(MSCC) Eileen Miller, Frank Kelly, January 17, 2019

PROGRAM:

Inspector Timoney gave an update on crime statistics over 28-day and year to date periods, noting that grand larcenies are still on the rise. He stressed the importance of keeping an eye on one’s personal property in restaurants and retail stores, as most grand larcenies involve unattended property.
Sgt Michael Callahan, supervisor of NCOs, gave an outline of how the new community policing operation works.

John Mudd gave a progress report on Community Council’s initiatives: GoFundMe page to provide laundry service to homeless schoolchildren has raised $3,760 of its goalof $5,000, and the project has helped 78 families. John Mudd announced that Michael Hollis, Urban Farms Manager for Services for the Underserved, will be helping develop the Midtown Community Court’s urban farm, and will be providing sketches for the layout after Thanksgiving.

John Mudd mentioned that Marc Greenberg is trying to organize readings for a book to be published in December by Fordham University Press that details the personal journeys of 13 formerly homeless men and women who have come through life skills programs. The goal is to give people an opportunity to hear from one or two of the authors, to sell some books and get the word out. 

The evening’s scheduled guest speakers, EMT David Kushner and Sgt. Sharon Robinson-Hewitt of the NYPD Community Affairs Outreach Division, we’re unable to make their opioid awareness presentation due to travel problems caused by the snowstorm.

The following members have been added to the council: Josephine Ishmon, director of youth education and human rights; Allen Oster, director of community relations; Marni Hassan, director of youth culture programs; and Thomas Vilorio, director of Creative Lab. 

MEETING OPENS FOR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONSA security representative at 401 Fifth Ave. said the NCO program was doing “a great job.”
Sgt. Callahan said that NCO Build-a-Block meetings would begin shortly after New Year’s.

Attendees:

President John Mudd, Vice President Bill Otterson, Community Service Director Sharon Jasprizza,  Secretary.  Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary  Frank Kelly.

Officials in attendance: Deputy Inspector Brendan Timoney, commanding officer, MTS; Det.  Thomas Byrnes, MTS Community Affairs; P.O. Brian Kelly, MTS crime prevention; P.O. John Guercio and P.O. Joseph Soldano, neighborhood coordinating officers, MTS; Sgt. Mike Callahan, NCO supervisor, MTS. 

Also attending: Burton Rigby, Security, 1411 BroadwayDavid Rios, Rick’s Cabaret and VividRobert Metcalfe, Security, 419 W34thSt St Twitter account handles:  @NYPDMTS, Transit Division @NYPDTRANSIT
 The next MTS Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, 7:00 p.m., Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.