While 71st Precinct Commanding Officer Out on Injury, Previous Command Steps In

by CrownHeights.info

Tito Romero, the Commanding Officer of the 71st Precinct which covers a majority of Crown Heights, is out on injury, and the previous Commanding Officer, Norman Grandstaff, has temporarily stepped in.

Community Affairs Officer Mike Berrata told CrownHeights.info that Romero had sustained an injured shoulder during the violent riots in downtown Brooklyn, and the Wednesday before Rosh Hashanah went into surgery.

“During the protests he [Remero] got injured in a pretty out of control riot in Brooklyn,” Berrata said. “Ultimately, he knew he was going to have to have surgery.”

With the surgery planned, Brooklyn’s Borough Command called back Officer Norman Grandstaff, the previous Commanding Officer of the 71st Precinct to oversee operations in the precinct.

“Grandstaff was previously the CO [Commanding Officer] here for almost three years,” Beratta said. “So he is very familiar with the community here, and is very well liked by his colleagues and very well liked by the community.”

Crown Heights Shomrim Coordinator Gadi Hershkop mirrored that sentiment. “He [Grandstaff] has been a good partner with helping out the Crown Heights community,” Hershkop said. “And we wish our present Commanding Officer Tito Romero a speedy recovery and quick return to the precinct.”

Grandstaff is expected to remain at the precinct for approximately two months, as Romero heals from the surgery.