With President Out, Captain Eyes Overhaul
After its president stepped down earlier this month, the 104th Precinct Community Council is set to undergo a major overhaul, and the commander of the precinct is seeking members of the public to participate in the organization.
“We will immediately begin the process of electing a new president to take over the council and also to fill any open positions on the board,” said Capt. Michael Cody, commander of the 104th Precinct, in an e-mail forwarded to the Times Newsweekly.
Persons who are 18 years of age or older who reside or conduct business within the confines of the 104th Precinct are eligible to join, as are members of local civic organizations or religious institutions.
Elected officials and their employees and full-time NYPD employees are ineligible to serve on the precinct council.
“Going forward, we would like the 104th Precinct Community Council to become a beacon for all other precinct community councils in New York City to follow,” Cody added. “The goals of the council shall not be limited to holding meetings every month. We look forward to the council’s participation in sponsoring events to enhance public safety [and] quality of life, and to help foster police community relations.”
Some of the programs which h mentioned include graffiti cleanups, crime prevention seminars, Police Athletic League sporting events and the National Night Out Against Crime.
The new precinct council president will also work with the precinct to boost the block watchers program as well as a number of other police outreach initiatives including the Auxiliary Unit, civilian ride-alongs and the Citizens Police Academy.
Anyone interested in joining the 104th Precinct Community Council should contact Police Officers Thomas Bell or Tony Jimenez of the 104th Precinct Community Affairs Unit by calling 1-718-386-2431 or by email to thomas.bell@nypd.org or otoniel.jimenez@nypd.org.
Michael Hetzer previously served as president of the 104th Precinct Community, but he resigned from the post earlier in the month. As reported in last week’s issue, Hetzer was arrested on May 3 on grand larceny charges for allegedly misappropriating funds for a local estate which he was asked to hold in escrow.
