53 • TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014 Theft Warning Issued At 83rd Council Meeting the highest ever last year, and this year we’re even higher,” he said. Theft of unattended property is the precinct’s main crime issue, so Tasso focused on that during the meeting. He cautioned everyone to remain aware of their surroundings, and reminded them to never leave items in a car, especially with the doors unlocked. “I am going to continue to speak about leaving things in cars with the doors unlocked,” Tasso said. He also reminded that these are among the most easily preventable crimes, because locking your car doors or keeping valuables on your person can virtually eliminate the possibility of theft. Tasso spoke on unattended property stolen from public places as well. He commented that theft usually happens from stores, restaurants and bars when a person goes to the bathroom and forgets they left their coat or bag unattended. Tasso also touched on a growing trend in the precinct, unattended property stolen from apartments, and said it’s “not a burglary when you have guests invited over.” He told the group that roommate situations, where one or the other housemates invites people inside has been leading to items being stolen from apartments. “We’re trying to tell people be careful with your property and be careful who you invite into your house,” Tasso said. Cop of the Month Police Officer Scott McMaster of the 83rd Precinct earned the Cop of the Month award, donated by the Times Newsweekly for his assistance tracking down a stolen mobile phone. Tasso said he wants to start honoring one officer every month because “there’s such good work being done by officers at the 83rd Precinct.” On Mar. 8, a woman had her phone stolen while she was riding the L train. McMaster was able to locate the phone and officers found him on a bus in Brooklyn. “He was a career felon and possessed other stolen property,” Tasso said of the suspect. “I like to acknowledge the officers that go above and beyond,” Tasso added, noting that McMaster has “27 years with the department, and he’s still going out and making arrests.” Traffic Safety Update Kicy Motley, Brooklyn borough director for the Office of the Mayor community affairs unit came to the meeting to update the community on traffic safety issues and the Mayor’s Vision Zero initiative. One Bushwick resident Martha Bayona has seen traffic issues that greatly concern her in that community. She has two kids at P.S./I.S. 384 and says she sees reckless driving near the school regularly. Specifically, she said she sees speeding by the school and drivers running red lights. “It gets us nervous,” she said. “People aren’t stopping when they are supposed to.” In response Motley said the Mayor is planning on getting more red light and speeding cameras, but told the group that the city must go through the state to get them. Elections Brooklyn Community Board 4 District Manager Nadine Whitted informed the group new community council elections are slated for May and that an election committed has been formed. The list is made of eligible members who have “attended four meetings” at minimum between April 2013 and March 2014, Whitted said. In May, nominations can be taken from the floor; after that point, no more nominations can be made. Positions up for election are president, vice president, secretary, and sergeant-at-arms. As of press time, there are just 32 people who are eligible to run for a community council post and/or participate in the election. * * * The 83rd Precinct Community Council meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the 83rd Precinct located at 480 Knickerbocker Ave. in Bushwick. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 10- SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS MEANS MORE THAN WAVING FLAGS. Help Returning Soldiers By Donating To Local Veterans Organizations. Report: Speed Up Sandy Recovery Among the many reforms include expanded eligibility for reimbursement of reconstruction and city or state acquisition of property deemed too dangerous to be rebuilt to ensure that no home or business owner would be disqualified from such aid due to their income. Other financial support to be offered includes relief from water bills for vacant homes and property tax relief, as well as American Red Cross rental assistance for undocumented immigrants in New York City who were displaced during Hurricane Sandy. Additional reform measures include the following: • The city will establish the Sandy Community Improvement Initiative to expedite and coordinate city services and capital projects in the storm zones. A regular interagency working group will also be created to help streamline the recovery process, set priorities and resolve ongoing issues and disputes between property owners and government agencies. • The city will also look to expand eligibility for the Hurricane Sandy Business Recovery Loan and Grant Program and speed up the processing of applications for business relief. The city will also work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to increase the individual program award limit for businesses. • At the city’s Office of the Director of Housing Recovery, a new position will be created to focus on hiring local individuals to help rebuild their communities. Working with trade unions, nonprofit agencies and other partners, various programs would be created to recruit, train and hire local labor. • The city will also create a new web portal to allow applicants in the Build It Back program to track their status in real time and view and submit all related paperwork. Queens lawmakers praised the announcement and hoped the reforms would bring about a quicker, but stronger recovery in areas hardest hit by Sandy. “While I am heartened to see New Yorkers finally begin to rebound from the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy, the reality for many families and businesses is that the road to recovery is far from over,” said Rep. Joe Crowley, who praised the mayor “for recommitting our city to the rebuilding process and spurring the recovery for many homeowners for whom relief cannot come soon enough.” “A year and a half after Hurricane Sandy hammered our region, many New Yorkers continue to recover from the devastation,” added Rep. Grace Meng, who applauded the mayor “for advancing recovery efforts so that affected residents and communities can finally receive the relief they desperately need.” “I welcome the ‘One City, Rebuilding Together’ report and I look forward to working closely with the mayor and local community organizations in the rebuilding of our neighborhoods,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks. “I am also relieved to see that FEMA’s first reimbursement checks are finally being sent out to the numerous victims of excessive rate increases.” “These latest announcements from the administration have brought new hope to many of our residents who have been displaced and are fighting to put their lives back together and move forward,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “My office will continue to focus resources on the issues and challenges still outstanding for these residents, so we may collectively find solutions.” -CONTINUED FROM PG. 12- P.O. Scott McMaster of the 83rd Precinct was awarded with a Cop Of The Month award for his assistance in tracking down a stolen cell phone in March. The mugger stole a woman’s phone and was tracked by McMaster to Bedford-Stuyvesant, where he was arrested and charged with grand larceny. McMaster is flanked by Deputy Inspector Anthony Tasso (at left), 83rd Precinct commander, and Barbara Smith, 83rd Precinct Community Council president. The officer received a plaque donated by the Times Newsweekly for his efforts. (photo: Noah Zuss)
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