55 • TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 Crime Plummets In COMET-Land one in custody, or that was in an accident and in need of help. They all have on thing in common, according to police––every one makes contact over the phone and asks the unsuspecting person to purchase a Green Dot Card, then call back with the account numbers to make payment and the money is drained by the perpetrator. “The IRS is not going to contact you and ask you to send money,” Brown advised residents. The same can be said for a friend or a relative in distress; scammers also claim to be from local utility companies. “It’s happening a lot,” Brown said. “And it can happen to anybody,” he added. Brown advised the group to call their local precinct if they suspect such a scam, or have been harassed by suspected or potential perpetrators. Brown also updated the group on hazardous traffic crimes in the area, which are down 11 percent total for the month, he said. Occupant and pedestrian-related traffic injuries are also down, a significant 53 percent, according to Brown. Following education of drivers in the precinct on traffic summonses, the NYPD has begun to step up enforcement, which is reflected in the drop, Brown remarked. “The activity is represented in the in the numbers,” he said. And Brown assured COMET the precinct will continue to make issuing summonses for hazardous driving a priority, specifically for speeding, red light violations and failure to yield to pedestrians. “50 percent of the traffic summonses were for hazardous (in the last month),” Brown said. His plan to catch more speeders is to park an unmarked car, with no police identification on roads where people drive recklessly. “I’m trying to get an unmarked car ... to catch more speeders,” he said. “The amount of speeders is off the chart.” 110th Precinct update Deputy Inspector Ronald Leyson, commanding officer of the 110th Precinct also updated the group on crimes during the past month in that precinct, where there were only six crimes reported in the precinct’s confines in the 28 day period, he said. “We’re doing very well,” Leyson said, in comparison with 11 crimes the month previous. The precinct had a transit robbery, where a girls’ phone was stolen, two grand larcenies––one was a lost credit card that was used later, and the other for unauthorized eBay transactions totaling $2000, according to Leyson, The woman that lost her credit card “realized she lost her wallet after she was out shopping,” he said. Leyson advised to be wary of websites visited and advised, “when you have these accounts (online) you have to be very mindful.” He also cautioned to always use a secure network while online, “never leave an open network,” or give out your password so perpetrators have the chance to steal your identity. “If someone needs the password, just give that person the password,” he added. He also gave COMET an update on Green Dot scams, and said, “Like the Capt. (Brown) said, these scams are out of control. I have a woman that was bilked out of $30,000, it’s just horrible.” “Nobody is legit if they are calling and asking for payments,” he said. He advised residents to call the precinct if they suspect they have been victimized, or even harassed by calls from people claiming to be from a utility company or the IRS. “Don’t ever give up any identifying information over the phone” he cautioned, and reminded that even if no meny has been sent, the call alone warrants informing police because “the attempt of a crime is there,” he said. The next COMET Civic Association meeting will be held June 2 at the Bethzatha Church of God, located at 85-20 57th Ave., in Elmhurst. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 11- Grand Larceny War Tops 104th Council Meeting Det. Anthony Wright (third from right) and P.O. Louis Marinacci (fourth from left) were honred as Cops of the Month during the 104th Precinct Community Council meeting last Tuesday, Apr. 29, in Middle Village. Pictured at the award presentation with the officers are (from left to right) Precinct Council Treasurer Tania Broschart, Sergeant-at-arms Dieter Vey and Recording Secretary Len Santoro; Capt. Christopher Manson, 104th Precinct commanding officer; and Precinct Council Vice President Abraham Markowitz and President Mario Matos. (photo: Robert Pozarycki) SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS MEANS MORE THAN WAVING FLAGS. Help Returning Soldiers By Donating To Local Veterans Organizations. He’s Nabbed For Steal-&-Scrap Scam not have the title) signed by him and listing himself as the vehicle owner, along with a New York State driver’s license with his name and picture. In many cases, it is alleged that the vehicle’s ignition was broken and the plastic keyholder was placed back into position and a bogus Ford key was placed into the ignition to make it look like Brew had the key. Brew was allegedly paid $600 to $750 per vehicle. The 12 vehicles, which were reported stolen between February and April 2014, included two Dodge Caravans, model years 1993 and 1995, and 10 Ford Econoline Vans with the model years ranging from 1998 through 2006. The investigation was conducted by the NYPD Auto Crime Division––specifically, Det. William Rein, Sgt. Joseph Ricotta, Lt. Christopher Gately, and Capt. Donald Boller, under the overall supervision of Chief Thomas P. Purtell, of the Organized Crime Control Bureau. Assistant District Attorney Michelle Witten, of District Attorney Brown’s Rackets Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Mary M. Lowenburg, Chief of the Auto Crime and Insurance Fraud Unit, Gerard A. Brave, rackets bureau chief, and Mark L. Katz, deputy bureau chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Peter A. Crusco and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigation Linda M. Cantoni. It was noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 13- during the inquiry, Manson stated, detectives believe the double homicide was “drug-related,” as the victims were targeted due to the 22- year-old man’s alleged involvement in a drug trade. Persons with information about the murders that could prove helpful are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS; all calls are kept confidential. Turning to the streets, the 104th Precinct saw a downturn in traffic accidents and injuries as a result of enhanced enforcement started as part of the Vision Zero street safety campaign, the commander stated. Officers have issued more tickets for various moving violations including failure to stop at a red light and failure to yield to pedestrians. In the weeks ahead, Manson told residents, the command would turn its attention to stopping truckers from traveling off designated truck routes. With spring having arrived, the 104th Precinct is also beefing up patrols in local parks. Manson stated the precinct recently began working with the neighboring 75th Precinct to clear Highland Park out each night. The initiative—a response to complaints last year about nighttime loitering and illegal activity in the park on the Brooklyn/Queens border—resulted in summonses and arrests of violators for infractions from unlawful loitering to possession of drug paraphernalia, the commander added. “We have seen a difference,” he said. “It has gotten better.” Manson added he plans on assigning 10 new officers the precinct is scheduled to receive in May to patrol Middle Village’s Juniper Valley Park during evening hours to guard against loitering and other illegal activity. Most of the officers will patrol the park in police scooters. “Once we get the officers on scooters, there will be a constant presence,” he added. Problems over mugging response There was a testy exchange between Manson and a local resident over police actions after two men were recently mugged in Maspeth. Adam Gawronski questioned the commander about the recent assault of two men by “a gang of 12” at the corner of Fresh Pond Road and Eliot Avenue. He stated the assault left the victims, both of whom are of Polish descent, with serious injuries. Gawronski cited reports by a Polish newspaper which alleged that the responding officers brushed off witnesses to the incident—who spoke Polish—and disparaged them for their involvement. Manson took exception with the public accusation, stating that alleged police misconduct should be reported to the Civilian Complaint Review Board or the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau. The commander said he had not heard of any complaints of misconduct related to the incident and that he supported his officers. As for the case itself, Manson noted officers did make an arrest in connection with the assault, and an investigation is ongoing. Cops of the Month Det. Anthony Wright and P.O. Louis Marinacci of the 104th Precinct’s Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit were recognized as Cops of the Month for finding a loaded gun and assorted drugs in a residence while responding to a reported domestic dispute. According to Manson, the officers visited a location on Mar. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in response to a reported assault in progress. Upon arrival, they were met at the front door by a man who appeared nervous and hesitant to let the officers in. Eventually, Manson stated, the officers made their way into the apartment and found a female victim who had been “violently assaulted.” During a search, the officers also recovered a loaded firearm in a bag and narcotics. The male resident was taken into custody on related charges, it was noted. Manson and 104th Precinct Community Council President Mario Matos presented the officers with plaques in recognition of their efforts. Defensive driving Treasurer Tania Broschart invited residents to sign up for a defensive driving course sponsored by the council on Sunday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atlas Park Community Room, located at 8000 Cooper Ave. in Glendale. Participants who complete the course will receive points off their driver’s licenses and be eligible for discounts on their auto insurance. Visit www.104pcc.org for information on how to register for the course. The next 104th Precinct Community Council meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday night, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ the King Regional High School, located at 68-02 Metropolitan Ave. in Middle Village. For more information, call the 104th Precinct Community Affairs Unit at 1-718- 386-2431 or visit www.104pcc.org. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 12- HAVE YOU READ A BOOK WITH YOUR CHILD TODAY?
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