Midtown South Community Council’s March 15th, 2018 Monthly Meeting Minutes
(MSCC) Eileen Miller and Frank Kelly, April 19, 2018 — Midtown South Community Council’s March 15th, 2018 Monthly Meeting Minutes
PROGRAM:
John Mudd opens the meeting with his update on council activities: he met with the Community Action Board concerning The Chandler Hotel, 12 E 31st St, Midtown’s first homeless shelter serving adult families.
The Council has been meeting with the offices of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and Public Advocate Letitia James, and the Dept. of Transportation concerning newspaper and magazine dispensers.
John reminded that everyone is welcome to attend the Homeless Housing Think Tank meeting scheduled on the first Tuesday of each month, 9:30am
John Mudd introduced D.I. Timoney who reviewed precinct crime statistics: crime is down 7.1% for the most recent 28-day period. 70% of grand larcenies involved unattended property. D.I. Timoney reported that a Mercedes Benz left unattended with keys in the ignition was stolen and tracked to Brooklyn where it was found abandoned.
With the tax season upon us, he said to be aware of extortion scams in which people answering their phone are told that they owe taxes and receive instructions how to give money to the caller. The IRS does not collect taxes over the phone. Hang up right away on this type of call.
Eugene Sinigalliano mentioned housing issues and reminded everyone that Council Member Corey Johnson’s office offers free Housing Clinic service with housing attorneys on the second Tuesday of each month, 5:30pm-7:30 pm, 224 West 30th St., suite 1206.
Working with the BIDs and Port Authority, Eugene Sinigalliano reported that the council’s tree protection project, in coordination with the Business Improvement Districts and the Port Authority, would get under way in mid-May.
Speaker: Marni Halasa/ Imagination On Ice, marnihal@yahoo.com, a community activist who organizes events with homeless children, which include ice skating lessons at Chelsea Piers, AMC movie theater showings, and is working on ways to assist homeless families in need of laundry services.
MEETING OPENS FOR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Resident, 331 W38th St. asked for assistance in his fight to save his rent stabilized apartment. He outlined landlord harassment including frequent door slamming between11 p.m and 5 a.m.
Resident of 31 W 31st St reported that there has been a major spike in drug dealing near the building, with individuals using trucks and scaffolding as cover. D.I. Timoney responded that his team would continue to monitor the situation.
A resident described the increase in traffic congestion at 43rd St & 9th Ave, which makes if dangerous for pedestrians to get across the street. D.I. Timoney
Two individuals who between them manage 7 hotels located between 8th & 9th Aves and 38th & 40th Sts mentioned security issues involving homeless and drug trafficking. D.I. Simony responded that there are NYPD conditions teams on patrol in the area 11 am-6 pm and 7 pm-2 am. He asked the managers for contact information for follow-up.
MTS CC President John Mudd, Vice President Bill Otterson, Beautification Director Eugene Sinigalliano, Secretary Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary Frank Kelly,
Officials in attendance: Deputy Insp. Brendan Timoney, Commanding Officer; P.O. Joseph McCadden and P.O. Thomas Byrnes, Community Affairs, P.O. Brian Kelly, Crime Prevention
Also attending:
Kevin JeanBaptiste, Manhattan DA’s office
Chris Hemrich and Irina Fanarrraga, Midtown Community Court
Abigail Bessler, Council Member Keith Powers’ Office
Noelle Mooney, Stout and Faila
David Rios, Rick’s Cabaret and Vivid
Craig Primus, CUNY Graduate Center
Twitter account handles: @NYPDMTS, Transit Division @NYPDTRANSIT
The next MTS Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018, 7:00 p.m., Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.