Commissioner Bratton talks record crime lows, plans for NYPD in 2015

Confronting months of unrest and the point-blank murders of two police officers in December, Police Commissioner William Bratton optimistically addressed a crowd of nearly 400 people at the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering to discuss plans for 2015 and the record successes achieved in 2014, as part of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Brooklyn Newsmakers series.

“Last year, major crime dropped 3.7 percent in Patrol Borough Brooklyn South and 4.3 percent in Brooklyn North,” said Bratton. “People are more eager than ever to live and do business in this great borough, and the New York City Police Department is proud to help keep them and the rest of our city safe.”

In addition to discussing the record lows in crime statistics citywide, like the 82 percent decline in murder, 58 percent decline in rape, 80 percent decline in burglaries, and 77 percent decline in shooting incidents within the past 21 years, the second-time commissioner — previously holding the position from 1994-1996 when he was appointed by then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani — announced upcoming plans for the NYPD including body cameras, new bulletproof vests, and smartphones for every officer.

“The greatness of this city is the greatness of its people and in tough times we come together,” said Bratton. “As we move into 2015, we are learning from 2014. The department is going to take advantage of the great resources provided to us, and of course the hundreds of millions of dollars in technology that allow us to do our job — keeping you safe and keeping our officers safe.

“Even as we sort through our issues, we will continue to be there for you,” added Bratton. “New York has always had issues; it’s what we do best. And we do it best because out of that controversy, out of that confrontation, comes resolution.”

The event was held in collaboration with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams who said the commissioner was “without question worthy “of the Newsmaker feature.

“Commissioner Bratton is worthy of being featured as part of Brooklyn Newsmakers, not only for the work he does to keep New York City the safest big city in America but for the perspective he can offer on our city’s future,” said Adams, a former police captain who had worked under Bratton.

“Police commissioner is one of the most important positions in any city, and New York is lucky to have one of the best in the world in Bill Bratton,” said Brooklyn Chamber President and CEO Carlo Scissura. “We live in the safest big city in the country due to Commissioner Bratton and the NYPD, and without their tireless efforts to keep us safe, all the amazing things happening in Brooklyn would not be possible.”