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The Mets announced two transactions on Thursday.
One we saw coming: Underperforming pitcher Carlos Carrasco elected to become a free agent. The other (pardon an intentional pun) came out of left field: The hiring of former NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell as senior vice president for security and guest experience.
The Long Islander, who stepped down as the city’s police commissioner in June, will oversee safety and security efforts for Citi Field, as well as New York’s minor league complexes in Brooklyn; Syracuse; Port St. Lucie, Florida and the Dominican Republic.
“Keechant’s expertise in public service, law and safety, as well as collaboration with the public, will allow us to take our Security and Guest Experience to the next level,” Mets Executive Vice President of Ballpark Operations and Experience Katie Haas said. “Keechant will help us to modernize our approach to safety and overall collaboration with the community and local law enforcement. We’re so happy to have her onboard.”
Under Mayor Eric Adams, Sewell, who lives in Valley Stream, became the city’s first female police commissioner in December 2021.
“I am thrilled to join the Mets for my first private sector role,” she said in a statement released by the Mets. “The opportunity to bring my passions of community building and public safety to the Mets is truly a dream job. As someone who grew up in Queens, this legendary organization is vital to local communities and so many across the world. I can’t wait to help be a part of building a world-class fan experience based on modernization and relationship-building.”
Before she became police commissioner, Sewell served over two decades with the Nassau County Police Department. She was most recently the Idepartment’s chief of detectives.
Top images: Citi Field on June 14, 2023 (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) and Keechant Sewell (courtesy of New York Mets).
