With Robberies Up, Cops and Residents Discuss Keeping Valuables -- and Each Other -- Safe

Residents discussed the need for people to take both individual and community responsibility for staying safe during the holiday season during a recent 77th Precinct Community Council meeting.

As the holidays approach, robberies tend to spike as people look for quick cash grabs, Precinct Capt. Elvio Capocci told the crowd of about 50 community members and officials assembled at St. Gregory's Parish in Crown Heights for the monthly meeting.

Between Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 there were 33 robberies in the 77^th Precinct, which covers Prospect Heights, Crown Heights and Weeksville.according to NYPD crime statistics.

Most thieves are after cell phones and iPods. Many will lurk outside of subway entrances, knowing that the first thing commuters  do when they hit ground level is pull out the phone, Capocci said.

"The president didn't call during the three stops you were underground," he said to chuckles from the audience, noting that people  keep cell phones in their pockets until they get home. 

After the meeting, Crime Prevention Officer Frankie Lora added that criminals target people who seem afraid, so residents should always walk with confidence. He also said that people should trust their instincts. If you think something is wrong, it probably is.

People, he said, "end up talking themselves out of it. … your first instinct is usually right."

Capocci advised business owners to make sure they have -- and use -- video equipment. They should also make sure their store windows are not completely blocked by advertisements. Criminals target such stores for hold-ups because passersby will not know anything is wrong, he said.

And, like individuals walking home, business owners should also trust their instincts and call the cops if they think their business is being cased for a hold-up or burglary.

Parents and community officials also encouraged people to get their children involved in volunteer efforts beginning at an early age. 

"If a young person is giving back to an elder, they're not going to rob an elder," said State Sen. Eric Adams, who added that if they clean graffiti from a wall, they're not going to put a Sharpie to it the next week.

Robin Lyde, whose oldest son, 21-year-old Benny, was murdered in 2005, emphasized the need for the community to watch each other's children.

"If you see my kids doing something wrong, don't be afraid to talk to them and say something to me," she said.

Council President James Caldwell pointed out the need for teens to give teens who get into trouble a second chance. One teen he knew tried to shoot a gun in the air to prevent a bully from harming his family, Caldwell said. But the gun recoiled and ended up grazing someone in the arm. The person refused medical attention. The teen, a longtime volunteer in the community, was arrested, but soon released after the victim declined to press charges. 

Sometimes, he told the crowd, "People in our community do deserve third and fourth and fifth chances."

Editor's Note: Check back with ProspectHeights.Patch.com tomorrow for the two officers of the month, who were announced at the meeting.