14 The Queens Courier • december 26, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com VALLONE TARGETS PARK CRIME BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] The City Council wants New Yorkers to know just how safe their local parks are. The Council unanimously passed an amendment on Thursday, December 19 that would require the NYPD to submit to the Council crime reports for all city parks and playgrounds larger than one acre. Currently, crimes are only reported in the city’s 31 largest green spaces. The NYPD would also be required to post this data on the department’s website within five days of providing it to the Council, according to Peter Vallone Jr., chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, who proposed the amendment. The councilmember said the amendment will close a “loophole” from a bill he passed in 2006. “It will help the public make more informed decisions about their safety,” said Vallone That legislation originally required the crime reporting of 20 parks, but was supposed to be extended to hundreds more over three years. But, according to Vallone, the NYPD didn’t need to make those increases if the technology wasn’t available to do it. The amendment will increase the number of parks for which crime is reported to over 870, Vallone said. According to the legislation, the Police Department would be required to report crimes for 100 of the city’s largest parks initially, then that number would be increased over time, until January 2017 when all crimes for parks one acre or larger would be reported. In January 2018, crimes would be submitted for public pools, basketball courts, recreation centers and playgrounds that are not located within parks one acre or greater in size. Vallone said he anticipates a veto from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. It would be up to the next City Council to override his veto in January, he said. “I’m sure my brother will lead the way on the override, Vallone said, referring to Paul Vallone, who starts his term representing District 19 next month. BUY YOUR DREAM PUP 2013 THE QUEENS st of the And All Your Holiday Gifts at Vanity Pups QueensCourier.com Place Michael Berger of Vanity Pups Celebrating 8 years on Bell. Vanity Pups, located at 38-13 Bell Boulevard in Bayside, has been making your puppies look fabulous since November, 2005. It is a “unique, upscale puppy nursery,” according to Michael Berger, who, with wife Shirley, owns Vanity Pups, which specializes in teacups and toy breeds, poo’s and hybrids, too.” Manager Jose Zarate and sales associates Melissa, Sarah, Jessica, and Lauren will be more than happy to help you. Grooming is done by appointment only and pride themselves on having your baby in and out in one hour! Vanity Pups sells a large selection of pet apparel and pet accessories ADVERTORIAL for teacup and toy breeds. Don’t forget your pooch for the Holidays! We have one of the largest selections of pet apparel, christmas stockings, gourmet cookies, accessories, and collars with bling-bling! Grooming and Boarding available. Vanity Pups can special order the breed you are looking for. They are open from Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and Monday by appointment. Visit their website at www.vanitypups.com. If you have any questions, their telephone number is 718-224-3643 or you can email them at [email protected]. Come in for a FREE gift for your doggy (no purchase necessary). File photo Legislation passed in the City Council would extend the number of parks where crime is reported from 31 to hundreds.
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