72nd Precinct meeting addresses crime concerns in Sunset

Crime is down in areas of Sunset, but there is still work to be done.

That was the message conveyed by Police Officers Philip Buonora and Carmela Anderson as they hosted a monthly workshop for Sector C, part of the 72nd Precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers Program (NCO) which began in April. Sector C covers what is considered to be the heart of Sunset Park, including the park itself and the Fifth Avenue BID area, and starts at Green-Wood Cemetery.

Buonora led the well-attended meeting on Tuesday, August 24 at the the Marien Center, 4520 Fourth Avenue, to discuss some of the concerns voiced by Sunset Park residents, particularly a feared increase in crime.

“To give you an idea of how effective this program is, Officer Anderson and myself are changing shifts everyday so that we are working during the time when the condition we are addressing [is occurring],” he said. “Since the NCO program has been introduced, overall crime in Sector Charlie has been down 11 percent. If anyone was worried about a rise in crime, that’s not the case.”

However, several issues were addressed. “We have been offering summonses for violations in the park, such as drinking alcohol, public urination, and others that have been brought to our attention,” Buonora said. “For the last month, there have been over 40 summonses given.”

Late-night robberies have also been a problem over the summer, according to police. “There have a been a noticeable pattern in robberies late at night. We’re talking between midnight and 6 a.m.,” Buonora said. “We’re seeing this pretty much between Third and Sixth Avenue between 41st and 52nd Streets.”

To stem the rise in robberies, Buonora and Anderson have changed their shifts to coincide with the hours that the crimes occur. “Last week we did catch someone slashing a victim with a box cutter that happened at 3 a.m.,” he said, adding that narcotic concerns are also being addressed. “There was also a joint operation done with the narcotics division  and the DEA. Because it is an ongoing case, we can’t give particulars, but I will say that a firearm was recovered and several vials of crack were taken as a result of that case.”

The issue of homeless individuals and shelters was also at the forefront. “We’ve received complaints about the shelter on 39^th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues,” he said. “We’ve spoken to the officials there. Loitering may be one thing, but harassment and disorderly conduct are another and they will be addressed accordingly when they come about.”

Councilmember Carlos Menchaca applauded the NCO and the precinct’s efforts to be more communicative. “What is interesting is that crime is down when you like at the numbers,” he said. “But this isn’t about crime up or down. This is about community engagement at a time when everyone needs to be at the table to solve some of the issues that we are seeing today. Clearly, we are seeing an active summer in the park, on our streets. We’re all hearing it together and we can be a part of the solution.”

“It’s certainly welcome to have a more inclusive approach to policing,” said attendee and founder of Friends of Sunset Park Maria Roca. “It’s more focused than a community council meeting. Clearly it is working. Attendance has grown.”