PHOTO: Police Commissioner Bill Bratton (center l. to r.) and Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday touted the significance of the new 116th Precinct at a press conference at the 105th Precinct stationhouse. Courtesy of NYPD
By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton this week hailed the $70 million Capital plan allocation to create a new 116th Precinct to reduce response times and expand coverage for the growing neighborhoods of southeast Queens.
The new command will be crafted out of the southern portions of the existing 105th Precinct, and serve the communities of Laurelton, Rosedale, Brookville and Springfield Gardens. According to the administration, the precinct will address an increase in the area’s population and requests for law enforcement services, and help reduce response times.
Of the 77 precincts that cover the five boroughs, the 105 ranks 5th in both square mileage and population.
“The 105 Precinct is one of the largest in terms of geographical size. In recent years the department has established a local substation in order to facilitate police service and response in the southern section of the precinct,” Bratton said. “By creating a separate command within this area, the NYPD will be able to provide more localized service to the community.”
Earlier this year the department expanded the 105 Satellite by adding 18 officers and two sergeants, and expanding coverage to 24 hours a day.
The administration pledged to work with the local community and the NYPD to identify a site for the precinct. The location, along with other relevant factors, will determine the timeline for completion. During the site search the existing 105 Precinct Satellite will continue to support police services. Upon the selection and approval of a location, an analysis will be undertaken to determine the precinct’s borders. The analysis will study factors such as geography, population, 911/311 calls, crime and quality of life issues with the goal of increasing services while distributing workload as equitably as possible. In connection with this analysis, stakeholders – including residents and elected officials – will be consulted, de Blasio said.
People in this community worked for a long, long time for this change – 30 to 40 years, in fact. And it is a credit to them,” the mayor added on Tuesday at the 105th Precinct stationhouse. “I always say that real change comes from the grassroots. It is a credit to them that they believed this could and should happen and this day has come.”
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown also praised the decision to bring a 17th precinct to the World’s Borough.
“It will result in greater efficiency, bring our police officers closer to the communities that they are sworn to serve and better address community concerns,” Brown said. “I commend Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton for making it happen.”
It has been less than three years since the department last expanded its stable of commands. The 121st Precinct on Staten Island became fully operational in July 2013.
michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
