Community Cops Say Crime Is Down in Central Sunset Park

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Since April, major crimes in central Sunset Park have collectively fallen 11 percent compared to the same April-to-August period in 2015.

That's according to Officer Philip Buonora, one of the two Neighborhood Coordination Officers, or NCOs, assigned to patrol the area.

Buonora shares that role with Officer Carmela Andersen. The two NCOs are responsible for Sector C of the NYPD's 72nd Precinct. Sector C runs from Greenwood Cemetery to 55th Street (see the map below).

(Under the NYPD's community policing model, each precinct is divided up into four or five sectors, with two NCOs dedicated to each.)

The four sectors of the 72nd Precinct (click to enlarge)

Andersen and Buonora held a community meeting on Wednesday night where they discussed local crime trends and took comments and suggestions from residents.

Buonora said his crime statistic applied only to the precinct's Sector C. Precinct-wide, major crimes are collectively up nearly 10 percent so far this year compared to the same period last year. The 72nd patrols Sunset Park, Park Slope South, and Windsor Terrace.

Buonora said that in response to complaints, more attention has been paid to Sunset Park itself (meaning the green space), such as drinking and public urination. Over the last month, about 40 summonses have been issued to people breaking the law in the park, he said.

A "noticeable pattern" of robberies had been recorded between 41st street and 52nd Street, Buonora said, often taking place after 12 a.m. The officer said he and Andersen were patrolling the streets in the early morning, and recently arrested an individual who had slashed another person with a box cutter, possibly as a prelude to a robbery. Buonora urged residents to, if possible, walk in well-lit areas late at night.

An ongoing narcotics investigation had recently resulted in the recovery of a firearm and several vials of crack, he said.

And in response to safety concerns, the 72nd has increased its focus on local homeless shelters, Buonora said.

Carmen Torres, who heads the precinct's public safety committee, said that while Sunset Park is accepting of people who are without housing, the shelters force residents to leave between 8 a.m. and the early evening. Many have substance abuse issues, she said, and spend the day harassing locals.

Torres said she's working with shelter directors to address the issue. Buonora said after the meeting that he was unaware of any hard crime data showing a correlation between local crimes and homeless individuals.

Officers Andersen, left, and Buonora

The officers were also told that pickpockets are targeting commuters exiting the R train at 45th street, an increasingly busy stop during the evening rush hours. Andersen said that more officers could be directed to the area to monitor the situation.

And one resident said the 72nd Precinct rarely has an officer available to answer the phone when she calls. Buonora said that many new cops have recently joined the precinct, and with that increased manpower, responsiveness should increase.

Andersen and Buonora both have NYPD-issued cell phones and email addresses, and encourage locals to contact them with tips or concerns. Here is their contact information:

• Carmela Andersen, 929-375-2344, carmela.andersen@nypd.org
• Philip Buonora, 929-371-7705, philip.buonora@nypd.org

On Sep. 10, the NCOs will be leading a public safety walk down fifth avenue between 54th Street and 44th Street. The walk will begin at 1 p.m., and is open to the public.

The officers will also host their next meeting for Sector C on Sep. 28 at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place at Marien Heim of Sunset Park, located at 4520 4th Ave.

The precinct's monthly community council meeting (which focuses on the entire precinct) will take place on Sep. 13 at 7:30 p.m., also at 4520 4th Ave.

Pictured at top: Carmela Andersen and Philip Buonora speak on Wednesday. Photos by John V. Santore