By Howard Koplowitz
The president of the Glendale Civic Association slammed the 104th Precinct for not sending a representative to a town hall meeting last week sponsored by state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale) and City Councilman Anthony Como (R-Middle Village).
Officials from the city Sanitation Department and Department of Environmental Protection and an officer from the city's Community Affairs Bureau responded to residents' complaints at the meeting.
“Glendale is like the forgotten community in the 104th Precinct,” said Glendale Civic Association President Kathy Masi. “I think it's outrageous … that someone couldn't be here. I think it's a disgrace.”
Masi also said officers at the precinct “don't pick up phones” and that she calls the precinct, puts down her phone and drives to the precinct to ask them why they do not pick up.
One resident who attended the town hall at IS 137 in Ridgewood wanted to know why helicopters were hovering near his home, but nobody from the precinct was there to answer.
“I thought it was going to land at the top of my house,” he said.
Masi said the new commanding officer of the 104th, Capt. Keith Green, prefers to use helicopters for patrolling and investigating crimes.
“Our new captain is helicopter crazy,” she said. “He thinks it's a very good tactic.”
Another Glendale resident on 69th Street said she was concerned about the PS 91 schoolyard being converted into a playground so it can be accessed by the public.
“Our concern is quality of life,” she said, noting that playground was opened to the public until dusk on weeknights starting in June.
Transforming schoolyards into parks is part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's sustainability plan known as PlaNYC 2030.
Como said he agreed with the resident, but said part of the problem was a lack of communication between PS 91 and concerned groups that have since talked.
“To have something like this open … would make me cringe,” he said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
