Over 100 residents of Flushing attended the 109th Precinct’s Community Council Meeting and 3rd annual barbeque to mark the end of the Council year and to get an update on how the community is fairing in terms of crime in the area.
Held behind the precinct at 37-05 Union Street, Deputy Inspector Brian Maguire started the meeting by awarding Officer Ming Zhang the Cop of the Month award for his actions on May 20.
Zhang observed the robbery of a 16-year-old taking place outside John Bowne High School and engaged two males in a foot pursuit. After apprehending both suspects – one 14 year-old and one 15-year-old – who were found with a stolen iPhone, it was learned that the older of the two had four prior arrests and the younger had a prior assault charge. Zhang has been on the force for five years.
Deputy Inspector Maguire then listed the crime statistics over the month of May and into June. According to Maguire, crime was down in four of the major seven categories and gave a warning to those who carry electronic devices; specifically the iPhone.
“What’s happening is somebody will come up behind you and snatch your phone and run like a deer,” said Maguire. “Make sure you download the app that allows you to track your phone. It’s a pretty reliable system.”
He further explained that those stealing iPhones are removing their subscriber identity module (SIM) cards and reselling them on the internet or to local stores. Officers made two arrests in the last month as the result of a sting operation involving electronic stores and bodegas after store owners bought what they believed to be stolen property.
Rims and tires were another topic of concern for the 109th Precinct as Maguire urged the community to make sure they have locking lug nuts on their vehicles, especially Hondas made in 2008 to the present.
“It’s true that Flushing is a good neighborhood but we want you to be a little more cautious,” said Maguire.
Councilmember Peter Koo was impressed to see how many people consistently attend the Community Council meeting reminding them that they are the “eyes and ears of the community.”
“This is the best community council in the city,” said Koo. “Many years ago, a police chief in London said, ‘The police are the people, the people are the police.’ If you see something, make the call to 9-1-1. Don’t rely on someone else to make the call for you.”
