Parents in Corona sent their children to school last week with all the usual emotions, pride, hope and an underlying fear that their student may be caught up in the gang violence that has been growing – storm like – in the neighborhood.
Assemblymember Jose Peralta, who has made curbing gang violence in Corona, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst one of his priorities, is correct when he says, “Individuals who know somebody or the whereabouts of these gangs must report this information to their local authorities.”
Alicia Maxey Greene, a spokesperson for the City’s Department of Education, wants parents to know that, “Every school is assigned at least one officer from the New York Police Department (NYPD) whose primary objective is school safety.”
Gangs can operate anywhere, in any neighborhood – not just in Corona, Jackson Heights or East Elmhurst, at any time of the day or night. Gangs can spread their drug and prostitution networks across the street or down the block from any school in Queens.
It is up to parents and all the rest of us, to be more vigilant and report all suspected gang activities to the police. Find the school safety officer and tell him or her about what you have seen or heard. Give the NYPD the tips and they will chase them down and break up the gangs that may be recruiting in your neighborhood.
Remember as Peralta pointed out last week in The Queens Courier, “The community needs to play a more active role in eradicating this problem. Turning the other cheek or assuming it is an ethnic issue is not the right approach. The gang issue is real, and it affects all of us regardless of race, gender or creed.” Speak up – fight gangs.
Welcome Courier Sun
This week the publisher of The Queens Courier, Victoria Schneps-Yunis, is proud to announce the first copy of our new sister publication – The Courier Sun.
The new weekly newspaper will serve all of southern Queens continuing our commitment to provide the best local news coverage. The Courier Sun will focus on the neighborhoods of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, South Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Howard Beach and Broad Channel.
The Courier Sun will also continue to bring award-winning coverage of Briarwood, Jamaica, Hollis, Queens Village, St. Albans, Cambria Heights, Springfield Gardens, Laurelton and Rosedale to the current readers of The Queens Courier.
Look for our new publication beginning today, September 14, in all of the above neighborhoods. We will be your eyes and ears as we cover the events, happenings and people who are making a buzz and the news of your neighborhood with our outstanding staff of editors, reporters, artists and photographers. Count on us to keep you informed on the issues of your neighborhood. Make us your must read – each and every Thursday.
