A graffiti vandal was allegedly so upset over a bad break-up that he “decided to defame [his ex-girlfriend] all over the neighborhood” – until officers of the 106th Precinct apprehended him.
At its first meeting back from the summer, the 106th Precinct Council began with a moment of silence for those who perished in 9/11.
Then, Deputy Inspector Joseph G. Courtesis honored his Cops of the Month – his Conditions Team that, through hard work above and beyond the call of duty, was able to nab a graffiti vandal that had struck multiple times throughout the command.
Sergeant Brian Goldberg and Officers Michael Bain, Frank Calafiore, Andres Gonzalez, Joseph Osolini, Matthew Steiner and John Tripodi “took this personally and made it their mission to apprehend this guy,” said Courtesis.
On July 21, they stayed after their tour, acquired intelligence – including a license plate number and video – and re-canvassed the area around 156th Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard.
When the perp was arrested, he confessed to all the incidents. His next court date is September 23.
Other issues the 106 has tackled include prostitution arrests by Queens Vice and Special Operations Lieutenant Joseph Salvato in the vicinity of the Van Wyck Expressway and Linden Boulevard. Since then, say officers, “there has been no activity at all from that location.”
Additionally, several summonses were issued to drivers blowing stop signs in Lindenwood.
However, a perennial problem, noise, was a major complaint once again.
One resident said a neighbor held a five-day party, with very loud music.
The 106 did respond, but many said they were disappointed with the 3-1-1 system.
“We’ll have to reach out to the mayor’s people and find out what’s going on with 3-1-1,” said Precinct Council president Frank Dardani. “The Deputy Inspector has done a tremendous job since he’s been here and the numbers continue to go down. The only way to [handle] this is with better legislation.”
Yet, despite the complaints, Courtesis said, “this is actually a much better year.”
Community Board 10 chair Betty Braton agreed, explaining that over the last four fiscal years the area has had the two zip codes with the most complaints in Patrol Borough Queens South. However, the numbers are down to a 2005 level.
Another resident brought up the theft of car tires, which Courtesis said is an “epidemic Queens-wide.”
With four incidents in a 28-day period, Salvato suggested wheel locks and Courtesis did say there have been numerous arrests made.
Other issues addressed, this time by City Councilmember Eric Ulrich, were the closure of senior centers like Wakefield.
“Seniors were big losers in the budget process this year,” he said.
Those affected by the closure will be transported to the Ozone Park Senior Center housed at St. Mary Gate of Heaven, he said.
“In Community Board 10, over 20,000 people over age 60 are served by really only one senior center,” said Braton.
