114th Precinct House (Google Maps)
April 27, 2021 By Christina Santucci
The Community Council for the 114th Precinct in Astoria is holding a virtual meeting this evening – the group’s first meeting in more than a year.
Information about how to attend was posted on Twitter by the 114th Precinct’s account, and the Zoom meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. The precinct thanked Community Board 1 for sponsoring the online event.
Community councils are volunteer groups, made of local residents who work with their respective NYPD precinct to combat crime and address neighborhood issues.
Earlier this year, the mayor announced that community councils will also interview candidates for precinct commander positions when the role opens and give feedback to the Police Department.
Prior to the pandemic, the 114th Precinct Community Council held meetings monthly. An in-person meeting had been scheduled to take place in March at Astoria World Manor, but it was then rescheduled to take place tonight – virtually – instead.
“The last one we had was in February of 2020,” said Ann Bruno, who has served as president of the volunteer group for more than 30 years. That meeting took place at now-shuttered Riccardo’s by the Bridge.
“I’m excited about having a meeting, but I don’t like Zoom meetings,” Bruno said. “I’m hoping they go back to regular meetings.”
Bruno said she hopes the 114th’s commanding officer, Captain Ray Jenkins, speaks about several recent incidents of violence in and around the Woodside Houses.
In March, three shootings – two of which were fatal – took place outside the housing development within two weeks.
Gudelia Vallinas, 37, was killed by a stray bullet near the corner of 48th Street and Broadway on March 12, and Elliot Clairborne, 30 was fatally shot on March 23 in front of 31-69 49th St.
Most recently, a mother of newborn twins was arrested and charged with murdering her babies in her apartment in the Woodside Houses.
Don’t forget, our Community Council Meeting is happening tomorrow, Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 7pm. Thank you to Community Board 1, Queens, for sponsoring the meeting.
Meeting ID: 937 5534 1685
Passcode: 594382https://t.co/n9sCVUorz9Dial by your location: +1 646 558 8656
— NYPD 114th Precinct (@NYPD114Pct) April 26, 2021
