Hi All,
See message from DI Leyson below. Please get the word out to everyone! Keep your eyes open and report anyone suspicious to 911. Females should make sure they're not being followed! Those of you who have a whistle keep it handy while walking! A perpetrator won't wait for you to dial your cell phone and call 911. We'll bring more whistles to our 10/5 event. This is right on the Maspeth border and not far from Woodside/Winfield!! We all need to be careful! Roe Daraio, President Comet Civic Association www.cometcivic.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Roe, on Monday at approximately 1240 AM, a female Hispanic, 20 years old was walking on Grand Ave and 79 St and reports she was grabbed from behind and pulled into Elmhurst Park where the perp tried to forcefully remove her purse. She struggled and retained her property. At this time the perp did knock her to the ground and got on top of her, touching her breast and pulling at her pants. He then took her headphones and fled. The perps description is an unknown male with light skin and wavy/curly hair. 5'5", 140 lbs. Please advise all to be cautious when traveling, especially alone and remain aware of your surroundings. Do Not wear your earphones or ear buds in your ears because you can't hear someone coming. Ronald D. Leyson Deputy Inspector Commanding Officer, 110th Precinct 94-41 43 Ave, Elmhurst NY 11373 718-476-9337 COMET will be joining Newtown Historical Society at a support rally on Saturday, 5-21-11 at 1pm for a park at the former St. Saviour's site. Elected officials have been invited and are expected to attend. Please join us to show the world how much we want this to happen.
This past week, the Daily News and Times Ledger published stories that mentioned that Council Member Elizabeth Crowley and Borough President Helen Marshall have applied for funding from the state to purchase the St. Saviour's site.
Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe has stated that the city would be interested in acquiring the property so long as the elected officials can raise the money to pay for it. St. Saviour's in Maspeth gaining steam to change from old church site to parkland after delays [Daily News] City mulling acquisition of St. Saviour’s [Times Ledger] Renewed Hope for Parkland at St. Saviour's Site [Forum West] Pols eye salvation for St. Saviour site [Queens Tribune] Pursing for parkland at St. Saviour's site [Queens Courier] Good afternoon Ms. Daraio.
Lucille Winsko told me that it would be okay for me to e-mail you regarding the homeless men that are living in and around the triangle behind the deli and Pioneer on Hamilton Place. She told me that someone would be installing the metal pieces to separate the benches so no one can lay down on them. I think that is a great idea and at least some action being taken. When they are installing them at that triangle park you may also want to let them know that the men move over to the Borden and Jay Avenue triangle for their afternoon naps. Both parks have become disgraceful. This morning when I was driving up the service road past the park on Hamilton, in the grass behind the bushes their were two or more men sleeping. It was hard to tell how many were there because they were covered with their sheets and blankets. I don't know why they were there. I believe they usually sleep in the greenery on the sides of the Long Island Expressway. Maybe because nothing has been done about them they aren't even going to bother moving into "hiding" at night. When I went by a little while ago the cardboard they had laid out as the base for their bedding was still in the grass. I am feeling so frustrated as this situation has now been going on for years and each week there is another man added to their group. My daughter and her friends will be starting I.S. 73 next week and my concern now is that one day one of these men will be very drunk (as they are every day) and go after her or one of the children or the elderly walking past that area. In addition, a there is a yellow bus stop for PS 153 at the corner of Hamilton and Grand where children get on and get off on a daily basis. I have instructed my daughter to stay away from that block in particular but these men are all over Maspeth pushing their shopping carts, going through everyone's garbage, entering the yards and driveways and taking more than just bottles and cans. Last year one of them entered my alleyway and took a computer that I had next to the back door. It was intended for garbage but it wasn't in the garbage and he had no right to take it. I chased and yelled at him myself but at the time I didn't realize that I should have called 911 and reported it. I'm never sure what is something to report and what is not. My son recently went for a walk and decided to sit in the park by Hamilton Place and he couldn't stay because the smell of urine and feces was overwhelming. These men wash up in the water fountain, urinate in the bushes and line up a multitude of shopping carts behind the deli and by the driveway of Pioneer. They take over the area where the bottle returns are behind Pioneer and become an intimidating presence that it is practically impossible for the customers to use the bottle return machines. I don't know the feelings of the management of Pioneer but it's a nightmare for many customers and must be costing him business. The manager of the deli on the triangle is very frustrated. When it rains they line up on the sidewalk under his awnings either sitting or laying. Again, very intimidating for the pedestrian traffic walking by. They have stolen from him numerous times but he, too, feels very intimidated by the sheer number of them. Sometimes they ask for cigarettes and money from the passersby. Soon someone is going to get hurt. There is a children's section in that triangle and very rarely do you see any mothers enjoying the area with their children. Once they get there, they see these men, and they leave. I hate that I feel that once again Maspeth is being ignored. I feel that if this were happening in Middle Village it would be taken care of immediately. I know that it is difficult for the police to take action and that social workers can only ask them if they want help and they can refuse. I do have compassion for those who become homeless and helpless but there has to be some happy medium for everyone. It is very difficult for me to complain because I do feel bad for those who are down on their luck but this situation is more than just a few men down on their luck. My friends and I have contacted Marge Markey's office numerous times in the past. Both about these men and about the rats that had taken over the area. The rats seem to be a little more in control but it's only a matter of time before the area is infested again. No action has been taken about these men. I believe some of the firemen from across the LIE have come and tried to get them to move. The only thing that happened then was that the firemen got in trouble. Please let me know your thoughts and if there is anything else I can do. Sincerely, A Maspeth Resident _______________________________________________________________________________ Good morning Ms. Daraio. I want to thank you for all that you have done and are doing. There seems to be more official attention to the situation but unfortunately nothing has really changed. The attached picture is from yesterday of the park on Jay and Borden. A friend's 14 year old son who lives across the street from the park took the picture because he is now upset by the situation after walking with his mother the other day and seeing the way they were looking at his mother and feeling how disturbed some of these men seem to be. There was also some clothing hanging in the park on Hamilton and Perry Ave. Complaints were called into 311. All I can do is shake my head and keep my own 12 year old daughter away from the area, which is difficult to do as she has to walk up and down Grand Ave every day since she attends I.S. 73Q. She's aware of the situation and does her best to pay attention to her surroundings but I just think this is so sad on so many levels. Once again, thanks for your help. A Maspeth Resident |
Welcome to COMET's blog!
Here you will find stories from our latest newsletter as well as interim posts about topics of interest. Archives
September 2023
|