SPOTLIGHT ON PARKS

State Sen. Joseph Addabbo engages the crowd in budget talk at last week’s Community Board 9 meeting in Richmond Hill. Recent rapes and lewd behavior in and around Forest Park were brought to the attention of police at the Tuesday, Oct. 13 Community Board 9 meeting held at the Richmond Hill Public Library.

Board Member Nick Comaianni referenced a Sept. 24 incident in which a female pedestrian was robbed and sexually violated when he stated the need for extra police manpower in the park’s surrounding area.

“I don’t want undercover police that are going to catch people after the rape. I want deterrents,” he told newly appointed commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct, Capt. Armando DeLeon.

The civic leader, who lives in a nearby apartment complex in the area of Park Lane South and Woodhaven Boulevard, further mentioned a rash of local car break-ins in recent months, including a series of 39 break-ins all taking place on the same night during the summer.

Tammy Christiensen of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene offers preventive measures against the H1N1 virus. (photos: Ralph Mancini) DeLeon assured Comaianni that he would deploy more personnel inside and on the perimeter of the 538- acre park, even if that meant putting “wooden soldiers” there.

“You [assign] your best people to the park, but when they make an arrest, you’re not going to see them anymore,” said the officer in explaining how paperwork must be filed after every collar.

Local resident Jorge Martinez also made a call for an increased presence by highlighting the sexual acts taking place between individuals in the wooded sections of Forest Park.

“People use Forest Park to engage in illegal sexual activity,” he noted. “You see a lot of disgusting garbage.”

He added: “ I was taking a stroll with my six-year-old son and he asked me what a used-condom and paper towel was lying on the ground.”

Martinez continued by telling board members and others in the audience of people that come from as far out as New Jersey to partake in sexual acts at the Queens site.

The concerned citizen suggested eliminating dark areas where visitors tend to congregate with the installation of additional lighting fixtures.

DeLeon, who previously served in the 101st and 103rd precincts, in the Rockaways and Jamaica respectively, credited his new command for making close to 100 arrests in the park since April, but did agree that more needs to be done, including placing mounted patrol units along the horse trails and inner park roads.

The Cypress Hills native, however, did warn residents not to take the law in their own hands and approach people participating in any promiscuous behavior.

Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Second Vice Chairperson of Board 9, applauded the 102nd Precinct’s recent arrest of two youths charged with ransacking up to over 25 apartments in both Richmond Hill and the West Village.

DeLeon described the two perpetrators as 13 and 15-year-old boys, who appeared to be very “unassuming.” One of them, he said, could have been mistaken for a female.

“Hopefully they’ll get the direction they need,” remarked Pollack.

Ognibene on redistricting

City Council candidate Thomas Ognibene attended the October session to speak about his plans to redistrict the boundaries of Community Board 9 to make them coterminous with the borders of the 30th City Council District if he’s elected on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

His plan, he explained, would allow Community Board 9 to work with only one City Council person and gain better representation.

Ulrich on new legislation

City Council Member Eric Ulrich joined the carousel of elected officials at the meeting, updating people on a new law which allows the city to clean up graffiti on private property without explicit written permission to do so.

Previously, owners had to sign a waiver allowing the city to clean up graffiti on their property.

Ulrich also mentioned that he’s supporting an initiative to ban the sale of candy cigarettes.

Addabbo with budget update State Sen. Joseph Addabbo was on hand to remind constituents of his continued efforts to eradicate wasteful spending and added that much discussion would be dedicated to address the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) budget.

Crowley on future plans

Attendees were informed of City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s commitment to raise a fine for idling vehicles from $5 to $250.

Unattended cars, she said, were recently involved in two fatal accidents.

In one case, a drunken individual reportedly stole an idling vehicle and struck two teens, who both died.

One out of 10 stolen cars, she continued, are un attended.

Chairperson report

Board 9 Chairperson Andrea Crawford told fellow board members to do their best to make the community better instead of using their position to take care of their own problems.

She promised to seek the removal of any individual on the board that proves not to have the community’s best interests at heart.

“We cannot lose people’s trust and have them view us as a favor machine,” she stated.

District manager on cemeteries

In her monthly report, District Manager Mary Ann Carey voiced for her concern for the maintenance of local cemeteries, such as the Ozone Park-based Acacia and Bayside grave yards that have been “pilfered” and “neglected,” she said.

The Howard Beach resident voiced her support for renovating the sites in order to make them a visitor’s destination similar to the Maple Grove Cemetery in Richmond Hill.

Ridgewood Reservoir overview

Community Board 5 member Steve Fiedler visited with Board 9 to describe a few ideas being floated around by the Parks Department and the community regarding future work taking place at the Ridgewood Reservoir, located along the Brooklyn- Queens border.

He went over slides of the upcoming reconstruction of the reservoir and Highland Park

Fiedler clarified his views endorsing the transformation of two of the area’s three basins into a nature conservancy and education center.

He also stated his preference for more lighting, benches and a ramp compliant with the American Disabilities Act.

Lowdown on H1N1

Guest speaker Tammy Christiensen of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene warned people to cover their mouths when sneezing. In fact she said that a sneeze can travel up to six feet and spread the H1N1 virus.

She advised listeners to vaccinate themselves versus the H1N1 swine flu and also regularly wash their hands and make regular use of hand sanitizing agents to protect themselves.

Said Christiensen: “If you are sick, stay home. It takes 24 hours after the symptoms are gone for you to totally be cured.”

Also noted were her department’s efforts in going to both private and public to seek parental consent for the administration of the vaccine.

Liquor licenses

Public Safety and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman James Coccovillo shared the committee’s decision not to support the request for a new beer and wine license on the part of AZ Grocery and Meat, located at 119-17 101st Ave. in Richmond Hill, because the business permits and other paperwork were “not in order.”

In addition, it was announced that the board has recently received letters of intent for new liquor licenses and license renewals on the part of the following establishments:

• El Tio Corp (d.b.a. Pollos A la Brasa), located at 111-04 Jamaica Ave. in Richmond Hill;

• Best Seafood & BBQ Chicken (d.b.a. El Anzuelo Fino), at 98-01 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven;

• Lucky Thailand Kitchen, located at 86-05 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven;

• Fortune Hut Inc., at 76-11 101st Ave. in Ozone Park;

• Happy Days Lounge Corp., located at 118-16 Jamaica Ave. in Richmond Hill; and

• Merengue Limo & Car Service, located at 81-06 101st Ave. in Ozone Park.

Community Board 9 regularly meets at 7:45 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at various locations throughout Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. For further details, call the Board 9 meeting hotline at 1-718- 286-2689.