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Read the press release here.

New 115th Precinct Boss Initiating Quality-of-Life Program

By Katie Honan | November 10, 2014 4:12pm
 Capt. Brian Hennessy's neighborhood-focused approach will tackle issues big and small, he said.
Capt. Brian Hennessy's neighborhood-focused approach will tackle issues big and small, he said.
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DNAinfo/Katie Honan

JACKSON HEIGHTS — The new commander of the 115th Precinct hopes to tackle quality-of-life issues as well as focus on the major crimes that have affected the community.

Capt. Brian Hennessy became the commanding officer of the precinct last week, replacing Deputy Inspector Michael Cody, who moved to the narcotics bureau.

It’s a homecoming for Hennessy, a 16-year NYPD veteran who was the precinct's second-in-command from 2011 until 2013, when he became the commanding officer of the 108th Precinct, which covers Woodside, Sunnyside, Long Island City and Maspeth.

Hennessy said Cody is a “great man” and described him as a mentor.

Hennessy hopes to continue the work Cody has done in Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and North Corona, while also bringing some new ideas and programs to the precinct, including "neighborhood Fridays," where he’ll put a focus on quality-of-life issues in a specific location in the community every week.

 Deputy Inspector Michael Cody left the 115th Precinct the first week of November to work in the narcotics bureau.
Deputy Inspector Michael Cody left the 115th Precinct the first week of November to work in the narcotics bureau.
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DNAinfo/Katie Honan

"We go to a different neighborhood and make a difference," he said.

Hennessy said he also plans to focus on the bigger problems such as gang violence, prostitution and bar enforcement. 

In addition, he plans to do proactive enforcement with recidivist criminals in the command and commit police officers to specific areas so residents get to know them better. 

The 115th Precinct is designated as an “impact zone,” which brings officers straight from the academy to Queens, so Hennessy has more resources, he said.

He’ll also start up the precinct’s Twitter account, which he is familiar with from the 108th Precinct. Once that account is up and running, he’ll keep residents informed about what’s going on — the good and the bad.

“It’s important for me to have a relationship with the community, and it’s important for the community to know what’s going on,” he said.

The next 115th Precinct Community Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the precinct.