Remembering Public Safety Officer Nicola Tanzi

On Monday, August 10, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership joined Nicola Tanzi’s family, friends, colleagues, and community members to honor his life and legacy with two permanent tributes in Downtown Brooklyn: a street co-naming at the corner of Willoughby and Lawrence Streets, and a memorial plaque in Abolitionist Place. PSO Tanzi was a longtime, dedicated member of the MetroTech public safety team. After working in security for JPMorgan Chase at 4 MetroTech, he was hired by the MetroTech BID on August 10, 2009, and served with distinction for over seventeen years. 

The newly co-named Nicola Tanzi Way

Nicola was a beloved member of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership family whose warmth and dedication to his community left a lasting impression on those who knew him. A longtime New Yorker and devoted man of faith, Nicola was an active member of St. Dominic’s Church in Bensonhurst, where he served as an usher and was known for greeting parishioners each Sunday with a smile. As one of our most senior and experienced team members, he was entrusted with training and mentoring  junior officers, and he consistently handled even the most challenging situations with professionalism and care. PSO Tanzi worked tirelessly to make life better for the people living, working, and visiting here in Downtown Brooklyn.

The morning began at Willoughby and Lawrence Streets with the unveiling of the new street sign bearing Nicola’s name. Council Member Lincoln Restler, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon and DBP President Regina Myer shared remarks reflecting on Nicola’s life, his character, and the many people and communities he touched. 

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Regina Myer introduces the commemorative plaque

Following the street co-naming, attendees gathered at Abolitionist Place for the dedication of a memorial plaque honoring Nicola and his lasting connection to Downtown Brooklyn.

“It is important to us as an organization that we recognize Nicola’s life and his commitment to this district. Our public safety officers work day in and day out, often in challenging circumstances, and we never take them for granted. We felt it a fitting tribute to place this plaque commemorating Nicola’s life permanently here at Abolitionist Place — one of the places he patrolled as part of his beat. We hope Nicola’s family will visit this memorial, and that it offers some measure of solace in the face of such a tragic loss
– Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Regina Myer.

The two dedications create a lasting tribute to Nicola in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, where he spent so much of his time as a part of the  community. The street sign and plaque will serve as permanent reminders of his connection to the neighborhood that knew him well.

The plaque commemorating Nicola Tanzi, located in Abolitionist Place

We were honored to gather alongside Nicola’s family, friends, colleagues, and community members to celebrate his life. Nicola is deeply missed by our team, and we are grateful to everyone who joined us in remembering a colleague and friend who meant so much to our community.