PHOTO: Deputy Inspector Deodat Urprasad (c.), commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct, joins the command’s Community Council and Community Affairs officers in congratulating Police Officer Chris Harris for earning Cop of the Month honors for August. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
While the 102nd Precinct’s top cop on Tuesday acknowledged a recent spike in robberies in the command, it seems he just needs to put Police Officer Chris Harris on the case to stem the tide.
Deputy Inspector Deodat Urprasad joined the precinct’s Community Council in bestowing Cop of the Month honors on the veteran Harris after he effected the arrests of suspects involved in three strong-arm robberies.
“Excellent police work,” noted Urprasad before presenting the plaque to Harris during the council’s monthly meeting at the Richmond Hill Library.
Harris’s award comes as the 102nd is in the throes of what Urprasad called a “robbery situation.” There were nine reported robberies last week in the precinct.
“But I also had eight arrests,” Urprasad reported, eliciting applause from the audience. “The robberies are occurring, but we’re making arrests.”
The commanding officer also indicated that a lot of the incidents involve personal electronic devices.
“We’re employing different tactics to quell the cell phone robberies,” he said, adding that educating the public about methods of crime prevention is also an important tool to help drive down the robbery numbers.
Despite the recent spate of robberies, overall crime in the precinct is down 5 percent compared to this time last year.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
