By Debbie Cohen
Capt. Charles McEvoy from the 102nd Precinct honored two Cops of the Month for an act of bravery at last month's 102nd Precinct Community Council meeting. On Jan. 14 at 1:30 p.m. a fire broke out on Jamaica Avenue near 110th Street in Richmond Hill. Police Officer Joe Amato and Sgt. John Dorst saw smoke and heard screams from the second- and third-floor apartments and proceeded to call the fire department. Officer Amato raced in the burning building and helped save three women, a 1-year-old and an 8-month-old baby, according to McEvoy. The fire was then contained.”I want to thank both officers for their heroic effort in attempting to save others,” McEvoy said. “It was an amazing effort.” In addition, McEvoy said that burglaries and grand larceny, mainly credit-card fraud, have risen in the area, but overall crime is down. He said it is also youth-on-youth robberies stealing iPods, cell phones and Sidekicks. Flyers were passed out warning about these dangers. Katherine Maines, an Ozone Park resident, described another illegal activity that has been occurring on Atlantic Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park. “At early morning hours, prostitutes have been out in these areas looking for business and it needs to be cleaned up,” Maines said. “Although it has been less then it was years ago.” In addition, Maria Thomson, executive director of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation, said she would like the news bins removed off Jamaica Avenue because of the mess they create and also said new lighting is needed on Jamaica Avenue. “Increased lighting on Jamaica Avenue curtails burglaries and is a safety measure,” Thomson said. Thomson also added that because of the housing crisis, 125 homes are now in foreclosure in Woodhaven with 200 more going into foreclosure. Also, 250 green carts selling fruits and vegetables on the street might be coming to Queens soon, she said.According to Thomson, Le Cordon Bleu Caterers recently closed on Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven and the second floor will reopen as another catering facility. The Woodhaven Terrace will open within six months, featuring a Continental cuisine. The fate of the first floor is yet to be determined and it might eventually hold retail stores.There is also a new litter law now being enforced so circulars and flyers do not have to be left at doors or lawns. A red sign can be put in a homeowner's window to discourage this activity, Thomson said. More information about the signs can be obtained by calling 311 or contacting the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation at 718-805-0202.
