Barrere Welcomes Rookies At 114th Pct. Council
by richard gentilviso

Inspector David Barrere

“It’s great to have you with us,” said Inspector David Barrere, commanding officer of the 114th Police Precinct, welcoming seven new recruits he introduced to residents at the January meeting of the precinct community council. “You’re working for the greatest city in the greatest community.” Altogether, 24 new police officers were assigned to the 114th from the January class of 1,750 rookies, bringing the precinct’s command strength to 170 officers.

“That’s far short of the amount we should have but it’s better than 150,” said Community Council President Ann Bruno. In November, Bruno complained when the number of officers at the 114th dropped to 150.

“Our commander was promoted in December. He is now a full inspector,” Bruno said. Barrere was promoted, along with 70 other officers, at a ceremony where Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly presided on December 23.

“You got me promoted twice, thank you!” said Barrere, who came to the 114th almost three years ago as a captain. “I want to applaud you, the community.” He also thanked the men and women of the 114th.

Barrere intends to use some of the new officers on foot patrols in the precinct. “We haven’t had the luxury of foot posts in the last 18 months,” he said, indicating he would now be able to deploy the new officers on foot in two zones where robberies have recently been a problem.

Serious crime was down 6 percent for the year (2004) in the 114th, but Barrere cited a spike in grand larcenies, especially frauds and identity thefts, which comprised 25 percent of the rise in that category. Another problem area he cited was burglary. “Half of our burglaries show no visible sign of break-in,” he said. “When you leave your home or apartment, make sure it’s secured.”

Four officers were honored with Cop-of-the-Month awards presented by the precinct council, the Broadway Merchants and Professionals Association, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., state Senator George Onorato and Assemblymember Michael Gianaris.

Police Officers Wayne Kendall and William Scheffler were cited for their actions on September 26 when the two responded to a 911 call at 14th Street and 30th Avenue.

A 19-year old man, later identified as a member of the Bloods gang, fled as the officers arrived and fired four shots at them. They returned fire, wounding him in the knee. A 9-mm semi-automatic handgun was recovered. The suspect was arrested on charges of attempted murder, reckless endangerment, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.

Detective Daniel Lewis was cited for seven arrests made for separate incidents of grand larceny and ID theft totaling $60,000 in the month of November, while Police Officer Eric Weingartner was commended for his actions on December 18 when he recovered an automatic handgun after stopping an erratically driven car at 21st Street and 41st Avenue.

Jim and Barbara Pollock of the 114th Civ-OP presented Nancy DiMeglio with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 4,000 hours of service to the community. In addition to mobile street patrols, the Civ-OP is at the forefront of graffiti maintenance cleanups and foot patrols in the 114th. A new anti-graffiti initiative offers up to $500 in rewards for information leading to graffiti arrests and convictions.