8 THE QUEENS COURIER • DECEMBER 25, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com POLICE OFFICERS SAVE MAN’S LIFE IN LIC Photo courtesy of NYPD BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] @aaltamirano28 For two police offi cers, a routine patrol in Long Island City on Dec. 16 turned into a moment of heroism. Offi cers William Caldarera and Corey Sarro of the 108th Precinct saw a crowd of people gathering around a man lying motionless on the sidewalk in front of LaGuardia Community College, located at 29-10 Thomson Ave., cops said. Caldarera approached the 66-year-old man and discovered he did not have a heartbeat and was not breathing. Sarro then began to conduct chest compressions, while an ambulance had been requested. Using a defi brillator provided by a public safety offi cer, Caldarera and Sarro attached the machine to the man’s chest, according to police. After a second shock, the man’s heartbeat returned and he resumed breathing. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and the man was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in critical but stable condition. Although both Caldarera and Sarro had experience with CPR while off duty, this incident was their fi rst time having to use a defi brillator. Both offi cers said it felt great once they were able to revive the man and get him to breathe again. “There is really no feeling to describe it,” Sarro said. “It was a relief to be able to save him.” Pomonok Senior Center adds additional parking spaces to meet increased demands BY ERIC JANKIEWICZ [email protected] @QueensCourier Senior citizens, rejoice — additional parking spaces have been provided for visitors to the Pomonok Senior Center. In response to growing demands from residents and local pols, the city has created an extra 10 parking spaces for the senior services center. But the spaces are temporary and will be removed in April. “The Pomonok Senior Center is extremely important to our community,” said Monica Corbett, president of the Pomonok Residents Association. “Seniors that live in Pomonok and our surrounding community rely on the center for all sorts of resources and social activities that keep our seniors vibrant.” Corbett was disappointed that the spots were temporary and said she will advocate for making the spaces permanent. But for now, the elderly residents who use the center for their daily activities can put the walkers and canes away. “Senior citizens can once again visit the center freely without having to worry about if they will be able to park close enough to walk. This is a great benefi t to the Pomonok community and the hundreds of seniors who visit the center every day,” Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said. Along with Councilman Rory Lancman, the politicians were able to negotiate with New York City Housing Authority, which runs the center, for the parking spaces. The center serves those over 60 years old, providing them with with case assistance, recreational activities, ESL classes, computer instruction, benefi ts assistance and breakfast and lunch. “These additional parking spaces were a project years in the making, and I want to thank NYCHA for fi nally recognizing their importance to Pomonok’s seniors,” Lancman said. “I hope NYCHA continues to acknowledge the needs of our seniors when these spaces expire this spring, and anticipate a productive working relationship in the future.”
QC12252014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above