Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has shaken up the Bronx, moving a number of precinct commanders around or out of the borough, while swinging new ones in from Manhattan.
Among those moved in the departmental shakeup was newly promoted Deputy Inspector Russell Green, popular commander for the past two years of the 45th Precinct in the east Bronx.
Green has now assumed command of the busier – crimewise – 43rd Precinct in Soundview.
Replacing him at the 45th Precinct is Captain James McGowan, formerly the executive officer at the 52nd Precinct in Kingsbridge/Fordham/University Heights.
The Four-Three’s long time popular commander, Inspector Charles Ortiz, was moved up to patrol borough headquarters.
Deputy Inspector Paul DeEntremont, longtime commander at the 47th Precinct in Williamsbridge-Wakefield, was transferred to the department’s Fugitive Enforcement Division, with Deputy Inspector Brian Mullen from Manhattan’s 33rd Precinct taking over the reigns at the busy northeast Bronx precinct.
“He’s always been front and center in the community for us,” local Community Board 12 district manager Carmen Angueira said of DeEntremont.
Also switching commands, Deputy Inspector William McSorley was swung over to the Manhattan North detective command, replaced at the East Tremont/Belmont stationhouse by Deputy Inspector Thomas Connolly, who ran Manhattan’s Transit District 4.
Reaction from local community leaders to some of the transfers was surprise, a sense of loss and gratitude.
“In 26 years as Board 10 district manager, and now six years as councilman, Inspector Green stands out as the most hands-on commander the 45th Precinct ever had. This is a guy who cared about our community and was on top of things – day and night,” said Jimmy Vacca.
“Boy, am I going to miss him!” he continued. “His replacement has big shoes to fill.”
“He just called me and introduced himself,” 45th Precinct Community Council president Robert Bieder said of Capt. McGowan, Green’s replacement.
“We talked about the community and the issues, and other than Russell, this is the only C.O. who’s given me his cell phone number.”
“Fortunately,” Bieder added, “Inspector Green’s not going far – just next door to the adjoining precinct, which frequently works with the Four-Five.”
Local Community Board 10 chair John Marano, a former cop himself, had praised Green when he was promoted as having a reputation as a hands-on commander, from personally visiting locations experiencing quality-of-life issues to stepping in to personally direct traffic on busy days on City Island.
Green also led the precinct when it came in the largest crime drop in the entire city in 2011.
Kirsten Sanchez can be reach via e-mail at ksanchez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394
