The East Coast needs to stay informed and be ready to get prepared for an extended period without power and all of the other problems cause by a hurricane-like storm. 
Since storms of this nature are often unpredictable, we want to encourage our community to keep the following in mind:
. Stay alert to weather reports and conditions over the next few days, and pay attention to any instructions from local authorities.
· Keep emergency contact numbers with you.
. Secure loose objects in your yard.
. Keep on hand non-perishable food which can be eaten without cooking.
. Check flashlights or other emergency lights to make sure they are in working condition.
. Keep a battery operated radio on hand.
. Fill your bathtub with water for flushing the toilet
. Gas up your car. If electrical power is off, service stations may not be able to operate pumps.
. Take an inventory of your household to make a concise record of your belongings.
. Leave your mobile home. Mobile homes are extremely vulnerable to high winds.
· Prepare appropriate emergency supplies to sustain yourself and your family for a few days if the storm's path becomes more evident of impacting your area. VisitAllstate.com  for preparation tips.


Halloween is quickly approaching.  We would like to share some Halloween Safety Tips for families and their children.  Never, ever go into a stranger's house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it's okay.  
Beware of Candles! Candles, especially in a Jack O'Lantern, should be off the ground and out of children's reach. Try battery-operated LED candles for an even safer option.
Be Safe and Bright- Choose costumes that are lighter in color and attach reflective materials to costumes. Make sure each child has a flashlight to help them see and be seen.  
Keep Hungry Monsters from Feeding - Never let your kids eat Halloween candy before you inspect it in the light at home. Even if you know your neighbors, you should always check to be safe and throw away open candy or anything that looks at all suspicious.
If you will not be trick or treating with your children, plan a trick or treat route and have them carry a cell phone.
If you are an older child or young teen, and going out with friends, make sure that your parents know where you are going and who you are going with. 
If you are driving and are taking a group of friends to a party, make sure that you have enough gas to get there. You don't want to run out on a dark street, all alone, like a bad horror movie!

No surprise.  The rim/tire guys struck again during the early morning hours today, 10/24.  Our Block Captain on 72nd Place noticed a vehicle parked on 52nd Avenue between 70th and 71st Street in Maspeth/104th Precinct with no tires.  DI Cody confirms the incident and said it was a BMWx5, all 4 tires/rims stolen.  A report was filed.  If you recall, a similar incident happened this past weekend on 53rd Avenue and 72nd Street in Maspeth in the early morning hours this past Sunday, 10/21.  Once again, this is right on the Woodside/Elmhurst 108th/110th borders so we all need to keep our eyes and ears open!
 
Please pass this along to friends and family in the area and call 911 if you see anything suspicious!
 
Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Block Captain on 72nd Street saw two 104th police cars on corner 72nd St/53rd Av at about 6:30 am on Sunday, 10/21.  She spoke with complainant who said her vehicle was parked in front of 2nd house from the corner, noticed lug nuts loosened on all wheels and saw cinder blocks at the site.  Only one tire was missing.
 
Another neighbor told her that when she heard about the incident, she noticed some of the pavers had been removed from the tree pit in front of another house - 53 #'s on 72nd St.  There was some kind of red nylon bag left in the pit.  Neighbors believe thieves may have spotted the pavers to use as "blocks" to hold up the vehicle and only had time to take one tire.
 
A friend of mine recently told me he spotted a vehicle on blocks in the vicinity of 51st Av but not sure if it was Winfield/Woodside or Elmhurst.  Hope we'll hear more at our meeting on 11/5.
 
You might consider buying locks for your tires.  These creeps move around to avoid getting caught. Your block might be next!
 
Please keep looking out your windows and call 911 if you spot suspicious activity! 
 
Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Hi All,
 
Maspeth's triumph of zero burglaries was short-lived.  DI Cody states that a burglary was reported yesterday afternoon at 51#'s on 69th Place - basement. The investigation is ongoing. Technically this is a Woodside address, but it's on the 104th south side of Calamus/Maurice Avenues and most folks refer to it as Maspeth.  We'll have to take the hit on the chin!!  At our meeting, Captain Powers, 108th Precinct, told us about a burglary on70th Street/51st Avenue.  Perhaps it's the same burglar?  Locations are around the corner from one another!
 
Once again, the burglary is on the border.  It's a block out of Winfield and a short five blocks from Elmhurst.  Those of you who are home during the day when most burglaries occur need to stay alert.  If something doesn't appear to be right - it probably isn't.  Don't hesitate to call 911 with a description of the person/vehicle, if one is involved! 
 
Keep looking out your windows at night.  Don't know if it was reported, but a neighbor told me that on Sunday, as he was heading to Stop & Shop, he saw a man sweeping up glass.  Asked him what happened.  Man told him he inadvertently left his cell phone in the car and when he went to get it at 1:00 am, the driver's window was smashed and cell phone was gone.  This occurred on 53rd Road just before 74th Street.  Once again, not far from the 108th/110th border!
 
Lastly, if any of you live near the CSX tracks, please let me know if there are any breeches in the fence.  We'll have it repaired.  Many perpetrators use the tracks to access our community.
 
Please pass this on to others in the neighborhood.  And please, if you are the victim of a crime, report it. It's important that we know where crime is happening!!
 
Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com
 

Hi All,
 
Good news first.  In the history of COMET, this is the first time that Maspeth had ZERO burglaries in 28 days!  Winfield/Woodside is doing well too.  There were two burglaries, one of which was a commercial vehicle  The residential burglary occurred in the vicinity of 70th/51st Avenue.  Folks are doing a fabulous job reporting suspicious activity, but you need to continue being viligent!  Credit also goes to our officers who are making the arrests!
 
The bad news is that Elmhurst is not doing well.  There were 8 burglaries during the past 28 days!  Some of these burglaries were on the Maspeth/Middle Village border, so beware!!  Crooks move around to avoid getting caught.

• 77#'s on Kneeland Avenue, residential, break-in through front door.
• 77th/Grand, residential, break-in through a window.
• 79th/Grand Avenue, residential, security bars were pried off side window.
• 83rd/54th Avenue, residential, security bars pried off window.  Crime reported at about 3:00 pm.
• 85th/57th Avenue, residential apartment, front door.
• 84th/56th Avenue, residential through front door.
• 84th/57th Road, residential through front door.
• There was one commercial burglary in the area.

The 110th Precinct has been doing a great job in reaching out to the community, but it's not enough.  We need more community involvement!    Speak to your neighbors who work during the day and tell them what's going on.  You know who lives on your block, the police don't.  Look out your window and call 911 if you see a suspicious person/vehicle on the block or a stranger in your neighbor's yard.  You will not get in trouble if you are mistaken.  If you are right, you are taking a criminal off the street!  And please, if you come home and suspect someone broke into your house - do not enter - call 911 and let the police check it out.  You don't know if the perpetrator is still on the premises!
 
Roe Daraio, President
Comet Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

Join Him on Thursday Evening, October 4, at Queens Library at Maspeth

Queens, NY, October 2, 2012 – To meet more of his constituents without scheduled appointments and to hear about the issues that concern them, NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., will hold office hours on Monday or Thursday evenings at several Queens Library locations around his district in October. Come in to talk to Senator Addabbo between 5:30 PM – 7 PM on:
 
Thursday, October 4, Queens Library at Maspeth, 69-70 Grand Avenue; 718-639-5228.
 
Addabbo notes, “Many of my constituents might be unable to visit my district offices during the day Monday through Friday. The time I am spending at mobile office hours on Monday and Thursday evenings around the district gives them an opportunity to see me in their own neighborhoods without making an appointment, so I may personally address their concerns. I will also be speaking about how important library funding is from the city and the state in restoring programs and services to local libraries, like the recently extended evening hours. My constituents should also know that I’ve worked to restore NYS capital funding for vital building projects like Woodhaven Library’s interior renovations to its Carnegie building (Phase 1), set to begin this winter, and new senior housing now under construction in Howard Beach.”
 
For more details, call Addabbo’s district offices in Howard Beach at 718-738-1111 or in Middle Village at 718-497-1630. Visit Senator Addabbo online at:  http://addabbo.nysenate.gov or on Facebook at “Senator Joe Addabbo.”