72nd Precinct honors community stalwart

The 72^nd Precinct Community Council honored a very important resident at its monthly meeting held at the stationhouse on Tuesday, October 8.

Captain James Grant, commanding officer of the precinct, gave a Community Service Award to Bao “Louie” Liu, for helping cops and community out in the wake of a devastating accident.

On Thursday, September 26, five-year-old Kiko Shao was fatally struck by a car when she ran out into the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 55^th Street. Liu went to Lutheran Medical Center and “stepped up as an interpreter.

“He helped out tremendously that day,” Grant said. “He has been an asset to us.”

Liu is also spearheading a Civilian Observation Patrol within the Asian community.

“Part of being a commanding officer is diving into the community,” Grant explained. “I had an Asian community affairs officer who got transferred and I had to find someone who could be there for me.”

Grant said that Liu is filling that gap.

“He will be a great asset for safety especially up by Sixth through Eighth Avenues where we are having a lot of issues,” he said.

As for overall crime in the precinct, Grant said that a commercial robbery pattern was closed with the help of detectives. Index crimes are down, except for robberies, which are up by 14 percent, and grand larcenies, which are up 13 percent. Grant said that this is primarily due to illegal apartments, where “too many people have access to common areas,” and theft coming from roommates.

“Over the last two months, we have steered the ship in the right direction,” he said. “We hope to replenish things that we lost and look forward to the holidays and a successful new year.”

Grant also gave some Halloween safety tips.

“It’s not as bad as it was way back when with kids throwing eggs, but [crime prevention] Officer Nuccio and all will go to stores and delis to make sure they aren’t being sold,” he said. “If you see anything, shaving cream, kids riding around, say something.”

The 72^nd Precinct Community Council normally meets the second Tuesday of the month, but next month, it will meet on Tuesday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the stationhouse, located at Fourth Avenue and 29^th Street.