BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Brooklyn’s 79th NYPD Precinct has a new commanding officer who looks to continue building a strong relationship with the community in the footsteps of his predecessor.
Capt. Charles Minch takes the helm in western Bedford-Stuyvesant after the precinct’s former head, Deputy Inspector John Chell, moved to a post in East New York at the end of September, according to police.
“I know the relationship that he had with the community,” Minch said of Chell at a Wednesday community council meeting.
“I look to continue that relationship and hit the ground running.”
Chell, who took over at the 79th Precinct in the summer of 2014, is now in charge of the 75th Precinct in East New York.
Minch, an 18-year NYPD veteran, most recently served as commanding officer at Police Service Area 3 and worked out of the 73rd Precinct covering Ocean Hill and Brownsville.
During his tenure at PSA3, which patrols 22 New York City Housing Authority developments in north Brooklyn, Minch said he worked closely with Chell and many buildings within the 79th Precinct.
The precinct spans from Flushing to Atlantic avenues and Classon Avenue to Marcus Garvey Boulevard.
Speaking to residents at a welcome meeting this week, Minch said that he hoped to get input from locals.
“You guys are tremendous in seeing things,” he said.
“You guys are a wealth of knowledge in helping us stop crime, take care of quality of life conditions, solve crimes, so I always ask for your help and I’m going to continue to do that.”
