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Vigil remarks from 108th Pct CO Capt. Travaglia

12/23/2014

 
On behalf of the New York City Police Department and the 108Pct I want to thank you all for coming.  The outpouring of support from this community is a true indication of the united partnership that we are all committed to.  We in this community are a model, a beacon of light in the darkness, for the rest of this city to follow.  We are a united community which is always striving for better. 

The tragic deaths of P.O. Rafael Ramos and P.O. Wenjian Liu shock the conscience.  It is tough for someone like me with 22 years in law enforcement to comprehend.  It is even tougher for our families to understand and of course for the community we serve to understand.   But this is what gets us through:   It is the knowledge that our brothers and sisters in blue will never forget us.  It is also the knowledge that you the community will embrace and care for the loved ones we leave behind. 

Police work is one of the toughest professions out there that comes at great risk.  But with great risk comes great reward.  The satisfaction that comes from this line of work cannot be calculated monetarily.     Most of us in this profession treat it as a vocation, a calling. 

P.O. Rafael Ramos and P.O. Wenjian Liu knew the risks of this profession and I know these brothers of mine experienced the reward.  In the early morning hours of9/11/2001 I was a sergeant in the Highway Patrol.  I was assigned to desk duty and I was attempting to account for the whereabouts of the officers in my command. My eyes were watery and my throat had a lump in it.  I was barely functioning when a 35 year member of the service grabbed me and looked me straight in the eyes. He said “Keep it together, we are the police. We will get through this.  We have no choice.”  That we did. 

Today, I tell you as a community.  We will get through these dark times.  We have no choice.  All of us are part of this great New York City community.  We are the police.  WE ARE YOUR POLICE. 

I wish eternal rest upon P.O. Rafael Ramos and P.O. Wenjian Liu.  The work we will do from this day on will celebrate their lives forever. 

Captain John Travaglia
Commanding Officer, 108 Precinct



Our sympathy and support

12/22/2014

 
Hi All,

We were all saddened and shocked by the execution-style shooting of Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos yesterday in Brooklyn. Our condolences go to the family and their fellow police officers.

It's time for us to show support not only for the officers who died in the line of duty, but for all our officers who risk their lives every day.

If you support the NYPD we're asking folks to tie blue ribbons outside of your homes. We believe this is a silent but positive way to let them know we care.

Let's be united and stand behind those who protect our families, homes and community!

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


And from the Times Newsweekly:

"Candlelight vigils are scheduled outside three local police precincts tomorrow and Tuesday, Dec. 22-23, honoring the two NYPD officers assassinated in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 20.

The 104th Precinct Community Council announced it would hold its vigil at 7 p.m. Monday night in front of the 104th Precinct's stationhouse, located at 64-02 Catalpa Ave., two blocks east of Fresh Pond Road.

People of all faiths are organizing a similar candlelight vigil tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. at the 108th Precinct's Long Island City headquarters, located at 5-47 50th Ave.

Finally, the 112th Precinct Community Council will honor the lost officers at the precinct's Forest Hills stationhouse, located at 68-40 Austin St., at 6 p.m. Tuesday night."

Important Message from 104th Precinct

12/22/2014

 
Hi All,

Captain Mackie, Executive Officer at 104th Precinct, passed along this information. Regardless of whether or not you live in this area you can be a victim too! Please follow his advice and stay alert. Call 911, if necessary!

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

I am taking the opportunity to study the burglaries since 11/17 in Cometland. I notice they are all west of 69th Street/east of Maurice, all during the week and all on either the day tour or 4x12, which means they are preying after those gone at work/school or just out in the middle of the day in general (4 of these include our 17 year old guy we just caught because they didn't fall off our 28 day map yet). Going into the Christmas week / tail end of Chanukah I am having sector cars do directed patrols on these blocks at regular intervals on the day and 4x12, with special attention to males walking from door to door, ie, and rear doors/open gates wherever visible, and any other suspicious activity.

With the holiday week in mind, please let the neighborhood to be on guard with locking all doors/windows (esp the rear door/basement door), and keeping valuables and especially holiday gifts secured and out of sight whenever possible. Don't ever leave the car parked with gifts in the cabin or trunk. Holiday parties are an area of concern because numerous people may be coming/going at different times, so always keep the entrances locked (front doors are a common means of entry). If residents are going away, ask a neighbor to either keep an eye on the house or to park their car in the driveway so it looks like somebody is home. Also, I am a huge proponent of motion sensors in outside lights--to our night or backyard burglars, these can be a real deterrent to spook them before they even get in!! For the $15 and the time it takes to install it under the bulb, it is really worth its' weight in gold. Plus we have longer hours of darkness now so lights/motion sensors can really come in handy as a deterrent to thieves.


One burglary (involving the 17 year old) was a rear sliding door. A thick dowel or 1x2 piece of wood cut to fit inside the track, with 1 end against the frame and the other end against the back edge of the sliding door works wonders. And if the door is locked/latched, it can't be raised off the track.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Captain Gregory Mackie
Executive Officer, 104th Precinct
(646) 823-2236

104 Pct burglary pattern

12/16/2014

 
Hi All,

I just heard from a Maspeth resident who told me about two incidents in the vicinity of her home. This area is where the 104th Precinct has identified a burglary pattern!
  • 54 #s/64th Street - At 5:30 am this morning, Tuesday 12/16, a neighbor got up to get ready for work. He looked out his window and saw a young male in his yard. He ran downstairs but the perpetrator fled. He told the neighbor who reported this to us that he DID report the incident to the 104th Precinct. I immediately contacted Captain Mason because this incident would not be considered a burglary, but rather trespass. I'm sure Captain Manson will look at the report for any pertinent information such as a description of the perpetrator, etc. and pass it on to his officers.
  • 64 #s/55th Avenue - A  couple of days ago a homeowner noticed that his gate was open. He said that this was highly unusual because the gate is never left open and it wasn't windy. This wasn't reported to the 104th Precinct because nothing actually happened. He did alert neighbors since he lives in the area where the burglaries are occurring and he lives right around the corner from today's incident.
These homeowners are doing the right thing by notifying the police about trespassers and/or telling their neighbors about an unusual occurrence. Luckily a Comet member passed the word along to us.

By reporting incidents, the police have a better idea of where and what time crime is occurring and can direct manpower where it's most needed. Captain Manson said today's trespassing information will be helpful to them.

Please stay alert and let the police and Comet know if anything is going on!!

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

COMMUNITY ALERT!! Sexual Abuse

12/16/2014

 
On Monday, December 15, 2014 at approximately 8:49 pm a 32 year old female was sexually assaulted while attempting to cross the foot bridge located at 60th Road and Van Horn Street in the confines of the 112th Precinct. The male perpetrator who was later identified as Jaime Rada-Bayona age 28 of Middle Village, NY fled westbound across the bridge into the confines of the 104 Precinct.

The victim followed the perpetrator across the bridge yelling for help. Good Samaritans heard the calls for help and held the perpetrator until NYPD personnel responded to the scene.

Jaime Rada-Bayona was arrested and charged with Forcible Touching, Sexual Abuse, Harassment and Assault for striking one of the Good Samaritans in the face while they attempted to subdue him.

In addition, there has been reports of individuals knocking on doors offering estimates on windows. As I have said in the past do not allow anyone into your home that you have not called. This time of the year you should be extra cautious and diligent not only on individuals knocking on your doors, but also individuals calling your home.

Have a Safe and Happy Holidays.

Detective Thomas Bell
104th Precinct Community Affairs
64-02 Catalpa Avenue
Ridgewood, NY, 11385
Phone (718)386-2431
Fax (718)386-2662
Thomas.Bell@nypd.org

Community Alert! Double Maspeth Burglary today!!

12/11/2014

 
Hi All,

Just as we all took a sigh of relief after the apprehension of a burglar last night, Captain Manson, 104th Precinct, just called to let us know a burglar(s) broke into a two-family house at 52 #s on 66th Street this afternoon, 12/11, between the hours of 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm.

The perpetrator broke through the REAR door of the building, which the officers described as being "flimsy" (not strong). Once inside, both apartments were ransacked and valuables were stolen. The perpetrator exited through the front door.

This location is only a couple of blocks from Winfield/Woodside in the 108th Precinct. We're asking everyone to be on the lookout since this burglary spree obviously isn't over and the perpetrator may move around to a different area.

Don't forget our precincts offer free security surveys. You can call and leave a message for your Crime Prevention Officer. He/she will return your call and visit you when you are available. You'll be given cost-effective tips on how to secure your home. You can call the switchboard and will be connected to Crime Prevention.
  • 104th Precinct - 718-386-3004
  • 108th Precinct - 718-784-5411
  • 110th Precinct - 718-476-9311
Captain Manson wants everyone to be assured that he has officers patrolling our area.

Don't forget, the police cannot see the rear of our homes so stay alert and keep your home well lit when it gets dark!!

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

SENATOR AVELLA JOINS ADVOCACY GROUP & COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHED LIGHT ON HORRENDOUS CONDITIONS OF PAN AM HOMELESS SHELTER

12/11/2014

 
(ELMHURST, NY) Friday, December 12, at 1:00 PM, Chair of the Social Services Committee, State Senator Tony Avella, will join Elmhurst United to shed light on the horrendous conditions of the Pan Am emergency homeless shelter.

The Pan Am Hotel emergency homeless shelter, located in Elmhurst, Queens, was converted in July to a homeless shelter, under a six month emergency contract set to expire on December 5th, 2014. However, an application submitted in November would convert the Pan Am Hotel from an emergency to permanent shelter, a practice that has become commonplace among City shelters. The conversion application has now raised serious questions about the City's desperate need for housing, quality of life issues, and a host of other problems.

WHO: Senator Tony Avella, Elmhurst United & Area Residents

WHERE: Pan American Hotel, 79-00 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, New York

WHEN: FRIDAY, December 12th at 1:00 PM



Maspeth burglar apprehended!

12/11/2014

 
Hi All,

Captain Manson, 104th Precinct, called first thing this morning to let us know that the Maspeth burglar was arrested last night just before midnight. He said the perpetrator, a 17-year old male Hispanic, who lives in the vicinity of 53rd/65th Place, admitted to four of the break-ins.

The 104th Precinct Detective Squad is working together with the 108th Precinct to see if he can be connected to any other burglaries in Maspeth/Woodside-Winfield.

We want to thank Captain Manson, the officers in the 104th Precinct and the detectives who have been patrolling and monitoring activities in our area for the past week. If it wasn't for their dedication, this perpetrator would still be on the loose. Great job!!

Reminder: This isn't the only crook out there! Keep your property well-lit, lock your windows and doors, don't leave anything in your vehicle and when walking in public keep your cell phone out of sight. Don't give a crook the opportunity to make you a victim!!

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

Kneeland Ave GLA

12/9/2014

 
Hi All,

We were advised by an Elmhurst resident and it has been confirmed by PO David Saponieri, 110th Precinct Community Affairs, that on Thursday, December 4th, a 2011  RAV 4 was stolen from the driveway of a home at 78 #s on Kneeland Avenue. The victim parked the car for the night and it was gone the next morning. PO Saponieri states there was no broken glass at the scene.

PO Saponieri said they have noticed an increase in car thefts recently. There have been no other reported crimes since our meeting on Monday, 12/1.

If you hear a noise during the night, get up and look out your window. If you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately!

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

Community alert - lewd act on Grand Ave

12/5/2014

 
On Thursday, December 4, 2014 at approximately 3:40 pm in front of 74-08 Grand Avenue a male white age 30's, wearing a gray sweater, tan pants and operating a tan sedan was observed performing a lewd act inside of his vehicle. The unknown male fled via vehicle in an unknown direction. 

A canvass of the area yielded negative results. Precinct personnel will be patrolling this area until further notice.

An investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the above incident is asked to call the 104 Precinct Detective Squad at 718-386-3004.

Detective Thomas Bell
104th Precinct Community Affairs
64-02 Catalpa Avenue
Ridgewood, NY, 11385
Phone (718)386-2431
Fax (718)386-2662
Thomas.Bell@nypd.org
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