The 68th Precinct has been recognized by fellow cops for its crime reduction efforts last year.
The precinct is one of three citywide, along with one Housing police unit and seven special units, to receive the NYPD’s prestigious Unit Citation for 2009.
The purpose of the Unit Citation is “to recognize outstanding performance by an entire unit or Precinct in implementing policing goals and objectives or other creditable accomplishments over a sustained period of time,” according to the NYPD.
Last year, crime was down nearly 22 percent overall in the precinct, which covers Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton.
But, it’s not just crime numbers that earned the precinct the kudos, said Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez, the precinct’s commanding officer. Enforcement in the precinct has been “way up,” he noted, as have arrests for drunk driving. In addition, said Rodriguez, “over the past couple of years, our relations with the community have improved tremendously.”
Rodriguez said that all credit for the citation goes to the precinct’s cops, who he said “really care about the community and the support of the community.”
The award also reflects the precinct’s collaborative approach, he added.
“We work as a team and in partnership with the community,” said Rodriguez. “By doing that, we have had great results.”
Last year, the 70th Precinct in Flatbush and Midwood won the Unit Citation; the previous year, two other Brooklyn precincts, Canarsie’s 69th and East Flatbush’s 67th, earned the award.
