At its first meeting this year, the 106th Precinct Community Council began with a moment of silence for those victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
Then Senator Joseph Addabbo addressed those gathered, informing them that one of the most common questions he receives is regarding the fate of Aqueduct.
“We always hear rumors that a decision is imminent,” said Addabbo, “but we can’t talk about anything until the governor starts the ball rolling and shows true leadership. Hopefully a decision is soon.”
Addabbo emphasized that, no matter which bidder wins, a major consideration is public safety. He said that whoever operates the Racino at Aqueduct racetrack should not depend on the 106th Precinct for patrol.
“We are trying to have bidders hire private security or have state troopers,” he said.
City Councilmember Eric Ulrich, who will be honored by The Courier as a “Rising Star” on Thursday, February 4, then announced that his yearlong graffiti initiative has succeeded in cleaning up 500 locations since August.
“The difference is night and day, especially at 101st Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard,” said Ulrich.
Considering this, he said, he wants to expand its scope to include Liberty Avenue with the July 1 budget.
In addition, on the topic of budgets, Ulrich addressed a question from the audience regarding library cuts.
Explaining that one branch was selected from each council district, he said “the cuts were made on an equitable basis, and are a sign of the times and things to come.”
Though he does not agree with the reduced library hours and services, Ulrich asked, “How do you rob Peter to pay Paul? If libraries weren’t cut, then the NYPD, FDNY or other services might have been.”
The Howard Beach, Richmond Hill and one branch in Woodhaven continue to be open on Saturdays.
“As we approach the next fiscal year I expect more cuts,” he said. “Any way we can preserve these things we will – we will be fighting.”
The next order of business was “Cop of the Month” honors, which went to Police Officer Dominick DeStefano.
Deputy Inspector Joseph G. Courtesis, Commanding Officer, explained that there had been six gunpoint robberies with the suspect approaching the victim, asking for the time and holding them up.
In one case, a female victim refused to give up her valuables, and the perp fired what cops say turned out to be a starter pistol in her direction. In another incident, said Courtesis, the perp took a purple cell phone from a teen.
On December 19, DeStefano was flagged down by a pedestrian who said he had been held up. The cop drove him around, canvassing the area for the suspect, who was later apprehended.
When he was arrested, said the Commanding Officer, the perp was in possession of a silver firearm and purple cell phone. He was put in a line up and positively identified five out of six times.
In other business, Courtesis said that, after ample warning to motorists, he will now notify parking enforcement for the North Conduit Avenue train station.
“It’s a problem and it needs to be addressed,” he said.
Also, cops warn of a new scam involving jury duty.
Police say victims will get a call from someone alleging to be from the court system, saying that they are on a list and in order to be removed, they must give the scammers personal information.
