114th Pct Gets New Cops, Rewards 6
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

A full register should be 197 police officers, said Ann Bruno, but the current count with the new additions stands at 187 officers in the 114th. "We are way below where we should be," Bruno said at the January meeting at Riccardo's. "But believe me, with what we have, the cops in our precinct do a wonderful job."

With the new year, 19 officers have been assigned to the 114th Precinct. "From the last academy class, the 114th got eight new cops and 11 more from IMPACT," said Ann Bruno, president of the 114th Precinct Community Council.

A full register should be 197 police officers, said Bruno, but the current count with the new additions stands at 187 officers in the 114th. "We are way below where we should be," Bruno said at the January meeting at Riccardo's. "But believe me, with what we have, the cops in our precinct do a wonderful job."

Some 1,359 police officers graduated from the academy on December 26 in a ceremony at Madison Square Garden. The class included 284 immigrants coming from 58 countries. About 28 percent of the new officers are Hispanic, 17 percent are African- American and 8 percent are Asian. Approximately 18 percent are women.

IMPACT police officers are reassigned from other precincts to work in specially designated areas. Responding to an inquiry from a resident about reports of crime along Broadway, 114th Precinct Executive Officer Captain Christopher Tamola said the eight rookie officers and 11 IMPACT officers would be assigned to patrols along Broadway and 30th Avenue.

A resident, living near Broadway and 34th Street said he encountered rowdy patrons from local bars and clubs late at night. Tamola said such locations are watched closely for multiple and repeat violations of the law for possible civil procedure action.

Pointing to the recent shutdown of Club Phenomenon, Tamola called the club's closing "one of our big successes". After the club was shut down in December under the public nuisance abatement law, the state Liquor Authority suspended its liquor license. The club was under investigation for allegations of prostitution, guns and drugs.

On January 17, police arrested and charged a man with murder and assault in the October 1 shooting of two men outside Club Phenomenon, where there were three fatal shootings in the past three years.

"So far, we are doing very well in crime reduction," Tamola said. For the week ending January 21, 2007 crime is down by almost 13 percent, compared to the same period last year. The biggest increase is grand larceny, up almost 29 percent from last year.

Sergeant John Costello, who was promoted in December, received the Cop-of-the-Month award for November 2006 for his actions in a grand larceny investigation. On November 9, then Police Officer Costello obtained information that a person of interest was purchasing stolen goods. Presenting a laptop as stolen and for sale at $100, Costello was able to arrest and charge the individual.

On November 10, 2006, Police Officer John Glynn arrested five individuals involved in a robbery. "This was a strong-arm robbery that occurred in a local school," said Tamola. Through his actions, Glynn was able to identify and apprehend the five individuals said Tamola. Glynn also received a Cop-of-the- Month award.

Police Officer Michael Constantinou stopped a car for a routine traffic check on November 16 and found live ammunition in the vehicle. His quick action led to a search warrant and three loaded firearms were also recovered from the car. "Three guns were taken off the streets that will never hurt a person," said Tamola. Constantinou too, had a Cop-of-the-Month award conferred on him.

Three officers were also named Cop-of-the-Month for December, Police Officers Joseph Chabus, Ralf Rezza and Stephen Feasel.

On December 8, Chabus observed a person smoking marijuana, a misdemeanor arrest. "This small crime turned into a bigger arrest," said Tamola. The arrested individual provided information that led to two search warrants and the break up of a trademark counterfeiting operation. It was the fourth time Chabus was named Cop-of-the- Month at the 114th Precinct.

On December 15, Rezza responded to a call of a man with a gun said Tamola. "The man was firing a gun into the air in a crowd." Showing great restraint, Rezza was able to control the man and confiscate the gun, a pellet replica. "This was a serious situation," Tamola said.

On December 17, Feasel was on patrol in the vicinity of 30th Avenue when a robbery victim flagged him down. Given a description of three individuals who beat the victim, Feasel put out a description and was able to apprehend the three suspects.