Someone to Watch
over Me
Residents get facetime with the people who
keep them safe
105th Precinct Commanding Officer Neteis Gilbert (center) stands with PAC members
STORY AND PHOTOS
BY STEPHEN VRATTOS
“The reason we are so safe is
because we have these wonderful
people protecting us.”
Thus began Political Action
Committee (PAC) Chair Felice
Hannah’s opening remarks at
the safety seminar held in Towers
on the Green, Wednesday night,
November 21. Though falling
upon the eve of Thanksgiving
Day, a respectful crowd gathered
to meet the members of the NYPD
from the 105th Precinct who keep
NST safe. Featured guests included
the precinct’s Commanding
Officer, Deputy Inspector Netéis
Gilbert and Police Officers Shawn
Gallagher and Joe Contessa.
Given her youthful appearance, it
was difficult to believe Gilbert was a
veteran with 18 years of experience,
beginning her career in the Bedford-
Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. She
also boasts an impressive dual
masters in Forensics and Cognizant
Science, and hopes to get her doctorate
in the future. She is a firm
believer in the current philosophy
of the Police Commissioner and
Mayor of getting police back into
the neighborhoods. To that end, she
welcomed any questions residents
may have during her and her colleagues’
presentation.
Fellow officers Gallagher and
Contessa share more than 25 years’
of experience between them. They
are the presiding NCOs for Sector
E, more familiarly known as the
sector “Eddie,” under the guardianship
of the 105th Precinct, which
includes Bellrose, Glen Oaks and
Floral Park, home of North Shore
Towers. “We’re your liaison or point
of contact for just about anything
you may need,” Contessa said.
Officer Contessa explained
Grand Larceny to be the predominant
category of criminal activity
in Sector Eddie. Visions of automobile
thefts and major break-ins
may come to mind, but what many
do not realize is that such crimes
as identity theft, and internet and
phone scams are included under
this heading. And it is within these
areas police have seen the greatest
rise.
The best way to protect oneself
from identity theft is to guard your
personal information. Shred documents,
bills and any ephemera,
which may contain private info. Do
not share credit card numbers or
security codes, passwords, PINs,
(l. to r.) Commanding Officers Gilbert and Contessa listens to the
concerns of NST resident
Officer Gallagher speaks with audience member
16 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ January 2019