Jackson Heights Life

Although I could spend the whole year venting when it comes to the 115th police precinct, I started this thread as a possible way to mobilize our community to get our police  to be more effective. In light of the myriad of quality of life violations, hundreds of illegally parked  cars being sold on our streets, car accidents and the most recent deaths caused by cars, our community needs to reach out and demand more effective policing. If this means putting more pressure on our community board, or putting pressure on our council members, or the commanding officer at the 115th,  then let's do it. I, like many of you,  work long hours and find it hard to attend meetings. Perhaps a telephone or letter writing campaign. Perhaps media coverage. I really care about  where I live and want  the best for our community.  PLEASE CALL AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.                                                                        IF YOUR A MEMBER OF JH FAMILIES POST THIS THERE AS WELL.                          Councilwoman Julissa Ferraras: 718 651 1917
City Councilman Daniel Dromm:  718 803 6373
115th Precinct: 718 533 2002
Community Board #3: 718 458 2707   communityboard3@nyc.rr.com             

As a member of the Community Board, I resent the fact that we are being called useless by Francis.

I can speak for myself, I am a tireless advocate for our community and walk the streets daily, and file complaints daily and they get resolved.

Also the staff is very persistant with city agencies and get the job done.

I TAKE IT TO HEART AND FEEL DISRESPECTED, THE COMMUNITY BOARD IS NOT USELESS

I AM FEEL HONORED TO SERVE AND TAKE PRIDE IN MY SERVICE

THIS IS THE PROBLEM, MANY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT CB3, AND MANY PEOPLE DO NOT THINK WE HAVE ANY POWER

IF THERE IS A COMPLAINT MADE, ALL ARE LOOKED INTO, AND THE STAFF FILES 311 COMPLAINTS REGULARLY.

Let me first say that a Community Board is at time the eyes and ears of many city agencies.

Community Boards cannot enforce rules, but can offer conflict resolution by way of direct contact with city agencies.

Yes, there are rampant traffic violations, proof that the NYPD @ 115th Precinct are doing their jobs.

Solutions to preventing traffic issues are a smart idea, but with such dense population parking is at a premium causing double and triple parking conditions.

Noise pollution must be targeted by the DEP, they have limited resources to provide enforcement of noise codes, if the noise is on-going, such as in a bar, daily or weekly parties in a persons house, a solution is possible, but random street noise is difficult.

The out of control homelessness is really the same people who have been on our streets for at least the past ten years, they do not want to stay in shelters or hospitals, and they can not be forced to do so.  If they get out of line, the NYPD does arrest them, or take them to Elmhurst Hospital.

Signage regulations are addressed by the Department of Buildings, yes they do enforces signage rules, but again limited funding is available for enforcement, so it can take years to get businesses to comply with signage requirements.

Building and zoning codes also fall under the short staffing of Department of Buildings, but illegal conversions are the most difficult to tackle.  The other problem is that a person does not have to let the DOB gain access, and they cannot get a court order to barge in.  This is why most building violations and illegal conversions have not been resolved.


I have lived in Jackson Heights for close to 30 years, and while it is not spotless and without problems, the neighborhood has come a long way in terms of crime reduction.  Quality of life issues have increased due to vast over population, more people equals more garbage and more traffic.


If there is any complaint regarding problems in the neighborhood, call the Community Board office, and the courteous staff will definitely assist you. 

 Hallelujah! The cars are being towed from the dealers who ran rampant over Jackson Heights using this neighborhood
as one giant used car lot. Read Danny Dromm's eblast* about this. Hats off to Danny D. and to the new NYPD leader, Michael Cody, at the 115th precinct for finally getting the job done here. Am pasting below for those who may not be on Danny's e- mailing list yet.
  And one more. Props to the people here who kept posting and keeping this topic on the public's radar in so a
persistent way to make this change happen. Thank you!!!
 
*NYPD Deputy Inspector Michael Cody has been doing an excellent job ever since he came to the 115th Precinct at the beginning of the year.
 
A lot of constituents complain about the use of our public streets by "car dealers" who illegally park cars on the street to try to sell them. Often times they do not have a license plate and only have a For Sale sign on them or scrawled on the window. The "dealers" are shady and only list a cell phone number to contact them.
 
In addition to being a consumer fraud issue, the fact that these cars take up parking spots from our residents makes these "dealers" even more annoying.
 
Well, I am pleased to report that over the weekend, Deputy Inspector Cody confiscated 20 of these cars from our streets.
 
He pulled cars from the following locations:
 
76th Street & Northern Blvd (5 Vehicles Towed)
78th Street & Northern Blvd
83rd Street & Northern Boulevard
83rd Street & 25th Avenue (6 Vehicles Towed)
87th Street & 24th Avenue
88th Street & 23rd Avenue
34th Avenue & Junction Boulevard
92nd Street & Jackson Mill Road
94th Street & 23rd Avenue
102nd Street & 37th Avenue
109th Street & 34th Avenue
 
I want to thank Deputy Inspector Cody and the men and women of the 115th Precinct for addressing this growing problem. It is most appreciated by all who live here!
 
We must remain vigilant about this issue. Please help get the word out that if anyone knows people who engage in this illegal business, they risk losing their cars.

Paul,
  Agreed, the streets in the 50's have also been plagued by the illegal car dealership on your block problem.
Maybe they need a new Deputy Inspector Cody like we now have in Jackson Heights to get the job done. It
took some time but this is an election year and it would be great to make some quality of life issues like this
gain attention. The cars listed as removed by the police ranged from 76th st to 109th st.

Rhino... If the 115  precinct had any cars towed at all it is a miracle. Hopefully they will continue to consistently do this. I do have to say that this Inspector Cody is a bit more responsive and pro active in responding to the needs of our community. Keep up the complaints!

I understand Rhino's frustration.

I would Call the 115th Precinct 718 533 2002 and talk to someone at the desk about making an appointment to see DI Cody.... or talk with the Community Affairs people.  I have to say a few months back when I did leave a message with Community Affairs, they did call back.  While I doubt (but cannot recall for sure) the issue remained unaddressed, at least they called back.

If you have been this vigilant I assume you have already tried this.   But having invested so much time and effort, it is worth trying again.... or having the staff of our City Councilpersons' offices do so for you.

If anyone is interested, I reported these today...

76 and roosevelt green honda
77 and roosevelt black ford
78 and Roosevelt silver acura
81 and Roosevelt red ford
85 and Roosevelt grey Saturn
8506 Roosevelt ave green Toyota
86 and Roosevelt black dodge
69 and northern silver Chevy
78 and northern silver Nissan
79 and northern silver nissan