100th Police Precinct Responds to W12th Road Concerns Regarding Crime

As you all know, on June 6th, Mike McLoughlin of West 12th Road was assaulted when he interrupted two thieves in the process of stealing copper piping from a neighbors house whose residents have been displaced since Hurricane Sandy. 

This incident was initially reported on this site and  the Queens Forum South also reported it in their publication last week.

On June 10th, West 12th Road resident Sophia Valakis-DeVirgilio, whose house was vandalized on June 6th,  posted a letter to this site stating:

"About half of West 12th Road's homes remain empty, other blocks in The Channel are similarly situated and there continues to be a lot of home rebuilding in progress, which presents fertile opportunities for people with nefarious intentions. We know there are not enough police officers to go around, so it makes the most sense to help keep our residents safe with an increased police presence...In response to our concern for our homes...Danny Ruscillo Jr., President of the 100th Police  Precinct Community Council has invited my Broad Channel neighbors and me to the next council meeting at the Knights of Columbus on Beach 90th Street in Rockaway, on Wednesday, June 26th,  to discuss this issue for The Channel...." 

In response to the above, the following residents of West 12th  Road attended last night's meeting of the New York City Police Department's 100th Precinct Community Council held in Rockaway.

Sophia Valkis-DeVirgilio (W12th Rd)

Lenny DeVirgilio (W12th Rd)

Gwen O'Toole (W12th Rd)

Mike McLoughlin (W12th Rd)

Kathy Muldoon (W12th Rd)

Carol Fox (W11th Rd)

After our concerns in this regard were presented to and discussed with Captain Craig S. Adelman, the Commanding Officer of the 100th Police Precinct, we were advised that:

100th Precinct Patrol Officers will now leave Cross Bay Boulevard and begin making routine, random, patrols of the east and west side streets of Broad Channel when in our community.

A permanent ("fixed") post will be established at the Broad Channel "A" Train subway station on a Noon to 8:00 pm tour manned by Transit Division officers.

In addition to the above, Detective Brian McCabe and Erich Himler advised us of the existence of a "House Watchers" program which can provide additional attention to homes which will be vacant for extended periods of time.  

If you were displaced from your home due to Hurricane Sandy and your home is vacant contact P.O. Erich Hilmer, the 100th Police Precinct's  Crime Prevention Officer, at Erich.hilmer@nypd.org or (212)253-3173 

Additionally, it was explained that we can provide him with the address of any property we believe to be "abandoned" and appearing inviting to trespass, theft or vandalism, so that a process can be initiated to contact the owner and have the property secured.  

Everyone from W12th Road who attended the meeting came back with nothing but great things to say about Capt. Adelman and his staff and Danny Ruscillo, President of the Precinct Community Council. 

I know many of them went reluctantly, expecting to be paid only "lip service", and they were all pleasantly surprised that their concerns were listened to attentively, discussed at length with practical responses offered with a logical rationale for each one.

Additionally, the day following the meeting, Captain Adelman contacted us with his email address and contact telephone number assuring us that he would make himself available for our concerns regarding this or other issues that may arise regarding his precinct staff or operations. 

After the meeting we met and have arranged for two representatives from W12thRd to attend all future community council meetings and then distribute all pertinent information via web site, facebook, twitter and emails as we do for our civic association interactions and other meetings.

Special thanks to Captain Adelman,  the staff of the 100th Precinct and Danny Ruscillo, President of the Precinct Community Council,  for their actions in this matter.