New York City Mayor Eric Adams, accompanied by NYPD Acting Deputy Commissioner Thomas Donlon, attended a community policing meeting at the 109th Precinct in Flushing yesterday on November 13th. Adams officially announced the establishment of a satellite precinct at the 109th Precinct, assigning 66 police officers stationed at the New York City Police Academy.
Mayor Adams stated that the 109th Precinct’s jurisdiction is expanding rapidly due to population growth, emphasizing that it is no longer the same precinct it used to be. He acknowledged the response time challenges faced by the police department and, after listening to community feedback, decided to set up a satellite precinct to “ensure the foundation, strengthen community safety, combat crime, and ensure community security.”
Adams mentioned that the satellite precinct will have 54 police officers and 12 supervisors deployed to address the challenges creatively without the need for years to complete the construction. In this process, the input of Council Member Vickie Paladino from the 19th District was considered by the city administration in 2023.
Regarding the recent presidential election held in the United States last Tuesday, Adams highlighted the smooth transition of power in the country, pointing out the consistent peaceful transfer of power at all levels, be it the presidency, governorship, or mayoralty. He underscored the role of the police in defending people’s freedoms, enabling everyone to sit down and enjoy the liberties they possess. According to Adams, the NYPD has contributed to making the United States the greatest nation globally, with New York City standing out as the greatest city.
Further detailing the satellite precinct setup, 109th Precinct Commander Kevin Coleman explained that the satellite precinct falls under the purview of the 109th Precinct, where he also serves as the responsible party. The 109th Precinct covers Flushing, College Point, Whitestone, Beechhurst, Murray Hill, and Bay Terrace, with a total area of 13.7 square miles, making it a relatively large area. The establishment of the satellite precinct aims to reduce police response times and enhance community patrols. By the end of this month or early December, police officers will be in place to ensure adequate responses to various issues, making their presence visible to residents.
The satellite precinct, located within the Police Academy, primarily oversees the current 109th Precinct’s C Sector (College Point) and D Sector (Whitestone, Murray Hill, Bay Terrace). The contact number for the satellite precinct is 718-670-9412.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Donlon of the NYPD expressed the mayor’s keenness to heed the community’s voices, stating, “We are indeed listening to your feedback and taking subsequent actions. This is crucial. We will address the issues you want us to resolve.”
Council Member Paladino representing Whitestone and Whitestone in the 19th District expressed gratitude for the mayor’s attention. She mentioned that the community has been advocating for the addition of a precinct for nearly 20 years, and today, their efforts have finally come to fruition, commending Mayor Adams for listening to the voices of the 19th District and the 109th Precinct’s jurisdiction.