Crowley gets least discretionary funding of Queens councilmembers

Organizations in Council District 30 may need to learn to stretch a dollar after Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley lost almost $300,000 in discretionary funding this fiscal year.

Crowley received just $378,321 to dole out to area institutions — more than $35,000 less than any other Queens councilmember — after spending more than $660,000 a year ago.

“There are various different factors involved in the decision making process regarding discretionary funding allocations, which results in a broad-based citywide distribution of funds,” said a spokesperson for the city council.

The area Crowley represents is 10th out of 14 Queens council districts in population.

Last year, 88 organizations were the beneficiaries of funding from the councilmember, but just 47 cashed in this year.

Despite the reduction, Crowley brought a lot back for the district, said a spokesperson in the councilmember’s office. Crowley worked to provide funding to save Out-of-School Time slots in the area and assure money was available for local senior centers, the spokesperson said.

Some groups that did procure funds may still have to do more with less.

The Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol was one organization that saw its allocation reduced — from $8,000 a year ago to $3,500 this year.

“For the past couple of years we have found ourselves struggling a bit,” said Elizabeth DeLaCruz, first vice president and patrol coordinator for the organization.

Among the cutbacks would be the number of days members patrol, she said, which may increase crime and vandalism in the area. Currently, members patrol three to four days during the week and once on the weekend.