By Adam Kramer
The hard work, dedication and sacrifices of the 105th Precinct’s police officers after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center earned them special recognition from their community council in early November.
The 105th Precinct Community Council officials at their monthly meeting in Queens Village presented a plaque to the unit and also named three officers as Cops of the Month.
“We gave the precinct the plaque for all of the work they have done in the past and because of 9-11-01,” said Sheila Pecoraro, community council president. “It was our way of thanking them for all of the work they have done in the community.”
She described the officers as people who “do not have an attitude or step over the line.” There are never any stories about officers in the 105th Precinct acting inappropriately, Pecoraro said.
“Since Sept. 11 the officers have been working many extra hours and the precinct has been stretched pretty thin,” said Deputy Inspector Glen Kotowski, the 105th Precinct’s commanding officer. “The recognition by the council and the community boosts moral.”
He said the 105th Precinct members “greatly appreciate” all that the community has done over the past couple of months. Kotowski said they have received letters from community members and schoolchildren in the district have sent drawings and letters of appreciation.
The council also presented Cop of the Month commendations to Officers Tim Fagan for June, Michele Moore for August, and Brian McHugh for September. Officers receiving the honor get a plaque, have their picture posted in the station house and are entitled to the use of a parking spot for a month.
Fagan, of the anti-crime unit, arrested two men who have been charged with burglary, kidnapping and possession of a firearm. Police Community Affairs Officer Pete Dwyer said Fagan captured the two suspects who had broken into a Rosedale residence and held the people living there hostage. Dwyer said if police had not rescued the victims, they might have been murdered.
Moore, with the community policing unit, responded to a call of shots fired, Dwyer said. She went to the location, made a car stop and with back-up support arrested the suspect.
Rookie Officer McHugh caught a suspected graffiti artist on Union Turnpike in Glen Oaks. Dwyer said while McHugh was on foot patrol recently at 2:30 a.m., he saw two people spray-painting walls. He chased them about five blocks before arresting one man. Graffiti might not seem like a terrible crime, but it “is a big quality- of-life issue” and one of the biggest problems for community residents, Dwyer said.
“We have a good relationship with the community council,” added Dwyer. “They are very supportive and stand up for us. It has been a blessing to have a community council that backs you up throughout the years.”
The 105th Precinct covers eastern Queens, including Glen Oaks, Floral Park, New Hyde Park and Bellerose in the north, and Cambria Heights, Queens Village, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens and Rosedale in the south.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
