Deputy Inspector Thomas pascale presents Poice Officer Russell Graziano with the award for Cop of the Month as proud wife Jenna looks on. The couple was looking forward to welcomng their new baby the following morning.
The recipient of the March Cop of the Month Award at the 106 precinct is no stranger to being singled out for his exemplary work in the line of duty. In fact, this was the third time in his career that Police Office Russell Graziano, of the anti-crime enforcement unit, was presented with the award. This time he was recognized for his participation in one of the commands outstanding arrests last month.
P.O. Graziano and his team observed a suspicious car travelling along Rockaway Boulevard on Saturday, February 16 and subsequently pulled the vehicle over.
Despite their initial suspicions, the officers had no way of knowing what a major bust they were about to make.
Inside the car were 5 individuals—two women and three men—collectively they had accumulated 72 prior arrests—with one of the men having a record of 59 arrests for a variety of serious crimes including auto theft and narcotics charges.
After stopping the car, P.O. Graziano continued with a thorough search of the vehicle which yielded a cache of dangerous and illegal items including brass knuckles, heroin, crack, marijuana and a loaded .45 caliber handgun.
Pascale pointed out that Graziano is part of a small, elite unit that is constantly out on patrol, trying to make the community a much safer place but often goes unnoticed by the public because they wear plain clothes and drive unmarked cars.
The commanding officer also went on to warn those in attendance about several different types of scams being perpetrated on Howard Beach residents. One of which has been occurring with customers, particularly senior citizens at banks on Cross Bay Boulevard. Typically, an individual is observed making a cash withdrawal and then goes to a shop or restaurant on the boulevard where they are
followed by another individual who then tells them they have a flat tire on their car. The do-gooder offers to help and in the course of the interaction finds a way to relieve the unsuspecting person of the cash that they have just taken out of the bank.
Another example is someone pointing out that you have mustard or ketchup or another condiment on your clothing and offers to help you clean it up and at the same time is pick pocketing your cash. The Inspector asked people to be aware of these situations and to be alert about anyone who approaches them.
Finally there was a plea to refrain from leaving any valuables in vehicles as there have been several recent car break-ins for personal property left in plain sight. One location specifically pinpointed was the parking lot of CVS/Gold’s Gym.
“I have personally gone there and walked through that parking lot and I am continually amazed at how many individuals will leave credit cards in their cars and other valuables in plain sight,” said Pascale. “We are urging you not to do this and to report anything you see as suspicious to 911 immediately.”
The 106 Precinct Community Council meets on the second Wednesday of every month
106 Station House located at
103-53 101st Street, Ozone Park, 11417.
Their number is (718) 845-2211.
