Dear 104 Precinct Community,

The 104 Precinct Temporary Headquarters Vehicle will be in Maspeth (69 Street & Grand Avenue) on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be a Domestic Violence Officer assigned to this vehicle to assist with any domestic related issues and there will be Officers assigned there to register bikes, electronic devices and provide Crime Prevention literature. Please stop by.

PO Thomas Bell
104 Precinct Community Affairs
(718) 386-2431
thomas.bell@nypd.org

Hi All,

Comet member happened to look out window this afternoon at approximately 3:30 pm and noticed a male - he looked a little suspicious so she kept on watching him.  He turned around, came back, grabbed a bike from a neighbor's yard and fled.  No one was home at location of bike theft. Member called 911. A police report was taken from victim by the 110th Precinct at about 5:45 pm. Here are the details that witness provided. 

• Location:  57th Road between 84th/85th Streets, Elmhurst.  Perpetrator fled to 85th Street and turned left towards 57th Avenue.  (Keep in mind this is 104th/110th border and he could have headed to either Maspeth or Middle Village - not just Elmhurst.)
• Male white, late 40's, salt and pepper hair, balding on top with a pony tail.  Average to thin build. 5'7 or 5'8.
• He was wearing a black leather jacket with silver zippers, red sweat pants with a white stripe on the side.

If anyone knows anything about this individual call the 110th Precinct Squad.  The precinct's # 718-476-9311.  If you live in Elmhurst and believe you see this individual, you can call 911 and say that this person matches the description of a perpetrator wanted for a bicycle theft.  Give the location and direction he's heading.  Someone will respond.  If you live in Maspeth or Woodside, call 911 and say individual matches description of someone wanted for bicycle theft in confines of 110th Precinct and your precinct will respond.  They will reach out to 110th if perpetrator is apprehended.  You will not get in trouble if you're mistaken and you just might get a crook off the street.  Please pass this on to others in the area!!

Incident in the 104 Precinct:

The 104 Precinct School Unit reports they just received a 2nd report today of an incident which occurred in the Ridgewood area where a male white (possibly bald) in a black sports utility vehicle attempted to lure teenage females into his vehicle.

The 1st incident occurred in front of 962 Seneca Avenue and 2nd incident occurred near Fairview Avenue and Stanhope Street.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident or any similar please call the 104 Precinct Detective Squad at 718-386-2723. 

Please remind all children not to approach strangers and to call 911 immediately if they are approached by any suspicious persons or vehicles.

PO Thomas Bell
104 Precinct Community Affairs
(718) 386-2431
thomas.bell@nypd.org

Earth Day Event, Saturday, April 20th, 1-5 pm, Maspeth Federal Parking lot, 69th/Grand Avenue.  Sponsored by Maspeth Federal Savings, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, 104th Precinct, COMET.  Please pass on to friends, family, neighbors.

Agenda:

• Maspeth Federal Savings will provide a big paper shredding truck. It chews up large bundles of important documents quickly. 
• The 104th will VIN Etch vehicles as well as register bicycles and electronics which helps recover them if they're stolen. VIN Etching can save you $$ on your Theft Insurance!  Everyone in NYC is eligible for these programs. If you want your phones, ipads, etc. registered, look at the Warranty to make sure this doesn't void it.  You can also bring Wii's, playstations, x-boxes, GPS's, radios and other items that can be stolen from your home or vehicle. If a thief is caught, this is how the police return the items to their rightful owners.  Vehicles cannot be etched if it rains!!
• Council Member Crowley has invited the Queens Botanical Gardens. They will teach people about "kitchen composting".
• Council Member Crowley also invited GROWNYC. They are bringing a textile recycler. (textiles are: clean, dry clothing, pairs of shoes, bedding, linen, hats, handbags, belts, fabric scraps 36"x36" or larger and other textiles.) NO rugs, carpeting or commercial waste.
• Council Member Crowley invited GreenChip. They will recycle electronics (no non-rechargeable batteries, light bulbs or large appliances.) Stereo equipment, old radios, phones or other electronics are fine.

Hope to see you on the 20th!

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,

Captain Manson, 104th, called to say we had another burglary.  This one was different.  The perpetrator hit an apartment, 71#'s on Grand Avenue in Maspeth, while the resident was home.  The only residences on this strip are above stores.

At approximately 3:30 pm yesterday, a male, dark-skinned Hispanic, 6'3", 200 lbs, with a backpack, pushed open the front door.  When he saw the resident, he fled.

This individual may or may not be connected to our home burglaries.  Please be alert at all times, pass the word and call 911 for anything suspicious!!

Roe Daraio, President
COMET Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,

• West Maspeth Block Captain states she woke up this morning and saw a Sports Infinity up on blocks with rims/tires missing on 58th Avenue/59 #'s.  She said what amazed her was the fact this vehicle was parked in front of a house that has a pit bull and German Shepherd that wakes you up before 7:00 am barking throughout 75% of the day if someone even comes near the house.  In addition, this is right across from a bus stop and traffic light on Grand Avenue.  All the more reason you need to look out your window if you have to get up during the night.  These crooks are quick, quiet and efficient at what they do!  If you are a rim/tire victim, please DO NOT touch anything until police say it's OK.  In this case Block Captain said report was taken and fingerprint team came later but complainant was already replacing tires - didn't know they'd be a follow up.  Not known if evidence recovered.
• Northern Maspeth resident, vicinity of 52nd/74th, states GPS was stolen from her vehicle before she left for vacation.  She thought she had locked car doors - maybe not.  She believes thief spotted GPS holder and knew device was somewhere in vehicle.  We can't stress enough NOT to leave anything in car that will alert thief as to what might be inside.  We urged her to file a report even though it was past incident.  Don't know if report filed.
• Back to the burglaries.  If you recall, the last several arrests by the 104th and 108th of perpetrators who were connected to numerous burglaries was a result of community residents calling 911.  We know who lives here - the police don't.  Our area is very spread out, winding streets and very quiet. We can see into backyards, the police can't.  From past experience, we know best chance of burglars getting caught is a resident calling 911!! 
• Please keep your eyes and ears open and pass the word!!  Don't hesitate to call 911 for suspicious persons/vehicles.

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,

Sent some of these stats to a few of you yesterday, but think it's important we all see the big picture of burglaries/robberies in area. Those of you who attended our meeting on Monday heard we had more burglaries on the Maspeth/Woodside-Winfield border.  The 110th Precinct was unable to attend our meeting, but sent us the crime stats and we see there were two burglaries in the "valley" - a short distance from the others.  Here's some of the stats and message from Council Member Van Bramer.

104th Precinct

• Burglary - 3/6, 52nd/72nd Pl, rear entry
• Rim/tires stolen - 3/8 on 52nd/72nd Pl.
• Burglary - 3/13, 54th/72nd St, front entry, nothing stolen
• Robbery - 3/12, Grand/69th Pl, youth-on-youth
• Robbery - 3/25, male hailed cab on 80th/Roosevelt Ave. Vehicle stopped them on 74th/LIE, displayed guns, stole $300 cash.

108th Precinct

• Burglary - 3/6, 72nd/Calamus, rear entry (same day as 104th's)
• Robbery - 3/6, 7:10 pm, 51st/66th Street, male was getting out of his car, $500 cash stolen.

110th Precinct

• 3/14, 51 #'s Codwise Pl, removed bars in rear
• 3/14, 51 #'s Manilla St, rear window between 3 pm -8: 30 am.
• Robbery - 3/30, 8 pm, Grand/Van Horn, female Asian pushed to ground and iphone taken.

Seems like one corner of COMET area is being targeted the most.  That doesn't mean it won't happen near you next! 

• The person(s) doing the burglaries is either very smart or very lucky and seems to blend in so as not to raise suspicions. 
• If you see any person(s) lurking around, call 911 and tell Operator that we're had burglaries in the area and this individual is not known to you.  You won't get into trouble if you're mistaken.
• Please pass the word to folks about keeping iphones, etc. out of sight when on the street, train, etc.!!
• Please pass this on to others in the area.
• See message from Councilman Van Bramer below.

Council Member Van Bramer has launched a "Curb Your Dog" Public Awareness Campaign and will be placing posters around the Council district to raise awareness of the issue. He encourages residents to vote for their favorite poster, submitted by elementary school students on his website:  www.jimmyvanbramer.com

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,

You might be interested in following:

• Wednesday, April 10th, 110th Precinct Blood Drive, 12-6 pm, 94-41 43rd Avenue (muster room).  Eligibility criteria:  Bring ID with signature or photo, minimum weight 110 lobs, age 16-75 (16-year olds must have parental permission.  Age 76 and over needs doctor's note.), eat well (low fat) & drink fluids, no tattoos for past 12 months.  For questions concerning medical eligibility call 1-800-688-0900, www.nybc.org For more info contact PO Janine Rivera: janine.rivera@nypd.org
• Saturday, April 27th, Elmhurst's Beautification Day, 10 am, intersection of Kneeland Ave/Manilla St, paint mural, make community garden beds, planting seeds and trees, activities for kids. Rain date is Saturday, May 12th.  Being sponsored by: Citizens Committee for NYC, Young Governors, Build it Green NYC.
• New hours for Social Security Administration:  Open to public Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm except Wednesday.  Wednesday the offices close to public at 12 pm. Social Security Card Centers are open to public Monday to Friday 7 am to 4 pm. Information about Social Security's programs/benefits and some services are available on line at www.socialsecurity.gov or call 800-772-1213.
  
  

Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com