(MSCC) Secretary Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary Frank Kelly, April 21, 2016 —

 PROGRAM:

John Mudd opened the meeting by discussing plans to expand the speaker program and put the presentations on social media.

Inspector Green addressed the meeting with a report on St. Patrick’s Day Parade:

“no incidents or arrests.”

He said that the issue of aggressive panhandlers near the Molly Wee Pub, 30^th St & 8^th Ave, had been resolved. He sent a sergeant to exchange information with the staff.

He reported that in the 28-day period crime was down 7% over all. There has been an increase in felony assaults. Police officers are being challenged physically and surrounded at protests and then spit on, causing a potential HIV issue. Protocols call for the officer to go on medical leave & take strong antibiotics.

Inspector Green reported on a reggae DJ party at BB King’s Club & Grill, 237 West 42ndSt, 5 people arrested 2 officers injured. Plan to talk to promoter and organizer.

Grand larceny continues to be an issue as people leave unattended property such as laptops vulnerable. Officer Thomas Byrnes, MTS Crime Prevention, is assigned to educate the public on how to secure personal property.

Sharon Jasprizza introduced the meeting’s speakers: NYU senior Terrance Coffie, a 2016 recipient of the university’s President’s Service Award, shared his journey from prison to NYU with the help of the Doe Fund, and Tiheba Bain, recruitment specialist at FACES NY, spoke about her role helping recruit new clients for the FACES NY reentry program and SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) program for women. “Lift As We Climb.”

MEETING OPENS FOR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS

Residents at 31 W 31^st St., near Broadway, said that drug dealers have been harassing people, including kids on their way home from school. At one point, they said, the lobby was filled with people smoking and drinking. Police were called and cleared it out. Residents also mentioned inter-city buses stopping on W31st St. causing congestion. One 7-year resident described never feeling threatened until ConEdison installed a generator on the block – “suddenly it’s a dangerous place.”

Inspector Green noted that there are a methadone clinic and a number of homeless shelters in the vicinity and said that police can’t arrest their way out of the situation because the courts keep putting violators back on the street. He said he would coordinate with Brendan Timoney, commanding officer of the neighboring 13^th precinct and that one solution could be increased foot patrols. He also asked the residents to appoint a contact person to streamline communication.

Representative of the Trevor Project, 575 8^th Ave., a suicide prevention outreach organization for LGBT youth, reported its employees and volunteers have been subjected to verbal harassment and menacing behavior. Inspector Green said he would go there and address the situation.

Craig Primus, Security director, CUNY Graduate Center, 5^th Ave & 34^th St reported on a concerning change of behavior by a homeless person in front of the school. Inspector Green said he would schedule a visit by a multi-agency outreach team to make an assessment.

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

Officials in attendance: Inspector Russell Green, commanding officer, Det. Paul Spano, MTS Community Affairs, Thomas Byrnes, MTS Crime Prevention, P.O. Martin Reyes, Auxiliary Coordinator, MTS, Martin Reyes, Auxilliary Coordinator, MTS

Also attending:

Lt Kevin Molloy-AMTRAK /Penn Station Police

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

Adam Friedl, Midtown Community Court

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

Christine Karlovich/ Parker & Quinn Restaurant / Refinery Hotel, 63 W38th St., Representatives of Macy’s security

Twitter account handles:  @NYPDMTS, Transit Division @NYPDTRANSIT

The next MTS Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 2016, 7:00 p.m., at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.