Councilman David Greenfield hosted a Town Hall Meeting with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly at his district office in Boro Park on Monday night, September 27th. The event was organized to discuss the recent high-profile crimes in the community and the swift and continuing response from the NYPD to keep our communities safe.
Councilman Greenfield, who sits on the Public Safety Committee, brought together nearly two hundred community leaders for an open forum with Police Commissioner Kelly and Deputy Inspector John Sprague, the Commanding Officer of the 66th Precinct. They were joined by Brooklyn Chief Joe Fox, Councilman Brad Lander and Councilman Vincent Gentile.
“These events don’t go unnoticed,” said Police Commissioner Kelly, referring to the recent murder of Yoseph Robinson, the attempted armed robbery of Apple Bank on 13th Avenue and the four Shomrim members who were victims of a shooting by a lewd criminal. During his remarks, the Police Commissioner also addressed what the NYPD is doing to curb gun violence, improve quality of life issues and prevent terrorism in New York City.
Police Commissioner Kelly continued, “The big problem here is guns…We are doing everything we can to control the situation.” The Police Commissioner went on to speak about NYPD programs like Operation Gun Stop, which provides a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of an individual with an illegal gun, and Cash For Guns, as well as Operation Impact, a program which started in 2003 and places Police Officers in areas where pockets of violence has erupted.
“The police commissioner’s responsiveness is what makes him so effective” said Councilman Greenfield who also pointed out that, once again, New York is rated the largest safe city in America. “I am grateful that, in the light of the recent high-profile crimes, the NYPD has come to our community to explain the extraordinary measures that they are taking to keep our streets safe.”
Councilman Greenfield continued, “This forum was about more than just security concerns, it was about the importance of a strong community. Our community is as strong as ever, and thanks to the commitment of the NYPD, our community is as safe as ever.”
At the event, Deputy Inspector John Sprague received a proclamation from the City Council signed by Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Councilmembers David Greenfield, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Vincent Gentile and Brad Lander. The proclamation honored Inspector Sprague’s service to the community and his outstanding leadership during the recent high-profile crimes in the community.
Deputy Inspector Sprague noted that crime is actually down in the 66th Precinct this year, and also informed the audience about the increased security by the NYPD in Midwood and Borough Park because of the Jewish holidays.
Finally, Detectives James Dawson and William Greer received citations for their excellent work in the apprehension of Leslie Otero, the ex-con who attempted to rob Apple Bank on 13th Avenue. Both Dawson and Greer are long-serving members of the NYPD who were honored by Councilman Greenfield for their exemplary service.
{Matzav.com Newscenter}
