It’s a time of change in the neighborhood’s police precincts. Earlier this week we reported that 7th Precinct Deputy Inspector Nancy Barry was transferred to the Upper West Side. As World Journal notes, the 5th Precinct also has new leadership. Captain Gerard “Jerry” Dowling is taking over for Inspector Gin Lee. More details (via Our Chinatown):
…Dowling, 40, attended a familiarization tour of the 5th Precinct yesterday. He will take charge starting (today, Friday) as Commanding Officer… Dowling is well known to the Chinatown community for his contribution to local public safety when he served at the 7th Precinct Detective Squad. This is the first time he is assigned to take lead in a precinct…Â He will attend a community dialogue on August 9th at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
The 5th Precinct covers the area west of Allen Street, including most of Chinatown.
Hopefully Commander Dowling will take care of all the chronic ILLEGAL placard parking that is still rampant in Chinatown. Â Court Officers and NYPD and Corrections employees routine park for free for months at a time in the same spots, ILLEGALLY, using their parking placard. Â This costs the City untold dollars in lost parking meter revenue, and loss of business and quality of life in Chinatown. Â