Keeping southeast Queens safe

Senator Malcolm A. Smith recently held his first Operation Safe Southeast Queens meeting for 2011. The meeting consisted of representatives from the offices of southeast Queens elected officials, local police precincts, the Queens District Attorney’s office, community and civic leaders, clergy and concerned citizens.
Through the communication and relationships established at the monthly meetings, Smith and his staff have been effective at targeting traditional “hot spots” and increasing police surveillance, thereby curtailing drug activity, prostitution and other issues brought to their attention.
“Preventing crime and keeping my constituents safe is always my first priority,” said Smith. “I formed Operation Safe Southeast Queens to combat gun violence and crime in our neighborhoods. Over the past few years with the cooperative efforts of other elected officials, precinct commanders, clergy and members of the community, Operation Safe Southeast Queens has made [the area] a safer place to live, work and worship.”
Last year, a sub-initiative entitled the Operation Safe Southeast Queens Youth Committee was formed. This committee held a number of gang prevention workshops at Campus Magnet High School and brought buses of students to Albany for the Black & Hispanic Caucus weekend and kicked off what was the first of many activities for the youth committee. The committee is looking to expand its youth initiatives again this year.
Operation Safe Southeast Queens is held the first Wednesday of every month at the Queens Long Island Medical Group, PC, 206-20 Linden Boulevard, Cambria Heights, NY 11411.