Neighbors in Howard Beach are hoping to see the broken windows on the front of 159-38 95th Street removed and repaired after complaints of unsanitary conditions at the home. Photo by Phil Corso
Relief is on the way for neighbors living around what they called a troublesome house on a quiet street in Howard Beach.
More than 100 signatures throughout the surrounding community told the story of nervous and upset neighbors keeping a close eye on 159-38 95th St. in Howard Beach, where complaints over unwanted – and sometimes illegal – activity have plagued the street for the better part of two years. Now, elected officials and city agencies said they have taken steps to address the various complaints there, which included mold, pests and more.
The Forum featured the unsightly house last month, along with its broken windows and overgrown front lawn, before the city Housing Preservation Department assured the building would be restored. The city Buildings Department also listed six total complaints on the property, all reported over the last month.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) said his staff has been in contact with city agencies inspecting the home and said the building’s owner hired contractors to redo damaged parts of the home, including its broken front windows and unkempt front yard.
“The good news here is that contractors are being hired to redo the house,” Addabbo said. “My office and HPD will give the owner an opportunity to work on it and then follow up to see what happens.”
The city Housing Preservation Department listed three complaints at the property from last month saying the gas was shut off at the house and both mice and mold were spotted inside the building.
Several neighbors, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution, signed a petition singling out Logan Gruntz and Amanda Miller and calling on elected officials and the Police Department to help save them from issues including prostitution and theft – both of which Miller was arrested and charged for over the past seven months.
Arrest records showed Miller was charged with petit larceny June 9 and charged with prostitution back on Jan. 8 – both in the 106th Precinct. Cases related to both charges were still pending as of press time. Neither answered the front door of the home after repeated visits seeking comment.
The 106th Precinct did not comment.
Neighbors said they had front-row seats to some of the crimes and often saw unfamiliar cars driving to the house at different times throughout the day.
“The activities are frequent and consistent, occurring all hours of the day and night producing a hazardous and dangerous environment and extremely poor overall quality of life problem for its residents,” the neighborhood petition said. “Often times drugs and drug paraphernalia are left on the ground in the vicinity of the location, creating a public health concern and risk to the safety of residents – especially the children who reside and play in the area.”
By Phil Corso
