But Traffic, Parking Issues Remain
While crime is down in the 108th Precinct, concerns about traffic and towed cars remain, as voiced by residents during the 108th Precinct Community Council meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 25 at Sunnyside Community Services.
Parking woes by schools
Board 2’s Carol Terrano complained of double- and triple-parked cars surrounding P.S. 229 in Woodside, creating traffic issues during dismissal.
“You do not dare go on Maurice Avenue in the morning or in the afternoon,” she said. “God forbid it rains.”
Local resident Jim Condes also complained of triple-parked cars near St. Sebastian in Woodside.
“It’s a complaint I hear a lot at a lot of schools,” said Capt. Donald Powers, the precinct’s commander, who stated that residents ask for increased enforcement while parents beg for more discretion from police when picking up and dropping off their children. “I understand both sides.”
The commander explained that the 108th Precinct reaches out to local principals asking them to get involved by relaying notices to parents, teachers and parent-teacher associations asking them to obey the law.
When situations deteriorate, “we do issue summonses,” said Powers, but “we need parental cooperation from everybody to get on board, and the school sets the tone.”
Crime stats
The command is eighth best in the city in crime reduction, according to Powers.
Crime is down six percent so far this year, and is also down for the week and for the month.
However, the precinct did experience two homicides in 2012-a stabbing in a Woodside bar, and a Sunnyside domestic murder/suicide. This is level with 2011.
The case of a body found in Calvary Cemetery earlier this year was ruled an accidental death by medical examiners, Powers noted.
Response times are “within norms,” Powers stated.
Where did the car go?
One woman came to complain about an incident with the Department Transportation (DOT), who moved her car due to a street repaving.
She claimed that she had parked her car in a location with no signage warning of the repaving, and then went to pick up the car the next day only to find it had disappeared.
After several phone conversations with the DOT, she learned that it had been towed to another location.
Powers noted that the DOT must inform the NYPD of street pavings ahead of time. The Office of TV and Film must also let the precinct know if a film shoot-another occurrence that may result in towed cars-is planned.
“There’s supposed to be a certain amount of warning,” he explained.
After the cars are moved, the company is supposed to tell the NYPD, but “that doesn’t always happen,” according to Powers.
Other news
There is no update on the case of the man wanted by police for attempting a sex attack near the 61st Street/Woodside station, Powers stated.
Powers reminded iPhone and iPad users to install and register for the Find my iPhone app, which will allow authorities to trace the phone in the event that it is lost or stolen.
He also reminded the crowd not to display the phone while inside the train system.
School Safety Agents Terrence Skinner and Dean Morgan relayed word on several programs for young adults and children, including the NYPD Explorers Program that provides afterschool activities. For more information, call 1-718-699-5417.
The 108th Precinct Community Council usually meets on the third Tuesday of every month at Sunnyside Community Services, located at 43-31 39th St.
