By Nathan Duke
Five Queens residents, including former deputy inspector Scott Hanover, were honored last week by the 111th Precinct’s community council during an annual awards ceremony in Bayside.
The precinct, at 45-06 215th St. along Northern Boulevard in Bayside, serves Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Hollis Hills and part of Fresh Meadows. The awards ceremony was held June 1 at Bayside’s Adria Hotel and Conference Center.
The Cop of the Year Award went to Victor Daniels, who boasts a long arrest record in a number of auto theft and burglary incidents.
George Raniolo was named as 2010’s Detective of the Year for catching a suspected career burglar operating throughout the precinct in January. The detective, has made a total 551 arrests, most of which were burglars and robbers.
He began his career in a Bronx narcotics unit before coming to the 108th Precinct’s detective squad in 2006 and then later transferred to the 111th.
The Civilian of the Year prize went to Anna Rivera, who has worked as the 111th Precinct’s custodian for the past 10 years.
“Anna is a tireless worker who has kept the 111th in pristine condition,” said Capt. Ronald Leyson, who recently replaced Hanover at the precinct.
Christopher Backmon was given the Auxiliary Officer of the Year Award. The officer, who also heads the precinct’s recruitment team, helped remove a family of four from a burning car pulled over on the highway in 2008.
“He is a clear leader who has gained the respect of the entire 111th Precinct,” Leyson said.
Amber Pyne, a freshman at Bayside’s Queensborough Community College, was named Explorer of the Year for teaching local youths how the 111th Precinct operates. Leyson said she was very active in the precinct’s community events.
“She has participated in every community project since she started here,” he said. “She’ll have an excellent career in the NYPD.”
Scott Hanover, former deputy inspector for the station, was honored for his tenure of four years and four months at the precinct, making him the longest-serving captain in the precinct’s history.
“It was a fun four years,” Hanover said. “It was an enjoyable neighborhood to work in. When you can work as a team with the community, it makes the day go faster. People here have been very supportive.”
At the awards ceremony, Leyson said he would step up efforts to curb a string of burglaries in Little Neck as well as car thefts throughout the precinct.
The captain said the precinct was eyeing a suspect in the burglaries that have taken place in both the 109th and 111th precincts.
“The hunt is on, as we’d say in police jargon,” he said.
He also said 16 cars were stolen in areas all across the precinct during a period of 28 days and warned drivers not to leave their cars idling with the engines turned on.
The precinct is also hosting a blood drive June 15 from 11:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at 45-06 215th St. in Bayside. Donors, who should be between ages 16 and 76, must bring valid identification. For questions involving medical eligibility, call 1-800-688-0900.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
