(MSCC) Eileen Miller, Frank Kelly, April 18, 2017  — Midtown South Community Council March 16, 2017 Monthly Meeting Minutes

PROGRAM:

John Mudd opened the meeting by announcing Earth Day events, Saturday, April 22.The council will be participating with MTS and Garment District Alliance in the neighborhood cleanup effort. John Mudd said a program advancing rooftop gardens is under way which will provide fresh vegetables and jobs. Joe Winter, gardener, is progressing with this mission.

Inspector Green expressed his thanks to John Mudd and the community council board for their beautification efforts, calling it a “really worthwhile project” He said that he attended a Town Hall meeting ”Chelsea Now: Mayoral Q&A” on March, 15, at NYC Lab High School for Collaborative Studies on W17th St, moderated by Council Member Corey Johnson and attended by Mayor Bill De Blasio. It was co-sponsored by Community Boards 2,4,5, and 7.

Inspector Green said that grand larcenies and burglaries continue be an issue. Robberies were up by 7 over the year/earlier 28-day period. There were 6 robberies

In the Port Authority Bus Terminal, to none a year earlier.

Inspector Green said that Sgt. Andrew Ho and P.O. Tom McAleer of MTS reported 611 contact with 611 homeless, and 20 removals and they issued 2 summonses. Inspector Green reported on the 3/5/17 arrest of Pascal Vargas for drawing swastikas in bathrooms around Penn Station over a two-week period. He is being prosecuted for hate crimes in each instance.

Inspector Green reported on the March 8 MTS arrest of a man who had called 911 4,198 times since December.  Suspect was apprehended through the use of cell phone photo.

Inspector Green also mentioned the 3/15/17 arrest of a man who had left a briefcase inside the Port Authority Terminal. Bomb Squad was called. Officers opened it and found a stun grenade The man was taken into custody when he returned for the briefcase, which had been left on a chair.

John Mudd discussed the Community Council’s plans for Earth Week and Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, 2017, 10:00am-4:00pm. The Council will share a booth with Garment District Alliance, Broadway between 40^th & 41^st Streets. John asked those in attendance to take the Council’s new promotional information cards to distribute in the community.

Beautification Director Eugene Sinigalliano spoke about beautification projects with street cleanups and quality of life issues. Eugene described a program partnering with Dept. of Sanitation called “Adopt a basket” where a business would have volunteers emptying trash baskets that they sponsor before DOS could make pickups. Eugene went on to describe the Tree Care Project of the Chelsea Garden Club.

The evening’s guest speaker was: Kathy Kathng of CityRax. Her company manages the modular news rack program for the Grand Central Partnership. It provides 50 participating publishers with news racks that display their publications. John Mudd and Eugene Sinigalliano and Kathy Kahng recently walked around midtown and counted 128 individual racks.

Attendees were reminded to participate in voting in the NYC Council Participatory Budgeting project. Council Member Corey Johnson set up this voting for District 3. An explanation of the project PB Project Expo, and a chance to participate in early voting to prioritize spending will be held on March 21 at P.S. 340, 590 Sixth Ave., at 17^th Street.

A representative of Public Advocate Letitia James (212 669 7250, www.publadvocate.nyc.gov) discussed 3 of the initiatives: Hate Crimes, Protect New Yorkers with Disabilities and Affordable Housing.

Edgar Yu of District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr office announced “Hate Crime Forum: Thursday, March 23, 2017, 6:30-8:30pm Edward A Reynolds West Side High School, 140 W102nd St., RSVP212 873 0282, X206, www.marklevine.nyc/hatecrime . Mr. Vance and NYC Council Members: Mark Levine, Helen Rosenthal and Bill Perkins are scheduled to attend.

Edgar Yu discussed the May 30^th launch of Mr. Vance’s social media campaign #watchyourstuff. Noting that 70% of crime south of 59^th St involves unattended property.

Officials in attendance:

MTSCC President John Mudd, Vice President Bill Otterson, Community Service Director Sharon Jasprizza, Secretary Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary Frank Kelly, Beautification Director Eugene Sinigalliano

Inspector Russell Green, commanding officer MTS, Capt. Stephen Sputaro, Executive Officer, Lt. Louis Marines, Special Operations, P.O. Edward McDonald, MTS Crime Prevention, MTS Community Affairs

Also attending:

Jermaine Moorehead, Times Square NYC Hotel

Alfredo Marty, Blarney Stone, 410 8^th Ave

Alicia Sheppard, Molly Wee Pub

Eucine Seo, West Garden Spa

David Rios, Rick’s Cabaret & Vivid

Venue, 251 W30th St.

Twitter account handles:  @NYPDMTS, Transit Division @NYPDTRANSIT

The next MTS Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2017, 7:00 p.m., at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.