Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Bed-Stuy Gets New NYPD Precinct Commander

 Captain John Chell (left) replaced Inspector Michael J. Lipetri as commanding officer of Bed-Stuy's 79th Precinct. Lipetri transferred to East New York's 75th Precinct, where he now serves as commanding officer.
Captain John Chell (left) replaced Inspector Michael J. Lipetri as commanding officer of Bed-Stuy's 79th Precinct. Lipetri transferred to East New York's 75th Precinct, where he now serves as commanding officer.
View Full Caption
NYPD

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Bed-Stuy has a new commanding officer.

and the precinct's former commander moved on to a new post in East New York, according to the NYPD.

The NYPD's new CO for the 79th Precinct is Captain John Chell, a 20-year veteran formerly in charge of the 61st Precinct in Sheepshead Bay, a department spokesman said on Tuesday.

He had been there since 2012 and led the precinct's response to Hurricane Sandy. He'd previously worked in the NYPD's Brooklyn South Narcotics Squad and auto crime unit, according to news blog Sheesphead Bites.

Inspector Michael J. Lipetri, who took over command of the 79th Precinct in May 2012, was transferred to East New York last month to take over the 75th Precinct, the spokesman said.

Lipetri took over the precinct during a controversial period. The precinct's previous commanding officer was ousted over allegations of quota-based policing, according to reports.

In his two years in command, violent crime dropped significantly with murders down more than 12 percent and rapes down more than 21 percent.

The shakeup in the 79th Precinct marks the second big precinct change in Bed-Stuy this year. In April, Deputy Inspector Scott Henderson took command of the 81st Precinct, which covers the neighborhood's eastern half.

Chell said he's already become enamored by the neighborhood and hopes to improve on the work already accomplished by his predecessors.

"I'm proud to be here and to help make it a better community," he said. "Keep it growing."