October 2009 Meeting Minutes

70th Precinct Community Council
October 2009 Meeting Minutes

E-mail: 70PctCC@gmail.com
Blog: http://70PctCC.blogspot.com
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
7:30 PM
United Cerebral Palsy of New York
175 Lawrence Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
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Officers Present

Ed Powell, President
Mary McRae, Secretary
Nathan Thompson, Asst. Secretary


NYPD, Elected Officials & Other Guests

Inspector Ralph Monteforte, Commanding Officer
Captain Peter Venice, Executive Officer
Lt. Jacqueline Bourne, Community Affairs
Det. Dominick Scotto, Community Affairs
Captain Tom Pascal, Brooklyn South Narcotics Unit
Tim Mercer, Community Affairs
David Z. Klestick, District Attorney’s Office
Elaine Beal, District Attorney’s Office
John Reef for Assembly Member Jim Brennan
Roz Sokol for Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz
Reuven Lipkind for Senator Eric Adams
Pinny Ringel, Council Member Simca Felder
Glen Wolin, CERT
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The regular meeting of the 70th Precinct Community Council was called to order at 7:50 p.m. President Ed Powell greeted all and invited everyone to join him in the Presentation of Colors by the 70th Precinct Explorers followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. President Powell then acknowledged the various representatives of elected officials and other distinguished guests present at the meeting (see above).


1. Report from President Ed Powell. The minutes of September 30th, 2009 were distributed and accepted on a motion made by President Powell and seconded by Roz Sokol with the necessary corrections should there be any. Motion carried. President Powell received a letter from Councilman Simca Felder and stated that Councilman Felder has been a long time supporter of the Community Council. In the letter Councilman Felder stated that in spite of all the fiscal challenges the city has been through he was able to allocate $3,500 to the 70th Precinct Community Council. He also expressed his deepest gratitude for what the Community Council does for the community.

2. Report from the Commanding Officer. Commander Monteforte asked if anyone remembered the horrific crime on Parkside Avenue three weeks before whereas three people were shot and there was a video of the three people getting shot in which a 19 year old kid died from that incident. The Mayor’s office has approved along with the police department a $12,000.00 reward for the arrest of the individual. Hopefully, they would be able to use the video to identify the individual so that they can get him off the streets as quickly as possible.

Commander Monteforte stated that if you know anyone with a firearm call 1-866-GUN-STOP because they offer rewards of $1,000 for anonymous information that leads to the arrest of individuals in possession of illegal firearms. He assured everyone that it is confidential and you don’t have to go to court. He announced that there were cards available in the back if anyone needed or speak to Detective Molloy.

Commander Monteforte asked everyone to be careful with their children on Halloween. He stated there are several websites you can go on to know where the sexual predators live in the community so that children know whose doors they are knocking on to avoid parents from filing a missing report. If the children have nothing to do that day, there are several walks in the precinct. Nathan Thompson will be doing a walk at Albemarle and Westminister Road at 5:00 p.m. and at 6:30 he and other officers were doing a walk on Glenwood Road and Coney Island Avenue. The precinct handed out leaflets to all the storeowners to not sell eggs and shaving cream to kids so that they don’t mess up the neighborhoods. He also stressed that they will be treating Friday like Halloween as well and they all will be working both days.

Commander Monteforte stated they had flyers in the back for holiday safety tips so that you can avoid becoming a victim of a crime. He commended a resident from Strafford Road for putting a block association together. The more people that can form block associations, the better for the police department so that they will be better able to help with the problems in the community.

Commander Monteforte made an important announcement; Community Affairs Officer Jovita Richardson was promoted to Sergeant and would be leaving the precinct. She has been in the precinct for 16 years and has served the community well. He stated regardless of the numerous times anyone called including himself, she was always there. She started as a patrol officer and in 2001 she joined Community Affairs. He commended her on doing a great job and she would be surely missed.

Commander Monteforte acknowledged Captain Peter Venice his partner in the precinct who helps him run it and Captain Tom Pascal from narcotics.

3. Cops of the Month: Sgt. Joseph Durante, P.O. Higgins, P.O.Vlad Green, P.O. Joseph Imperatrice. The Conditions Team received an award. It is comprised of two sergeants and about 17 officers. This year alone they locked up over 600 people and 40% of those people were dealing narcotics. This month, this team did a terrific job on two incidents. On Tuesday, the 20th of the month at approximately 9:25 on Farragut and Bedford Sgt. Durante and Higgins were on routine patrol when they observed two individuals on the corner on Bedford Avenue and after investigation apprehended both individuals for robbing an elderly woman at gunpoint for $4.00. About a week after that incident at approximately 8:45 p.m. Sgt. Durante Officers Imperatrice and Green responded to another gunpoint robbery. Upon arrival, officers interviewed the victim and were given detailed description of the two suspects who had robbed him of his iPhone. Later the suspects were identified in a line up.

4. Open forum with Commander Monteforte and Responses.

President Powell announced that due to the Thanksgiving holiday, our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2009.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary McRae, Secretary
Nathan Thompson, Assistant Secretary