By COLlive reporter
The 71st Precinct of the New York Police Department has been assigned a new commanding officer, replacing Inspector Joseph Hayward, sources told COLlive.com.
The new chief will be Deputy Inspector Thomas Smith who is coming from Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, where he served since August 2023.
Captain Thomas Smith hails from Brooklyn New York. As a long time New York City resident he chose the career of becoming a police officer in 2005. After graduating in the academy in 2006 he was first assigned to the 62nd Precinct in Brooklyn. Smith also served at 121st Precinct, Special Operations Division Strategic Response Group, Midtown North Precinct, 17th Precinct, and the 1st Precinct.
Romero will be tasked with protecting and serving the central Brooklyn area which contains the southern portion of Crown Heights, Wingate, and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
Most notably, the 71st precinct is home to Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway, an active hub for locals and visitors from around the world.
The official announcement about the appointment has yet to be made, although sources told COLlive the new Chief will be beginning his term on Monday.
“Deputy Inspector Smith is a well-respected officer, known for taking crime prevention seriously,” Chanina Sperlin of the CHJCC told COLlive.com. “We are looking forward to welcoming him to Crown Heights and working with him for the benefit of the community.”
We wish you much success especially in continuing to bring our community together.