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To The Point: Residents should take active stance on graffiti

By Sabina Cardali

Welcome to the Point. The Point being College Point. Summer vacations are upon us but I still get a little confused with the schools and their track system. Track 1 starts and ends on one date, track 2 on another day, etc. It used to be simple.

John Frank joins the Association for the Advancement of Blind and Retarded.He is the director of development and is looking forward to building partnerships that will expand the horizons of our community’s most fragile citizens.

The 29th Annual MCMA Charity Golf Tournament to benefit AABR, Brae Burn Country Club, Purchase, N.Y. Good luck in your new endeavors.

Be safe, not sorry this Fourth of July. Your eyes, hands or life cannot be replaced. You can be arrested. Your car can be confiscated and your business can be closed. A joint effort with the NYPD and NYFD can help save fingers, hands and lives. Concerned citizens may report the delivery, sale and/or storage of fireworks. Call the Fireworks Hotline (anonymously) at 1-800-Fire-Tip (1-800-347-3847).

The New York City Police Department is focusing on graffiti vandals in keeping with its pledge to aggressively pursue and apprehend quality-of-life offenders. The programs that have been most successful combine community action, targeted enforcement, youth involvement and the use of all available civil and criminal remedies. The police cannot act alone. Your input and involvement is necessary to have an impact on the graffiti problem.

Graffiti vandalism is a crime punishable by a jail term, monetary fine and/or community service. Any person caught defacing property without the express permission of the owner will be arrested. Once considered a small problem caused by a handful of teenagers, graffiti has erupted into a nationwide epidemic costing billions each year. Statistics reveal that graffiti is not just committed by juveniles, adults also have been apprehended.

Graffiti has been related to drug and gang violence, as well as the occult. In the event your property is defaced with graffiti, immediately report the incident to the police. Upon completion of a police report, the prompt removal of the graffiti is suggested to prevent the long-term display of the markings and discourage the purpose of the vandalism.

Prompt clean-up is an effective deterrent to the reoccurrence of graffiti. Graffiti may be removed by several methods, such as covering with paint and washing with solvents and high-pressure water sprays. The NYPD, in cooperation with the Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator, has instituted a citywide procedure to reward people who report acts of graffiti vandalism in progress and whose reports lead to arrests. Call the graffiti hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 212-374-5914 or 911. Adopt a mailbox — you can obtain brushes and paint by contacting your local post office. Pride in your community is very important.

The First Reform Church had a delightful family service and family picnic in its yard. Everyone had a nice lunch, but most of all, congeniality with each other and their vibrant, the Rev. Linda Burlew. It was nice meeting her parents.

The Health Fair was appreciated by all who took advantage of it and was sponsored by Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn at the Poppenhusen Institute.

Speedy recovery to John Cardali and to Paul Johnson.

A wonderful happy birthday to Rocco Cardali.

Sabina says…Show your love to your family, friends and those you meet on your way. Your concern will make their day.