By Thomas Tracy
Another dyed-in-the-wool Brooklynite has been picked to lead the 61st Precinct. Formerly of the 70th Precinct in Flatbush, Captain George Mastrokostas has been spending his first week as commanding officer meeting both the cops under his charge who turn out of the Coney Island Avenue stationhouse, as well as the civic and religious leaders that make up the many varied communities he has pledged to protect. “It’s been busy,” the Bensonhurst native said, reflecting on his first few days in office. “But I’m very happy to be here.” Mastrokostas, who was an executive officer in the 70th Precinct until the weekend after Valentine’s Day – when he was told to pack up his things and go to Sheepshead Bay – is replacing Captain Vincent Stella as commanding officer. Stella, another Brooklyn native, left the command for an extended leave of absence last week after guiding the 61st Precinct toward a 30 percent reduction in felony crime. While they were upset to see Stella go, community leaders are trying to make Mastrokostas feel at home. “Everyone’s made me feel welcome as I tour the area seeing how everything works together,” said Mastrokostas, who has spent most of his career in Patrol Brooklyn Borough South. Roughly 15 years ago, Mastrokostas began his career with the NYPD walking the beat in the 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge. His career has taken him to a stint in Brooklyn South narcotics as well as the 76th Precinct in Carroll Gardens and the 84th Precinct in Brooklyn Heights. He’s been a captain for four years – two in the 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park and two in the 70th Precinct, he said. Despite the drops in crime that occurred under Stella’s watch, Mastrokostas takes the reins of the 61st Precinct as it suffers an unexpected 11 percent increase in crime. Statistics dated February 17 show that the precinct has seen a 12.5 percent increase in burglaries (from 40 in mid-February 2007 to 45 so far this year) and a 117 percent increase in car thefts (from 17 in 2007 to 37 this year). The precinct is still seeing an 18 percent drop in robberies, statistics show. “We’re taking it as it comes,” Mastrokostas said, explaining that the precinct won’t be left vulnerable as he continues with his neighborhood “meet and greets.” “Even though I’m new here, the sergeants and lieutenants have been here for a couple of years, so they know what’s going on,” he said. “Besides,” he continued. “In a couple of weeks it will be like I’ve been here for years.” Cops in the 61st Precinct protect residents in Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Homecrest and parts of Gravesend and Midwood.
