Kensington's New Top Cop Says He Wants To Work Closely With The Community

KENSINGTON, BROOKLYN — Captain David Wall addressed the 66th Precinct's Community Council last week, discussing his 18-year NYPD career and saying he looks forward to building close ties with locals. It was the first time Wall had spoken to the group since taking over at the precinct in January, replacing Kenneth Quick, who was promoted to Deputy Inspector and now works at NYPD headquarters.

The 66th patrols Kensington and Borough Park. According to official NYPD statistics, from the beginning of the year through Jan. 15, 37 major crimes had been recorded by police in the precinct, compared to 34 during the same period last year.

Wall said he joined the NYPD in 1998, and has worked in 10 different precincts, including six in southern Brooklyn.

"This community is very tight and it supports the police," Wall said, adding that police officers, "have a very difficult job, [but] our job gets easy when the community supports us."

"You have information about the community, and I want to learn about the community," Wall said, encouraging residents to speak to him and his officers whenever they have an issue that needs to be addressed.

Noting that the precinct recorded a few additional auto-related thefts this year, Wall encouraged residents to remove valuables from their cars, noting that "perpetrators of crime are opportunists" who respond to easy targets, like a wallet left in a vehicle.

Wall said the precinct recently saw several robberies in which the victim was approached from behind, and urged resents to be aware of their surroundings and to put their cell phones and other distracting devices away while they're walking the streets.

The captain said his officers recently stopped a man for smoking marijuana outside 939 44th St., and during a search, discovered a switch blade and a 9mm firearm in his bag. The man was subsequently arrested.

The 66th has also recorded two rapes so far this year. Wall said both victims were assault by the same individual, who has been arrested. He also said the suspect was known to both victims.

Wall said part of the precinct's approach to addressing felony assaults, including domestic violence, is to interrupt dangerous behavior that serves as a precursor to such acts, such as excessive drinking.

For his part, Deputy Inspector Quick said Wall is a "proven leader" who will perform well in the 66th. Quick said the 66th is "really just one big melting pot" bringing together numerous ethnicities, and praised the community's connection to the police, describing it as, "a model for the nation."

The Community Council now meets every third Thursday of the month, except for July and August. The group's next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the office of Community Board 12, located at 5910 13th Ave.

Deputy Inspector Kenneth Quick, right

Pictured at top: Captain David Wall, left, addresses the 66th Community Council. Photos by John V. Santore.