At its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, Community Board 12 honored outgoing Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, Chief Owen Monaghan, for 34 years of exemplary service to the NYPD.

Board Chairman Yidel Perlstein introduced the Chief as a “different kind of Chief” and remarked, “I found out very quickly that to this Chief, community relations are at a premium. He not only valued it but practiced it. He was always ready to listen and always available when needed. In fact, you never had to call him if you needed something because he was always calling to ask how he can help.” Chairman Perlstein continued, “he was always looking out for the community and how the NYPD can improve on what they are doing, so his leaving the NYPD is a loss for us but we do wish him well in his new endeavor.” Chairman Perlstein also praised the Chief for a “hands-on” approach and his in-person responses to police scenes.

District Manager Barry Spitzer echoed the Chairman’s remarks and called Chief Monaghan a friend of the district. He recounted a story of a hate crime on May 3, 2014 when anti-Semitic graffiti was spray painted throughout Borough Park. “Chief Monaghan was up all night, even travelling to Queens where the perpetrator was arrested. After the arrest he didn’t go home to sleep but came straight to Borough Park to engage with the community himself,” said Mr. Spitzer. Mr. Spitzer continued, “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call that the chief is in town, but I don’t know why I was surprised, this was Chief Monaghan after all and as the Chairman said, a different kind of Chief,” said Spitzer. “When there was the horrific slaying in Jerusalem, Chief Monaghan himself was at our office at 9 in the morning to brief us on the security measures he is taking to keep our district and borough safe,” continued Mr. Spitzer.

“Chief Monaghan made it a habit to regularly meet with community boards to discuss matters of concern to them. He was especially sensitive to the community’s needs when it came to religious observance and celebrating different holidays, be it Jewish, Asian, Catholic or Muslim,” said Mr. Spitzer. “This is the measure of a true leader and it’s an honor to be able to call him a friend,” concluded Mr. Spitzer.

Councilman David Greenfield also spoke and remarked that while it is unfortunate our borough was losing its Chief, the good news is that those who use mass transit will know that the same skills and dedication that the Chief brought to keeping us safe in Brooklyn will be going to them. He continued by calling the Chief a “genuine” person. “There are a lot of people who when they get to a high position lose prospective, but the Chief has an incredible amount of humility and will do anything necessary to get the job done,” said Councilman Greenfield. He also praised the Chief for being a family man. “He always was there for his wife and kids and managed to find the time to balance it all while rising in the heights of the NYPD,” said Councilman Greenfield.

Other speakers included Councilman Carlos Menchaca, Senior Community Leader and Community Board 12 Member, Rabbi Berish Freilich and Coordinator of Boro Park Shomrim, Simcha Bernath. Additionally, many community leaders and representatives of organizations from across the entire Borough showed up to honor and show their appreciation to Chief Monaghan.

(YWN Desk – NYC)