LEADER'S GRAND EXIT

As seen in left photo, P.O. Joseph Xerri (second from left) was issued a Cop of the Month plaque, donated by the Times Newsweekly, for his efforts in shutting down a local drug dealing operation. Also pictured are former president of the 110th Precinct Community Council Debra Pagano Cohen (at far left), Patrol Borough Queens North Assistant Chief Diane Pizzutti (second from right) and the 110th Precinct's commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Richard Napolitano. In right photo, Cohen receives a recognition award from Pizzutti. Also pictured (from left to right) are Napolitano; Lula Brown, the new president of the 110th Precinct Community Council; and Community Affairs Unit P.O. Richard Garland. Saying goodbye wasn't easy for those attending the Wednesday, Sept. 17 110th Precinct Community Council meeting as police personnel, community leaders and nearby residents gathered to honor their outgoing community council president. A long line of well-wishers came out to Elmhurst's St. John's Hospital to celebrate Debra Pagano Cohen's tenure as a local liaison between the police and the communities of Corona and Elmhurst.

"I did this job with all my heart. When I do something, I do it to the max. I loved it. You know the song 'I Had the Time of My Life'? Well I did," said an emotional Cohen.

Joining in the grand sendoff were Queens Executive District Attorney Jesse J. Sligh, borough commander of Patrol Borough Queens North Assistant Chief Diana Pizzuti along with former commanding officers of 110th Precinct deputy inspectors Martin Conway and Thomas Pilkington.

Cohen introduced Lula Brown as her successor, who formerly served as the community council's vice president.

People in attendance learned that Cohen could no longer serve as president once she accepted her a job offer to become the director of community and government affairs at Flushing's New York Hospital Queens, which is located outside of the 110th Precinct's jurisdiction.

The former commanding officer of the 110th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Thomas Pilkington, delighted the crowd with some of his personal memories of working alongside Cohen. The New Jersey native—elected as president in September 2003— went on to show a photo presentation of various graffiti cleanings and community events throughout the last five years.

She was presented with numerous awards and certificates of appreciation by the Queens District Attorney's Office, the office of City Council Member Helen Sears, and the Korean-American Association of Central Queens.

Pizzuti led the parade of speakers lauding Cohen's record as community council leader.

In addition to describing her as "an institution," she also promised to help her find a way in which she could serve the 109th Precinct in Flushing.

Pilkington followed Pizzuti in heaping praise upon Cohen by adding, "Realize that she does this not for money, not for ego. She cares, she truly cares. She really was like a partner. She really wanted to make things work. She's one in a million, and [her departure] is going to be a big loss to the community."

Many in the crowd made mention of her ability to bring diverse groups together and making everyone feel welcome. Communities Of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together (COMET) member Anthony Moreno was one of the community members who thanked her for bringing for uniting people of a variety of backgrounds under one large umbrella.

"She's a shaker and a mover and she does it with elegance and style. I doubt we'll find another Debbie. Over the years, [the community council] has grown to be an extremely important part of the community," said Moreno.

Community and cops

working together

Deputy Inspector Richard Napolitano credited concerned residents, who offered important information that lead to the arrest of a local drug dealer.

Based on the accounts given to the 110th Precinct by numerous complainants, P.O. Joseph Xerri patrolled the area of Alstyne Avenue near the Corona/Elmhurst border as a plainclothes officer on Wednesday, June 18.

After hours of waiting for a certain vehicle to drive through the area, Xerri finally identified his target and pulled over the suspect.

Xerri retrieved cocaine, marijuana, pistols and $500,000 in cash from theat same vehicle.

Napolitano presented Xerri with a Cop of the Month plaque, donated by the Times Newsweekly, in recognition of his arrest.

The 110th Precinct Community Council regularly meets on the third Tuesday of the month at various location throughout Corona and Elmhurst.