On Saturday, October 29, 2011, Senator Adams attended the official co-naming of Utica Avenue between St. Marks and Bergen Street to Moses P. Cobb Way, in honor of the contributions of one of New York City’s First African-American police officers.
Patrolman Moses P. Cobb (1856 – 1926) was the first African-American to serve a full career as a police officer in New York City. Born into slavery in Kinston, North Carolina, he walked all the way to New York in search of a better life. In 1892, Cobb joined the City of Brooklyn Police Department, six years before the consolidation of New York City. He was assigned to the 153rd Precinct in Brooklyn’s 9th Ward, an area now covered by the 77th Precinct. Cobb patrolled the streets for 25 years, becoming a highly decorated police officer and a trailblazer for racial equality.
Also present to share in this momentous occasion were members of the Cobb family; Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly; NYPD Chief Philip Banks (Community Affairs); Chief Gerald Nelson (Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North); Captain Elvio Capocci, Commanding Officer of the 77th Precinct; 77th Precinct Council President James Caldwell; Councilmember Al Vann and community residents.
