Residents gathered in Tudor Village Park to express their concerns over a rash of auto vandalism plaguing the area in recent weeks. Forum Newsgroup photo by Patricia Adams.
What may be band of auto vandals is continuing with a rash of brazen strikes throughout the normally quiet Tudor Village community. A group of angry and concerned residents met for the Ozone Tudor Civic Association meeting last Thursday in Addabbo Park on 83rd Street near where the break- ins and thefts have been taking place.
Matthew Blaine and his wife were part of the vocal crowd who showed up to see what they could do about the situation. “It’s a real disgrace that this is continuing,” said Blaine. “It’s happening almost every night.” And he says there are no police in sight.
Frank Dardani, president of the civic, encouraged his members to attend an upcoming meeting of the 106th Precinct Community Council in order to bring their concerns directly to Commanding Officer, Capt. Thomas Pascale. “I bring your concerns to the meeting every month,” Dardani told the crowd, “but it’s high time mine isn’t the only voice that is heard at those meetings.”
Among the issues facing residents are a high rate of auto part thefts, including headlights from one residents Cadillac and several vehicles fund resting on cinder blocks after their tires and rims were removed by thieves.
The area has also fallen victim to several incidents of “car lotto” where thieves walk down the street and try the door handles of cars to see if they are open. Vehicle owners who forget to lock their doors are giving easy access to the thieves and police say this is the number one preventative measure that can be taken against the theft of air bags, GPS systems, radios and Bluetooth components.
One woman at the meeting with her husband described her family’s experience with the vandalism. “I was walking toward my mother’s car when I noticed something lying in the street. Then I realized it was bingo markers that were strewn about.” The woman said she immediately realized that someone had broken into the trunk of her mothers brand new Elantra, where she kept the markers along with some other personal items.
Residents say they will continue to probe this issue until action is taken by elected officials and police to restore safety in their community.
Other nearby communities like Lindenwood and Middle Village and Maspeth have all seen a dramatic spike in crimes of this nature over the last several months.
By Patricia Adams
