FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com february 27, 2014 • The Courier SUN 3 BUS TIME TO ARRIVE MARCH 9 BY CRI STABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] @CristabelleT As promised, the MTA is set to debut its live bus tracking service in all of Queens and the rest of Brooklyn. The MTA will launch Bus Time, which allows riders to follow realtime location of buses through any web-enabled smartphone or computer via GPS, on March 9, the agency announced on Monday, February 24. Bus Time users can also text an intersection or street address to 511123 to receive a message listing local bus routes or find out information by using a smartphone with a QR-code reader. The QR-code is printed on the Guide-A-Ride schedules posted at bus stops. The expansion adds more than 9,000 additional bus stops to the Bus Time system, which is already in all of Staten Island, the Bronx and Manhattan. ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] @magghayes Despite the fact that incidents of domestic violence have increased by more than 50 percent in the 106th Precinct in the past year, police still say victims are underreporting the crimes. Citywide last year, the NYPD responded to more than 240,000 calls of domestic violence, said Sergeant Noreen Lazarus from the 102nd Precinct. “But there are still so many occurrences and incidents that are not being reported,” she added. The 106th Precinct joined the 102 on Thursday, February 20, to conduct a domestic violence seminar as part of a series of community outreach initiatives intended to ultimately help decrease the crime. A very diverse population makes up south Queens, cops said, and Deputy Inspector Henry Sautner, 102nd Precinct Commanding Officer, said local police are “trying to break down that cultural barrier” so anyone can feel comfortable reporting an incident. “We’re not interested in your immigration status. What we care about is you,” said Sergeant Diane Silverstein. Alexandra Patino from the Family Justice Center of Queens said more than half of her clientele is “foreign born.” She works with them regarding child and/or spousal support, helping to separate domestic violence victims from dangerous situations. “Some are tied to people out of fear of deportation. We don’t want people to continue to be victimized out of fear of deportation,” she said. Patino and the Family Justice Center can also help victims in getting their green cards. In the coming weeks, the precincts will be continuing to spread domestic violence awareness by visiting local schools, PTA meetings, men’s groups and more. “We understand the situation can become very emotional,” Silverstein said. “We are about everybody being safe and everybody obeying the law.” HB attorney gives back in The Big Easy Pol: Racino $ should go to Aqueduct BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] @magghayes Following years of neglect and two recent crimes, one Queens pol wants to turn the Aqueduct Racetrack from a “national disgrace” back into a community gem. “It’s unacceptable that this once national treasure has become an eyesore and serious danger to our families and neighbors in southern Queens,” said Assemblymember Phillip Goldfeder. Goldfeder has introduced new legislation that would require an existing $30 million, generated by neighboring Resorts World Casino, go directly to Aqueduct. Earlier this month, a mentally handicapped 40-year-old woman was found naked in the racetrack’s bathroom stall after being sexually abused by Frank Wood of Pennsylvania, according to District Attorney Richard A. Brown. Additionally, just this week the 1985 Breeders’ Cup trophy and several electronic items were stolen from the site, police said. Goldfeder said his proposal would bring in funds to significantly upgrade security as well as give current employees the tools needed to combat crime. It would also go toward general upgrades for the facility. The $30 million from Resorts World accounts for 4 percent of the racino’s yearly revenue. It is allotted to capital expenditures for maintaining and upgrading New York Racing Association (NYRA) facilities. Currently, NYRA uses the funds upstate at the Saratoga and Belmont racing sites. Eric Wing, a NYRA spokesperson, said revenue received is diverted to Saratoga, Belmont and Aqueduct depending on what is needed in capital improvements. “In the past year, we’ve spent well over $5 million just on upgrades at Aqueduct,” Wing said. “Everyone who comes can easily get a firsthand look at the many improvements that have been made.” He said NYRA has a “responsibility to all three of our racetracks” and upgrades will continue to be made at the borough’s track. PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT BARON Howard Beach attorney Scott Baron (right) participated in the annual NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service held this year in New Orleans. BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] @magghayes Attorney Scott Baron hit the road to New Orleans where he volunteered alongside dozens of others at the annual NBA All- Star Day of Service. “For me, in general, the feeling one gets from assisting the needy is incredible,” Baron said. “I’m very happy just to take a small part in something like that.” Baron had the opportunity to work with NBA stars including Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving during the service day, beautifying the outside of a school. This is the second time the Howard Beach lawyer was invited to participate in NBA Cares Day. Although he partakes in various charitable events year round, the NBA’s “philanthropic endeavors are particularly contagious and addicting.” “To see all of these players, who are role models, come together is a wonderful thing. They work together, they’re friendly and they’re really producing,” Baron said. “I support and I’m behind so many fundraisers and causes, but this is addicting.” The service day took place this month and while some painted, others worked on the site’s green spaces and more volunteers put together a play set. “Every time you do these events, you learn from it and you just go to the next one. You take what you learned to the next project,” Baron said. “That’s what makes philanthropy and fundraising so enjoyable.” The local lawyer mainly fundraises and frequents causes in state, so he “has an appreciation” for being able to leave the state to volunteer with an organization such as NBA Cares. “That to me was a lot of fun,” he said. Looking ahead, Baron plans to continue his philanthropic work and is thinking up various ideas of where he’ll put his energy next.
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