MANHATTAN — Some NYPD precinct commanders are back on Twitter more than a year after a commanding officer’s controversial tweets about local felons released from prison caused a department-wide crackdown on social media use.
Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff — who previously got in trouble for tweeting “Release Alerts” and “Recidivist Alerts” while commanding the 76th Precinct in Carroll Gardens — was back on Twitter Tuesday with a new account for his current position at the 106th Precinct in Ozone Park, as the New York Daily News reported.
“I'M BACK! After a year's hiatus yours truly will b tweeting once again! Follow me & my brethren 2 get the local flavor of your neighborhood!” Schiff tweeted Wednesday.
Follow the 5 Pilot #NYPD Twitter Commands that cover your area: @NYPD25Pct, @NYPD83Pct, @NYPD112Pct, @NYPDPSA6, and of course @NYPD106Pct.
— NYPD 106th Precinct (@NYPD106Pct) April 15, 2014
The officer’s previous account went dark in January 2013 after DNAinfo/New York first reported his tweets about people who had been arrested multiple times.
"We want to examine the whole issue. Obviously, social media, we want to use it productively. We want to use it legally. A lot of this is just new ground. It needs to be examined, and that's what we're going to do," former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said after the controversy.
The other precincts taking part in the pilot program are the 25th, 83rd, 112th, and PSA 6, according to a tweet by Schiff.
Many of the posts so far have been about local meetings and events.
“Stopped by a graffiti cleanup this afternoon on 64 Ave. #112Precinct Youth Officers and Explorers working together!” Capt. Thomas Conforti of the 112th Precinct tweeted Wednesday.
Shiff, though, did send off one personal message.
“vindication is soooo sweet!” he tweeted Wednesday.
@steveODMP vindication is soooo sweet!
— NYPD 106th Precinct (@NYPD106Pct) April 15, 2014
The NYPD's press office did not respond to a request for more information on the new program.