Residents to do their part in watching nabe
The 68th Precinct is in the middle of forming a citizens patrol to augment its eyes and ears, especially in the area of Fifth Avenue in the 70s, where residents have reported an increase in drug-related problems, and which was recently approved to receive three NYPD security cameras.
The patrol which was suggested by local civic leaders Dr. Husam Rimawi and the Reverend Khader El-Yateem — will support the efforts of the precincts officers, similar to the way that auxiliary police officers do, explained Captain Richard di Blasio, the commanding officer of the 68th Precinct during the May meeting of the precincts community council.
The members must be at least 18 years old. They will be trained and receive ID cards, di Blasio said. When they go out, they will wear t-shirts identifying themselves as members of the patrol, he said, and they will walk through the area, four or five people together, looking out for potential problems. If they see anything, they will call the information in to the precinct. They will take no action on their own.