Street lights added in Briarwood

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will add new street lights to parts of Briarwood including around the subway station to prevent future acts of property crime in the neighborhood.
The addition set to occur in the fourth quarter of 2011, was initiated by City Councilmember James F. Gennaro of the 24th district as a result of recent armed assaults, slashed car tires and broken windows and car break-ins by the Briarwood Library.
“There are thousands and thousands of places in the city that aren’t well-lit and to eliminate all of those in many cases would be putting resources where they are not needed,” said Gennaro. “Many dark areas in the city aren’t causing the problems and the approach is to address the significant complaints we’ve been getting in the area.”
Lighting will be added to areas along the Main Street wall and the Queens Boulevard Bridge and subway construction site. The installation can help decrease vandalism even though the acts have been a series of “random, senseless acts,” according to Captain Michael Coyle of the 107th Precinct. Coyle also said in recent reports that patrol has been increased within the area.
“We are pleased to be working with Councilman Gennaro and the community to improve the neighborhood’s street lighting. We inspected this location and found that additional lighting was needed and have placed this project on our implementation schedule,” said DOT commissioner Maura McCarthy.
There are no surveillance cameras in the area however; Gennaro and Briarwood Community Association President Seymour Schwartz said that they would appeal to the NYPD about installing the cameras and find ways to finance the installation if adequate funding is unavailable.
“While these acts of vandalism and assaults in our communities are unpredictable and random, the Briarwood Community Association, together with Gennaro and the 107th Police Precinct are bringing to bear all possible resources and countermeasures to resolve these unacceptable issues,” Schwartz said.
Gennaro also said that while police patrol has been increased in the area residents should also be “vigilant” until the lighting is installed.