The city's Housing Authority has created a new post, vice president of public safety, and named a longtime police officer to fill it. NY1's Dean Meminger was first to report the story. He filed the following report.

Gerald Nelson began as a housing officer back in 1973, so his career is coming full circle. He's been named the vice president of public safety for the New York City Housing Authority.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams views this as a great choice for the position.

"He cut his teeth in policing in NYCHA," Adams said. "He is well-respected. If you can run an entire borough like Brooklyn North that he ran, you can truly run NYCHA throughout the entire city."

A Brooklyn native, Nelson spent 41 years with the NYPD before retiring in February after reaching the department's maximum age of 63. However, he made it clear that he wanted to continuing working and helping the community in some capacity.

In a statement, the Housing Authority's general manager said, in part, that Nelson "will oversee a number of the Authority's activities, including general law enforcement, disaster response, and code enforcement."

The authority confirmed that Nelson's position is a new one. It follows continuing concern about crime in NYCHA developments and Mayor Bill de Blasio's promise to improve conditions there.

Nelson's portfolio will include more than fighting crime. He'll work with other agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management, dealing with crises like power blackouts and storms. Several developments in Brooklyn and Queens were flooded out during Hurricane Sandy.

"If there is a condition in NYCHA where a building collapsed or there's a dangerous environment, how do you correct that?" Adams said. "So he must be there to coordinate the entire band, and that band must be singing the same song."

City Council public safety chairperson Vanessa Gibson says she's eager to meet with Nelson about his plans.

"I certainly look forward with working with our chairwoman, as well as the NYPD and all of the stakeholders in terms of this new position," Gibson said. "I'm certainly look forward to him coming on board."

Nelson started the new position this week.