March 2010 Meeting Minutes

70th Precinct Community Council
March 2010 Meeting Minutes

E-mail: 70PctCC@gmail.com
Blog: http://70PctCC.blogspot.com
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Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
7:30 PM
United Cerebral Palsy New York
175 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, New York
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Officers Present

Ed Powell, President
Beverley Kilpatrick, Vice President
Mary McRae, Secretary
Rosanne Boland, Treasurer
Mavis Theodore, Sergeant-at-Arms


NYPD, Elected Officials & Other Guests

Inspector Ralph Monteforte, Commanding Officer
Captain Peter Venice, Executive Officer
Captain Michael Giovanelli, Executive Officer
P.O. Kim Walker, Community Affairs
Lt. Jacqueline Bourne, Community Affairs
P.O. Timothy Mercer, Community Affairs Bureau
Beverly Kilpatrick for Community Board 14
Eli Slavin for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Ed Powell for Assembly Member Rhoda Jacobs
Pinny Ringel for NYC Council District 44
Shawn Campbell, Assembly Member Jim Brennan
Mark Dicus, Church Avenue Business Improvement District
Victor Ortiz, Maimonides Hospital
Mathieu Eugene, Council Member 40th District

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The regular monthly meeting of the 70th Precinct Community Council was called to order at 7:49 p.m. President Ed Powell greeted all and invited everyone to join him in 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).

President Powell cited the passing of Rabbi Zvi Florence who coordinated the Council’s Annual Street Fair for, at least, the past 10 years. Rabbi Florence, a beloved friend of the 70th Precinct, passed away on March 23, 2010 and the funeral was held on March 24th, 2010. He will be deeply missed.

This year, the Street Fair will be held April 25th on Church Avenue between Argyle Road and East 10th Street.

President Powell announced that the recent talent show “Brooklyn South Got Talent” had a wonderful turnout. The 70th Precinct sold tickets in the amount of $435.00; all proceeds go the 70th Precinct Community Council. President Powell thanked Officer Kim Walker for doing an exceptional job.

A poetry slam sponsored by Cops for Kids, the 70 Precinct and Voices Seeking Change, Inc. will be held March 25th, 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Manna’s Soul Food Restaurant.

NYPD 70th Precinct Blood Drive will be held Wednesday March 21st, 2010 at 154 Lawrence Avenue from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. You must have a photo ID, weigh at least 110 lbs., and be between 16 and 75 years of age.

Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs is co-sponsoring with Councilmember Mathieu Eugene, Councilmember Jumaane Williams, and Assemblyman Karim Camara Citizenship Application Assistance Day on April 17th, 2010 at Brooklyn College Student Center at East 27th Street and Campus Road. The event is from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Officer Tim Mercer announced a basketball game between the 69th and 70th Precincts on April 28th which is sponsored by Cops for Kids.

Message from Community Board 14 – Beverly Kirkpatrick
Their annual Youth Conference will be held on April 29th, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Brooklyn College Student Center. She thanked Lt. Bourne and Officers Walker and Shafidiya for their participation in all the meetings.

Father Michael Perry, the priest at Our Lady of Refuge R.C. Church read an amusing piece that member, Blossom Klass wanted to share with the Council.

Simon Strowe, an Auxillary Police Officer, announced the importance of filling out and returning the census form. He emphasized the fact that the information is kept confidential.

Council Member Matheiu Eugene also discussed the importance of the Census. He stated that it meant more funding and more resources for our community. He announced that City Council is fighting to try to save metro cards for students, centers and other facilities for senior citizens, daycare centers and firehouses. He stated that we must work hard to support our community boards. He promised to continue to raise public awareness about strokes and asthma. We must do everything possible to prevent these diseases. He thanked everyone for their help during and after the Haiti catastrophe.


Report from the Commanding Officer.

Commander Monteforte announced that on February 26th, 2010, School Crossing Guard Ms. Huldah Durante passed away from at stroke at Maimonides Hospital. Ms. Durante was employed and served with the NYPD (70th Precinct) for nine years. Her post was on Flatbush and Snyder Avenues, serving the children of P.S. 6 and Explore Charter School. She was loved by her children who all called her Mom. She was laid to rest on May 9th. May she rest in peace.

On Sunday, February 28th 2010 the Muslim community celebrated the birth of the prophet Mohammed with a procession on Coney Island Avenue. 700 people marched.

Also, on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 the Jewish community celebrated Purim with family and friends at their homes within the 70th Precinct. All went well.

On April 25, 2010, Patrol Borough Brooklyn South will be hosting the Annual Community/Precinct Unity Showcase from 10:am to 6:pm, in Prospect Park. There will be entertainment, food, games and refreshments for both children and adults.

Cops of the Month
Officer Rusian Matviiv
Officer Joshua Stewart
Officer Donald Barton
Officer Jesus Carrilto
Officer Christopher Deats
Officer Allison Rodriguez
Officer Damon McMullen
Officer Albert Romano

On February 20th Officers Rusian Matviiv and Joshua Stewart responded to a dispute at Club Temptation at 4:45 a.m. An individual was drunk and had a firearm in his car. Five days later, the two officers effectively responded to a dispute in a hair salon when one individual stabbed another who had a firearm. These two officers are commended for taking two guns off the streets.

On Sunday, March 7th around 8:00 p.m. Officers Donald Barton and Jesus Carrilto heard shots fired around Foster and Bedford Avenues. The officers gave chase to three individuals and saw one of them throw something away. They found a 380 caliber gun from which seven (7) rounds had been discharged.

Officers Christopher Deats and Allison Rodriguez are part of the Sector Team and work midnights. These two officers were on Avenue J and Coney Island Avenue and heard shots being fired. They went towards 12th Street where a victim had been shot in the chest and leg and later died. The officers started chasing a suspect down 12th Street. While being pursued, the suspect threw away a firearm. They continued to pursue him and he also threw away a knife. The officers continued to chase him down a dark alley and finally apprehended the suspect. He was a 19 year old gang member wanted for four (4) killings and is wanted for two (2) killings in the 72nd Precinct in the last two (2) years.

Officers Damon McMullen and Albert Romano work the midnight tours. They went into a building near Regent Place and East 21st Street that is a known drug location. They checked the building and left. While walking south on E. 21st Street, towards Beverley Road they heard shots being fired. Then there were a second round of shots. In a manner that is typical of the 70th Precinct’s “Finest,” these brave officers gravitated towards the gunfire at tremendous personal risk, subdued the perpetrators and removed more dangerous criminals and weapons from our community.

THANK YOU, to our Cops of the Month and to every Police Officer who serves and protects our community.

Open Forum with Inspector Monteforte and Responses.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary McRae
Nathan Thompson