(MSCC) Secretary Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary Frank Kelly, May 19, 2016 — Report on Midtown South Community Council’s April 21, 2016 Meeting  

PROGRAM:

Inspector Green addressed the meeting before going to s special interagency security meeting at Madison Square Garden before the NY Rangers playoff game.

He said the police had contacted residents in the area of 31 West 31^st Street concerning illegal parking by intercity commuter buses. 28 summonses were issued along with 2 moving violations and bus idling. In cooperation with Dept. of Transportation there will be an operation on May 20 involving bus towing.

22 anti-Trump protestors were arrested at a the Grand Hyatt Hotel, 109 E 42^nd St, NYC, on 4/14/16 prior to a Republican Party black tie event.

There were two slashing incidents, the first, on 4/6/16 at 34^th St and 7th Ave,, involved methadone patients arguing over money, One slashed the other in the back. The second, on 4/13/16 at 31^st and 5^th Ave., involved a teenager being stabbed after arguing with vendors over counterfeit goods.

A meeting has been scheduled 4/22/16 to discuss the recent surge in grand larceny, which is up 21% year over year

Inspector Green said that he would stay a few minutes to speak to anyone individually.

John Mudd introduces first guest speaker – Beth Hofmeister, staff attorney, Homeless Rights Project, Legal Aid Society, 199 Water Street, NY, NY 10038, 212-577 3496, bchofmeister@legal-aid.org, www.legal-aid. Beth outlined the group’s mission.

1. Class action suits, 2. Works on policy with City Council members, 3. Helps individuals with quality of life issues, 4. Works on disability issues for homeless

John Mudd introduces second guest speaker-Steven Kelly, Director of Regulatory Compliance, NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs. He discussed the city’s new Commuter Benefits Law, which took effect on 1/1/2016. It requires employers with 20 or more full time non-union employees to offer them the opportunity to use pre-tax income to purchase transit benefits. Email: commuter benefits @dca.nyc.gov or call #311

MEETING OPENS FOR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Residents from 31 W. 31st St thanked the MTS officers for their assistance with drug and bus issues.

Edgar Yu, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, distributed flyers about “Clean Slate” a project of his office, the Office of Court Administration and The Legal Aid Society on 4/30/16, 9:00am-3:00pm, Grand Street Settlement, 80 Pitt St, NY, NY, those with outstanding NYC summon warrants without fear of arrest for minor offenses. 212-335 3310, www.MAHATTANDA.org

MTS CC President John Mudd, Vice President Bill Otterson, Secretary Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary Frank Kelly

Officials in attendance: Inspector Russell Green, commanding officer MTS; Capt. John Coates, Commanding officer, NYPD Transit District 1; Lt. Louis Marines, Special Operations, MTS; Det. George Manning, MTS Community Affairs; P.O. Thomas Byrnes, MTS Crime Prevention; P.O. Richard Fazio, Transit District 1; P.O. Martin Reyes, MTS Auxiliary Coordinator; six cadets from NYPD Academy.

Also attending:

Lt Kevin Molloy-AMTRAK /Penn Station Police

John Clancy, Foley’s Restaurant, 18 W33rd St, NYC

Alicia Sheppard Molly Wee Pub

Alfredo Marty, Blarney Stone, 410 8^th Ave

Noelle Mooney, Stout

Jeffrey Brosi, Parker & Quinn Restaurant /Refinery Hotel, 63 W38th St

Gerard McNamee, representing American Beauty, Beer Bar & Concert Venue, 251 W30th St

David Rios, Rick’s Cabaret and Vivid

Rabbi Ari Neugarten

Kelly of West Garden Spa

Robert Metcalfe, security director, The Webster Apartments, 419 W. 34^th St.

Twitter account handles:  @NYPDMTS, Transit Division @NYPDTRANSIT

The next MTS Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2016, 7:00 p.m., at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.