22 The Queens Courier • april 2, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Tumbling crime numbers top 108th Precinct Council meeting BY KELLY MARIE MANCUSO [email protected]/@timesnewsweekly Crime plunged in the 108th Precinct over the last four weeks, the force’s commanding officer reported during the 108th Precinct Community Council meeting on March 31 at Sunnyside Community Services. Capt. John Travaglia said that the precinct, which covers all or parts of Long Island City, Maspeth, Sunnyside and Woodside, recorded a 28 percent drop in major crimes in the last 28 days. The plunge included a 50 percent fall in robberies, an 11 percent decrease in burglaries and a 46 percent drop in grand larcenies. Continuing the positive news, Travaglia said the precinct recorded no incidents of rape, homicide or auto accident fatalities so far this year. “Our numbers reflect how safe of a community we live in,” Travaglia said. “This is a wonderful place and the statistics don’t lie.” Travaglia did, however, caution residents about preventing burglaries during the coming spring and summer months. “As the weather gets warmer, we tend to leave our windows open to let the nice breeze into our homes,” he said, “but when you leave your home, remember to shut those windows and lock them. These are crimes of opportunity, and we want to make sure we take that opportunity away.” Travaglia and the council honored one officer in particular for his efforts to fight crime. P.O. John Miszuk of the precinct’s Anti-Crime Team received the Cop of the Month Award for apprehending a violent robbery suspect earlier in the month. At 10:30 p.m. on March 21, 108th Precinct officers responded to a 911 call regarding a robbery in progress in the vicinity of 47th Avenue and 46th Street. According to Travaglia, the suspect approached his male victim from behind with a knife, demanding cash and belongings. After a brief struggle, the victim’s face and hand were slashed and the perp fled on foot. The victim surrendered some personal property, but managed to hold on to his cellphone and call the police. Travaglia spoke with the victim over the phone and tried to get a description of the perp, as well as the victim’s location. Miszuk and his team combed the area searching for the suspect based on the description given to 911. Miszuk apprehended the suspect a few blocks away from the crime scene, while Travaglia was still on the phone with the victim. The suspect was allegedly found in possession of a knife, as well as crack cocaine and a crack pipe. Travaglia and Precinct Council President Diane Ballek presented Miszuk with a plaque donated by the Ridgewood Times and Times Newsweekly. The Precinct Council also welcomed Marissa Beckett from the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV). Beckett announced the creation and expansion of several programs aimed at helping victims of domestic assault at Family Justice Centers in each borough. “Domestic Violence is a pattern of power and control,” she explained. “It can begin as threats and can escalate to physical abuse.” Some of the programs offered at the Queens Family Justice Center, located at 126-02 82nd Ave. in Kew Gardens, include Safe Horizon, ESL classes, parenting programs and the Healthy Relationship Training Academy aimed at preventing cyber bullying and dating violence among teens. Help is available to all regardless of their language or immigration status. Holy Cross Welcomes Class of 2019 Scholarship Recipients Benefactors, parents, relatives and friends of academically gifted young men who are entering Holy Cross’ Class of 2019 gathered at the school on Monday, March 23, 2015 for a special Scholarship Ceremony and Reception. During the ceremony, six young men received the Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence, a one-time award based on their outstanding elementary school report cards: Foti Michalopoulos (MS 67), Brogan Mooney (St. Luke School), Luke Papadopoulos (St. Luke School), Andrew Papalardo (Holy Family School), Thomas Romano (Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School) and Nicholas Sanso (Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School). Named partial scholarships were also presented that evening: the Paul Pope Scholarship to George Ambery (Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy); the Peter Vlakancic Memorial Scholarship and Moreau Fund award to Robert Bland (MS 74); the William Damato Scholarship and Women’s Guild Scholarship to Brandon Czechowski (St. Joan of Arc School); the Peter and Kathryn Neary Scholarship and Moreau Fund award to Anthony Evangelou (St. Kevin Catholic Academy); the Women’s Guild Scholarship to Jared Jagiello (MS 74); the Thomas A. Wylie Memorial Scholarship and Philip Spincola Scholarship to Massimo La Rosa (JHS 194); the Raymond J. Cook Memorial Scholarship and Moreau Fund award to Raymond Lavarello (Holy Trinity Catholic Academy); the Joseph Navin, Sr. Moreau Scholarship and Angelo Cozza Memorial Scholarship to Christopher Rally (Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Secondary School). Four incoming freshmen received full Academic Achievement Scholarships funded by the Alumni Scholarship Endowment, the proceeds of which are raised through the school’s annual Golf Classic: Alexander Loukopoulos (MS 67), Max Mastrototaro (IS 25), Joseph Moniz (Bell Academy) and Shane Moritz (MS 172) Seniors Jack Egan, Patrick O’Donnell and Frederic Schuler spoke briefly about their experience at Holy Cross High School and encouraged the incoming freshmen to take advantage of the incredible opportunities the school offers its students. Jack Egan, recipient of a full Academic Achievement Scholarship, explained how joining one of the many clubs or sports teams would make their time at Holy Cross even more enjoyable. Egan, who is preparing to study aerospace engineering, will continue his education at Syracuse University, Manhattan College, Purdue or Penn State after he graduates. “I am grateful to the faculty and administration at this school for instilling in me a work ethic that has enabled me to achieve this success; and also to the generous donors who gave me the opportunity to attend Holy Cross.” Schuler, who originally attended Townsend Harris for a few months before transferring to Holy Cross, said he never regretted that decision. “I was doing great in school and had a challenging series of AP courses but I was unhappy, and felt like just another number in the system with no connection to the school, faculty or student body. As a student at Holy Cross I was excited to go to school every day, even though I had to take the bus from Bellerose.” He spoke of the opportunities that were afforded him through Holy Cross, like working side by side with engineers at Skanska International. Schuler has also worked on the development of a café boat house on Governors Island and is currently participating in a project on Roosevelt Island through Cornell University. An accomplished golfer with a 10 handicap, Schuler has represented the Holy Cross golf team in statewide competition. O’Donnell, recipient of the Peter J. Vlakancic Memorial Scholarship, urged the young men in the room to maintain their high academic standards. “When you come here, be the kid taking notes and asking insightful questions; the one who strives for success and wants to get involved because it will make you an attractive candidate for colleges and you will be rewarded in the long run. My four years have flown by, and I hope that you enjoy them as much as I have.” FRIENDS NOW….BROTHERS FOR LIFE! Front Row: Academic Achievement Scholarship Recipients Alexander Loukopoulos (MS 67), Joseph Moniz (Bell Academy) and Max Mastrototaro (IS 25) with Edward Burns, Principal and Father Walter E. Jenkins, C.S.C., Ed.D., President. Not pictured: Shane Moritz (MS 172). Middle Row: Named Scholarship Recipients Raymond Lavarello (Holy Trinity Catholic Academy), Brandon Czechowski (St. Joan of Arc School), George Ambery (Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy), Christopher Rally (Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Secondary School), Massimo La Rosa (JHS 194), Jared Jagiello (MS 74), Robert Bland (MS 74), Anthony Evangelou (St. Kevin Catholic Academy). Back Row: Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence Recipients Thomas Romano (Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School), Luke Papadopoulos (St. Luke School), Brogan Mooney (St. Luke School), Foti Michalopoulos (Bell Academy), Nicholas Sanso (Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School), Andrew Papalardo (Holy Family School). TIMES NEWSWEEKLY/Photo by Kelly Marie Mancuso P.O. John Miszuk of the 108th Precinct received the Cop of the Month award at Tuesday’s 108th Precinct Community Council meeting in Sunnyside. Shown at the presentation are (from left to right) Precinct Council Secretary Johanna Carmona and Sergeant-at-Arms Frank Carrado; Lt. Jon Cermeli, 108th Precinct special operations coordinator; Officer Miszuk; Capt. John Travaglia, 108th Precinct commander; and Precinct Council President Diane Ballek.
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