LES Business Improvement District Honors 7th Precinct Cops

Yesterday afternoon, we attended a new event sponsored by the LES Business Improvement District: the 7th Precinct Cops of the Year Awards Ceremony. It was held at Tammany Hall, the newish bar on Orchard Street (BID boss Bob Zuckerman got a few laughs as he welcomed the guests “back to Tammany Hall.”

District Attorney Cy Vance presented the awards. City Councilmember Margaret Chin, as well as reps from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senator Daniel Squadron’s offices, (Squadron’s wife had a baby over the weekend) handed out proclamations. 7th Precinct Deputy Inspector Nancy Barry and Captain David Miller were also in attendance, along with Community Council President Don West.

On to the honorees:

• Officer Kerion Mathison, who has 137 career arrests, was recognized for her work on patrol, in the Conditions Unit and the Crime prevention Unit. Presently, Mathison is assigned to the newly activated  Cabaret Unit where (quoting from the program) “she ensures that all licensed establishments are not acting in a manner that would be deemed as to be detrimental to health, safety and welfare of any one visitor, resident or fellow business owners in the Lower East Side.”

• Officer Alexander Wong (85 arrests) was recognized for his service in the Highway Safety Office. He’s helped develop a new database and is responsible for 40 school crossing guards, works to ensure construction site safety and is the precinct’s liaison to the Department of Transportation.

• Officer Michael Wong (39 arrests) was acknowledged for his work as assistant field intelligence officer. He is responsible for tracking the 7th Precinct’s parolees. Officer Wong has assisted in 38 search warrants, leading to six gun arrests and drug charges.

BID Executive Director Bob Zuckerman and BID President Mark Miller praised the officers for helping to keep the community safe. In recent months, the Precinct has been working with the Business Improvement District on a proposal to hire off-duty cops for beefed up nightlife patrols. In general the BID has been working to strengthen relationships with many neighborhood organizations and government agencies.

One more thing! At the end of yesterday’s event, Jake and Allen Dell from Katz’s Deli presented the cops with salamis. It was clearly the photo op of the day: