Bank account or check routing
numbers, or such with anyone,
especially a stranger, in person or
over the phone, no matter who they
tell you they are.
Scammers will claim to be calling
from a government department, like
the IRS, or official business, such
as ConEd or the phone company,
saying money is owed, which must
be paid immediately or service will
be shutdown. They use fear to scare
you into not thinking straight and
subsequently ceding private info or
wiring money to them. The members
of the 105th Precinct plainly
stated the IRS will not call you!
Hang up on any such calls, and if
in doubt, independently contact
the particular business, which
supposed called you (contact info
can be found on bill receipts), and
inquire about your account.
More oddly, scammers will
instruct a “mark” to immediately
go out and purchase gift cards to
send them to settle the outstanding
debt, which they claim is owed
them. Gift cards are extremely hard
to trace, which suits them perfectly.
This may sound ridiculous, but in
the hysteria of the moment with
an officious voice threatening legal
action against you, again fright will
overcome logic, and many fall prey
to such con jobs.
Scammers may combine fear
with familial concern, claiming to
be a medical person, police officer
or government official, and a
grandchild or loved one is hurt or
in trouble and needs money immediately.
Again, heightened tension,
fear and concern will obfuscate
reality and impel marks to fall for
the scam. Hang up and immediately
and call the party in question or
their parents, friends, anyone who
can assure you the loved one is in
fact safe.
Burglars are most often looking
for a quick grab of valuables
or items, which contain private
data, when targeting a vehicle or
home. In the case of the former,
cell phones, GPS devices, computer
pads, money or car registration,
bills or other paperwork, which
can mark the owner for identity
theft. The list for the latter would
mirror the former with the addition
of larger valuables, such as jewelry,
flat screens and personal computers.
The best defense in each case,
is to lock all windows and doors.
This may not deter a determined
thief, but most are looking for easy
targets.
Other than the aforementioned
scams, which affect all residents,
homeowners, renters, condo and
co-op owners alike, North Shore
Towers does benefit from its gated
perimeter and private security
force in helping to prevent car and
home break-ins. The two instances
of crime Officer Contessa reported
at NST over the past year dealt with
“felonious assault” and burglary.
The former concerned a pair of
co-workers. The latter found the
theft of money and jewelry from
a resident’s home by an outsider.
With many NST residents
employing health aides, private
contractors and such, it is important
for residents to always lock their
doors when they leave their apartments—
for any reason—or inform
security and/or management of any
arrangements made to bring an
outside agent into a home, as well
as taking the necessary actions to
help prevent theft. “You have to be
cautious who you allow into your
home,” advised Officer Contessa.
“And make sure all valuables are
secured beforehand.”
Increasing interactivity with
neighborhoods and making officers
easily accessible 24/7 has certainly
helped reduce crime in Sector
Eddie, and other areas of the city.
According to the Officer Neteis,
crime in the 105th is low in general,
but 2018 has seen even fewer
incidents than in 2017. “The 105th
in totality is down about 80 crimes.”
The NYPD’s “Camera
Registration Program” has also
proved efficacious in aiding police
in identification and apprehension
of individuals suspected of
crime. Homeowners with outdoor
perimeter surveillance equipment
are urged to register such devices
with their local law enforcement
agencies. In so doing police have
immediate access to surveillance
tapes in areas where a crime has
occurred when needed. Such
private security devices would be
inaccessible otherwise, unless a
public plea to New Yorkers through
the media prompted a homeowner,
who may have the aforementioned
material, hear the NYPD’s request
and stepped forward offering
to help.
One issue of great concern to
the assemblage was the rise of hate
crimes across the country in the
past two years. “We have not come
across any anti-Semitism problems
in the area,” reassured Officer
Contessa. He and Officer Gallagher
explained the 105th’s policy of
employing a greater police presence
at Synagogues and corresponding
locales, during Holy Days. They’ve
also instituted House of Worship or
HOW vehicles, which are used at
potential targets to bolster police
presence and further allay possible
anti-Semitic crimes.
In response to a resident’s concern
over what actions, if any, the
105th takes in regard to incidents
of school bullying—one of the root
causes of subsequent hate and
crimes derived thereof—Gallagher
explained the precincts measures
of serving as an intermediary at
school where incidents occur.
He and his colleagues speak with
the students and work with the
Department of Education to mediate
the problem.
The 105th Precinct has an
excellent relationship with NST’s
Summit Security and always work
closely together, whenever crime
occurs. Still, Officers Neteis,
Gallagher and Contessa welcomed
a scheduled visit for a walkthrough
with Security Director
Chris Stahly to see if there are any
areas, where NST security may be
improved. “Even I was stopped at
the entrance,” Officer Contessa
remarked, as an example of the
co-op’s excellent protection.
Board President Stanley
Goldsmith took the cue from
Officer Contessa’s observation to
make an astute one of his own.
“We get more complaints about too
much security—a resident is upset,
because a guest is held up at the
gate. We always want more security
until it is inconvenient to us.”
(l. to r.) Officer Contessa NST Board President Stanley Goldsmith,
PAC Chair Felice Hannah and Officer Gallagher
105th Precinct Commanding
Officer Neteis Gilbert
WHO YA
GONNA CALL?
105 PRECINCT NCO SECTOR E
(Serving Glen Oaks; Bellerose;
Floral Park)
Police Officer Shawn Gallagher
Phone # (929) 375-1056
Email: Shawn.Gallagher@
nypd.org
Police Officer Joseph Contessa
Phone # (917) 863-3557
Email: Joseph.Contessa@
nypd.org
January 2019 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 17
/nypd.org
/nypd.org
