By Bill Parry
The commanding officer at the 114th Precinct in Astoria has moved on after just 18 months on the job. Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney was promoted to a new squad dedicated to police officer-involved shootings that operates out of the First Deputy Commissioner’s office at One Police Plaza.
“Commissioner Bratton had a similar unit in L.A. and he wanted to bring it to New York City,” Maloney said. “Right now if a shooting happens in Queens, it’s investigated by a Queens unit, if there’s a shooting in the Bronx, a Bronx team investigates. Now it’s this one unit investigating all shootings in every borough, it’s more centralized under one command. It’s interesting because it’s all new, it’s in its infancy.”
While crime rose slightly during Maloney’s command, mainly due to a rash of burglaries last year, murders, rapes and felony assaults were down during the past year.
“I look at my time in the 114 as the pinnacle of my 24-year career,” he said. “That’s a tremendous place up there with good-hearted people, good civic and political leaders. I’m really going to miss it, but career-wise this is an important move, so in that regard I’m happy.”
The new commander of the 114th Precinct, Capt. Peter Fortune, came to Astoria from Police Service Area 5 in Manhattan. He took over Wednesday morning.
There will be another changing of the guard in Astoria.
The leadership of Community Board 1 announced last week they will step down after a combined 82 years of service.
Vinicio Donato, the CB1 chairman since 1976, announced during the board’s monthly meeting he is leaving this summer. In addition, Lucille Hartmann will step down as district manager sometime this summer, as soon as she gets a new district manager settled into the job.
“Much of what we’ve been able to accomplish in western Queens, especially the growths of neighborhoods like Astoria and Long Island City, have been in no small part due to the dedication of these two individuals,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. “Vinny is the longest serving community board chair in the borough and a retired teacher. The communities of Board 1 are certainly indebted to both Vinny and Lucille, and they have a legacy of service that will be difficult to match.”
State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) said, “I have worked hand-in-hand with both of these community leaders throughout my career in public service and am proud to have stood side-by-side with them as we fought to make Astoria the wonderful place it is today. I wish both Vinny and Lucille the best in all they do in the future.”
The decision to retire at the same time was a coincidence. Donato recently turned 80 and Hartmann wanted to travel and spend more time with her family, especially her two 10-year-old grandchildren.
“After 38 years I just felt I wanted to do things on my own time,” Hartmann said. “I loved my job. How many people can say they loved going to work every day? CB1 will go on without us. If this country can replace presidents, I think we can be replaced here.”
City Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) said, “We are grateful for their long-term commitment to improve our neighborhood. I wish them well in their upcoming retirement. Both will be missed.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
