Tensions high at precinct council meeting

A standing room-only audience of more than 60 attendees at the 106th Precinct Community Council meeting last week continued the drama that began after Howard Beach and Ozone Park residents pleaded with police to crack down on large groups of loitering teenagers.
Divided neighbors stood and sat in tension during the hour-long meeting as the parents of teenagers arrested in the days following November's meeting defended their children and questioned police rationale for the November 10 arrests of approximately 15 youths for disorderly conduct and vandalism.
&#8220I see a lot of people here that were involved at the last meeting in some way, either being complained about or complaining,” said Lt. Michael Coyle, inviting comments. &#8220I want to get some feedback on what has happened since the last meeting.”
A resident of Chicot Road who had lodged a complaint last month about his area said, &#8220As far as the street and the block, it’s been very quiet and we can’t thank you enough for taking care of that for us.” Police arrested three youths for graffiti and five more for disorderly conduct at the location.
&#8220If you have a problem with the kids on Chicot, why don’t you open up your mouths to ask them yourself to get off the block?” challenged one teen who later stormed out of the meeting.
At times, focus moved directly onto the police as parents questioned their tactics during moments of testy discourse.
&#8220We have information that our children’s names were on a list that said the ‘Rico Gang’ or something, and our children have been stopped and the police have all their information, why is that?” asked the mother of one boy.
Lt. Coyle denied there being any such list in the precinct and later promised that the teens’ names were not associated with any gangs identified by police.
&#8220Squad cars and paddy wagons were sent to my home on Chicot Road,” said Dominick Casale. &#8220When you say that people make complaints, it is incumbent upon you . . . to find out if those complaints are true. Why were police officers with lights flashing and squad cars sent to my home twice looking for my son?”
Lt. Coyle responded, &#8220Because your house was complained of, and I did due diligence, knocking on your door trying to get a hold of you.”
&#8220Why were squad cars with flashing lights sent to my door?” Casale asked again.
A visibly frustrated Coyle replied, &#8220How many times do I knock on your door? I have never seen you. I went at all different times to talk to you. That’s why we were there, to talk to you.”
&#8220And you send squad cars?”
&#8220Of course, what am I going to come in with, a bicycle?” Coyle quipped, as the crowd erupted in laughter.