community Council

The Community Council is also interested in incorporating itself into a not-for-profit corporation under New York State. It is looking for lawyers who might be interested in assisting the Council with the process pro bono.

Joseph Silverman

The Council mourns the passing of Joseph “Papa Yussie” Silverman, a dear friend of the community, on November 19, 2007. President Powell remembers him as a dedicated fighter for human rights and always fighting for justice for everyone.

5. Open Forum with Officers of the 70^th Precinct & Other Remarks – Inspector Harris

Community Forum with Commissioner Kelly

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly is holding a community forum at SUNY Downstate, 450 Clarkson Avenue, on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 6 PM. All are invited.

Precinct Map & Community Involvement

The 70^th Precinct Community Council has members from across the precinct, but there are certain locations where membership is sparse. Therefore, for members who live in those particular sections of the district, they should encourage neighbors and members of local community organizations to attend meetings.

The following public safety issues were brought up by residents:

(a) There are problems with illegal school bus parking around Public School 249;

(b) A resident thanked the precinct for helping to fight the drug problem on East 29^th Street;

(c) A resident from Clarkson Avenue thanked the precinct for its efforts in fighting drugs by the Parade Grounds

After hearing their concerns, Inspector Harris directed officers to assist residents with resolving their issues.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jonathan Judge

Recording Secretary

NY Post: "True-Blue Grads, Rookie Already a Rail Hero"

By Alana Casanova-Burgess and Perry Chiaramonte

More than 900 new cops graduated from the Police Academy yesterday in a Madison Square Garden ceremony - but at least one rookie got an early taste of the action.

Shaheed Ahmad told classmates how, a little more than two weeks ago, he helped pull a woman from the subway tracks at the Union Square station.

"At first it was scary, but it was just something inside me that made me react," he said. "It gave me an idea of what's expected of me out there - to react for the better good."

On Dec. 11, Ahmad was on his way to the academy when a woman fell onto the tracks.

Ahmad was lowered to the tracks and, with the help of a good Samaritan, was able to lift the victim out just before a northbound train rumbled into the station.

Ahmad, who will work at the 70th Precinct covering Flatbush, was a graduate of the most diverse class of recruits in NYPD history.

Twenty percent of the 914 graduates were born overseas, according to the NYPD, and the class had natives of 52 nations.

Among the foreign-born graduates was class valedictorian Karolina Wierzchowska, 27, who came to the United States in 1999. She said being a police officer has been a lifelong dream but "in Poland we didn't have such opportunities."

Many of the new cops will start their careers policing troubled areas, in a program known as Operation Impact.

Originally printed in the New York Post on December 28, 2007.

Flatbush Life: "They become detective’s champions" by Stephen Witt

In a bittersweet event, two police detectives and two attorneys from the Kings County District Attorneys office were given special awards for bringing the killer of Detective Dillon Stewart to justice.

Receiving the awards from Patrol Borough Brooklyn South and the 70th Police Precinct were Detective Charles Platt from the precinct and Detective James McCafferty from Brooklyn South homicide.

Read the rest of the article here. Originally printed December 13, 2007.

December 2007 Holiday Party/Meeting

The 70th Precinct Community Council cordially invites you to our annual Holiday Party at its final meeting of the year on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 7:30 PM.

It will be held in the United Cerebral Palsy of New York City's Community Room at 175 Lawrence Avenue.

Flatbush Life: "Guardians of the Parade - 70th Precinct Cops Hailed for Safeguarding Labor Day Revelers" by Stephen Witt

The thousands of revelers at September’s West Indian Labor Day Parade had no idea that a perpetrator with a fully loaded Tech-9 semi-automatic handgun was among them.

Fortunately however, 70th Precinct Officers Michael Katinas and John Petrie were also on duty and their quick action nabbed both the perpetrator and the gun.

Read the rest of the article here. Originally printed November 8, 2007.

Flatbush Life: "70th Precinct Profile in Courage" by Stephen Witt

People looking for a living inspiration would do well to take a look at 70th Precinct Community Affairs officer Lt. Jacqueline Bourne.

The well-toned and always smiling Bourne has overcome several physical obstacles, which is the reason why Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly recently presented her with the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Award.

Read the rest of the article here. Originally printed November 8, 2007.