Forum Photos by Patricia Adams
A poster sized card was presented to Queens Borough President Melinda Katz by the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic in recognition of the funding she allocated for the installation of eight cameras around the perimeter of the Spring Creek Park just days after the Vetrano killing.
By Michael Cusenza
South Queens’ top cop told concerned residents and business owners gathered at St. Helen Catholic Academy on Tuesday that the consistent increased police presence in Howard Beach will remain intact for the next few weeks—and it’s for your own good.
“I’m pulling an additional 42 police officers every day at the borough level – that’s a tremendous resource,” said Assistant Chief David Barrere, commander of Patrol Borough Queens South, as he addressed an at-times apprehensive audience at the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic meeting. “Let’s face facts: We had a vicious predator come into our community and murder one of our children. It’s my job to protect you.”
The supplementary show of force has become part of the neighborhood since Aug. 2, when Karina Vetrano, 30, was beaten, sexually assaulted, on her daily run inside Spring Creek Park. Her father, Phil, discovered her battered body that night as he scoured the federal green space with detectives.
The case, about to embark on its third month with no promising leads, persons of interest, or suspects, is careening toward ice cold.
While Howard Beach and surrounding communities remain, the added attention seems to have sparked a newfound anxiety.
“People are concerned with the coverage, and I’m glad you are. I’m getting phone calls from elected officials who are getting phone calls from you about [the additional officers] – that’s a good thing,” Barrere said. “But when you see all the extra coverage, that’s just me doing my job until we catch this predator. It’s just me trying to make sure you’re safe.”
Barrere also hailed another recently enhanced safety measure that arrived a few weeks ago courtesy of Borough President Melinda Katz: eight state-of-the-art security cameras installed along the outskirts of Spring Creek Park.
“They are a very effective crime-fighting tool,” Barrere said.
“If we had more cameras, there wouldn’t be any crime,” added Capt. James Fey, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct.
The park’s eight new eyes in the sky were purchased with funds allocated by Katz. Earlier this year, she secured $1.2 million for 34 cameras to be installed around the county.
To show their appreciation for Katz’s cameras and what they have meant to the grateful community, the civic crafted an over-sized thank-you card and asked all who attended Tuesday evening’s meeting to sign it as they entered St. Helen’s cafeteria. The note was presented to the borough president during the meeting.
michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
