CB 13 wants more police

At a recent community forum, residents of south Queens - frustrated with a never-ending battle to rid their community of drugs, prostitution and gangs - voiced their complaints to local enforcement officials, many demanding a second police precinct in the area.
Held on July 11 at Martin DePorres School located on 136-25 218th Street in Springfield Gardens, Assemblyman William Scarborough orchestrated the round table discussion, fielding questions from local community leaders and residents to an assortment of police officials.
Many of the approximately 150 attendees at the forum complained of the drug dealing that is running rampant in their communities. Residents in Community Board 13 (CB 13), policed by the 105th Precinct, felt that one precinct was not sufficient to protect and serve their neighborhoods, given the broad swath of their region, which extends over 13.2 square miles.
Person after person described incidents of drug and prostitution trafficking, especially along Merrick Boulevard. The corner of 219th Street and Merrick Boulevard, the location of the local Walgreen's, was singled out by many as a being an allegedly well-known &#8220drug spot.”
Residents shared information regarding gang activity and their communication codes. Apparently, a telltale sign of an alleged drug location are often sneakers hanging from a traffic or telephone wire. Also discussed at length was the relationship between graffiti and gangs. Residents were advised to take pictures of graffiti-ridden properties.
Sally Martino-Fisher, district manager of CB 13, which she says is &#8220the largest CB land-wise in the city and the only CB not covered by two precincts” described the long battle to establish a second precinct to help the 105th Precinct protect and serve the communities of New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Queens Village, Bellerose, Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, and Meadowmere.
&#8220We have been fighting since the 70's,” says Martino-Fisher, dissatisfied with the city's establishment of a taskforce for south Queens instead of another precinct, which she says isn't dedicated to the CB 13 region exclusively.
Many of the police officials - though respectful to the crowd - seemed to grow despondent in face of the many complaints and frustrated residents. Several officers on the law enforcement panel cited &#8220intelligence” as a significant factor in solving the residents' complaints. They urged the crowd to give specific locations, times of day, and descriptions of persons involved in alleged criminal activity. As for the issue of a second police precinct, none had the power to discuss such an option much less bring it to fruition.