Brannan pushes for cop on corner in Bay Ridge

October 2, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Justin Brannan (left) says neighborhood policing is the “only real way to build respect and trust and keep communities safe.” Photo courtesy of Brannan campaign

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NYPD shouldn’t just deploy more cops to communities like Bay Ridge, it should use the officers it has in a smarter way to create stronger ties between cops and the community, according to a City Council candidate.

Justin Brannan, the Democratic candidate in the 43rd Council District, called on NYPD to bring the well regarded Neighborhood Policing program to 62nd and 68th precincts.

The 68th Precinct serves Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights and the 62nd Precinct serves Bath Beach and Bensonhurst.

Neighborhood Policing, championed by Police Commissioner James O’Neill, is a program designed to strengthen the connection between NYPD and the communities they serve by assigning cops to meet regularly with civic leaders, merchants and elected officials so that problems can be solved.

Under Neighborhood Policing, a precinct is divided into four or five sectors and sector officers work the same shifts in the same neighborhoods each day to increase familiarity and build relationships with residents. Each sector also has two neighborhood coordination officers (NCOs) who serve as liaisons between the police department and the community.

“I have been calling for more resources and officers for the 68 and 62, but it’s not about simply hiring or dispatching more officers, it’s about using them in a smart way and producing positive results while also doing even more to make sure that we treat all residents with equal dignity, respect and professionalism, regardless of race or religion. I believe the entire city would benefit from neighborhood policing and the return of the ‘cop on the corner’ so that more residents can become familiar with the officers that serve their communities every day,” Brannan said.

Brannan is running against Republican John Quaglione and Reform Party candidate Bob Capano in the Nov. 7 election.