24 The Courier sun • june 27, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Hero cop released from hospital Police officer Joseph Koch — who was shot while responding to a domestic violence incident on Father’s Day — was released from Jamaica Hospital Medical Center on Friday, June 21. A wall of blue greeted the hero cop as he was wheeled out and accompanied by his daughter Angeline and fiancee Linda. Koch, 29, was leaving the home of his fiancee’s father on South Road in Jamaica on Sunday, June 16 when he saw a 10-year-old boy run out of a nearby house and shout for help. The boy claimed his mother was being assaulted inside, police said. Koch went into the home and found Jose Bernazard, 40, attacking his former girlfriend and the boy’s mother, Christina Rodriguez. According to District Attorney Richard Brown, Bernazard broke into Rodriguez’s home and attacked her and her son. Neighbor Angela Richards said Bernazard, of Brooklyn, slashed the woman across her forehead. It was not the first time Bernazard allegedly went after Rodriguez. In January 2012, Rodriguez was asleep in her home and awoke to find Bernazard on top of her. He allegedly choked and repeatedly punched her. After the arrest for that incident, Bernazard was released on his own recognizance and served an order of protection, Brown said. After Koch heard the boy’s screams for help, he entered the home with his gun drawn. Bernazard Police Officer Joseph Koch was released from Jamaica Hospital late last week to applause from fellow NYPD. attacked, going for the gun. Three shots were fired during the struggle, one hitting Koch’s left hand. Another bullet struck Bernazard’s stomach, police said. come in for our WINTER specials DYNAMIC DENTAL WORK 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 175-15 JAMAICA AVENUE • JAMAICA PHOTO BY DOMINICK TOTINO PHOTOGRAPHY $500 OFF $500 OFF Following the incident, Bernazard was charged with five counts of assault, five counts of criminal contempt, aggravated harassment, burglary, endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison. JAMAICA ROTARY HOSTS ANNUAL GALA The Jamaica Rotary hosted its annual gala at Villa Russo. This year, the group honored “Woman of the Year” Melinda Katz, a candidate for Borough President, and “Men of the Year” Inspector Timothy Pearson and Assistant Chief James Secreto, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Queens South. Joe Iaboni of Jamaica Rotary with honorees Melinda Katz and Inspector Timothy Pearson and Curtis Sliwa. THE COURIER/Photos by Mike DiBartolomeo Joe Iaboni, Inspector Timothy Pearson and Chief Phil Banks. CANDID CAMERA $2 million to install NYPD cameras around Queens BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA ctumola@queenscourier.com Smile, criminals. You’re on camera. Borough President Helen Marshall has allocated $2 million to install NYPD surveillance cameras in 57 locations throughout Queens to help fight crime. “These new cameras will give police more eyes on the street,” Marshall said. “They will be a fantastic deterrent to crime and greatly help our police to solve crimes and apprehend offenders. After all, the camera doesn’t lie!” In announcing the initiative, Marshall noted the role of cameras in finding suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings. She said she hopes the extra surveillance will help reduce gun violence in the borough. The Argus cameras, funded through the Fiscal Year 2013 Capital Budget, are expected to be installed within the next 12 months. NYPD officials selected the future camera locations. The placements are based not only on crime data, but also on other factors such as the best spot for viewing and counterterrorism risk assessment, according to a borough president spokesperson. When factoring in crime data, violent offenses were given top consideration. The cameras will be installed in 11 of Queens’ 16 precincts, including eight along Roosevelt Avenue. Locals had mixed opinions about Argus. “I’ve been living here for several years now and I think crime is getting worse, so I think the cameras are a good idea,” said Maevis Trenton. “It’s not safe to walk around late at night anymore, and if people knew they were being watched maybe they would think twice before doing something stupid.” “Compared to other parts of the city, I think it’s pretty safe here,” said Jordan Brown. “I don’t think the cameras are necessary in this neighborhood, but ... I don’t have anything against the idea either.” Maqueda Tate was wary of the extra surveillance. “I don’t think it’s right for the police to be watching us all the time,” she said. “I understand that it’s for our own safety, but I don’t think there needs to be so many cameras getting installed.” -With additional reporting by Johann Hamilton
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