108th Precinct Hosts Forum on Safety

PUBLIC MEETING:
108 Police Precinct Community Council
Tuesday 7pm, September 25, 2007
Sunnyside Community Services
2nd floor
43-31 39th St.
betw. 43rd Ave. & Queens Blvd.
(Usually lasts less than two hours. Council Pres. Diane Ballek urges all to attend and to arrive at 7pm sharp.)

NATURE OF CRIMES: The attempted and completed alleged break-ins appear to be crimes of opportunity, where a back window has been left open. Another common and more alarming feature in most of the alleged home attempts is that they occur at night when the houses are occupied with sleeping residents. The site of entry is sometimes in plain sight from the other side of the courtyard.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND: If your residence has been broken in or an attempt was made, or you want to know how to try to prevent a break-in, please take this opportunity speak directly to 108 CO Captain Thomas Kavanagh, his team, and the specific special NYPD units who have been asked to attend. Everyone needs to hear your story. Community Affairs P.O. Juan Toro noted today (9/10/07) he finds only ³one break-in has been reported in the Gardens in the last 28 days,² which means we are not speaking up in an official matter. Criminals concentrate on an area until it becomes more trouble than it is worth. The police cannot discourage them with no information and if we do not show we care.

SQUEAKY WHEEL: Please report your crime to 911 and file a report, no matter if the attempt on your premises was successful or not. When such an attempt has been thwarted on the spot, one¹s main emotion is to try and forget about it. But if you do not file an official report, we will not get the attention we need from the NYPD. NYPD personnel are put where data exists suggesting a need, which is one reason NYPD policing is so effective. It is a hassle to file a report if you lost nothing, but getting the data in the system will protect you and your neighbors in the future. We don¹t want word to get around among lawbreakers that the area is an easy target. If you are told that you cannot file a report because no crime was committed, please note the time and place of attempt and time and name of whom you speak to -- obviously, police resources must be allocated to events with more serious priority, but down the road at the the council, such information might be invaluable to both you and the 108.

PRECAUTIONS: Please lock your doors and windows, particularly the ones facing the common areas. If you wish to have them remain open, wedge them open with pipe or wood so they cannot be opened from the outside. Secure air conditioners or fans so that they cannot be pushed into your premises to gain entry. Better information will be forthcoming 9/25 and your questions answered to the best of experts' ability regarding efficacy of alarms, lighting, locks. Get to know your neighbors and report anything suspicious in progress to 911.

LOCAL NYPD TEL. NUMBERS:
911 for a crime in progress, and that includes graffiti in progress
(Since our emergency calls to 911 are routed immediately to the precinct, call 911 rather than circumventing a good system by calling the precinct.)
311 for non emergencies
718 784-5411 - 108 precinct front desk ­ might ring awhile
718 784-5426 - 108 Com. Affairs --This # has a machine (PO's Juan Toro, and Marco Youseff)
718 784-5404 - 108 Crime Prevention Officer: Lou Chimento (free excellent, on-site advice)
If you wish to speak to Diane Ballek about becoming more involved in the Council, she may be reached at 718-784-3194