TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014 • 56 Burglar Wanted In Richmond Hill -CONTINUED FROM PG. 20- Avenue and 108th Street, where the perpetrator removed $2,000, a wedding band and comic books, and the most recent happened up the street, near Jamaica Avenue and 113th Street, as the suspect broke-in and removed $1,000, a laptop computer, two watches and a Samsung tablet computer. The police describe the suspect as a Hispanic male, that was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and a dark colored baseball hat. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577- TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential. Police To Tackle Noise, 106th Council Learns -CONTINUED FROM PG. 12- music go into your own neighborhood ... we can’t have that here." While the 106th Precinct can’t afford a 24-hour post at the park, Schiff is ready to confiscate the individual’s car, speakers and issue a summons. There have be no additional complaints thus far. Cop of the Month The Cop of the Month Award went to P.O. Vincent Brites for an April arrest in which he and his patrol partner received a distress call for an assault against a woman, explained Lt. Frank DiPreta, the precinct’s special operations coordinator. Brites and his partner made it to the incident, saw the perpetrator, and made an arrest. “Just because we made the arrest it doesn’t stop there,” DiPreta said. The suspect was the woman’s boyfriend and with any domestic violence incident, they must go deeper and specifically ask if there is a gun in the house, it was noted. Brites reassured the woman she was in good hands and got her to open up and confirm a household gun. She gave the 106th Precinct permission to go into the house and get it. The perpetrator has 33 prior arrests. Thanks to Brites’ outstanding police work he is off the streets for a good while, officers noted. Schiff and Frank Dardani, 106th Precinct Community Council president, presented Brites with a plaque donated by the Times Newsweekly for his efforts. Crime notes Schiff also summarized several other recent arrests made by the 106th Precinct: • Rohan Vickers, 24, was arrested and charged with felony assault for shooting a paintball gun at three other vehicles who also had paintball guns in separate vehicles. They hit innocent bystanders which awarded the perpetrator the felony charge. Three of the four guns were confiscated. • Maurice Stokes, 27 was arrested Apr. 29 after an officer stopped a man that appeared to have a firearm. When Stokes was approached, he ran, instigating a lengthy pursuit through backyards and over fences. Officers were not able to recover the gun due to the distance covered during the chase. Stokes was charged with criminal trespassing and resisting arrest. He has five priors and Legislators Report At WRBA Meet -CONTINUED FROM PG. 14- to the city and continues to support implementing a dedicated crossing time for pedestrians on the city’s most dangerous streets. Though a dedicated crossing time has not yet been implemented, Miller remains hopeful and supportive of the idea, he said. “We need to be able to protect children and seniors, anybody crossing the street,” Miller said. Miller believes the additional speed cameras will save lives, and research used to champion Vision Zero’s implementation has repeatedly recommended slowing drivers down as possibly the best way to avoid traffic fatalities. “The idea is to try and slow people down. People drive crazy,” Miller said. “We need to be able to protect pedestrians.” Update from Eric Ulrich City Council Member Eric Ulrich also gave the WRBA an update on the issues his office has been working on for the community. He began by telling the group that some graffiti in their area could be gang-related, and that local police are monitoring any spray painted chatter about crimes. He then attempted to explain to residents complaining of repeat graffiti offenders that judges often sentence vandals to very short sentences or community service, instead of handing out longer prison time. Ulrich mentioned stiffer penalties for graffiti vandalism, as offenders can be sentenced on a class A misdemeanor charge in New York State Courts, but Ulrich feels harsh sentences are rarely given out. “We do try to trap them. The problem is in the courts,” Ulrich said. He believes the community needs to stay on top of the graffiti situation and, “I think the more we clean it up and discourage them, I hate to say it, but it becomes somebody else’s problem.” Association members Vance against a possible ten cent plastic bag fee for New York City supermarkets currently being kicked around in the council. His office conducted a constituent survey on the issue, and 190 out of 200 responses were against, he said. citizens and new immigrants and working-class people,” Ulrich said. I just think the way they are going about it with the ten cents fee is not the best approach. (There’s) good intentions, there’s a way to do it, but there’s a better way to do it,” he added. 102nd Precinct Community Affairs Unit came to the meeting to briefly discuss some crime issues within the precinct, and answer some questions from the group. He also distributed “safeguard your car” fliers that gave residents some tips on keeping their car, and anything valuable inside safe. anything valuable visible in your car,” to attract a potential criminal, he said. Dot money card scam remains a problem. seems to be the elderly and immigrant communities being targeted,” Severino said. “We’re just advising that nobody would ask for immediate payment over the phone,” he added scams, Severino took a few questions from the group on their concerns. Community affairs officers like Severino hear about issues directly from the public, and take those concerns to the command so police brass can address them. Colberg raised the issue of reckless driving and said, “It’s really becoming an issue on Atlantic Avenue.” Drivers are “drag racing, jumping (traffic) islands, its a safety concern,” he said. Barbour and Alex Blenkinsopp floated some ideas to Ulrich at the meeting. Barbour thinks the state needs to pass laws restricting the availability of spray paint cans by requiring a $20 deposit for purchase. Blenkinsopp asked Ulrich how judges use the class A misdemeanor charge at sentencing. “The state has passed laws, the city has passed laws ... but for some reason, the courts don’t take it very seriously and most likely they will plead it down to a Class C or get 25 hours community service,” Ulrich said. Ulrich also took the position “I think it will hurt senior Community policing update P.O. Jose Severino from the “It’s as simple as not leaving He also reported that the Green “With the Green Dot scam, it After he spoke briefly on the WRBA President Martin Severino noted that the mayor’s Vision Zero initiative has emphasized pedestrian safety and enforcement for reckless driving. He reminded WRBA that Atlantic Avenue is now an “arterial slow zone,” and said he would bring the feedback back to the precinct. The Woodhaven Block Residents’ Association generally holds Town Hall Meetings at American Legion Hall 118, located at 89-02 91st St., in Woodhaven. Call 1-718-296-3735 for meeting times and locations. P.O. Vincent Brites was honored as Cop of the Month during the 106th Precinct Community Council meeting last Wednesday, May 14, in Ozone Park. As shown, Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, commanding officer (at right), and Frank Dardani (at left), precinct council president, presented Brites with a plaque donated by the Times Newsweekly for his efforts. (photo: Matthew Van Deventer) has conditional discharge. • Willis Fairbanks, 46, was allegedly rifling through a car when he was confronted by the owner. The woman got her husband who chased Fairbanks down the street and caught him after a few blocks and held him until police showed up. Fairbanks has 15 prior arrests. Schiff said, “bad guys do bad things ... these guys are opportunists. He knows we know him.” • John Broome, 35, was arrested for stealing 12 separate Econoline Vans in Queens and Brooklyn and 11 on Long Island. Schiff hopes this will cut down significantly on the vehicle thefts in the area. Crime overall is down for the month and year except for vehicle theft, which remains a problem for the precinct with an increase of 64 percent, stated Schiff. The incidents are not happening in a concentrated area, which he stated makes it difficult to track, but many incidents are happening south of Liberty Avenue and south of Rockaway Boulevard. Ford Econoline vans are in high demand for auto thieves as the parts are easily used for other models and are used in committing other crimes, it was noted. Schiff informed the room the NYPD is rewarding individuals up to “$1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons possessing or distributing fireworks,” as stated in an NYPD flier. For crimes in progress, call 911 and for information call 311. praised the 106 and community leaders for stepping up during recent floods saying “we’ve been through a rough couple of months ... the 106 put a lot of families at ease just by being out there just by being visible at two, three, four in the morning and a lot of credit goes to Inspector Schiff who was leading the charge late at night and very early in the morning.” a clearer and more organized emergency plan during disasters and hoping to update evacuation signage in the area to be better prepared for future storms and floods. 112th Precinct News -CONTINUED FROM PG. 14- and students in grades six through 12 are eligible to participate. The theme of this year’s essay contest is, “We are one New York.” People from all over the world live here in Queens. As we in Queens celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1964 World’s Fair and the 75th anniversary of the 1939 World’s Fair, we are reminded of how all the many cultures are united in Queens. In discussing the World’s Fair, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said: “We are in the world’s borough, the most ethnically diverse borough on the entire planet. It is our asset, it is our strength and the World’s Fair knew that all those generations ago.” Your essay should include your thoughts of how living in Queens can and should encourage greater awareness, understanding and respect for each other. Essays are due next Friday, May 30. Essays are to be submitted to the 112th Precinct, 68-40 Austin St., Forest Hills, NY 11375. Other news On Sunday, June 8, the Forest Hills Rego Park CERT with the 112th Kudos for flood response Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder The assemblyman is pushing for Precinct Council and the precinct will have a table giving out literature at the Austin Street Fair. We also invite you to like the precinct council’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/112thPrecinctCo mmunityCouncil?ref=tn_tnmn; or follow it on Twitter @112thprctcouncil. Residents can also follow Capt. Thomas Conforti, 112th Precinct commander, on Twitter @NYPD112PCT. Editor’s note: Heidi Harrison Chain is president of the 112th Precinct Community Council. WE’RE ON TWITTER! FOLLOW US at www.twitter.com/timesnewsweekly (@timesnewsweekly) * * * The next 106th Precinct Community Council meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the stationhouse located at 103-53 101st St. in Ozone Park. For more information, call the 106th Precinct Community Affairs Unit at 1-718- 845-2228.
RT05222014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above