By Catharina Thuemling

At the latest Community Board 7 Public Safety Committee meeting on Nov. 6, the newly appointed executive officer of the 52^nd Precinct, Captain Jonathan Korabel updated worrisome board members and neighbors about the recent shootings in Norwood and Bedford Park.

The shootings prompted a large response by officers, who’ve now stepped up patrols near the board offices by 204th Street and Valentine. Three weeks ago, shots rang outside the office, startling Board members. The incident within the neighborhood was certainly rare, spurring talk of safety in the community. An NYPD light tower has been set up there.

Still, Capt. Korabel noted that the 52nd Precinct saw crime drop 11 percent in the past month. Further arrests in violent crimes and gun arrests increased compared to the same time a year ago, according to figures.

“We hit it in the right direction,” said Korabel. “And the police officers are working hard to get those guns off the street.”

But despite an overall crime rate that often rises and falls on given weeks, plenty voiced worries the neighborhood, for the time being, is unsafe.

“Everybody here is very concerned about how the crime rate is going up,” said Adaline Walker-Santiago, Chairperson of Community Board 7.

Lt. Korabel, speaking on behalf of Inspector Nilda Hoffman who was unavailable for the meeting, announced the latest developments in terms of recent shootings.

Police have made headway in a recent shooting outside a Fordham nightclub on Valentine Avenue and Fordham Road, apprehending two suspects involved in that crime. A shooting at 3083 Decatur Avenue and the other near the Board office are still under investigation.

The safety protocols have been welcomed by the community, though many fear crime will further rise should the extra police and light tower be removed from the neighborhood.

Korabal said that those measures are intended to “to give the community a sense of safety.” He added the police have no plans on removing the tower or the patrols as long if no improvement shows in the neighborhood.

“So hopefully that will help move the elements that causing problems out of the area,” said Korabel.