Mar. 22, 2023 Elijah Hamilton
With an initiative to keep the streets safe and cleaner, the NYPD’s 104th Precinct is working with the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to relocate abandoned vehicles in Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village and Ridgewood.
According to Deputy Inspector Kevin Coleman, the commanding officer of the 104th Precinct, the sanitation department was having trouble removing garbage, with parked cars often getting in the way.
Coleman said the partnership with DSNY was easy to forge, as the two different agencies excel at staying in constant communication anyway.
A spokesperson from DSNY told QNS that the agency often works with local police precincts to remove vehicles that have no license plate or a significant amount of damage.
Coleman said that the 104th Precinct has been able to relocate numerous cars on Saint Felix Street, from Cypress Avenue to Cooper Avenue in Ridgewood, on 86th Street from Eliot Avenue to 60th Avenue in Middle Village and near the Queens Midtown Tunnel, between 85th Street and 86th Street.
Councilman Robert Holden, whose office has worked with the NYPD, stated that maintaining clean streets is vital to improving the community’s quality of life.
“My office worked closely with Chief Royster of NYPD Transportation and her team to secure a full-time tow truck in our area,” Holden said. “I look forward to continuing our partnership with local precincts and the DSNY to remove abandoned vehicles and maintain a clean and safe environment for our community.”
Last year, Holden requested an increase in police presence to fight traffic and parking violations.
A permanent tow truck from the NYPD Transportation Bureau was present in his district as a result to tow vehicles parked illegally.
Coleman said the 104th Precinct’s partnership with DSNY shows the city’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its residents.
“Part of our mission at 104th Precinct is to improve quality-of-life conditions alongside public safety,” Coleman said.