By Tom Momberg
The 111th Precinct was assigned a new commanding officer, Capt. William McBride, in March.
The former commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Jason Huerta, who was with the precinct for three years, left in mid-March for the Bronx.
The northeast Queens precinct, which covers Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston and Oakland Gardens, welcomed McBride from NYPD Queens North, which is the borough command for eight precincts and specialty units. At Queens North he was an administrator, before which he was commander for the borough investigations unit.
. Having spent most of his 24-year career with the NYPD in Queens as an executive officer in the 108th Precinct and a lieutenant in the 108th and 110th Precincts, McBride said he always saw himself some day commanding a precinct.
“I had always hoped (to have my own precinct) when I got promoted to captain,” he said. “It was kind of the ultimate goal, because it’s one of — if not the best position — in the department.”
McBride has a bachelor’s of science degree from CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where he graduated in 1997.
The new commanding officer said he is happy to come into a precinct that has such a good relationship with the community it serves.
“From what I’ve seen in the time I’ve been here, the officers of this command have an excellent rapport with the community and the community seems to have an excellent rapport back to the officers,” he said. “Not a day goes by that I don’t receive letters commending officers in this community.”
Still, McBride said he would like to continue to build on that relationship, because it will help his officers do their job and improve the quality of life for everyone.
“As soon as someone sees something, call us right away,” McBride said. “If it’s something in progress, call 9-1-1 so that we can get there and take care of it right away.
The new commanding officer said all community input is helpful, because it will help his team to track trends and determine when, where and how to deploy the precinct’s resources.
“Most of the crime in this area is property driven. We’re fortunate not to have a significant violent crime problem, but is instead mostly vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles, as well as credit card theft and identity theft, which is big anywhere you go.”
His suggestion to area residents, workers and commuters: “Try to protect your own property yourself. Don’t leave valuable items unattended in your car, make sure your car is locked and you park it where it’s well lit.”
Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e-mail at tmomb
