By Bill Parry
The 114th Precinct is Astoria has a new commanding officer.
Last month, Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney replaced Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, who ran the house for the last three years. Cirabisi moved to a new post with the NYPD’s Office of the Chief of the Department.
Maloney is a 22-year veteran of the force and he comes from the 101st Precinct in Far Rockaway, where he was in charge for the last year and a half.
“That area got hit pretty hard during [Hurricane] Sandy,” Maloney said, “so it’s bittersweet to leave after going through something like that with the community. It wasn’t as bad as Breezy [Point] and Rockaway, but it was bad enough.”
Command of the 114th Precinct, which covers Astoria, Sunnyside and part of Long Island City, is also a big change as well.
“Before Far Rockaway, I was always in Brooklyn, so it’s a different part of the city for me,” he said. “There’s so many things to see and I really like the restaurants.”
Maloney will get to know his new neighbors this Saturday when he attends the 25th annual Community Council Christmas Party at the Astoria World Manor, at 25-22 Astoria Blvd. The party is for Astoria’s underprivileged children and gets bigger every year.
“We started with 50 kids at the precinct,” Community Council President Ann Bruno said. “Now it’s so big we need to do it at the Astoria World Manor.”
She is expecting more than 200 kids and their parents at the party, which will include music, a magician, a dancing school and plenty of food and gifts for each child.
“We give each kid a scarf and gloves to keep them warm and candy to keep them happy as well as age-appropriate toys,” said Bruno, who has been the council’s president for 23 years.
The community council pays for everything and is depending on donations to make it work.
“We have to raise the money ourselves,” said Bruno. “We hit up all the elected officials and Astoria residents are very generous people.”
“The Christmas party is always a hit with the cops, too,” she added. “Retired detectives and offices who have been moved to other precincts always come back for this party.”
“I’ve heard that,” Maloney said. “It will be a chance to meet the men that used to be here and learn a little more about the precinct that has such a great reputation around the borough. I’m happy to be here, it’s been a good change.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
