PARK ‘SLOPE’: An increased NYPD presence has helped lower crime around Barclays. (Paul Martinka)
Now that’s a silver lining.
Police sources say an influx of cops assigned to the local precinct surrounding the Barclays Center has not only kept the peace at the arena, but helped drive crime down throughout the command — despite fears of anxious Brooklyn residents that visiting sports fans and concertgoers would increase illegal activity in the immediate residential neighborhoods.
Over a million people have visited the Nets’ new home since it opened in September, but there have been a mere six crimes reported there so far, sources said. The crimes, none of which were serious, were mostly property-related or people acting disorderly, sources said.
There have been no robberies or assaults at the arena.
Although many precincts throughout the city are working with fewer cops, the 78th Precinct — which includes Park Slope — has 25 percent more officers now than it had before.
Between 10 and 30 cops might work the area during arena events — some at the arena, others stationed around bars and restaurants that stadium visitors might hit before and after events.
When nothing is scheduled at the arena, the precinct assigns the officers to other parts of the command. More cops, for instance, are patrolling Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, sources say.
“I’ve seen more cops walking the beat, which is fairly uncommon, on a couple of occasions,” said Eric McClure of the group Park Slope Neighbors.
“That kind of community policing is great.”
The precinct is also using its resources to step up patrols in Prospect Park, which has suffered from nighttime muggings, sources said.
Young men had been targeting park-goers for their electronics, then fleeing into Prospect Lefferts Gardens or Flatbush-Ditmas Park, sources said.
“They’ve had a surge of officers in the park, especially at night,” McClure said. “There’s been some robberies, they’re largely Apple or iPhone-related. Anything they can do to deter that kind of crime is beneficial for the communities.”
An NYPD light tower was installed a few weeks ago near the Long Meadow Dog Beach, which has been accompanied by a patrol car.
Sources say there haven’t been any park robberies since police increased their presence.