By Michael Morton
“This is going to get out of hand,” North Bellerose Civic Association president Bruno DeFranceschi said of graffiti in his neighborhood. “We are not happy. We are trying to get our elected officials to give us a hand.”A police spokesman confirmed that the two units had been combined, a move he said was done to increase efficiency. It could not be determined when the plan was implemented or who came up with idea, but the spokesman said the new unit would have the same amount of manpower and would continue to use both locations.The Anti-Graffiti Vandalism Unit could not be reached for comment. According to the NYPD Web site, the unit is part of the department's Special Operations Division and is charged with developing intelligence and information on graffiti and vandalism patterns throughout the city.The Transit Bureau's Vandals Squad uses computer tracking, confidential informants, intelligence gathering and surveillance, according to the Web site. In addition to stopping graffiti on subway tunnels, stations and trains, it is charged with catching thieves who steal copper cable from the system.DeFranceschi said he was worried that the combined unit would focus its attention on the subways, particularly in Manhattan, because he thinks they are more important to the city, thereby ignoring graffiti in Queens and the other outer boroughs. Already, he said eastern Queens' 105th Precinct, which is the largest in the city and encompasses Bellerose, must focus its resources on its southern end, where more crime normally occurs. The 105th stretches from Glen Oaks in the north down along the Nassau border to Brookville in the south. “It's a darn shame. Our neighborhood was finally getting some protection,” said DeFranceschi, who has led several graffiti cleanups in the area. Though the Anti-Graffiti Vandalism Unit had to cover the whole city with a limited corps of officers, “Now, we have nothing.”DeFranceschi said graffiti remains a problem in northeast Queens, with a spike in incidents since the merger of the two units took place.”This could be the reason why,” he said.The police spokesman would not comment on community concerns.Reach reporter Michael Morton by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by calling 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
