The 111th Precinct held its council meeting recently in Bayside, updating residents on recent crime stats, answering questions from the community and honoring two officers as Cops of the Month.
For their work thwarting a robbery pattern consisting of 13 thefts, Patrick Hughes and Evan Ostrofsky were honored by Commanding Officer Ronald Leyson and Precinct Council Vice President John Bisbano as the September Cops of the Month.
Leyson announced the Precinct has seen an 8 percent decrease in crime over the past year, which is among the best in the city. Robbery and rape are the only crimes that have seen an increase since 2010. Over the last 28-day period, crime is down almost one-third in the precinct.
To help combat small electronic robbery – especially in and around area high schools – the 111th Precinct has undertaken a six-week initiative visiting schools and educating students.
Community Affairs officers have been handing out two flyers. One gives tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of small electronic theft, and the second informs kids of the penalties involved with these thefts, which is a felony and can carry up to seven years in jail.
Also announced at the meeting was the Precinct’s coat drive and canned food drive which begins on November 15. Any lightly used coats or non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the precinct and will be distributed to those who need it most.
