"A Legend Retires": 76th Precinct In Carroll Gardens Throws Retirement Party For Maria Gambardella, Its Beloved Receptionist For Past 47 Years

NYC Police Commissioner James O'Neill at the 76th Precinct

Maria Gambardella at her surprise retirement party

The 76th Police Precinct in Carroll Gardens gave its beloved receptionist Maria Gambardella quite a surprise retirement party yesterday. Gambardella, a resident of First Place, is a legend not only at the precinct, but also in the community. She is retiring at the age of 88, after 47 years of service.

It was an impressive send-off. Police Commissioner James O'Neill and First Deputy Ben Tucker stopped by bearing gifts to mark the occasion. A steady stream of Captains and officers who served at the Precinct over the years also attended and  congratulated "the Legend." Outside, neighbors were waiting for Gambardella to be whisked away from the Precinct for the last time in a police cruiser in the traditional "walk-out".

Gambardella came to the 76th Precinct as a Police Administrative Aide back in 1971. As such, she was a friendly face from the community welcoming everyone who entered the station house. Her effect on everyone was immediate. "No matter how agitated you felt walking into the station, you were calm, cool and collected when you walked out after talking to Maria!," a local resident, who attended the party, told us. 'When she started here, police cars were still black and white," he added with a smile.

Another local resident, who watched the festivities from his stoop across the street, said: "I was a kid when she started working here."

Congratulations, Maria! Thank you for your many years of service! We hope you will enjoy your retirement for many years to come.

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76th Police Precinct Community Council Meets This Tuesday

If you would like to find out about issues in the neighborhood or would like to make our local police precinct aware of concerns, you might want to attend the 76th Precinct Precinct Community Council.

The monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, 7:30 PM, at the Station House, located at 191 Union Street, between Hicks Street and Henry Street.
Commanding Officer Captain Elliot Colon will be there.

Below are the latest statistics for our police precinct.

Below are some useful telephone numbers:

Precinct: (718) 834-3211
Community Affairs: (718) 834-3207
Crime Prevention: (718) 834-3203
Domestic Violence: (718) 834-3204
Youth Officer: (718) 834-3218
Auxiliary Coordinator: (718) 834-3218
Detective Squad: (718) 834-3221

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Residential Burglaries Slightly Up In The 76th Police Precinct

The 76th Police Precinct sent out a community notice yesterday to alert the community about a recent increase in residential burglaries in the area.  Apparently, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens are easy targets for burglars (and for tire thieves).

From the local precinct:

The 76th Precinct would like to make you aware that there has been a slight increase in Residential Burglaries recently. However, the good news is that during two separate incidents last week, two perpetrators were arrested for Burglary. One of the perpetrators revealed that he felt that Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill were easy targets, because many residents are known to leave their doors unlocked. 

This bold statement made by a criminal should serve as a reminder to everyone that you must, at the very least, take basic precautions to protect your home and your property by keeping your doors and accessible windows locked.

We recommend that you take advantage of our free Crime Prevention Programs in an effort to prevent becoming a victim. Our Crime Prevention Officer can arrange a home Security Survey with you. This is a physical walk through of your house, or apartment to look for weaknesses and to make security recommendations. Many other programs are available, free of charge, such as; bicycle and electronics registration, VIN Etching for your vehicle and many other programs to help protect you against crime. You can contact the 76th Precinct Crime Prevention Officer, P.O. Bredy, directly at (718) 834-3203, to set up an appointment or to learn about a program that might be right for you.

Please remember to call 911 immediately if you see a person acting in a suspicious manner and suspect that they may be intending to commit a crime. You may save yourself, or someone else from becoming the victim.

Thank you and stay safe!



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After Robbery, Carroll Gardener Wants Everyone to Remember To Be Alert

Bicycle stolen from Carroll Gardens's building during a robbery yesterday.

(Photo courtesy of C.S.)

Ever so often, we are reminded by fellow Carroll Gardens residents that break-ins and robberies do happen in our relatively safe neighborhood.  Reader C.S. just informed us about a break-in in his building on 4th Place yesterday.  A police report has been filed.

C.S. writes:

My wife and I moved to the Carroll Gardens area in the fall of last year. As an avid reader and one who likes to stay current on local news, I came across your blog online and have been reading it since. Keep up the great work!

Not sure what information makes its way to a story on your blog but I have noticed (now first hand) and by word of mouth of the increase in robberies/burglaries in our area.

Just yesterday between 2:30-7:30 on 4th Place b/w Court and Smith I became a victim as well. Someone made their way into our building which is secured by 2 locked double front doors, proceeded up to the 4th floor of a walk-up, located my bike in the hallway and left the premises with it. A police report has since been filed.

I hope that my story plus enclosed picture (its a red men's TREK Mountain Track 820 with Kyrptonite U-Lock) can make others aware of the recent incident and be a sounding board to re-insure that valuables should always be locked up, doors are not left open, and for everyone to always be on alert in the area.

I hope that the 76th Precinct can help re-unite C.S. with his bike. In the meantime, we should all follow his advice and stay alert.



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