Responding to an abrupt surge in residential burglaries: State Senator Marty Golden addressed a crowd of concerned (but mostly ornery) local residents at last Thursday night’s town hall meeting on crime, alongside Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez of Bay Ridge’s 68th Precinct.
According to Rodriguez, the areas most affected by the recent spat of burglaries – four of which happened with the victims still home – are 65th to 86th streets, between 3rd and seventh avenues – between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m.

After praising officers for doing an ‘outstanding job,’Rodriguez said crime was down overall fom this time last year by 3%, with burglaries only up by 2 from last year, according to the brooklyn Eagle – who’s dubbing this the ‘Bay Ridge crime wave.’

Rodriguez took questions, and issued common sense tips homeowners can take to protect themselves from what he described as mostly ‘backyard rear-window crimes’ such as: locking windows; securing air conditioners; and illuminating darkly lit, easily concealable approaches.

This was not enough to assuage fears of local residents, however, particular those of former Giuliani commish, Rosemarie O’Keef, who asked: “why can’t we have foot patrols? We are begging you to show your presence! You should be out there every day.”

The lack in feasibility of a ‘foot patrol’ approach to stop burglaries aside – Senator Golden was on board with more scooter patrols, while Rodriguez encouraged people to get involved with the 68th Precinct Community Council.

Golden also said meetings on those interested in forming neighborhood watches would be forthcoming.

(photo courtesy: Georgine Benvenuto, The Brooklyn Eagle; photo of Senator Golden, courtesy: GerittsenBeach.net)