Illegal signs and parking anger residents

The overdevelopment of Queens was discussed and decided upon as a problem at the latest meeting of the Richmond Hill Block Association.
The meeting took place on Wednesday February 25 and many residents came out to complain about illegal signs allegedly being put up all over the neighborhoods.
“We take about 30 of these signs down on a daily basis,” said a resident.
John McCoy, a Community Affairs officer at the 102nd Precinct, explained to the Richmond Hill residents that it is a hassle and a shame that the signs are being put up, but in order to issue fines, “We must catch them in the act of putting the signs up.”
“It’s the same thing with graffiti,” McCoy said. “We have to catch them in the act, but take a picture of the sign anyway and we’ll see what we can do.”
The illegal advertisements could be a direct cause of the overdevelopment in the area, according to community advocate Albert Baldeo.
“People get taken advantage of by those scams,” Baldeo said.
Baldeo also has been pushing to landmark certain areas of the community to preserve its history, just as City Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley has been trying to do recently.
“We need to fine and make people go through the proper steps of posting signs and converting houses,” a resident said.
The parking conditions in the neighborhood also struck a sour chord with some in the room.
School safety vehicles are allegedly parking in areas they should not be allowed and are not ticketed, according to residents.
“We understand that it disrupts business and garbage pick up,” McCoy said. “We’d be happy to have a meeting to discuss the problem.”
The next meeting of the Richmond Hill Block Association will be March 25. For more information, call 718-849-3759.