More than 50 people filled a room in the Rockwood Park Jewish Center in Howard Beach Monday evening to express their concerns over such issues as speeding and theft at the first monthly meeting of the Lindenwood Alliance in 2012, marking the beginning of the group’s second year in operation.
Capt. Thomas Pascale, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, was on hand to address residents.
Pascale told the residents that a big concern for the precinct was the theft of electronic devices.
The captain urged the victims of these thefts not to turn off the devices. Pascale said that most have GPS tracking which the police can use to locate the stolen equipment and arrest the perpetrator.
He also asked the audience members to record the serial numbers of the electronics they purchase and list them with the police so that if the device is stolen and recovered officers can contact the owner.
Pascale said that he authorizes overtime for some officers to concentrate on automobile rim thefts on rainy nights, when these incidents seem to spike.
Lindenwood resident Jack Mariotta said many residents living near 151st Avenue and 83rd Street are concerned about cars speeding down the avenue and feel speed bumps would slow down traffic.
Betty Braton, chairwoman of Community Board 10, told Mariotta that it is very doubtful that the city Department of Transportation would approve the speed bumps because of the width of the street.
“There are specific criteria that have to be met in order for them to install those,” said Braton.
“Be careful what you ask for,” cautioned Braton, “because most places where they have installed speed humps, they want them out as fast as they get there.”
“They’re not the panacea that people think they are,” she continued.
However, Braton told the audience there is a Department of Transportation pilot program, where, on the request from the community, a “slow zone” would be established by the agency where the speed limit in the designated area would be reduced from 30 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour, and traffic calming measures would be added.
Christina Gold, co-president of the Lindenwood Alliance, told Pascale she was concerned about parents double and triple parking in front of PS 232 in Lindenwood. She said she was worried that a child could be hurt in this unsafe situation.
Pascale said that although the police have the authority to issue summonses for these violations, he suggested that Gold first contact the principal and speak with her.
Several Lindenwood residents expressed concern about a rumor they heard that the route of the Q21 bus, which runs along 151st and 155th avenues would be changed.
Braton said the residents should discount the rumor since Board 10 had not received such notification from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The next meeting of the Lindenwood Alliance will be held on Monday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockwood Park Jewish Center in Howard Beach.
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