Robberies in the casino at Aqueduct

Airing concerns at the 106th meeting
Police report three robberies have occured in the casino at Aqueduct
by Stephen Geffon, Chronicle Contributor Queens Chronicle

The brisk temperatures outside did not deter dozens of residents from coming to the 106th Precinct Community Council’s final meeting of the year in Ozone Park last week to express their complaints and ask the police for help with parking problems.

Before addressing the complaints, Capt. Robert Sparks, the precinct’s executive officer, reported that major index crimes, including murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, grand larceny and auto theft, dropped 3 percent compared to the same 28-day period last year.

Sparks also said that a burglar, who the officer called a career criminal, had been arrested by police last week in the eastern part of the precinct.

“We are hoping with that arrest to see a drop-off in burglaries,” Sparks said.

Several residents at the council meeting expressed their own concerns to Sparks.

Deacon Joseph Wolt of the Zion Tabernacle Church in Ozone Park said he was concerned about a possible increase in burglaries and break-ins in the community after the opening of the Resorts World New York City Casino in South Ozone Park. He asked if the 106th Precinct would be getting additional officers.

Precinct Council President Frank Dardani said that elected officials are aware of the situation and are pressing Police Commissioner Ray Kelly for more police officers to be assigned to the 106th Precinct.

Sparks said the 106th Precinct has received approval for weekend overtime for police officers, which translates into additional manpower, since the casino opened. He added that there is a detail that works in the casino area from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a second shift from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Sparks added that the precinct tracks all activity at the casino and surrounding area so they can document to police headquarters if additional resources are needed.

The captain said that after the new year police manpower for the casino area would be reassessed to see if the current overtime would be continued or if additional officers would be assigned to the precinct on a permanent basis.

Precinct Community Affairs Officer Ken Zorn said there were only three recent reported robberies that occurred inside the casino. All involved people with no prior criminal records, he said. One was the theft of a winning ticket and another being the theft of a handbag when the owner momentarily turned her head to play the slot machine.

Sparks said that ,with the casino’s sophisticated video surveillance equipment, the suspects were identified and arrested.

Sparks told the audience that he met with personnel from the city Department of Transportation last week for an onsite inspection to see what they could do to alleviate traffic congestion in the casino area.

Charlie, who did not give his last name, reported that last week car tires were stolen at 129th Avenue and 96th Street in Ozone Park. He said that was the third set of tires that were stolen in the area in recent weeks.