By Ivan Pereira
A surge in violent crime has disturbed residents in southeast Queens, but law enforcement officials promised them Monday night that they are dedicated to making the streets safe.
The heads of the 103rd, 113th and Patrol Borough Queens South precincts appeared for an emergency meeting at the Bethel Emanuel Temple at 154th Street to discuss the increase in serious crime with more than 50 residents and elected officials, including state Sen. Shirley Huntley (D-Jamaica) and City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans).
Statistics released Sept. 26 by the NYPD show that murder in Queens South — which includes the 100th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, 105th, 106th, 107th and 113th precincts — has climbed 35 percent in the last year with 54 reported homicides so far in 2010 compared to 35 during the same period last year.
Deputy Inspector Charles McEvoy, the commanding officer of the 103rd Precinct, said that although the murder stats were alarming, other non-violent crimes were down in the area with overall crime in Queens South falling from 7,816 incidents last year to 7,745 reported crimes this year.
“Our detectives are very hard at work,” he said at the meeting that was organized by Council candidate Ruben Wills.
McEvoy said the shooting that killed a man and a woman at 153rd Street and 106th Avenue Sept. 23 is still unsolved, but it is the No. 1 priority at the precinct. Willie Cobb and the unidentified woman were traveling in the street in a minivan when they were shot to death by the suspect.
Residents said the neighborhood where the shooting took place is a frequent spot for prostitution, which is bringing crime into the area.
Queens South Commanding Officer Timothy Pearson said he is aware of the problem and has been working with police headquarters to increase the number of vice units in the various precincts in southeast Queens, which already have undercover officers patrolling the streets for pimps.
“Once you start taking away the johns, they all go away,” he said.
Comrie noted that the rise in foreclosures in southeast Queens has led to an increase in illegal squatters and criminal activity. He also said that many large outdoor parties had been the scene of several homicides in the neighborhood and residents needed to be more cautious when they see a large gathering.
“We can’t meet this evening, get frustrated and walk away. We need to focus,” he said.
Deputy Inspector Crystal Johnson, who heads the 113th Precinct, said calls to her office and 311 about any problems go a long way toward stopping crime.
“We try to find locations with three or more calls,” she said. “I look at 911 calls. I look at shots fired locations …. I look at everything, then I try to address those locations.”
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
