Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Noise Complaints Again Dominate 106th Pct Meeting by Stephen Geffon - Leader-Observer

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Thunderstorms and heavy rain did not deter community residents from attending last week’s meeting of the 106th Precinct Community Council to voice their complaints and ask the police for help.

A resident asked police to look into an unusual situation - cars driving on Crossbay Boulevard with their out-of-town plates affixed upside down. “We’ll keep our eyes open for that,” Lt. Joseph Salvato, commander of the 106th Precinct’s Special Operations unit, told the resident.

Another resident complained about cars driving through the community with their radios blaring. Although conceding that this is tough to police, Salvato said that precinct officers have issued multiple summonses for this noise law violation.

Deputy Inspector Joseph Courtesis, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, added that if residents can specifically zero in on the location where the loud music is coming from, such as that the car is parked in a neighbor’s driveway, police officers would respond and take appropriate enforcement action. He added that police would also respond if cars are stopped and blaring loud music at a traffic light near a resident’s home.

A South Ozone Park homeowner complained that neighbors living on either side of her were operating auto repair businesses in the driveways of their homes for the last four years. he resident added that when the car engines have been repaired they are tested by being revved up to ear-splitting sounds

She also alleged marijuana sales at the same location near 149th Avenue and 114th Street. “It’s just getting worse,” she said

The resident’s husband said he remembers that it was so bad one summer because of the carbon monoxide fumes that he could not breathe.

Courtesis told the homeowners that he would address their problem, however, he asked for their patience since he said it would take police a little time because of certain legalities that they must go through.

Margaret Finnerty, president of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association, expressed her appreciation to Community Affairs Officer Brenda Bratcher for her recent presentation before the group. Bratcher discussed the procedures that the precinct was using to send letters to chronic noise violators.

“It’s (the letters) working, it’s starting to make an impact, I wanted to thank you,” Finnerty told Courtesis.

The letters, which were sent out by police to the homeowners/residents of the previously identified 2009 chronic noise locations, state in part that their residence has been identified as a chronic noise location by the police department.

The letter notes that numerous complaints (five or more) have been received regarding loud music from the residence and adds that all chronic locations will be monitored nightly and any violations of the City of New York’s noise code will be enforced. The letter warns that violators will be issued summonses and/or arrested, adding that stereo speakers and related sound equipment may also be confiscated.

Precinct Community Council president Frank Dardani reminded residents of the council’s National Night Out Against Crime to be held on Tuesday, August 3, beginning at 6 p.m. at Joseph P. Addabbo Park located at 133rd Avenue between 81st and 83rd streets in the Tudor Village section of Ozone Park.

The 106th Precinct Community Council meets the second Wednesday of every month, except for February and August, at the 106th Precinct station house located at 103-51 101st Street, Ozone Park.