(MSCC) Eileen Miller, Frank Kelly, May 18, 2017 — Midtown South Community Council April 20 2017 Meeting Minutes

PROGRAM: 

John Mudd opened the meeting by announcing that Inspector Russell Green was on jury duty in Westchester and thus unavailable.

Capt. Spataro gave an overview of crime in the precinct: Serious felonies were down 10% year-to-date and 12% for the 28-day period; robberies were down 37%.

He described the March 20 incident in which a 60-year-old man collecting cans was stabbed by a man from Baltimore. The victim went into the precinct where officers tried in vain to save his life. The alleged attacker turned himself in.

Capt. Spataro mentioned that people have been using fake credit cards to extract cash from ATMs in the precinct; two individuals were caught in the act.

Capt. Spataro mentioned that the police department is trying to get an injunction through the Department of Transportation against operators of the 31^st Street buses.

Elizabeth Moehle discussed the NYPD’s immigration policy:

• NYPD does not ask complainants about their immigration status.
• A New York City ID is a valid form of identification.
• NYPD does not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• It does not honor administrative warrants.
• NYPD officers are not deputized and thus cannot act to enforce immigration policy.

Capt. Spataro described grand larcenies perpetrated by individuals who grab phones of passersby from their bikes. They have curved handlebars, one is green, one red.

John Mudd spoke about the council’s street cleaning efforts, urban farming and connecting with homeless outreach groups.

Eugene Sinigalliano noted that he and John Mudd had moved some derelict bikes and were working with the NYPD to move viable abandoned bikes and voucher them. He described the adopt-a-basket program, in which the DOT provides participating businesses with bags at no cost and picks up the trash. He said the effort was hampered when a grinder broke down. The initiative is part of the council’s efforts to take back the sidewalks.

Sharon introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Ioana Calin of the Legal Aid Society’s immigration law division (Legal Aid Society Immigration Hotline, 844-955-3425). Ms. Calin outlined the differences between the Obama and Trump administrations’ approaches to non-citizens who are arrested.

Brennan Ward of State Senator Marisol Alcantara’s office described the office’s reusable bag giveaway and plans for a pro-immigration march, and gave an update of the state budget.

A resident of West 31^st Street said that passengers on the intercity buses who form there have spilled out onto the street from the travel/ticket office and blocking access for pedestrians.

A resident raised the issue of unlicensed vendors 39^th between Broadway and 8^th Avenue. Lt. Marines said the peddler squad would take a look at the situation.

A resident complained about ConEd street work at 40^th Street and 8^th Avenue, calling it disruptive and unacceptable. ConEd will be contacted.

Neighbors of the precinct turned out in force to discuss the issue of dumpsters at the stationhouse. One brought a petition that he said had been signed by 51 residents of the area, mostly from 348 and 360 West 36^th Street. Residents say the front-loading dump trucks that collect the trash from the dumpsters are loud, waking up neighbors between 6 and 6:30 a.m. and causing traffic problems.

John Mudd provided some background on the trash issue, noting that neighbors had complained about the amount of trash the stationhouse put out, and passersby piling things on top of the trash exacerbated the problem.

Capt. Spataro pointed out that the stationhouse had been constructed in a different time, more than 50 years ago, and that the precinct is constrained by the limits of its design.

Capt. Spataro noted that when refuse was collected at the rear of the stationhouse, neighbors had complained that it was unsightly, and the complaints continued when it was moved to the front. He said that the dumpsters seemed to be a solution.

Residents, however, contended that the dumpsters are too large and too close to their buildings, and say there must be a better solution.

Capt. Spataro pointed out that the Sanitation Department, which collects trash at the precinct three times a week, dictates the size of the dumpsters.

The parties agreed to meet with the sanitation department in an effort to remedy the issue. “I think if we come together we can find a solution,” John Mudd said.

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

Officials in attendance:

Capt. Stephen Sputaro, Executive Officer, Midtown South; Lt. Louis Marines, Special Operations; P.O. Joseph McCadden, MTS Community Affairs; PO Richard Fazio, NYPD Transit District 1, Elizabeth Moehle, NYPD legal department.

Also attending:

Jermaine Moorehead, 1560 Broadway, Times Square Alliance, NYC

Alfredo Marty, Blarney Stone, 410 8^th Ave

Alicia Sheppard, Molly Wee Pub

John Clancy, Foley’s Restaurant, 18 W33rd St

Eucine Seo, West Garden Spa

Craig Primus, CUNY, 365 Fifth Ave, NYC

Twilla Duncan, Manhattan Borough President’s Office

Andre Garrett, ACLU/People Power

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, May 18, 2017, 7:00 p.m., at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.