By Tien-Shun Lee
“The police officers and the community are great,” said Philbin, 42, an 18-year veteran of the New York Police Department who replaced Capt. Charles Stravalle on Dec. 8. “I'm learning something new, and I find it very rewarding.”
Some of the main issues within the precinct, which covers Forest Hills and Rego Park, are traffic in the commercial districts, especially on Austin Street and Queens Boulevard; the stealing of headlights from automobiles, especially Nissan Maximas; and other property crimes including burglaries and purse snatchings, Philbin said.
The 112th Precinct is the only precinct in Queens and one out of only five in the city that had no homicides last year, according to NYPD records. Under Stravalle, burglaries decreased by 78.5 percent last year, with only three in the precinct in 2003, compared with 14 in 2002.
“I want to try to continue that trend,” Philbin said. “What I'm working with is having a sergeant and team respond to scenes immediately and read every report that comes in so we can try to identify patterns and see if we can predict where (the burglars) will go next.”
Philbin said a number of burglaries he had seen within the precinct involved victims who had left a door unlocked or a purse hanging on the back of a chair in a public place.
“The people are trusting,” Philbin said. “I've received letters saying, 'I feel safe in this neighborhood.' People are enjoying lower crime and more access to going out on streets, and I'm trying to maintain the excellent quality of life that exists in this community.”
Before being transferred to the 112th Precinct, Philbin worked for two years in the NYPD headquarters tracking crime on a daily basis, analyzing statistics and developing strategies to combat crime.
Prior to that, Philbin was a captain for the 40th Precinct in the Bronx for one year, a lieutenant in the in the NYPD's intelligence division for three years, a lieutenant and sergeant in the Internal Affairs unit for four years, a sergeant in the 44th Precinct in the Bronx for five years, an undercover officer in the narcotics division for nine months and a police officer in the 67th Precinct in Brooklyn for two years.
“Every assignment I've had I've learned something new,” Philbin said. “I was very excited (to become commander of the 112th). I saw it as a great opportunity.”
Philbin grew up in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and lives in Rockland County, N.Y., with his wife and two daughters, 11 and 6. He said he had planned to become a teacher before he fell into a police career after taking an NYPD exam while he was employed as a manual laborer at the Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan.
Philbin said compared with other precincts he has worked in, the 112th Precinct's community members are more interested and involved with what goes on in the precinct.
“I watch the police officers go out there every day, and this community really shows support for them,” Philbin said. “People keep an eye on things. If they see something, they'll give us a call.”
Philbin said he drove around his new precinct for more than five hours on New Year's Eve, and it was one of the quietest he could remember out of his years working for the NYPD.
“I was a little surprised at how quiet it was,” Philbin said. “There were no big parties. We had no problems. There was one arrest for a DWI at 5:30 a.m., and that was the highlight.”
Philbin has already begun developing relationships with members of Community Board 6, the 112th Precinct Community Council and the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce.
There are 116 officers in the 112th Precinct, and four more officers will be joining the precinct after they graduate from the new police academy class, Philbin said.
“There's a lot of talent in this agency,” Philbin said. “Unlike 18 years ago, when decisions came from the top, I have the authority to try new things and move people around to address issues. I'm thrilled to be here.”
Reach reporter Tien-Shun Lee by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
