Friday, October 28, 2011

SPRAGUE AT ANA

ANA President Larry Jayson and Deputy Inspector John Sprague

Deputy Inspector John Sprague, commanding officer of the 66th Precinct, addressed the Albemarle Neighborhood Association's community meeting last night. Detectives Michael Milici and Vincent Galeno from the precinct's Community Affairs division were also present.

Inspector Sprague informed residents that reports of burglary and grand larceny auto have decreased the most in the past year. Reports of felonious assault have increased the most.

Felonious Assault: an object is used as a weapon, be it a coffee cup, a plastic fork, a gun, or another object. Strangulation during domestic violence that causes dizziness or passing out is also felonious assault. Most assaults are committed indoors.

Major crimes reported for the Year to Date: 2% decrease. The seven crimes tracked by the NYPD are those tracked by the FBI: murder, rape, robbery, felonious assault, burglary, grand larceny, grand larceny auto. Reported crimes decreased 80% in the past ten or twenty years.

Reports of all sexual crimes decreased this year. Two rapes were reported; both were related to domestic situations. Reports of stranger assault decreased. Reports of forcible touching (groping), a misdemeanor, increased. Or maybe the frequency of reporting increased. 

Thirteen assaults by pellets fired from a BB gun reported in the vicinity of Ocean Parkway by Avenue C and Cortelyou Road.

4800 calls from 311 to the precinct last year. 311 calls are triaged; the most serious gets attention first. 

Ten anti-crime officers work in the precinct (covertly). 

Answers during question-and-answer period:
  • A police officer shouldn't refuse to take a report for a legitimate complaint. If that happens, report it to the precinct, the precinct's community council, or the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board.
  • A beat cop is patrolling the neighborhood. He's centered around Church and McDonald, and he's mobile (scooter-qualified).
  • The 66th Precinct is big, covering 3.5 square miles and 228,000 to 300,000 people.
  • NYPD staffing decreased by 6,000 officers but is adequate.
  • Demand to see a sergeant or a supervisor if an officer discourages you from pressing charges.
  • Complaints about prostitution have been made in the vicinity of Hinckley Place and Beverley Road.
  • About two officers per tour are reassigned to terrorism prevention.