101st Pct Community Council Opens 2025 On A Celebratory Note

By Kami-Leigh Agard

Last Wednesday, January 15, the 101st Precinct Community Council kicked off its first meeting of 2025 on a celebratory note by acknowledging Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual birthdate and officially welcoming the precinct’s new commanding officer, Captain George Ng.

At the meeting, held at Church of God Christian Academy in Far Rockaway, the precinct’s council president Arlene Cauley opened with, “Today is a special day. We always have to give homage and honor to Dr. Martin Luther King because he forged the way for many of us. He would be 96 years old today. So, today is his heavenly birthday. We just want to always remember all those trailblazers that made a way for each and every one of us to do what we do for our community, our family, friends, and loved ones.”

Cauley then introduced Captain George Ng as the new commanding officer (CO), who officially assumed the post mere weeks ago on December 31. In keeping with tradition, the precinct’s former CO, now Deputy Inspector Timothy Shultz passed the baton by presenting Capt. Ng with the commander’s pin as a symbolic transfer of power.

Deputy Inspector Shultz said, “We all know Capt. Ng took over for me in December, so in keeping with the tradition of what Inspector Robinson did for me when I took over almost two years and seven months ago, I am presenting the captain with this pin. He’s in charge now.”

The new CO is no stranger to Rockaway. On the job since 2009 when he kicked off his career at the NYPD as a police cadet, Capt. Ng previously served at the 101st Precinct as an executive officer in 2023, then briefly transferred to the 105th Precinct. At the meeting he shared some of his history with NY’s Finest.

“I studied finance and in 2006 began an internship with the police department. I didn’t know I was going to become a police officer until I entered the department as a police cadet. The work with the department drew me in to also becoming a police officer upon graduating from college. Initially, I worked in transit in Manhattan, served as a sergeant, then a lieutenant in Brooklyn. I worked briefly in the Bronx in the firearms and tactics division as an instructor. In 2023, 101st Precinct was my first stint as an executive officer. I also served a year in the 105th Precinct. I’m just so happy to be back here as the newly appointed commanding officer of the 101st,” Capt. Ng said.

Since he’s been back at the 101st Precinct, Capt. Ng has been making the rounds, introducing himself around the community, including at last Tuesday’s Community Board 14 meeting.

“It’s an honor to be back and have another chance to serve this wonderful community. I also want to thank Deputy Inspector Shultz for his leadership, mentorship and support. I thank him for his many years of service here in Far Rockaway. My goal is not only to drive down crime, but also to improve the quality of life of our residents, those that live, work and travel here for school, work, whatever it may be,” Capt. Ng said at the council meeting.

Capt. Ng then introduced the precinct’s new executive officer, Capt. Sachi Singh, and honored Officers Christopher Ghee and Alan Schatz, with the accolade, “Cop of the Month.”

Capt. Ng said, “On December 20 at approximately 1 a.m., these officers responded to an assault in progress involving a knife. A 911 call stated that a male was stabbed at 711 Seagirt Avenue. The victim, a security guard investigating a noise complaint, was stabbed by a violent offender armed with a kitchen knife. Faced with a noncompliant individual brandishing multiple knives, P.O. Schatz successfully deployed his taser, allowing for the suspect’s safe apprehension without further incident to all parties involved. Their exemplary teamwork and the use of less lethal force in a dangerous situation highlights their professionalism and dedication to public safety. The officers’ actions and bravery merit the recognition for their outstanding service.”

Capt. Ng then gave his first state of the precinct address. “In 2024, we did experience a 20% increase in overall index crime. The increase was mainly driven by felony assaults and robberies, of which the majority, 50%, were domestic related. We did see an increase due to the population increase of Far Rockaway, more specifically, the new apartments on Village Lane near Mott Avenue. When there is an increase in population, there is a correlation with an increase in crime. A lot of our domestic-related crime stems from those apartments,” he reported.

As for his strategy on how the precinct will mitigate Far Rock’s crime uptick, he said, “Going forward, we will be focused on domestic violence outreach in that area. Hopefully, effective data mining and analysis will effectively deploy the resources needed to drive down crime in that area. As we all know, personnel is an issue not only in Far Rockaway, but citywide.”

In response, Araliya Senerat, the program director of public health for Phipps Neighborhoods, the social services arm of the nonprofit developer of the Village apartments, said her offices are expected to be open at the new housing complex in March. “We want to work with the police department to reduce crime there and offer help to prevent these kinds of things from happening in the first place,” she stressed.

The meeting was then opened up for questions to the new CO. Local resident Eugene Falik raised the question about the new housing project on Mott Avenue, and how incoming residents are contributing to the uptick in crime.  “I’m wondering if maybe there needs to be some police oversight over the admissions and vetting procedures of how residents are admitted to live there. Are they letting in professional criminals to live there?”

Capt. Ng responded, “Unfortunately, to my understanding, the police does not have any involvement in the vetting process of residents that occupy the apartments.”

Council President Cauley added, “I have a meeting with our bureau chief on February 3. And as always, I will bring those concerns to his attention, so maybe we can get more police officers. My advocacy is always to increase our police department. We cannot hold our precinct accountable for the actions that’s going on with individuals being moved in.”

Another question posted to Capt. Ng was if there will be increased police presence at the bus terminals. A resident asked, “Governor Hochul said she wants officers on every train, but what about the buses? Will there be officers around especially late at night and early in the morning when residents are leaving or just arriving from work on the shuttle buses, due to the A-train construction shutdown?”

Capt. Ng said, “Presently, Monday to Friday, we have officers posted by the bus terminal at Mott Avenue on Beach 22nd Street, but they’re not there 24/7. Also note, the only train station that the 101st Precinct covers is Mott Avenue on Beach 22nd Street.”