Glendale Civic Association
October 27, 2010
Minutes of:
Joint Meeting with the 104th Precinct Community Council
Kathy Masi and Mike Hetzer Presiding
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:11 PM in the Library of PS 113, in Glendale Queens.
Deputy Inspector Keith Green and Officer Thomas Bell .from Community Affairs were present.
Assemblyman Mike Miller, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and Congressman Anthony Weiner were in attendance.
Inspector Green’s opening remarks concerned inflatable park the statistics on major crimes in the 104th Precinct and in Glendale specifically:
Murder 1
Rape 2
Robbery 222
Felony Assault 179
Burglary 368
Grand Larceny 353
Stolen Auto 304
Over all there were 1446 reported crimes as of October 2010
(PS. On October 28th, 2010 two people were killed and left in a running automobile on Woodward Avenue and Willoughby Avenue along the outskirts of the a well known Brooklyn Cemetery.) The murder count is now 3.
In Glendale the most reported crime is car theft. There have also been break ins in recent months.
The most popular cars for thieves are the Toyota SUV. the RAV4 and the Highlander. Thieves have acquired keys that open the car and they just get in a drive off and are therefore totally not suspicious.
Previously, the number one car was the Honda Accord and they are still popular among car thieves.
Arrests for all crimes in the Precinct are up. by 18.6%.
There have been 120 graffiti arrests and 200 clean-ups, using students from the area high schools.
On November 3rd there is another scheduled graffiti clean up with Grover Cleveland HS students participating. Students get credit for participation.
Kathy temporarily interrupted the report by the Inspector to present Assemblyman Miller with the first “Unsung Hero” Award from the GCA for his anonymous help during the terrible storm on September 16th, 2010. Assemblyman Miller helped two Glendale inflatable water park residents (mom and daughter) with branch removal, equipment use, and facilitating clean-up without ever identifying himself or seeking credit for his assistance. The Kalpaxis daughter read the plaque and Mr. Miller accepted graciously. He had another engagement and left immediately following.
Back to police business, the attendees were asked about their concerns and the following issues were brought up, not necessarily in th1s order.
1. Question was raised and answered about the shotgun hold-up of the bodega on 88th Street and the corner of Rutledge Avenue. The perpetrator has been captured and is currently in jail awaiting trial.
2. A request for more patrols at the Atlas Park Amusement Fair, due to the influx of young people from other areas. Kathy Masi then informed the group that there will soon be an ice skating ring in that space. Neighbors will be notified with flyers on their doors that the opening is scheduled for November 16th. That would successfully eliminate the threat at the Fair, but will pose yet another issue with traffic, parking and groups using the rink.
3. With the opening of the new Metropolitan High School traffic issues crossing Woodhaven Boulevard have increased and there is a need for a crossing guard at that intersection. The question is which precinct is responsible for placing one there. Inspector green said that he will look into it.
4. On the same location, a request for a left hand arrow from Metropolitan Avenue turning onto Woodhaven Boulevard in both directions was brought up again…due to the many accidents in the past and what seems to be on the increase currently.
5. A traffic signal was requested at the corner of Aubrey Avenue and Metropolitan Avenue for a left hand turn on to Metropolitan Avenue. The problem is that Aubrey Avenue enters onto Metropolitan Avenue before the signal on the Cooper and Metropolitan Avenue and can not stop the oncoming traffic. At the beginning of Aubrey Avenue, on 88th Street it s almost impossible to get off the block during rush hour traffic without some sort of a traffic devise. Residents of the block were urged to attend the
CB 5 Transportation/Transit Committee meeting, tentatively scheduled for November 30th to discuss their plight.
6. Two residents complained of a person, one on foot and another on a bicycle stealing UPS packages left on the stoops of Doran Avenue. The UPS delivery person agreed not to leave the packages, but the person on foot walks the street everyday looking for something to steal. Inspector Greene asked why no one reported this ongoing incident and reminded people to call 911 when they witness a crime or what looks like as crime about to be committed.
7. Complaints were logged again against Yer Man’s Pub patrons coming out of the bar late at night with bottles and glasses and then breaking them and leaving them on the street in front of the bar The noise is also a problem when the patrons leave the bar to get into their cars to go home.
8. Residents asked that there be an increase in summonses to double and triple parked cards near schools during school hours and near dismissal.’
9. A shop owner has reported that she is now frightened to close her shop at a late hour on 88th street. After the 88th & Rutledge incident. Inspector Greene mentioned that there will be increased patrols on all commercial strips during the holidays.
10. There was a complaint about groups smoking pot around and near the Carousel in Forest park…not in 104th jurisdiction but they will reach out to the 102nd.
11. the biggest complaint was tree limb removal and trees still on the ground specifically on 86th Street between 78th Avenue and Union Turnpike in the middle of the block. A resident is worried about a hanging limb on the corner of 77th Avenue and 88th Street, since children are toboggan gonflable continually walking back and forth to 113. Continue to call 311 and the offices of Mike Miller 718 805-0950 and Elizabeth Crowley 718-366-3900 form help with tree pruning, and branch removal.
12. A resident complained about drivers ignoring the MUST TURN RIGHT sign on the service road of Woodhaven Boulevard and Union Turnpike. Drivers coming up the incline continue to go straight across Woodhaven and the people coming over the hump on Woodhaven are directed to make no right hand turns and are required to go straight and inevitably, fenders meet. Also, the bushes on the corner of Union and Woodhaven and 88th and Union need trimming because you can’t see oncoming traffic
As a final note, the attendees were informed that we will try to have this joint meeting next month at 113 to follow up on the citizen’s complaints. It has to be confirmed with the school and you will be kept informed of the actual location when the time gets closer.
A few words of advice from PO Bell and the Inspector….go to your local store and request that they not sell eggs or shaving crème to minors on Halloween.
While shoveling or sweeping your property, close the door you used (either front of rear0 while you are outside, don’t allow anyone from any utility or seemingly official Department .into your home if you are alone. This ploy is used mostly on the elderly who live alone.
Assemblywoman Crowley spoke, specifically about FEMA relief and help with the after effects of the storm. She encouraged anyone still having a problem to call her office (# mentioned above).
Congressman Weiner spoke specifically on Congress attempts to get personal help for residents from FEMA. At this point, the area’s damage and the amount of personal property involved does not meet the current criteria. He is attempting to get the necessary help.
Kathy mentioned that she will try to get a meeting with GCA and the DOT over our traffic issues, which continue to revolve around multiple accidents in the neighborhood (some 300 a month according to the Inspector) and the refusal of DOT to install a left turn signal at 80th and Cooper.
Pat Grayson, as a final note, mentioned the proposed change to IS 119
To a K through 8 school and encouraged everyone interested to attend the November 22nd meeting at IS 119 to voice their opinions and find out who will be assigned to IS 119 in September 2011.
The meeting came to a close at 9:23 PM
Respectfully submitted
Pat Grayson, Secretary GCA
