for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com may 9, 2013 • The CourieR SUN 3 ‘Clear and present danger’ Cops nab man wanted in string of sexual assaults on kids BY TERE NCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com MTA plans to upgrade Lefferts A train station BY TERE NCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com It could be a big lift for subway riders. MTA officials are planning a partial revamp of the Lefferts Boulevard A train station, including the installation of an elevator. The nearly 100-year-old station does not have any handicap accessibility at present. Along with the elevator, the MTA’s plans include new stairs and a new roof on the platform. The project comes at the cost of several parking spots. A bus stop will be relocated within the parking lot to accommodate the new stairs. “In addition to the elevator, this is going to give everyone more of an outlet,” said MTA representative Joe Raskin. However, some residents are concerned that the elevator will entice vandals. “We have a problem at night where people hang out, urinate,” said Richmond Hill South Civic Association President Margaret Finnerty. “How are you going to control that?” Raskin said the MTA will prioritize safety and work with transit police to make sure the station stays safe. “If there is a situation like that that develops,” he said, “it’s going to be a matter for the transportation bureau of the NYPD to have people there as a proactive thing. And we would work with them on that to make sure they know about the situation.” The project will be awarded to a contractor on September 30, according to Vinod Patel, acting design manager for the MTA. After days of searching, police have arrested a man wanted in connection with sexual assaults on children in South Ozone Park. Police say Lee Samuel, 25, is the man who sexually assaulted two seven year-old girls in separate incidents on Wednesday, May 1. According to the authorities, the suspect approached the first girl around 3 p.m. and groped her while she sat on the stoop of her home. He allegedly approached the second girl around 6 p.m. while she was playing in her driveway. Police said he performed a sexual act on the girl before fleeing on foot. Community response was rapid and active in the wake of the assaults. Authorities arrested Samuel on Tuesday, May 7 after someone who recognized him from video surveillance called Crime Stoppers, according to reports. Samuel is charged with a criminal sexual act, forcible touching and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to the district attorney. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. “The defendant is accused of being a sexual predator,” said District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “Such an allegation makes him a threat to children and a clear and present danger to society in general. Such conduct, if proven true, cannot go unpunished.” The NYPD increased its presence in the area in the days after the assaults, giving the 106th Precinct more cops to search for the suspect. The extra forces included officers from the sexual crimes and criminal response divisions along with eight police cars and 16 officers. The Community Affairs arm of the NYPD passed out flyers depicting the suspect, and will speak to schools in the precinct about “stranger danger.” City Council Speaker and mayoral candidate Christine Quinn visited South Ozone Park on Monday, May 6 to pass out flyers. Councilmember Eric Ulrich, who was with Quinn, said the community was visibly shocked by the reported assaults. “It happened in my district,” Ulrich said, “And I can tell you that since this heinous crime took place, the residents in South Ozone Park have been shaken to their core.” He added that the community and NYPD worked together to spread information about the suspect through flyers, social media and other means. Some Indar, who comes to South Ozone Park to shop at the Home Depot on Rockaway Boulevard, said it was odd for something like this to happen in a community-oriented environment. “People don’t expect these things around here,” he said. According to reports, Samuel, of Trinidad, has 17 prior arrests, including two sex offenses. Photos courtesy NYPD The suspect on surveillance video in South Ozone Park. THE COURIER/Photo by Terence M. Cullen A new group home for young adults with autism and other disabilities is coming to Lindenwood. Lindenwood to get assisted living home BY TERE NCE M. CULLEN tcullen@queenscourier.com A new assisted living home is coming to Lindenwood. Community Board (CB) 10 gave the green light for Birch Family Services to move into a twofamily home on 80th Street. The new facility will house up to six young adults with autism or other developmental disabilities. Before CB 10 members gave their approval, they asked about services, security and staff. There will be three patients to a floor, and at least two staffers on each level, according to Lester Kaufman, executive vice president of Birch Family Services. Kaufman said anyone who applies to work at the home goes through a rigorous vetting process. He told the board that in addition to background checks, staffers go through a full training process. He added that the home has an open-door policy that allows neighbors to voice any concerns they have, while clinical specialists and supervisors will be on hand at the facility. Residents of the home will be among the community during the day for shopping and recreation, all of which Kaufman said will be supervised. CB 10 Chairperson Betty Braton said there are currently 15 similar facilities in the area, and that there has never been a major problem. “This board has numerous facilities of this nature within our board area,” she said. “All of our other facilities have not impacted negatively upon the community. These are people who would be living in our communities if they didn’t have the needs that require additional assistance.” Kaufman said the community was doing a good service by allowing his firm to come in. “It’s really something you can be proud of,” he said. “We’re all going to be proud to be a part of your community.” Garden Center • Seasonal Decor Landscaping • Irrigation 125 Crossbay Blvd. • Broad Channel HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Visit us for the perfect Mother's Day owers at the root of all your garden needs. 718.869.3176
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