By Barbara Morris
The council president, Rose Funderburk, and her husband, Major, were kind enough to drive me to that meeting. On the way, Rose told me that our longtime Community Affairs Officer Peter Dwyer (who is retiring in May after 20 years in the service), was to be given a surprise plaque of appreciation for his great service to our various communities. One of the council board members, Beulah Wilson, volunteered to get Dwyer's badge number so that it could be included on the plaque. The trick was to get the number without letting Dwyer know he would be honored.Dwyer called Rose Funderburk and told her he heard that Wilson wanted his badge number. He wondered if someone had at this late date – just before his retirement – decided to make a complaint against him. Funderburk claimed not to know. That was all well before the meeting night, but the saga continued as the meeting began.The Pledge of Allegiance was said, followed by introductions of the board and the introduction of the Cop of the Month, P.O. Cassar, who had made a dangerous, spectacular arrest of a man who had recently served eight years in jail and had armed himself so that he could car-jack some innocent individual. Cassar stopped that dreaded process and made the arrest without anyone being harmed, even though the perpetrator was armed with a loaded .38 caliber weapon. We all appreciate Officer Cassar's excellent work and congratulate him and hope he and all of our officers stay safe and healthy.After that presentation, Wilson asked for speaking time, because she said as a board member she felt she should have had better cooperation trying to get the badge number of a certain officer serving in the 105th. She said she felt someone was trying to protect that officer but she was determined to get what she wanted. Dwyer, who was sitting in front of the room, seemed to brace himself for whatever was to come.Wilson's attitude, severe to that point, softened. A smile crept across her face as she turned toward Dwyer said, “I wanted his number so it could be included on the plaque we are giving him tonight to let him know we all love him, are going to miss him and appreciate the fact that he was always willing to help us. He never refused.”Dwyer's face was a picture in animated change – from tense to surprise to embarrassment to delight – and we were all delighted. He has earned our respect, our gratitude and our very best wishes for a long, happy, healthy future rooting for the winning Mets with his family. All the best, Peter. Let us hear from you from time to time.Questions from the general membership followed, with one of the first concerned about the lack of courtesy on the part of drivers who don't give pedestrians the right of way when trying to cross the street with the light when a car is turning the corner. To all of the complaints, Lt. Breheny told us it is wiser to be safe than right. If you decide to go to war against tons of steel, you, the pedestrian will lose every time. If you must cross, at least hold up your hand and make certain the driver sees you.We were told that drug-related arrests were made in Cambria Heights after lengthy investigations. It was stressed that it is important to give the police as detailed information as possible about suspected drug or other criminal activity. When reporting drug related activity in your community, you need to give the police as much information as possible. This includes locations, vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers, descriptions of perpetrators and their noted hours of activity and any other data that might help speed up a productive investigation.Gang arrests have been made in Laurelton and we were asked to watch for and immediately report activity of graffiti vandals. Graffiti is one way gang members communicate with (and sometimes challenge) each other. If you see groups wearing similar clothing and possibly acting suspiciously, please alert the police that there may be gang activity in your community.Rose Funderburk asked us to warn students and others that Nextel phones and iPods are being targeted for theft. Consider leaving them home.
