This is from Maura McCarthy, DOT:

I am following up on the implementation of the Maspeth By-Pass project.  Following briefings in your offices and meetings at the Community Boards, we incorporated many suggestions into our final plans and received approval to proceed from the Community Boards.  AS you know, we distributed flyers to the businesses along the corridor these past two weeks. 

Attached is a copy of the last presentation detailing the plans.  We have already installed many of the curbside regulations.  Road work was completed on Thursday night with the elimination of the concrete island, relocation of a smaller island which will hold a stop sign and resurfacing of the 5-legged intersection. We will be converting the following streets to a one-way direction tomorrow:

•     58th Street - converted to one-way SB between 55th Drive and Maspeth Avenue (the five leg intersection).  This is within CB 2.

•     Maurice Avenue - converted to one-way NB between Maspeth Avenue (the five leg intersection) and 55th Drive. This is within CB 5.

•     59th Street - converted to one-way SB between 55th Drive/Maurice Avenue and 56th Avenue. (Within CB 5)

Depending upon the weather, the line markings may go in tomorrow or on the next non-rain date. The multitude of signs that will be installed with continue throughout the month. 

I cannot thank you enough for all your help, feedback and input into this important project.  Please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions.

Maura McCarthy
Queens Borough Commissioner
NYC Department of Transportation

I heard from a west Maspeth resident and a northern Maspeth resident.   Here's what they say.  Everyone has to keep their eyes/ears open because these incidents haven't stopped.  These characters move around and no block is safe.  If you see anything suspicious call 911.  If you are a victim please take the time to report it.  Pass this on to others in our area. _______________________

West Maspeth   

Hey Roe,    fyi, Last night sometime they broke into a 2009 Ford Explorer across the street from me, ( 57 Road & 58 Street)  The owner is waiting for the police now..  He also has cameras , will be looking at the film.   Just found out they broke 2 more windows on cars down the block on 58 street, The one owner said they did not take anything , all the windows were cars parked on the right side, drivers side windows... Police came.
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northern Maspeth/vicinity of Mazeau Street/Grand Avenue  

Hello Roe,
I just wanted to let you know, that my neighbor next door had his window cut out of his rag top convertable recently.  He didn't call the police because nothing was stolen.  I had told him he should've at least reported it but he has been ill and didn't call the police.  I am thinking somebody either stole his window or was trying to see if anything of value was inside.  I told him the next time something like that happens, to report it.  I just wanted to let you know for your record. 

Dick from Winfield reports:   Rear tires and rims stolen from Honda Accord (late model) sometime last night or early this morning (8/31/11).  Car was parked on 72 St. just south of 51 Ave.  The owner, who was visiting with my neighbor, has been in in Florida.  The owner must file a report when he gets back.
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Richie from Elmhurst heard from his friend in Maspeth:   Wanted to tell you that again, this morning, an SUV parked on the corner of 59th Dr and Fresh Pond Rd was broken into last night (or early this morning)- not sure when.  The driver side window was smashed and glass all over the street.  I don't think the owner of the truck was aware yet because we saw it at 6:30am.  I don't know who the truck belongs to either or I would have rang their doorbell to notify them. I think the 104 needs to set up a patrol night watch into the early morning hours when these break-ins occur and then these creeps will be caught, and word will get around so nobody else tries to do the same nonsense. It happens on the same exact streets all the time... there is no excuse why we can't have our area patrolled. These are getting to be out of control now and I'm seriously fed up.

The 104th sent this over to me.  The arrests occurred on the MV/Maspeth border.  No telling how far and wide these creeps were hitting but hopefully this will help cut down on the break ins.   They were caught with GPS's and were traveling on foot.  Pleae pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.
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Early this morning at about 3:02 am the 104 Precinct responded to the corner of Eliot Avenue and 70 Street in regards to individuals breaking into vehicles. Upon arrival the responding Officers arrested three individuals: Patrick Jasienowski 18, Middle Village, Nicholas Dangelo 19, Middle Village and a 15 year old Juvenile who resides in the confines of the 112 Pct.
 
All of the perpetrators were charged with 4 counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3 counts of criminal possession of stolen property and three counts of petit larceny.
 
The arresting Officer is PO Joseph Verderber

Last night the Channel 11 news aired the following report about illegal commuter vans in the COMET area.

The Newtown Historical Society is proud to announce the replacement of an historic plaque dedicated to Astoria’s founding family, the Halletts, at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth. 

The Hallett family, led by patriarch William Hallett, emigrated from England and settled in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1648, but moved in 1652 to 160 acres in the Hallett’s Cove area of Astoria.   In 1664, William Hallett expanded his holding to 2,200 acres, which included all of modern-day Astoria.  Several generations of Halletts lived on the property and as was customary at the time, family members that died were buried near their home.  The Hallett cemetery was located between Astoria Blvd and Main Avenue.  Over time, the family’s land was divided into parcels and sold.

As explained by Vincent Seyfried in his book, 300 Years of Long Island City: 1630-1930, “All the 50 bodies in the burial plot, 35 of them Halletts dating from 1724 to 1861, were transferred to Mount Olivet Cemetery in April 1905 and the stones were re-cut and re-erected over the new graves.”

The original historical plaque that recorded this event had been weathered to the point where some of the writing on it was no longer readable. 

“We don’t want barriers such as illegible writing to prevent Queens residents from understanding their history, so our board decided that replacing the plaque was the right thing to do,” explained Newtown Historical Society President Christina Wilkinson.  “We thank Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. for his assistance in making this happen.”

Council Member Peter F. Vallone, Jr. was instrumental in locating and obtaining permission from the descendants of William Hallett.

Vallone made contact with Dr. William C. Hallett, a Nassau County-based pharmacy consultant and direct descendant of the original William Hallett.  Dr. Hallett is proud of his family’s history and is in possession of many documents dating back 300 years or more.  The Hallett family history stretches across the borough to Flushing and Jamaica, but they are best known as being among the first settlers of Astoria.

"Astoria has a rich and storied history, and the Hallett family is proud to be a part of it,” said Dr. William C. Hallett. “We are deeply appreciative of the efforts of the Newtown Historical Society and Council Member Vallone to replace the plaque, and helping to preserve the history and heritage of our area."

“I commend Newtown Historical Society for being proactive and restoring this important link to Queens history.  I thought my family had deep Queens roots, but the Halletts definitely have us all beat,” said Council Member Vallone.  “Queens is a great place to call home, whether it’s your first year in the borough or your family’s 350th.”

The inscription on the new plaque, which is identical to the one on the old plaque, reads:

“In this plot rest the remains of many of the descendants of William Hallett who came to this country from England A.D. 1648.  They were removed from the family grave yard at Hallett’s Cove A.D. 1905.”

For more information on the Newtown Historical Society’s programs, please visit NHS’ website at www.newtownhistorical.org.

For those of you awakened by an NYPD helicopter at about 3-4:20 am this morning, here's what Captain Cody reports:
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"Burglary of a premises at 53-03 65 Place-Beauty Parlor perp caught in act and fled-Aviation aided in search and apprehension-investigation ongoing-1 under arrest by my a/c team"

Things are not looking good with the car break ins in.  Apparently the thieves are breaking into vehicles even if no property is visible.  They are breaking in, checking the glove box, etc.  Please remove tools, GPS's and anything of value in case your vehicle is targeted.  We are not the only area being targeted in this end of Queens.

• I heard from a Comet member who lives on 57th Avenue off Mazeau Street.  She was up until 5:30 am moving items from her house to her car and didn't see or hear anything.  Apparently, at some time during the night/morning, someone took a crow bar pried open a car  parked in front of her house, removed the radio/CD player and popped open the trunk and took an item from there as well.  For some reason they also stole the car registration.  This must have occurred when she went into her house to get something or after 5:30 am when she went to sleep.  The Comet member also said that a neighbor was trying to park on Caldwell Avenue and there was glass on both sides of the street - possibly more car break ins.
• I spoke with the 108th Precinct this afternoon and they are also getting hit with car break ins.
• DI Napolitano at the 110th looked at the most current map of the Elmhurst portion of Comet and said reports for car break ins came from Ankener Avenue, Calamus Avenue and Hillyer Street.

Look folks, you might not want to make a report to your insurance company because there's a $500 deductable.  That's fine.  But you really need to make a police report so our precincts know what areas are being hit.  I suspect there's a lot more break ins that are not being reported.  You should call 911 and tell the operator you need to have a report taken.  Since taking a report for a past crime isn't a priority, you may have to wait quite a while before a police car shows up.  If you have a busy schedule and can't wait around, call 911 once you are home for the evening.    But please, file a report.
 
I am reaching out to the Crime Prevention Officers in our precincts to come up with ideas to help safeguard your property.  Stay tuned.  Please pass this along.

See the email below with an update from the Clinton Diner, 56-26 Maspeth Avenue.  If you recall, the 104th arrested a perpetrator on Monday at about 1:00 am.  This incident occurred on Monday at 3:41 am and in this case it's suspected at least two perpetrators are involved.  These individuals are not only looking into breaking into vehicles, but businesses as well.  I'm sure they would have no problem breaking into a house.  Some of you may not live in Maspeth, but it can happen in your area too!
 
Please be alert, call 911 if you see anything suspicious, secure your home and don't leave property in your vehicle.  You can contact the Crime Prevention Officer at your precinct and ask for a free home/business security survey. Don't wait until you become a victim.  Please pass this on to friends/family.  If you have any info, contact the 104th Precinct.
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FYI

"We also had a break in at my parents Diner on Monday 3:41am and the perps stayed in the diner until 5:25AM.  After that one of them proceeded to try to break in 2 tractor trailers parked over night behind the diner, and woke up the driver who chased him away. A brief description of one of the guys is male hispanic 5'5"-5'7" tall, 155lbs thick black frame glasses, dark blue or black baseball hat, Medium to dark Bluish grey t shirt, blue jeans, dark color sneakers with white trim around edges, 6" wide tattoo on left fore arm with 2 stars on outer edges of tattoo and some writing in the middle. He entered through the roof."