New Police Chief “Happy To Be Back”

By Mica Soffer, Publisher & Editor of COLlive.com

Deputy Inspector Tito Romero is back in the neighborhood as the new Commanding Officer of the NYPD 71st Precinct which covers the central Brooklyn areas of Crown Heights, Wingate and Prospect Lefferts.

He recently sat down in his offices at the precinct on Empire Blvd to discuss his new role and what police are doing for the community.

Welcome to the neighborhood. How do you like it?

This is my third go over here! I was a cop here in 2000 when I first started, and again as a captain here in 2017. I know the place very well…

What have you learned this time around?

Back then, you got to meet the residents. As the Commanding Officer, I get to meet the stakeholders and leaders of the community. I’ve found that people may think that there’s little communication between the different communities, but the fact is that there is a lot of communication. Community leaders, clergy, and elected officials all talk and communicate, and we are all on the same page for the benefit of the community. I don’t think that information trickles down to the community. A lot is going on together and I wish the masses would know that.

What are your top priorities?

As any Commanding Officer, we want to keep crime down and keep the community safe. We want the community to feel safe as well. If the perception is that they are not safe – even if that’s only a perception – that is the reality to them. We want everyone in the community to feel safe.

What are the latest statistics about crime in Crown Heights?

In terms of shooting incidents, this was a historic year: Crown Heights had the lowest number of shooting incidents ever since CompStat (comparison statistics) started in 1994. When I was a cop here in 2000, we had three shootings in a week.

There are historic lows in other areas as well: Second lowest number of homicides, of only 4 this year. And the second-lowest number of robberies. Crown Heights is a much safer community today due to the hard work of my predecessors, Inspector Francis Giordano and Norman Grandstaff.

What do you contribute this to?

What helped a lot was the inception of the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) program (which has officers engaging with residents in non-emergency settings to identify local issues). It provides more eyes and ears and getting the community involved. It also helps with identifying things before they proliferate.

Another factor is technology: Video has helped us exponentially, whether it’s our covert cameras or cameras that people have in the community. These videos help us close cases a lot quicker. If you get a robbery or even a package theft on video and we get that video, a lot of the people who commit these crimes, they are recidivists. We know who they are once we see them on video.

What about hate crimes? Crown Heights has been a prime target of anti-Semitism.

We’ve supplemented our patrols with officers out there. The borough has sent us officers from other commands, and we’ve put them out there in places where there is a lot of pedestrian traffic.

We have light towers out there, State Police and we’ve had help from counterterrorism. People feel safer when its more well-lit because of the light towers and see more patrol cars.

The Kingston Avenue Merchants Association has been lobbying for brighter lighting on central streets. Do you think it can help with security?

We can reach out to the Department of Transpiration (DOT) and ask about, even though it is not something that we do. We have also placed bright lights from the NYPD on the darker corners in the neighborhood.

How can the Jewish community help?

Shomrim and Shmira do a great job assisting the NYPD. They really are the eyes and ears to keep up the vigilance. They are very helpful with video as well. They don’t hesitate to call, and they have a great relationship with Detective Vinny Martinos. They should keep up their great work.

As for the community, communication is key. By letting us know as soon as something happens, we can react quicker. I also want the public to know that if a crime happens and you don’t see Shmira or Shomrim members – call 911. Calling 911 is your best bet. Once we get the job dispatched, we are coming to help. And there’s so many of us out there.

Residents are often wary about filing complaints at the 71st because of a lack of customer service…

There are the operators at the station that are here to take reports, as well as a complaint room. We also have crime victims advocates here as well. I think if you come into the precinct, you’d be pleasantly surprised at the help we afford you.

Why does the NYPD change the 71st Commanding Officer every 2 years or so, just as they’ve gotten to know the neighborhood?

Usually, we are at a command for 2-3 years, and they move on to get promoted to other things. The 71st is a prestigious command, so many of them are promoted to becoming chiefs and other prestigious jobs.

Any last words that you want to give to the community?

I’m happy to be back. The 71st always feels like home. It’s my third go around here. I just want to let them know that safety is our top priority. I know that many are concerned about the recent bias incidents, and I want to let the community know that the 71 is here for them.