Police Commish Discusses Local Crime

Quality-of-life crimes topped the list of concerns at a public meeting with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly at the 115th Police Precinct in Jackson Heights last week.
The meeting, organized by the 115th Precinct Community Council, gave citizens a chance to hear what police are doing to combat crime and to inform the commissioner about persistent problem areas.
Kelly started the meeting by touting a 5% drop in crime citywide last yeardespite a slight increase in crime in the 115th Precinct during the same periodand said that homicides were at a 42-year low.
"I can assure you, were not going to rest on our laurels," said Kelly to an audience of about 75 people.
Kelly added that the NYPDs responsibilities have increased since September 11, with its dual mission of fighting both conventional crime and terrorism.
The commissioner reported that the FBI-NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force now counts 120 NYPD members in its ranks, up from 11 before the terror attacks.
Other new police initiatives Kelly mentioned include anti-burglary strategies and crackdowns on quality-of-life crimes, such as Operations Clean Sweep, Silent Night and Spotlight, which collectively target panhandling, graffiti, noise pollution and repeat violators of quality-of-life laws.
"The concept is to take care of the little things before they grow into larger problems," said Kelly. "You have a right to be left alone."
Kelly said that about 9,000 arrests and 85,000 summonses have been issued since Clean Sweep was established last January.
The commissioners statements seemed to ring hollow for the audience, many of whom complained that quality-of-life crimes persist despite police efforts.
Corona resident Elisa Burgos said that noise, drag racing, litter and public urination were so pervasive on 108th Street and 37th Drive that she had to call police three or four times a night.
"We are afraid to walk down our block," said Burgos. "Were not at peace."
Captain Ruben Beltran, commander of the 115th Precinct, took the heat off the police commissioner by saying that his officers had made arrests and would continue to be a "forceful presence" on the block.
"You have our commitment that were going to be there," said Beltran.
Jim Steere, founder of the Coalition for a Quiet Jackson Heights, took issue with Astorias selection as a target area for noise crackdowns when he felt that his own neighborhood was even noisier.
Kelly reassured Steere that the target areas would be moved around to other parts of the city.
Daniel Karatzas, president of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, asked Kelly why manpower at the 115th Precinct has not kept pace with the neighborhoods population boom.
Kelly explained that increased separation of the Police Department into specialized units such as narcotics and warrant squads over the years had led to a shortage of patrol officers at the precincts.
"I would like to see more police in the precincts, but once youve started, its hard to get the genie back in the bottle," said Kelly.
Asked if more officers could be added to the 115th, Kelly responded that the audience shouldnt get its hopes up. "With a $5 billion deficit, I dont know whats going to happen."