PHOTO LINK BELOW: A packed room full of Rabbis, Priests and Imams gathered on Monday evening for the NYPD’s annual 70th Pct Clergy meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is to keep all congregations up to date on the latest crime-stats in the 70th Pct, and deliver important information to be distributed to the community.

The meeting was opened with a video showing the various units of the NYPD in operation, and paid tribute to the officers of the 70 who have fallen in the line-of-duty over the years.

Chief Chaplain of the NYPD, Rabbi Dr. Alvin Kass then delivered warm words of thanks to the 70 Pct for their superb job in keeping crime lower than it’s ever been in history. Rabbi Kass, himself a resident of the 70th pct then spoke warmly about the upcoming Chanukah Holiday, and spoke about the importance of all communities working harmoniously towards a safer community.

The final speaker was the commanding officer of the 70th pct, Deputy Inspector Ralph Monteforte.

Inspector Monteforte assumed command of the 70th Pct approximately two years ago, and has made it a priority to reach out to all religious and community leaders in the 70 – just as Chief Joseph Fox – Chief of Brooklyn South – has done in his entire command.

Monteforte spoke to the crowd of more than 150 Clergy members, while a fascinating “power-point presentation” was displayed on a large screen.

The presentation explained in detail how the NYPD assigns their units throughout the precinct, and showed where exactly they focus most of their manpower based on higher crime in a particular area.

Deputy Inspector Monteforte has what to be proud of, as can be seen in the following crime statistics

*Murders – 6 [down 14% from 7 in 2008] (in 1990 the number of murders was 45)
*Rapes – 12 [down 63% from 32 in 2008] (in 1990 the number of rapes was 56)
*Robberies – 350 [down 25% from 469 in 2008] (in 1990 the number of robberies was 2,482)
*Felony Assaults – 296 [down 7% from 318 in 2008] (in 1990 the number of assaults was 878)
*Burglaries – 327 [down 10% from 362 in 2008] (in 1990 the number of burglaries was 3,365)
*Grand Larceny – 677 [down 14% from 777 in 2008]

The only crime that went up in 2009 is Grand Larceny Auto -(stolen cars) – 191 [up 12% from 171 in 2008].

Overall, crime in the 70th Pct is down 14% in 2009. Not only that, but crime was down in 2008 as well – and that earned a recognition of Commissioner Kelly by presenting the 70 Pct with an award.

Inspector Monteforte thanked the members of Flatbush Shomrim for their assistance in keeping crime to an all-time low by patrolling the streets at all hours of the day and night.

The Inspector then explained the many programs the 70 has to offer the residents residing in the Precinct.

Below are just a few of the many services offered:

*Cash For Guns – No Questions Asked!
*Civilian Police Academy – 15 week course; covers topics such as Police Science, Law & state of the art policing strategies.
*Is Your Home As Safe As It Can Be? – To have a police officer do a free inspection of your home call the Crime Prevention Officer at 718-851-5504.
*Safety Tips Against “Con-Artists”.
*Electronic Equipment “Etching” Program – This service is totally FREE! The police will etch a (discrete) number on your electronic devices so that if it’s lost or stolen, it can be returned to you. Call the Crime Prevention Officer at 718-851-5504 for more info. NOTE: There are approximately 9 other programs to help protect your vehicles and homes, enquire with the Crime Prevention Unit.
*FTAP [Formal Trespass Affidavit Program] – A very helpful program to get rid of suspicious building in a multi-dwelling apartment building. Call Police Officer at 718-851-5556 or 5558 for more information.
*Domestic Violence – If you know someone having issues, call the Domestic Violence Team at 718-851-5569.

If your “House Of Worship” has not been informed of the recent clergy meeting, and you would like to be informed of anything that may be of importance to your congregations, or your congregations might need something from the police department, please call the 70th Precinct Community Affairs Unit [Detective Scotto] at 718-851-5557.

The 70 pct has 70 synagogues, 60 churches, and 8 mosques, and has a population of more than 200,000.
The 70 receives close to three hundred 911 calls each day.

YWN salutes the 70th Pct under the leadership of Deputy Inspector Ralph Monteforte, Captain Pete Venice, Captain Mike Giovanelli, Sergent Lane & his team, and Lieutenant Jackie Bourne all the officers of the Community Affairs Division.

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click HERE for photos taken by Shimon Gifter for YWN.

(Yehuda Drudgestein – YWN)