The Community Council welcomed new members. Press was asked to turn off all recording equipment, and refrain from photos. Anyone wishing to speak to the press can do so after the meeting outside.

 Commanding Officer Cappelman thanked everybody for coming. He introduced Inspector Dave Colon and Deputy Inspector Jimmy Klein of the Community Affairs Division. They thanked everybody for coming. Community Affairs Division works with Precincts, PSA’s and Transit.  The Community Affairs Division deal with Community Affairs, Community Councils, School Safety as well as various Criminal Bureaus.  They like to visit Community Council meetings to meet attendees and board members to make sure  that information is being given out, and that there is feedback and interaction from the community and if there is anything needed to help in facilitate cooperation. Help from the community is needed to identify potential problems BEFORE they happen. 

 Commander Cappelman reported that in the last 21 days crime is down for the most part 13%. As far as crime goes we are doing “very well”. Crime is down 30% from last month. In February there were 5 open patterns with burglaries, now there are none. There is however still problems. Among them Grand Larcenies. Motor vehicles, especially involving motorcycles are becoming a bigger problem. There have been 6 incidents in the past 20 day period, as opposed to 4 last year at this time. There has been help from the Criminal Bureau, who has been involved with illegal guns and grand larcenies. Their help has resulted in some good arrests.  Arrests involving stolen motorcycles on 4th Street and 11th Street. There has been only 1 shooting. Saturday 5/12 at 1am at 888 East 6th. Street. It was at Wald Houses. The victim was shot in the leg and was uncooperative with the police. In fact after he got shot he went to Bellevue for treatment on his own and did not wait for the police to come. The commanding officer of PSA 4 has been working with us on this so as to prevent a possible retaliation of this incident. Last year at this time there were 6 shootings, where now there is only 1. Robberies are down 20% during this period. There is 1 active robbery pattern which is from Campos to Riis Houses. Same perpetrator is involved in these. The description is a male black, approximately 6’3″ weighing b/n 170-180 lbs. Cell Phones are very popular targets for robbers. The area that has high activity, 14th Street to Houston, and East 10th to 3rd Avenue. A lady on East 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue was grabbed from behind knocked down and her I Phone taken. A patrol car was driving by and saw it happen. He was caught and arrested. Tompkins Square Park also has had some arrests; among them was a bank robber also an arrest was done on a recovery of an auto, A Honda was recovered with one of the preps driving that lives in the 9th, the person arrested had many priors and was a known offender

 Resident at 115 Avenue A, complained of people, homeless and transients, camping out in front of the building, especially after 1am when the Park closes. They drink, urinate, spread garbage, obstruct people going in and out of building and are noisy with “partying” until 4 am. Tenants are starting to feel threatened. Resident asked what they can do to stop it. Captain Cappelman said they have been speaking with Common Ground and other non profits in the area to try and alleviate the situation. Lt Ferguson has been there and knows some of the “campers” and there are patrols there. Detective. Hernandez explain that maybe residents should ask the nearby candy store and other establishments  on the block to help with the quality of life issues by not allowing to hang in front of their location.

 Resident on East 10th Street near Abe Lebewohl Park complain about the two townhouses which are under construction and not secured homeless individuals are getting into location. The residents have seen lots of property that belong these people that stay there, possible drug use, excessive drinking as well as unsanitary conditions have been observed. Residents feel situation is getting worse and are asking to help them contact the landlord who has a notorious reputation as a negligent landlord in the area. Captain Cappelmann and Lt Ferguson said that there have been arrests there and will continue to work with community. The Commanding Officer said that he will contact the Department of Building. Residents also complaint about the over night homeless condition in the park area and are concerned that this matter will affect the Green Market that will start up soon.

 Resident from East 4th Block Street Association spoke regarding a few issues. First, she thanked the Board for all there hard work throughout the years. Second she thanked Detective, Hernandez for his help in assisting an 81 year old lady suffering from dementia from a con man bilking her from her life savings. He has been arrested. Third she thanked the Precinct for help in recycling effort over the past 2 years on 4th Street between Ave C& D. It has greatly improved. Currently they are working with the local elected officials on a stand alone redemption center for bottles. As a side note this resident suggested to the previous group that complained about the townhouses on East 10th, that they should contact Dept. of Sanitation for help on that matter.  Fourth, resident is concerned about a building on Avenue D between 3rd and 4th Street. It is owned by a housing non profit. There about 3 stores in the building those resident feels are selling items that are of a questionable nature. She asked the Commanding officer if the area could be monitored. 

 Resident inquired about legality of 24 hour street vendors and regulations. Resident pointed out there is one at 9th Street and Third Avenue and 2nd Avenue and 10th Street. Captain Cappelmann said he will follow up on this issue.

 Detective Hernandez spoke briefly about taking precautions of protecting cell phones and other high value tech targets. Research and purchase devices and apps to help safeguard your devices. Detective Hernandez also mentioned our website www.thenewninthprecinct.org as a valuable resource. He stated it helps if people keep coming to the meetings even though your issues are resolved. Doing this helps to keep the Police and the Community together in a strong working partnership.

  NEXT MEETING June 19, 2012 7PM