The 45th Precinct launched its iteration of a neighborhood-policing model that is going citywide.
Community members attended the precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers program launch at M.S. 101 on Tuesday, July 17, where NCO officers met and greeted the people they serve.
All 12 Bronx precincts are now utilizing the program.
Chief Rodney Harrison officially launched the program at the 45th Precinct.
Rather than respond to 911 calls or flooding crime prone areas, the NCO officers get to know the community by exchanging e-mails and cell phone numbers and holding quarterly meetings, known as Build A Block meetings, in their sectors, according to police officials.
“They work for you, they are assigned to you and you are going to have access to them,” said Harrison in his remarks, adding that NCOs may at times work to solve issues without resorting to enforcement.
Harrison stressed that community support was needed for the program to work, calling for “shared responsibility.”
Senator Jamaal Bailey said he thought that the program could bridge the gap between police and community.
Assemblyman Benedetto and Councilman Andy King attended the launch.
Bob Bieder, 45th Precinct Community Council president, said that an NCO officer had already helped him with someone playing loud music late at night.
Bieder said he was impressed by the fact that the NCOs had flexible hours, and said everyone needs to get the phone numbers of their NCOs.
Kathleen Collins, a Locust Point resident who attended the launch, said people seemed enthusiastic about the program and that she feels that residents should get to know their police officers.
Tom Accomando of Ferry Point said that the NCO program was a way to bring communities together and that he thought that the program would foster a higher level of accountability.
“This is going to be more of a personalized situation,” he said.”
NCOs will increase the number of cops working in the 45th Precinct, while condensing 11 sectors into three, said Harrison.
The new sectors for NCOs in the precinct are Sector Adam south of Waterbury Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard; Sector Boy encompassing Pelham Bay, Country Club and Zerega; and Sector Charlie covering Co-op City and City Island.
The NCO commanding officer at the 45th Precinct is Sargent Kevin Major.
NCO administrative and operations officers Ivette Vargas and Michael Morillo assist him.
Sector Adam will be served by police officers Isaura Santos and Edward Reyes.
NCOs assigned to Sector Boy are officers Harmanjot Singh and Juan Trinidad.
Sector Charlie NCOs are officers Jessica Griesinger and Dean Cassells.
