Robberies Up in Southeastern Sunset Park, Local Police Say

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Robberies are up in the southeastern portion of Sunset Park, according to the NYPD's community officers assigned to the area.

The officers — Sue Liu and Richard Fuentes Jr. — led a public meeting Thursday held at a Chinese senior center at the corner of 7th Avenue and 58th Street.

Liu and Fuentes are Neighborhood Coordination Officers, or NCOs. Under the NYPD's community policing model, which was introduced to the 72nd Precinct (covering Sunset Park, South Slope, Green-Wood and Windsor Terrace) in April, each precinct is divided up into four or five sectors. Two NCOs are assigned to each sector.

Sue Liu, left, and Richard Fuentes Jr.

Liu and Fuentes are assigned to Sector D in the 72nd Precinct. Here's a map showing the precinct's sectors (you can click it to enlarge):

So far this year, major crimes in the 72nd Precinct have collectively increased nearly 10 percent compared to the same period last year, according to official police statistics.

However, on Wednesday, NCOs from Sector C, which covers central Sunset Park, said that from April to August, crime in their area was down 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

And the NCOs patrolling Sector A, which covers Windsor Terrace and South Slope, said in late July that crime remains low in their area.

A previous review of NYPD crime data conducted by Patch seemed to show that Sunset Park was responsible for the 72nd's overall uptick in crime, but the department hasn't officially confirmed or denied. And earlier this summer, the department declined to permit Patch to speak with precinct commander Emmanuel Gonzalez, despite repeated requests.

Thursday's NCO meeting, which was conducted in both Chinese and English to make it more accessible to the locals who attended, did not provide specific crime statistics for sector D. (Patch has reached out to Liu and Fuentes for specific data, and we'll update this post with whatever we receive.)

However, Fuentes said robbers are apparently targeting mostly woman and intoxicated people on the street. One suspect, still at large, has repeatedly snatched necklaces from unsuspecting female pedestrians, he said.

Fuentes and Liu also spoke about the popular smartphone game Pokémon Go at the meeing. They urged people to stay aware of their surroundings while playing — and, Fuentes added, to stay aware in general.

The officers mentioned that police had arrested a man who threw a bottle in a rage at the corner of 60th Street and 5th Avenue, wounding a 3-year-old boy, earlier this month.

And Officer Liu warned people against fraudsters who trick families into turning over money and jewels in exchange for alleged spiritual protection. She said the scam is often run within Asian communities, although she was unaware of any specific spiritual scam in Sunset Park.

Liu and Fuentes both have department-issued cell phones and email addresses that they distribute to the public. They said residents should contact them with any quality-of-life concerns or crime tips, but should still call 911 during emergencies. Here is their contact information:

• Richard Fuentes Jr., richard.fuentes@nypd.org, 929-522-7641
• Sue Liu, sue.liu@nypd.org, 929-343-7660

The 72nd Precinct will host its monthly community council meeting (which focuses on crime throughout the entire precinct) on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at 4520 4th Ave.

Pictured at top: Officers Liu and Fuentes at a community meeting Thursday. Photos by John V. Santore