Someone Is Stealing A Whole Lot Of Catalytic Converters In Carroll Gardens

I wouldn't know what they look like or where they can be found in an automobile, but apparently,
catalytic converters are worth stealing. I just got word that quite a few car owners in Carroll Gardens
Here is a report from Reader J. who wanted to make sure people in the neighborhood were aware:

"I am writing this morning to report a string of bizarre robberies.
We live on Union and Columbia, and went to move our car this morning for the alternate side of the street parking rules.  Our catalytic converter had been stolen. Very cleanly, it was sliced out. Bummer.
We decided to make a police report in case we wanted to declare this robbery to our insurance company.  The very nice woman at the Union Street Precinct front desk responded "Oh, no. Another one?"  It turns out that many cars discovered on this street sweeping morning that their catalytic converters had also been stolen.  As of 8:15am, they had 6 reports.
I just went to re-park my car, after the street sweeping hours and met 2 other car owners who discovered the same robbery. One of them was on the phone with his mechanic who had 4 cars in for the same problem.  Crazy.
The cops said that people making reports is the only way they could hope to track these if they are sold somewhere and then possibly catch the thieves. At the least it will encourage the police to patrol and know where to focus if people give them their story.
So, I write with the hope that anyone else this may have happened to will be encouraged to file a police report. It seems that there a a lot of people out there today who could help us all with a report."

Good advice. Make sure that you call the police if you see something, or if your converter has been stolen, please file a report.
The 76th Precinct is located at 191 Union Street, Brooklyn.  The telephone number is (718) 834-3211

UPDATE: After Monday Night's Incidents, A Police Officer Will Be Stationed In Carroll Park Starting This Afternoon

Here is the news that many have been waiting for since Monday's fight that involves as many as twenty teen-agers in Carroll Park and shots fired close to the park later the same day.
Assemblywoman Millman's office just sent out the following press release:
Over the last few days, Assemblywoman Millman has spoken multiple times with Deputy Inspector Schiff of the 76th Precinct regarding the incidents that happened Monday in and around Carroll Park. Starting today (Thursday), there will be an officer stationed in Carroll Park from 3pm-6pm. 

Deputy Inspector Schiff will be in the park as well this afternoon. 

Finally, the next meeting of the Precinct Community Council has been rescheduled to Tuesday October 1st at the Miccio Center at 110 West 9th Street in Red Hook, 7:30pm. The precinct will provide transportation to anyone that needs it to the center.

This will certainly reassure many in the neighborhood. However, I must admit that I am still surprised that the 76th Precinct has not issued its own statement or update to the community.

***Update***

Assemblywoman Joan Millman with Deputy Inspector Schiff 

of the 76th Precinct in Carroll Park this afternoon

(photo courtesy of the Assemblywoman's office)

76th Precinct's Operation "Spot It To Secure It" In Action

Just a few weeks ago, the NYPD 76th Police Precinct, which includes Carroll Gardens, Red Hook and Cobble Hill, introduced a new program meant to alert local car owners and residents about the needless risks they take when giving thieves easy access to their valuables.
Called "Spot It To Secure It", the operation is meant as a pre-emptive measure. It was introduced by 76th Precinct Captain Jeffrey Schiff, who hopes that the program will make people aware that leaving packages or electronic gadgets such as i-pods, i-pads and laptops on the seat of their vehicle just invites theft.
As part of the program, a team of officers from the 76th Precinct will patrol various sections of the neighborhood to look into parked vehicles. If valuables have been left behind, the officers take a photo and write down the license plate of the car. Back at the station, the plates are run through the system. If the car is registered to a local resident, the photo and a friendly form letter will be send to the owner
The officers will also check front doors on homes to make sure that people aren't leaving them open.

On my walk this morning, I ran into 76th Community Affairs Officer Paul Grudzinski and Officer Carl Bredy, who were checking cars that were parked on Carroll Street between Smith and Hoyt Street.

Not only will 'Spot It To Secure It' help lower unattended property theft in the neighborhood, it will encourage interaction and exchange of information between local residents and precinct officers.  And that's always a good thing.

Pretty Rude Parking Job By One Of 76th Precinct's Finest

For many years now, the 76th Precinct on Union Street between Henry and Hicks Street has maximized parking in front of the precinct house by pulling their marked (and unmarked) cars at an angle half-way onto the sidewalk.

I think it's safe to say that no one in the neighborhood has a problem with this. We all understand that parking in Carroll Gardens is difficult and that the police officers need to have easy access to their cars.
However, it would appear that one of the 76th Precinct finest may have pushed the envelope just a wee bit.

A PMFA reader sent me the photo above showing a silver vehicle , with an NYPD sticker and the words "Fresh Gem" in big letters on its windshield, parked right at the intersection of Union and Henry Streets, blocking the crosswalk.
The reader writes:
"There is a cop that has taken to parking in the crosswalk of Henry Street & Union Street.
I noticed it about 2 weeks ago and it seemed entitled and rude. But this evening I realIy got mad as I watched an elderly woman navigate the intersection. She couldn't roll her walker down the ramp and was forced to circumvent this stupid car which it completely blocking the ramps and the crosswalks.
This "Fresh Gem" car should not be rendering this corner impassible.  There is a NYPD sticker in the window. It is very clearly not a squad car, not that one of those should be parked there either."

Apparently, this has been going on for two weeks. The car is is parked there when the reader comes home at about 5 or 6 pm. Things have most probably been a bit busier for the 76th Precinct because of Hurricane Sandy and the resulting power outages in Red Hook. But blocking the sidewalk crossing never seems like a great idea.
Has anyone else noticed this car?