Sep. 20, 2023 By Anthony Medina
The 104th Precinct remains vigilant on ongoing crime-related and quality-of-life issues in the neighborhoods of Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, and Ridgewood.
Deputy Inspector Kevin Coleman, commanding officer from the 104th precinct, shared relevant public safety and quality-of-life updates with attendees at the 104th Precinct Community Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Held inside the Maranatha Baptist Church in Ridgewood, Coleman emphasized the precinct’s efforts to continue towing operations throughout the summer, tackle a resilient uptick in car thefts and a concerning crime pattern involving motorbike riders.
The cop-of-the-month award for August was given to P.O. Patrick Nessler, for his immediate action which led to the arrest of a man in connection to an assault, who was in possession of a firearm. Nessler noticed the firearm on the man and was able to place those in the car under arrest without further incidents or harm. Photo by Anthony Medina
According to Coleman, multiple instances of late-night into early-morning gunpoint robberies were perpetrated by people who rode various types of motorbikes. In one instance, a man was shoved to the ground and his chain was snatched from him. A few areas for residents to be especially aware are Seneca Avenue, Fairview Avenue and Wyckoff Avenue.
“Just be alert if you’re walking down the street and you see these bikes coming down, especially if it’s night and in a dark area,” Coleman said.
So far this year, the precinct has confiscated over 300 motorbikes and issued 1,000 related summonses this year, according to Coleman. The precinct also towed nearly 400 vehicles since the start of this year.
In the Q&A portion of the night, residents asked Coleman what could be done about excessive noise in the area near 54th Avenue and Maurice Avenue in Maspeth. Since the precinct borders the area in question with the 108th Precinct, the responsibility of the condition doesn’t fall to the 104th, but officers insisted they will work in cohesion with fellow officers to combat the noise from modified cars.
The next 104th Precinct Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Martin Luther School in Maspeth, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The 104th Precinct also hinted at the return of the haunted house Halloween event next month.