CM James, AM Camara Support Retention of NYPD Impact Zone CH-North

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 12, 2011

Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191 - aloomis@council.nyc.gov, and
Odellia Lucius at (718) 771-3105 - luciuso@assembly.state.ny.us

JOINT STATEMENT BY ASSEMBLYMAN KARIM CAMARA AND COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ABOUT RETAINING THE NYPD IMPACT ZONE IN CROWN HEIGHTS NORTH:

“For the past year Crown Heights North has benefited greatly from being designated a NYPD Impact Zone. The law enforcement officers of the 77th precinct that patrol the neighborhood have done a stellar job in monitoring crime activity. As a result, criminal acts have noticeably decreased. The Impact Zone initiative is to be credited in part for helping to make Crown Heights a safer place to live and work.

Recently, the City's Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) approved the creation of a new historic district in Brooklyn called the Crown Heights North II Historic District. Borders of the new district include Brooklyn Avenue to the east and Bergen Street to the north, Nostrand Avenue to the west and Eastern Parkway to the south. The new district is adjacent to the 472-building historic district that the LPC designated in 2007 as well. In light of these historic districts now in place, the presence of an NYPD Impact Zone is more important than ever.

Also, as violent activity seems to decrease during the summer, now is not the time to reduce the number of cops on-duty in the area. We fear that it will lead to an up-tick in negligent behavior. With schools out for summer and fewer opportunities for our youth, we are concerned that the loss of the Impact Zone will precipitate a sharp decline back to former dangerous conditions. Please join the Crow Hill Community Association, the 77th Precinct, and other community stakeholders in preserving the NYPD Impact Zone initiative to keep our streets thriving.”

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Drive-By Shooting Spurs Call for More Police Resources

Contact: Alfred Chiodo at (718) 260-9191

Drive-by Shooting in Brooklyn on Thursday Spurs Call for More Police Resourses from Community and Council Member Letitia James

Multiple shootings within the 88th Police Precinct in the last two weeks

(Brooklyn, NY) - Two men, approximately 30 and 70 years old, were injured yesterday evening about 8:30 pm in a drive-by shooting on Clinton Avenue, between Gates and Greene Avenues. Their injuries were not serious, and the older was an innocent victim struck by a bullet intended for the other man, in what appeared to be a drug-related shooting.

“It is imperative that the 88th Police Precinct be declared an Impact Zone now,” said Council Member James. “There have been five shooting victims within this precinct in the last two weeks, and it is clear that more resources are needed. I call on Commissioner Kelly to respond to the critical public safety needs within the 88th Precinct immediately.”

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