<![CDATA[COMET: Communities of Maspeth & Elmhurst Together - Newsletter]]>Sat, 19 May 2012 02:27:41 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Community Alert - RATS! ]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 11:40:50 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/05/community-alert-rats.htmlOver the past couple of weeks Comet has been getting complaints about rat sightings, even during the day, in the vicinity of 74th Street/53rd Road.  I have now been told that the emotionally disturbed man, who a couple of years ago built a huge house made of trash behind Stop & Shop on the railroad tracks, is now living behind the old Blockbuster site and is allegedly feeding the rats!  I heard this from more than one person.
  • I've emailed Council Member Crowley's office and asked that they reach out to the Health Department bait the area as soon as possible.  I also asked that they get someone to come and evaluate the homeless man.  The 104th Precinct was also notified about the individual.
  • Several folks on 70th Street have had mice in their house.  This is probably a result of the wet weather we've had for the past couple of weeks.  It's doubtful that 70th Street is the only block with the problem!
  • Mice and rats carry diseases.  They are all over - not just in northern Maspeth - or contained to one block.  Please put down traps - away from children and pets.  Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they're not around!
  • When walking in the vicinity of 74th Street, please be alert.
  • If I get any updates, I'll let you know.
Roe Daraio, President
Comet]]><![CDATA[Community Alert: BIG burglary spike!]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 10:34:52 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/05/community-alert-big-burglary-spike.htmlWe have had a BIG spike in burglaries in Woodside (Winfield/Wynwoode Gardens) during the past 28 days!  The 108th Precinct is giving the area special attention, but remember - YOU know your neighbors - the police don't.  YOU need to keep an eye out in the front and rear of your home and call 911 if you see anyone suspicious. 108th Precinct burglaries:
  • 65th/50th Ave
  • 69th/47th Ave
  • 65th/48th Ave
  • 61st/50th Ave
  • 66th/46th Ave
  • 65th/50th Ave
  • 63rd/48th Ave
  • 65th/51st Ave
  • 72nd/51st Dr
104th Precinct burglaries:
  • 70th between Calamus/52nd Av
  • 67th/58th Ave
  • 57-62 Maurice - commercial
  • Flushing Ave - truck
110th Precinct burglaries:
  • Seabury/58th - unlocked front door
  • Manilla/51st - unlocked front door
  • 80th/54th - unlocked rear door
  • Queens Blvd/82nd - cable wire
Woodside/Maspeth folks need to call 911 immediately to report a suspicious person(s) in the area including your community drive.  This activity is right on the border!  Elmhurst folks not only need to keep a watchful eye - but lock your doors!!  Please pass this on to others in our area!!]]><![CDATA[Buses vs. trucks at PS 58]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 02:36:31 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/05/buses-vs-trucks-at-ps-58.html
These were taken 2:30 on Fri May 4th by COMET member Rosalie Greer.  As you can see, the school buses were double parked on 57th ave & in the "no standing" area next to the school on the triangle. Jackie (school crossing guard) was telling the bus drivers to move out of the way and let the truck have room to turn. They never moved. Some of the buses didn't have drivers in them either. It held up traffic toward Grand Ave & 57 Ave. Oh yeah, since school was about to let out there were a number of parents around. 
]]><![CDATA[Drag racing arrests]]>Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:17:05 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/04/drag-racing-arrests.html
Captain Cody asked me to pass the word.  Last night, he and 104th Executive Officer John Travaglia conducted a Drag Racing Sweep together with the 108th Precinct.  There were 2 lieutenants and 14 officers assigned. Here's the result of the joint operation:
  • 6-Arrests were made
  • 2- Possession Of Forged Vehicle Documents
  • 3-D.W.I’s
  • 1- Suspended License
  • 1- Criminal Court Summons was issued
  • 15 Summonses were issued for Moving Violations
  • 10 Summonses were issued for Parking Violations
  • 5 Vehicles were seized
Our 104th/108th area continues to be prime drag racing territory. Elmhurst is also targeted from time to time, particularly in the area of 51st Ave/QB.  If you hear drag racing, call 911 because it's causing a dangerous condition.  If this is allowed to continue without enforcement, they'll keep coming back and an innocent motorist could be killed.  Great job by our precincts!!

]]><![CDATA[Good arrest in 104 Pct]]>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:28:46 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/04/good-arrest-in-104-pct.html
Hi All,
 
See message below from Captain Cody.  Great job by the responding officers!  Let's hope our burglaries, theft of hydrant caps, copper from poles, mirror thefts, etc. are reduced now that they're off the street. 
______
 
Roe: Officer Wyatt and Officer Ricottone just had a good arrest.

Two males did climb over fence into a scrap metal yard located behind hotel at 59-40 55th Rd and remove tools and scrap metal. 
Apparently a male staying at the holiday inn witnessed and did video with his phone the two males jump over the fence and remove the property.

Upon arrival Officer Ricottone and Hyatt continued to canvass and spotted both perps, one ran but they were able to get both.

Officer Ricottone did injure his leg and did go to Wyckoff hospital to get checked out for cut to leg and shortness of breath from 104 S/H.
 
MC
Captain Michael Cody
Commanding Officer
104th Precinct

]]><![CDATA[Maspeth Federal Savings Bank robbed!]]>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:35:11 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/04/maspeth-federal-bank-robbed.html
Picture
Picture
Picture
Last night Maspeth Federal on 69th Street was robbed at about 5:30 pm. According to Captain Cody, 104th Precinct, a 20 year-old male white, skinny, 5 foot nothing, cap and dark sunglasses, cased location, passed a note to teller which NYPD recovered and made off with $5,000 cash.  According to witnesses he was lurking around before the robbery! He fled on foot south on 69th Street.  It is believed he might be local!  See attached pictures.
  • If you have the slightest inkling of who this person is, contact the 104th Precinct Squad ASAP.  You can remain anonymous.  You might be right - or wrong - but let the police look into it.  There's always the one tip that pays off!  The 104th Switchboard number is: 718-386-3004.  There is a menu that tells you what number to press for the Squad.
  • If you're in a bank and someone doesn't look right, don't be afraid to call 911 or alert bank personnel.  Believe me, the police would rather respond to a "suspicious" person call than a past bank robbery.  If he was successful in this attempt - there's a good chance he'll try it again at another bank here or in another community.
  • Please pass this on to your friends/family.  We want him caught before someone gets hurt!
]]><![CDATA[Community Alert - Hydrant Caps]]>Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:28:10 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/04/community-alert-hydrant-caps.htmlAt our last meeting we discussed the problem of missing fire hydrant caps that are being stolen by metal scrappers.  I happened to see a fire engine outside of Frank's deli today and stopped to ask how important it was that the hydrants have caps. The fireman told me that fire hydrant caps are necessary to keep the "threads" on the hydrant from rusting.  If there is a fire and there are rusted threads they will have a problem attaching the hose when there's a fire and every minute counts.  A delay in response could result in the loss of life or property! Heres what he said:
  1. Call 311 and have them report it to the Department of Environmental Protection.  Be sure to have the address nearest to the hydrant.  If they hydrant isn't near an address, provide the street and cross streets.
  2. He said some fire houses have a supply of hydrant caps.  You could stop by with the address to see if they might be able to replace it.
We have A LOT of missing caps around our communities!  Please make a note of the location and report it ASAP!!  Please pass this along to friends and family!!

]]><![CDATA[Spring Concert at PS229]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:26:49 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/04/spring-concert-at-ps229.html
Picture
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
]]><![CDATA[Maspeth bank robber caught! (and other news)]]>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:25:36 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/04/maspeth-bank-robber-caught-and-other-news.htmlGood news! 
  • Captain Cody said the Chase Bank robber was apprehended.  He was Brooklyn resident living in a shelter and an anonymous tip led Detectives to his whereabouts. Detective DeVecchis of Major Case Squad grabbed him.  Perp picked Chase Banks due to no Security Guards.  He had lots of prior arrests and a crack problem.
Not good news! 
  • Keep an eye out for two male Hispanics who we believe are targeting our area for burglaries.  They are between 5'5" - 5'7" tall, one weighs about 150 lbs and the other about 280 lbs.  I won't bore you with clothing descriptions since that can change.  Burglaries usually occur in the day, but that is not always true.  If you see suspicious people, call 911.
  • Someone came to our meeting to report that several cars in the vicinity of 60th/59th Avenue in Maspeth were "keyed"  (scratched).  No crime reports were filed!  The police patrol areas where crime is reported.  If they think there's no crime in Maspeth, then they'll patrol another area and our perps will never get caught.
Crime stats
  • 104th Pct - Maspeth had six burglaries, two of which were commercial.  Residential: 64th/58th Rd (arrest made); 73rd/52nd Rd (side door); 51 #'s/72nd St; 65th/52nd Av.  Commercial:  57/58th Pl (roof entry);  58/57th Rd (window).  Grand Larcenies of auto accessories:  65th Pl/51st Rd (rims/tires of a 2011 Nison Maxima); 54th/72nd St (side mirrors).  A 2001 Honda CRV was stolen at 59th/59th Pl.
  • 108th Pct - Winfield/Woodside had 1 burglary at 72nd/51st Dr. (front door).  Grand Larcenies:  69th/47th (credit cards from vehicle;  50th/60th (lost credit card); 69th/50th (currency/credit cards).
  • 110th Pct - Two robberies:  Queens Blvd/Jacobus at 1:40 am;  80th Street (currency/chain stolen).  Burglary at Grand/80th.
Events - mark your calendar
  • Saturday, April 21st from 1-5 pm - Maspeth Federal Savings will have a huge paper shredder.  This is your opportunity to safely dispose of your important papers, ie. old taxes, check books, bank statments, etc.  The 104th Precinct will be VIN Etching cars (free) to deter car theft (you can save $$ on your theft insurance) and etching bicycles. 
  • Comet and Maspeth Town Hall will be sponsoring a Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 8th from 7-8 pm at PS 229, Maurice Av/67th Street.  Seating is limited!
]]><![CDATA[Livery car parking problem in Woodside]]>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:10:56 -0800http://www.cometcivic.com/1/post/2012/04/livery-car-parking-problem-in-woodside.html
COMET President Roe Daraio and WPIX's Greg Mocker confront the owner of a livery car operation that uses Woodside streets as a parking lot.
]]>