Metro

NYPD tweeter silenced

The Twitter account of the Brooklyn NYPD captain who used social media to warn local residents about returning convicts has been barred from making updates, law-enforcement sources said yesterday.

Captain Jeffrey Schiff, commanding officer of the 76th Precinct, which spans Carroll Gardens, Red Hook and Cobble Hill, had launched 76PrecinctNYPD over the summer.

The social-media feed was praised by the community for being ahead of the curve in sending public-safety alerts about serial offenders — but Legal Aid lawyers said they would consider a lawsuit after they learned about the account.

For now, the Police Department will solely use the @NYPDNews handle while it researches how to use Twitter at the local level, sources said. The 76th Precinct’s postings were absorbed by that feed.

Community leaders want the site back.

“It’s something the community should at least be aware of, and is no different than using e-mail notices or putting fliers out on Van Brunt Street and saying we’ve had a rash of purse snatchings,” said Jerry Armer, president of the 76th Precinct community council.