By Connor Adams Sheets
Officers from the 109th Precinct escorted members of their community council to the New York City Police Museum in two blue-and-white police vans and a police bus last week for the advisory group’s second-annual jaunt into Manhattan.
The trip was a mixture of business and pleasure as attendees viewed the unique displays at the New York City Police Museum, but also participated in the council’s monthly meeting.
Officers steered the packed vehicles from the precinct’s downtown Flushing headquarters west on the Long Island Expressway, through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and down the West Side Highway to the gem of an attraction at 100 Old Slip.
The passengers were in for a bumpy ride in seats usually occupied by police officers, inmates and arrested suspects. But these riders were there of their own volition to attend the April community council meeting, study the museum’s one-of-a-kind police-related collection and enjoy a meal in the company of the uniformed men and women who keep their community safe.
Elizabeth Hsu, who lives in an area of Bayside covered by the 109th, brought her friend, Ii Chu of Flushing, to the event, where they went through the whole museum.
“We in the community have the protections of the Police Department and we need to show our gratitude. We also want to find out what we can do to help keep the place safe,” Hsu said. “This is a very good experience for us, seeing all the things the Police Department does for us.”
Chrissy Voskerichian, president of the 109th Community Council, said one of the main purposes of the event was to liven up the group’s meetings,but that it was also a great way to get its message out to a wide group of people.
Robby Bonelli, 14, and friend Frank Mattina, 15, both of Whitestone, explored the entire three-story museum, posing for photographs behind bars in the replica jail cell and eyeing the historical police weapons with awe.
“We wanted to learn more about the police force,” Bonelli said. “I brought him with me because he wants to be a police officer when he gets older.”
Deputy Inspector Matthew Whelan, who is at the helm of the 109th Precinct, estimated that about 70 people took part in the event. He especially liked the community aspect of the trip and the way participants responded to it.
“We do get a nice turnout for this trip. The people enjoy it, they support the Police Department in general, so they like to come and do these types of things,” he said. “It helps us bond better with the community, it changes the routine. It’s all a way of thanking them for supporting us.”
After a few hours on the road, traipsing through the museum, munching food from the buffet and discussing community council business, the herd filed off the bus and headed home, happy to have taken part in an experience many neighborhood precincts never offer their communities.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
