Recently promoted Inspector Peter Fiorillo, the commanding officer of the 52nd Precinct, identified Williamsbridge Oval Park as one of two “clustering areas” in the precinct where robberies occurred over the last month.

“We do have a little bit of an issue around there with grand larceny,” Fiorillo said at meeting of the 52nd Precinct Community Council on Oct. 26. “We think it’s the same kids in the park again, that are always in the park all year long. Not to say that they are slick, but they know how to get property from somebody without being ID’d”

Fiorillo said there were three incidents of grand larceny “in and around the park” and three incidents closer to the Norwood/205th D subway station. Under New York State law, grand larceny is applicable when perpetrators steal something of value without using force.

Fiorillo also named the entrance of St. James Park in Fordham, on Jerome Avenue and East 196th St., as the other “clustering area” in the 52nd precinct with a slight increase in robberies month-to-month. Seven robberies occurred over the last month and at least two related arrests have been made, Fiorillo said. In dealing with both areas, further measures are being taken.

“There is a certain impression and feeling that our specialty units, our plainclothes, our extra people that are added to the patrol are usually off on Sundays and Mondays,” Fiorillo said. “We have adjusted with the times with that. I put more plainclothes guys on Sundays and Mondays… I adjusted it towards midnights because most of it is happening from three o’clock in the morning to eight o’clock in the morning.”

Councilman Andrew Cohen, also in attendance at the meeting, said he set aside money for security cameras in the precinct. According to the city budget for fiscal year 2019, Cohen sponsored $450,000 in capital funding for security cameras in the 47th, 50th, and 52nd police precincts. The 52nd precinct includes the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights.

“Our hands are tied,” Cohen’s communications director Miles Burnett told the Norwood News. “The NYPD is in control of how that project gets done.”

Fiorillo said at the meeting that “cameras come in great use” and “work out very well” for the 52nd precinct. In many of these robberies, victims and witnesses are too “scared” to identify thieves.

Norwood residents, including members of the Friends of Williamsbridge Oval, advocated for the installation of cameras last year after gang-related violence. In January, a 16-year-old was shot in the park over a territorial dispute between rival gangs.

Fiorillo also noted that police received a “very good tip” in the investigation of the robbery of a bodega at 275 E. Gun Hill Road earlier this month. On Oct. 14, three men walked into the bodega and tied up employees at gun point before taking $1,100 from the register.