New chairman for Community Board 1

Downtown Express article by Yannic Rack

There was a changing of the guard in Lower Manhattan this week.

Community Board 1 chose a new leader on Tuesday, overwhelmingly electing former vice-chair Anthony Notaro to the top job after his only challenger unexpectedly dropped out of the race last month.

Notaro is taking the reigns from Catherine McVay Hughes, who decided not to run for a customary third term as the unofficial — and unpaid — chief of the community.

“It’s amazing, looking back on what Catherine and the board have achieved over the last few years,” said Notaro after a ceremonial vote at the board’s June 28 meeting. “It is a bittersweet night,” he told Hughes. “Thank you for all of your hard work. And don’t go far! We’re gonna need you.”

1st Precinct Commanding Officer Captain Mark Iocco

We say farewell to Capt. Brendan Timoney. He is now the Commanding Officer of the 13th Pct in Gramercy Park. We wish him all the best in his new command. Our new Commanding Officer is Capt Mark Iocco. Capt Iocco was the former Executive Officer of Midtown North. Welcome Capt Iocco!

Identity Theft Protection Tips

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information, such as your Social Security number, address, phone number or financial account information, and uses it to open up lines of credit in your name.

What you can do to protect yourself?

1. Protect your personal information. Do not give out information such as your Social Security number, and important passwords to your accounts.
2. Never carry your social security Card, memorize the number. If you must give the number for verification over the phone, the last 4 digits should suffice. Institutions should never ask you to provide your full social security number.
3. Do not give personal information over the phone; the caller on the other side may
   not be who they purport to be.
4. Use a secured mail box.
5. Check your credit history and score regularly. Subscribe to a reputable credit monitoring service. It may cost you a fee but peace of mind is priceless.
6. Shred all documents containing important information before disposing of them.

The NYPD Crime Prevention Section hosts shredding events on a monthly basis. For more information on shredding events, tips and other crime prevention programs, contact us at CrimePrevention@nypd.org or 212-614-6741.

1st Precinct and Transit District 2 National Night Out 2014 in Battery Park City

Set against the sunset over the Hudson, local organizations and officials joined the community to honor Lower Manhattan’s cops at the First Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime in Battery Park City on Tuesday, August 5th.

Read the full Downtown Express article

Don’t Be the Victim of Phone Scams: Prepaid Debit Cards

With the availability of Prepaid Debit Cards, criminals have developed new ways to steal from the public.

1. A caller informs the victim that they owe back taxes to the IRS and must make immediate payment with a Green Dot Money-Pak.
2. The victim’s family member had a car accident and the caller threatens physical violence unless immediate reimbursement is made with a Green Dot Money-Pak.
3. Utility companies demand immediate payment by Green Dot Money-Pak or your electricity will be turned off.

Crime Prevention Tips

The NYPD’s Crime Prevention Section offers these tips to help you avoid falling victim to the scams:

• Be suspicious of callers who demand immediate payment for any reason.
• Remember that anyone who has the number on a Green Dot MoneyPak card has access to the funds on the card.
• Never give out personal or financial information to anyone who emails or calls you unsolicited.
• Never wire money, provide debit or credit card numbers or Green Dot MoneyPak card numbers to someone you do not know.
• Utility companies and government agencies will not contact you demanding immediate payment by MoneyPak.