TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JAN. 17-JAN. 23, 2020 15
Bayside’s 111th Precinct has
a new commanding offi cer
BY JENNA BAGCAL
Last weekend, hundreds of supporters
showed up to celebrate the
grand opening of Alley Pond Environmental
Center’s (APEC) temporary
headquarters in Oakland Gardens.
In December, APEC announced
that it would move to 224-75 76th Ave.
while NYC Parks works on renovating
and expanding its building on Northern
Boulevard. The Oakland Garden
location will serve as the organization’s
home for the next two years.
Approximately 400 attended the
grand opening, which featured fruit
smoothies, vegetarian Bengali cuisine
and interactions with APEC’s
menagerie of animals. Guests also
enjoyed an afternoon of fun activities
including a Play-Doh station and an
aromatherapy spritzer class.
“The fact that so many people attended
the event shows how loved
APEC is,” said Councilman Barry
Grodenchik. “With this wonderful
new space, APEC’s programs and
classes can continue uninterrupted
Captain John Portalatin joins the 111th
Precinct as its new commanding officer
Photo courtesy of 111th Precinct
while the old building gets an upgrade.”
APEC’s Northern Boulevard location
will receive efficient heating,
cooling and electrical system upgrades
in addition to other updates to
its facilities. The Parks Department
also plans to expand the overall space
so that the environmental education
organization can host more classes
and events.
“The grand opening was a smashing
success. I was astounded by the
enormous number of people who attended,”
said APEC Executive Director
Irene V. Scheid.
The temporary headquarters in
Oakland Gardens is located at the
eastern end of the parking lot near
Springfield Boulevard in Alley Pond
Park. Elected officials and Parks leadership
attended the ribbon cutting,
including Councilman Paul Vallone,
Assemblyman Edward Braunstein,
Queens District Attorney Melinda
Katz, Acting Queens Borough President
Sharon Lee and Queens Parks
Commissioner Michael H. Dockett.
BY JENNA BAGCAL
The 111th Precinct in Bayside welcomed
a new commanding officer to its
ranks.
On Sunday, Jan. 5, the precinct announced
that Deputy Inspector John
Hall would be stepping down from his
post after nearly two years as the commanding
officer. Assuming the leadership
role is Captain John Portalatin,
who previously served in the 104th,
109th and 110th precincts, according
to Patch.
“It was an honor & privilege serving
the people of the @NYPD111-
Pct and leading the great officers
there. I will be moving on to a new assignment
next week,” Hall said via the
111th Precinct Twitter account. “The
@NYPD111Pct is in good hands with
the hardworking & dedicated Captain
John Portalatin.”
Hall took to Twitter to announce
his new role in the NYPD office that
oversees CompStat, the police’s crime
data system. Named for the NYPD accountability
process, CompStat provides
citywide crime analysis and data
analytics.
In March 2018, Hall replaced Deputy
Inspector William McBride as the top
cop in the 111th Precinct. Previously,
the Sunnyside resident was assigned to
precincts in the Bronx and neighborhoods
in Manhattan including West
Harlem and Chinatown.
The NYPD promoted Portalatin
from lieutenant to captain in 2016. The
111th Precinct Community Council
introduced him as the incumbent commanding
officer at the organization’s
Jan. 7 meeting.
The 111th Precinct is based in
Bayside and covers northeast Queens
including Douglaston, Little Neck,
Auburndale, Hollis Hills and Fresh
Meadows.
Reach reporter Jenna Bagcal by email
at jbagcal@qns.com or by phone at
(718) 260-2583.
APEC celebrates grand opening of
its new temporary headquarters
link
/QNS.COM
link
