McCarthy Bids Farewell To 114 CC
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

Pictured at the 114th Community Council meeting sendoff for McCarthy are: George Napolitano, Deputy Inspector Paul Vorbeck, Councilmember Peter Vallone, Ann Bruno, Inspector Brian McCarthy, Rose Marie Povoromo, Ed Cadiz; Mario Massa and Teddy Kasapis.

"It was even better than I imagined," Inspector Brian McCarthy said in reflecting on his time as commanding officer at the 114th Precinct. Reassigned to Brooklyn South Narcotics on January 22, he was guest of honor at the February 26 meeting of the 114th Precinct Community Council.

Council President Ann Bruno presented McCarthy with a citation for his "diligence, dedication and devotion to our community" and City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. credited him with a job well done. "Crime Continues to go down [in the 114th] despite the fact that we haven't had more cops here since I don't know when," Vallone said.

McCarthy's tenure at the 114th, "the assignment of his dreams", began in October, 2005. He thanked the men and women of the precinct and the community at large.

Of his officers, McCarthy said, "The kindness, bravery, and camaraderie that I witnessed will stay with me for the rest of my life. Cops here do the best job."

And of the people who live and work in the 114th, he said, I think the reason why this community is so successful is: it is really unified."

Introducing his family in the audience and thanking them, McCarthy said, "I put in a lot of extra hours in the last three years. I wanted my family to see that I tried to make a difference and I did make a difference. It wasn't for naught."

George Napolitano, representing Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, presented McCarthy with a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol in Washington D.C. at her request. McCarthy was also presented with citations by representatives from Assemblymembers Michael Gianaris (Rose Marie Poveromo), Cathy Nolan (Ed Cadiz), and state Senator George Onorato (Teddy Kasapis). Mario Massa, of the Knights of Columbus, honored McCarthy, a fellow Knight, with the "Eagle of Honor".

New commanding officer and recently promoted Deputy Inspector Paul Vorbeck thanked McCarthy and said support in his first six weeks was "excellent". "I've been very much embraced," he told the group.

Vorbeck awarded Cop-of-the-Month honors for January, 2008 to Police Officers John Triantafilidis and Michael Bellis. On Wednesday, January 2, Triantafilidis, on routine patrol, heard a description of two female suspects wanted for armed robbery on the radio. He conducted a search in the vicinity of 31st Street and 36th Avenue and observed two females fitting the description.

Approaching the two female suspects, Triantafilidis witnessed them attempting to use a credit card which was stolen in the robbery. Detaining the two suspects, Triantafilidis found them in possession of an air pistol. The duo was positively identified by the complainant in the robbery.

On Sunday, January 20, Bellis, on an overnight shift, observed an individual at Broadway and 38th Street that he recognized from a "wanted" poster. Bellis questioned the individual and recognized him as wanted for an October robbery.

Bellis attempted to arrest the suspect, but he fled on foot. Bellis pursued and after a brief struggle, placed the suspect under arrest. He was found to be in possession of a razor blade knife and had a prior record of 13 arrests, including the October 2007 robbery.

"These are examples of what the 114th Precinct and NYPD is about," Vorbeck said.