When Officer Alex Katz of the 60th Precinct walks his regular beat, he is, figuratively speaking, moving between two worlds: the one he left behind in far-off St. Petersburg and the one where he currently works – Brighton Beach. Because of the large Russian population in this neighborhood, Katz has the added responsibility of "cultural interpreter."

Alex came to Brooklyn with his parents at the age of 13. He is now 40 and has been a police officer for nine years.

"Russians do not have the same image of law-enforcement officers as Americans do," said Katz. "They frequently treat police officers here the same way they would at home. I have to explain to them that while police officers have many of the same duties here as in Russia, there are differences."

Katz's shift lasts eight hours. While walking his beat, he frequently stops at stores and shops on Brighton Beach Avenue to talk with merchants, who sometimes have trouble keeping straight the many city rules and regulations that apply to their businesses.

"They are relieved when I can explain something to them," continued Katz. "They are pleased that they can get the answers they need."

The same applies to the Russian-speaking residents of the neighborhood. For example, if an employee in a store is rude to shoppers and the manager does not respond to complaints, the residents, according to Russian habit, think that calling the police will solve all the problems on the spot.

"I explain to them that there is nothing I can do in this situation, but that I can tell them where to go for help," said Katz.

Sometimes Russian-speakers turn to the police with housing complaints. Katz explains that they have to talk to their super or landlord. If neither helps, then the residents need to talk to someone at the appropriate city agency.

Lieutenant Robert Johnson, Katz's commanding officer, says that Katz is an "old-fashioned" officer.

"If you put the right officer in the right place at the right time, you'll get the right results," noted Johnson. "We can see what a positive effect Alex's patrolling of Brighton Beach has had on the community. Business is flourishing. Public transportation runs on schedule. Quality of life has clearly improved. And Alex absolutely deserves praise for this. We are very grateful to him."

Katz's work has also been noticed by leaders of the Brighton Beach Business Improvement District, an organization devoted to stimulating and developing business activities in the neighborhood.

"As an immigrant, Alex understands what kinds of problems people here might have and what difficulties they have to overcome," said Elena Makhnin, executive director of the organization, which will celebrate its 12th anniversary in May. "The help he has provided to residents has been invaluable."