Neighbors Tell Cops They Want Squatters Out
Neighbors of a foreclosed home in Richmond Hill allegedly occupied by squatters came to the 102nd Precinct Community Council meeting last Tuesday, Jan. 17, calling for the house to be cleared and closed.
On behalf of a group of residents living near the home in the vicinity of Park Lane South and 102nd Street, Danny Seaman informed police representatives and community residents that the foreclosed property is now the home of vagrants who are proving to be a nuisance.
Specifically, Seaman claimed that the squatters have had loud arguments during late night hours; intoxicated individuals have also been spotted loitering on the outside of the home. One resident in attendance claimed that the smell of marijuana from the foreclosed property is so strong that he is forced to keep his windows closed.
Seaman provided to the Times Newsweekly a log of problems related to the foreclosed home dating back to Dec. 6, 2011. On one occasion, the home was observed having its door open all night, leading to potential infestation of raccoons and rodents. On Jan. 6, two men reportedly began a loud argument that could be heard by individuals living next door; according to Seaman, one of the men was angry that he was denied entry into the residence.
Frustrated by the conditions, Seaman stated that he researched the bank that now owns the property- HSBC-and visited a local branch to personally inform employees there of the problem. He claimed that a branch manager told him that no action would be taken, as it owns thousands of foreclosed properties nationwide.
Seaman added that the residence has had a history of trouble with the law, claiming that it was the site of a large drug bust in 1997. The home was later sold to an individual who was then arrested by authorities in 204 for producing and circulating counterfeit money.
Police and other agencies-including the Department of Buildings- have been called to the home numerous times over quality-of-life problems, but according to Seaman, no action was taken.
Capt. Martin Briffa-the executive officer of the 102nd Precinct who filled in for commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Armando DeLeon-noted that, by law, police could not forcibly remove squatters from a home. The owners of the property must officially make that request.
Reports of suspected drug use at the home would be forwarded to the precinct’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit for further investigation, Briffa added.
“We’ve been aware of the case” for months, Briffa said, adding that “I’m going to take the complaints and do my best within the law” to address the problems.
James Coccovillo, the chairperson of Community Board 9’s Public Safety Committee, also suggested to Seaman that he contact HSBC’s corporate headquarters directly and inform them of the conditions.
Following the meeting, a spokesperson for Assemblyman Mike Miller told the Times Newsweekly that HSBC has filed the proper legal paperwork to evict squatters from the foreclosed home.
Crime and police matters
With the 102nd Precinct finishing 2011 with a decrease in overall crime, Captain Briffa credited the men and women of the precinct and the community for helping to keep the area safe.
“The community comes together every month and lets us know what’s happening on the streets, and we address [the issues] before it gets any bigger,” Briffa said.
Even though crime is down, the 102nd Precinct remains understaffed compared to the roster it once boasted, noted Simcha Waisman of the Richmond Hill Block Association. He noted that the precinct council should begin a campaign to implore the NYPD to assign additional officers to the 102nd Precinct to not only enhance crime-fighting efforts but also resolve quality-of-life problems such as graffiti.
“If we don’t get [more officers], it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” said Waisman, who claimed that the 102nd Precinct roster- which, at one time, numbered nearly 200-currently has about 100 officers on patrol.
“It’s unheard of,” he added. “What are we-leftovers?”
Precinct Council President Maria Thomson agreed and urged residents to begin writing letters to Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and local elected officials to bring additional officers to the 102nd Precinct.
“Because of the fact that we’re doing so well with the statistics, we’re being penalized,” she observed.
Sylvia Hack railed against the recent ticketing and, in some cases, towing of cars parked on the weekend in the vicinity of 82nd Road between Kew Gardens Road and Austin Street, where road construction is currently in progress.
“There’s got to be some relief from what’s going on,” she said. “To ticket cars and have them towed when they have nowhere else to go is just ridiculous.”
Briffa assured Hack that the tickets were not issued by 102nd Precinct officers, but by NYPD traffic agents on behalf of the Department of Transportation. He noted that the situation would be investigated.
Cops of the Month
Police Officers Kenneth Vencak and Kevin Warmhold were honored as Cops of the Month for capturing a pair of suspected car thieves with lengthy records who were spotted along Atlantic Avenue earlier this month.
According to Briffa, the officers were on patrol along Atlantic Avenue at around 11 p.m. when they observed two suspicious looking individuals- a male and a female-looking into cars. Moments later, the officers spotted the pair re- moving a license plate from a parked Ford Econoline van and placing them onto another van parked nearby.
After placing the stolen plates on the second van, it was reported, the duo broken into the vehicle and fled from the scene.
Officers Vencak and Warmhold pursued the perpetrators for several blocks when, realizing they were being chased, the suspects suddenly jumped out of the moving van, according to Briffa. The van eventually came to a stop after striking another vehicle; the captain noted that there were no reported injuries.
The officers stopped and approached the suspects, who then ran away on foot. Briffa noted that the crooks were collared by Vencak and Warmhold following a brief foot pursuit.
During an investigation thereafter, law enforcement agents learned that the two suspects were “professionals” who were involved in five other recent auto thefts in the area and had a combined 13 prior arrests for grand larceny auto. The executive officer also noted that police also gained information about their connection to two local chop shops.
For their efforts, Captain Briffa and Thomson presented Vencak and Warmhold with plaques donated by the Times Newsweekly.
Other news
Coccovillo informed residents that the liquor license renewal application for Mocha lounge in Richmond Hill was recommended for denial by Board 9 at the advisory body’s Jan. 10 meeting.
The news was applauded by Thomson and others in attendance, as Richmond Hill residents have been complaining about quality-of-life problems emanating from the lounge for years.
“It’s a big headache for the 102nd Precinct that, hopefully, it will no longer have,” Thomson said.
Kate Mooney, a representative of City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, noted that the legislator will be introducing legislation making it a felony for individuals committing auto insurance fraud who stage vehicular accidents that result in injury to anyone not involved in the scheme.
Speaking on behalf of Assemblyman Miller, Dorie Figliola announced that the MTA will be dispatching its MetroCard van to Miller’s office at 89-11 Woodhaven Blvd. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. until noon. Residents can stop by the van to purchase new Metro- Cards or apply for discounted fares.
The next 102nd Precinct Community Council meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday night, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. at Moose Hall, located on 118th Street south of Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill. For more information, call the 102nd Precinct Community Affairs Unit at 1-718-805-3215.
