79th Precinct Commander  warns of trouble spots
Amid a 13 percent increase of major felony crime in the past month in Bed-Stuy, 79th Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Peter Bartoszek told residents at last week’s Community Council meeting that he is increasing patrols where crime is spiking.
Bartoszek said the crime increase is mainly during the late-night hours, and includes mostly robberies, increased gun violence and blatant robberies of electronics.
The three areas are mainly on the western end of the precinct and include the Marcus Garvey Boulevard corridor around Madison Street, the Armstrong Housing Projects around Tompkins, Greene Ave. and Gates Ave., from Franklin Avenue to Nostrand Avenue, and between Myrtle and Monroe Avenues.
The precinct has increased patrols in these areas and changed the shifts of some of their plainclothes officers to work later hours until 4:00am, Bartoszek said.
Despite the uptick in crime the past month, overall major felony crime is down slightly for the year led by burglary, down 20 percent, and auto theft which is down 26 percent.
On the other hand, robbery is up over 15 percent for the year with 411 reported incidents as compared to 356 at this time last year.
Murder is even with 12 reported incidents so far this year and 12 at this time last year.
One resident at the meeting also complained about the lack of police presence, particularly along Skillman between DeKalb and Franklin Avenues.
Bartoszek responded that sector cars are being deployed in that area and it is constantly monitored.