NYPD Cracking Down In Maspeth, Elmhurst
Drivers of all types of vehicles in Maspeth and Elmhurst are being watched by the NYPD, as the Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together (COMET) civic group learned at its Monday, June 12 meeting at the Bethzatha Church of God in Elmhurst.
104th Precinct
Capt. John Travaglia, the 104th Precinct’s executive officer, told the crowd that the command is continuing to crack down on illegally parked livery cars in Maspeth, with two joint 104th/108th Precinct operations on May 8 and May 15 leading to 11 vehicles towed.
“I haven’t gotten any more complaints in regards to that,” he said.
In addition, the precinct is also fighting drag racing along the border between the two precincts, with a May 19-20 operation at a fast-food parking lot to prevent would-be racers from congregating and planning.
Travaglia later noted that the objective of the operation is to deter future such meetings.
Finally, the precinct has also been targeting bad drivers, with a June 2 operation on Maurice and Borden avenues resulting in 19 summonses for hazardous driving as well as three arrests for driving while intoxicated.
“We have done a lot of work up there,” Travaglia told COMET.
Turning to general crime, Travaglia announced that while burglaries have increased over the past 28 days, one of the men responsible for a recent Queens-wide pattern-including several crimes within the 104th and other precincts-has been apprehended by police.
“It’s going to close out that pattern but there is still obviously work to be done,” he told the civic group.
He did note several commercial burglaries in COMET’s neighborhood, as well as six larcenies (up from three at this point last year).
One resident asked Travaglia to crack down on a motorcyclist doing stunts while cruising on Grand Avenue. The captain stated that doing so is considered reckless driving and that the cyclist could be subject to a summons.
One resident thanked Travaglia for cracking down on illegal parking by P.S. 58 in Maspeth, but added that more needs to be done, especially during the morning hours.
“When that school went in, we were promised … that they would not have 57th Avenue as a place where children are going in,” she stated. Now, she claimed, children coming in for breakfast at the school are coming in through that entrance, and parents are blocking 57th Avenue with their vehicles.
“It’s an issue everywhere; it’s something that I speak about,” said Deputy Inspector Ronald Leyson, the commanding officer of the 110th Precinct, who said that he goes around to schools and parent-teacher associations in his district to remind them of the rules.
“When it doesn’t correct, I set up days when I go and I blitz them,” he added.
Rosemarie Daraio, the group’s president, expressed concern that “the 110th is going to get killed when the high school opens,” referring to Maspeth High School, which will open in September.
“We’re making it our problem and it’s our problem,” said Daraio. “Let’s make it the right people’s problem, because we can’t address it. … Somebody has got to resolve the problem before some innocent motorist hits a kid or a senior.”
108th/110th precincts
Leyson delivered reports from both the 110th and the neighboring 108th precincts, upon request from 108th Precinct Capt. Donald Powers, who was unable to make it.
In the 108th, Leyson reported that COMET’s territory had a burglary reported as part of the same pattern reported on in the 104th precinct.
“I was aware of the arrest; I was aware of the investigation,” he stated.
Daraio noted that she had emailed the Queens District Attorney’s office in hopes of a vigorous prosecution and stiffer sentencing.
“It always helps to get community involvement,” Leyson said.
The precinct also had four felony assaults (two domestic), two grand larcenies and a robbery in COMET’s area during that time period.
Notable crimes in the 110th Precinct included a break-in at St. Adalbert’s School in Elmhurst during a book fair, another break-in at the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown; a burglary where a mentally unstable man “borrowed” someone’s house when the resident was away, and a car break-in where a MacBook, iPad, Seiko camera and cash were taken.
Leyson also spoke of a “yard creeper” at 86th Street near 56th Avenue who has been sneaking into back yards, possibly scouting for burglaries.
He reminded residents to keep their windows and doors locked to prevent would-be burglars from entering.
Crowley & Crowley
It was a Crowley family get-together at the COMET meeting, with Rep. Joseph Crowley and City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley both updating the civic group.
First to the mic was the Congressman, who came tonight to announce that due to federal redistricting, his new district will gain more of Queens (and less of the Bronx) but will lose some of COMET’s territory in Maspeth, which will fall into the new Sixth Congressional District.
His district will add portions of Astoria, Sunnyside, Corona and Malba.
Turning to public service, he asked COMET to bring a member of the Public Service Commission to a future meeting to discuss energy service pitchmen, who he claimed have been overly aggressive in attempting to get residents to switch energy companies.
Daraio suggested a “non-solicitation order” similar to the one preventing real estate companies from approaching residents.
The incoming construction of a waste treatment plant and asphalt plant also caught Daraio’s ire.
“If you put something negative in, something positive has to go in,” said Daraio, who suggested tree planting or a similar public project. “Why should we constantly get dumped on?”
Crowley also revealed that he is working to reopen the Long Island Rail Road station in Elmhurst, on Broadway and Whitney Avenue.
“I believe we’re going to be successful,” he said, adding that funding will need to be found to rebuild the station platform.
Council Member Crowley, on the other hand, relayed word that firehouses are again threatened with budget cuts in the city budget.
The Council is “united in keeping fire companies open,” she said.
She added that library funding is also cut in the budget.
Turning to parkland, the Council member claimed that Martin Luther School is waiting on the end of the school year before selling their parking lot for a possible park.
(Editor’s Note: a letter circulated at the meeting by local park activist Christina Wilkinson claimed that Martin Luther School is not interested in selling the land at this time The New York Daily News confirmed on Tuesday, June 5 that the deal is dead.)
In the meantime, she is working to create two “pocket parks” out of small plots of land for parks in the Maspeth area.
“It’s a new, popular way of finding greenspace in urban centers,” she told the crowd.
Other news
Recently retired Det. Richard Garland, formerly of the 110th Precinct Community Affairs Unit, received an award from COMET honoring his for his years of “loyal dedication and service to the community.”
“It’s been my honor and pleasure to serve you,” he told the crowd.
COMET will not meet in July and August. They usually meet on the first Monday of the month at Bethzatha Church of God, at 85-20 57th Ave. in Elmhurst.
