A new police precinct is coming to southeast Queens to help divide one of the city's largest precincts in half. NY1's Clodagh McGowan filed the following report.

Some Rosedale residents, like Kwame Lebrew, say they don't feel connected to their local police precinct because it's just too big.

"The 105, I mean, we never see them. I didn't even know where the 105 was," Lebrew said.

The precinct is the fourth-largest, in geographic area, in the city and covers nearly 13 square miles.

However, earlier this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that $70 million in funding had been alotted for a new 116th Precinct in southeast Queens.

The new precinct will cover Rosedale, Laurelton, Brookville and Springfield Gardens.

The news is something some longtime residents have been hoping would happen for decades.

"Hopefully, we'll get a faster response, and hopefully we'll see more police presence," said Gloria Williams, who has lived in Rosedale for more than 20 years.

Back in 2007, the NYPD opened a satellite 105th Precinct location on North Conduit Avenue in Rosedale to better serve the southern portion of the precinct.

Recently, the satellite office expanded its hours to be open 24/7 and brought in an additional 18 officers and two sergeants.

Councilman Donovan Richards says that move was a great first step.

"We've noticed an increase in presence in our neighborhood already,” said Richards. “It's made such a big difference. Civilians can come in here now and file a police report, something they couldn't do before."

A City Hall spokesperson says they have yet to determine a location for the new precinct, but Richards says it would make sense to expand the existing satellite 105th Precinct.

"There's enough land here. There's parking, a lot more parking space we can build out on here," said Richards.

Parking is a concern for some residents, but others think a parking lot for the precinct would free up spaces in front of nearby businesses.  

"If they're going to expand and give those guys a parking lot, that would be great. Because all the commuters park here also," said Lebrew.

Local business owners say it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

"That'd be great for my business. I don't want anyone trying to rob us," said Michael Perry, the co-owner of Perry’s Sports Barbershop.

City Hall plans to work with the NYPD and the community to identify a location for the precinct.