FYI
 
Hi everyone,
 
Thank you for coming to the onsite visit on Wednesday. We got a number of pictures to document the damage on Calamus. Damages can be both reported to DDC and the Comptroller’s office. But it is the insurance of the contractor that is usually determined to be responsible to pay for property damage.
 
Next week the Council member and a separate engineering team from DDC will go down to Calamus to inspect the work site. Many of the issues that were brought up during the site visit were engineering questions. The Council Member wants to make sure that the work is being done correctly. The new engineering team will be able to tell if all safety precautions are being followed and if there is any way to minimize the effects on adjacent homes. Any residents with questions can join us. We will keep you informed on what day this will be. 
 
Additionally my office is working on arranging a meeting with Comptroller Scott Stringer and DDC together on site. Please let us know some times when you will be available.
 
The first way to report damage is to Bita Mehrpour, the community construction liaison for DDC. The contractor has preconstruction photos of the block and is supposed to repair any damages to the property. The contractors insurance pays for these damages. The Community Construction Liaison can be contacted in the following ways:  Tel  : (718) 424-1058, Fax : (718) 424 -1410, Cell : (516) 322-4623, email: SE814CCL@gmail.com
 
You can also submit a claim to comptroller Scott Stringer within 90 days of an incident. Any additional damage that occurs within 6 months of a claim can be added to the original claim in writing to the comptroller. A claim can be filed at this link: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/services/for-the-public/claims/e-filing/  The Comptroller’s office can be contacted at Tel: (212) 669-3916
 
Please keep in touch and keep us informed about what is happening on Calamus. Please share this email with affected residents on Calamus.
 
Dylan Cepeda
Office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley
71-19 80th Street
Glendale, NY 11385
(718) 366-3900
​

Hi All,
 
Captain Mastronardi, 104th Precinct, said that three Honda CRVs in Maspeth had their catalytic converter stolen. 
 
The description given is three male blacks possibly in a silver Ford SUV.
 
This has been occurring between the hours of 1:00-4:00 am.
 
If you hear something that sounds like a saw, LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW and call 911 if you see anything suspicious!
 
If this is happening in Maspeth, it can happen anywhere. The thieves are in our general area and we all need to be on the lookout.
 
The Captain also wants to remind everyone to keep their windows and doors locked to prevent a burglary.
 
Roe Daraio, President
COMET Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

One of our members was nice enough to pass this info about deterring thieves who try to steal your catalytic converter.
 
​Converters contain trace elements of palladium, rhodium and platinum​ which fetch high prices at scrap yards over in the industrial scrap yards by Maspeth/Williamsburg.
 
​Trucks and SUVs are targeted more, since they sit higher off the ground, and the converters are easier to get to. Hondas, specifically, because once you've figured how to remove that particular brand's converter, it can be done more quickly.

As much as it might be unpleasant for some of you to hear this, the people stealing these things usually reside in or near the area of the burglaries - since they can easily observe other residents' schedules, and target certain vehicles that they see repeatedly parked in the same spots.​ They are often adult teenagers without employment for whom these thefts represent a quick and easy source of cash, especially since residents will simply replace the converters, to be re-burgled, down the line.

You can purchase a clamp (amazon) but that is only a temporary deterrent.

You can also get your converter welded to the under-frame of your vehicle, but that maybe cause inspection issues down the line.

Parking your car in sight of your home, nearby an obvious, visible surveillance camera is also a moderate deterrent.

Put your car in a locked garage is obviously the best preventative.
 
​Perhaps waking up to check your vehicle in the early morning hours might be also be helpful.​