Praise for burglar busting cops

Officers Shawn Phillips and Steven Betts “exemplify bravery at its finest,” according to their boss.
Deputy Inspector Joseph G. Courtesis, Commanding Officer of the 106th Precinct, told a packed audience at the most recent meeting of the 106th Precinct Community Council that, “we no longer have a robbery pattern in the 106th thanks to these officers,” honored as “Cops of the Month.”
Since there was no meeting last month, they addressed January’s old business, including summonses issued to a Nissan dealership for parking vehicles on sidewalks.
New business included “three or four” residential burglaries within the command, particularly in Howard Beach. It is unclear if the instances are related.
“We have a little bit of an uptick in burglaries, especially involving garages,” said Courtesis. “But we’re still doing better than last year.”
He continued, “It’s hard to put together an MO, since there are no descriptions and few or no witnesses.”
He did assure everyone that the 106 is on top of the cases.
And with scammers still out there, the officers warned those assembled that any and all calls from the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) are scams; and that Census workers, who usually travel in pairs, will always have a badge or other identification. They will be carrying a hand-held device and never need a Social Security number or need entrance into your home.
Community Board 10 chair Betty Braton then urged everyone to “stand up and be counted” in the Census.
“For every single person that sends the forms back by mail, you are saving the government $60 to $80.”
Ten years ago, according to Braton, the Census response rate was 72 percent nation-wide; 66 percent in the state; and 54 percent in Queens.
We are cheating ourselves by not filling out Census forms,” she said.
Community Council President Frank Dardani then congratulated the officers for doing a “great job again” with Phagwah.
“Our precinct was powder free,” he said.
Courtesis said that the day was made a lot easier thanks to the 60 auxiliary officers who volunteered on Sunday, March 7.
And though it’s been two months since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Community Affairs Officer Brenda Bratcher is helping out.
Since three officers in the command lost family members in Haiti, the 106 is collecting cases of water, through March 31, to be sent to the island nation.
“We work together as a family, let’s help as a family,” said Bratcher.
Dardani and the Council donated 10 cases, but more are needed.
If you’d like to help, simply drop off water at the 106th Precinct, 103-51 101st Street in Ozone Park. Call Community Affairs at 718-845-2228 for more info..