By Patrick Donachie
Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed a location for the long-awaited new police precinct in southeast Queens might be determined by the end of the summer.
The news about the $70 million 116th Precinct came in the midst of a two-hour town hall held at Springfield Gardens Educational Complex. The event was moderated by Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton).
Community members expressed concern over quality-of-life issues, including the preponderance of trucks illegally parking or operating in a reckless manner in the confines of the 105th Precinct.
De Blasio also expounded on what he said were the major successes throughout his administration’s tenure, including universal pre-K as well as after-school programs for sixth through eighth graders.
“There are still parents who don’t know pre-K is available for free,” he said. “Every middle school is guaranteed an after-school seat.”
The mayor also said that citywide, murders were down 10 percent compared to the year before, with gun arrests up 20 percent. He contrasted his vision with previous administrations and critics.
“I said we need a safer city and a fairer city,” he said. “And there were many people saying you had to have one or the other.”
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
