The effects of Hurricane Sandy on northeast Queens took precedence at Community Board 11’s monthly meeting on Monday.
Jerry Iannece, the board’s chairman, began the meeting with a moment of silence for the victims of the storm.
Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, told board members that an estimated 7,500 homes and businesses were still without power.
“It’s unacceptable,” he said. “The mayor said resources were not diverted to Manhattan, but they were. It’s about time we put the power lines under ground.”
He said Douglaston was hit especially hard by the storm and that P.S. 98 was still without power.
“Con Edison should be held accountable,” Iannece said. “They should have prepared for it and responded a little quicker. My heart goes out to the people that are suffering. My lights are on, but there are people 20 minutes away with no roofs over their heads.”
Frank Tarantola, the newly appointed executive officer of the 111th Precinct, dropped by the meeting to update board members on recent crime trends.
He said there has been a spike in burglaries along the Clearview Expressway in Auburndale. So far, police have arrested one person last week for burglaries and a juvenile for breaking into an abandoned home.
“If you’re leaving the house, keep a light on so it looks like someone is home,” he said. “And be sure your door is locked.”
Bayside Manor Apartments resident Jack Oshier gave an update on a recent dispute between the complex’s tenants and its management.
“The management is refusing to lock the doors and there are homeless still sleeping in the basement,” Oshier said. “This has gotten so crazy. We’ve gotten the state involved.”
Residents at the property have also complained that youths are using an unlocked laundry room as a spot to do drugs, drink and take part in sexual activity.
State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, D-Bayside, has contacted the city’s Department of Buildings and Queens District Attorney Richard Brown on the matter.
The 111th Precinct would need a trespass affidavit to investigate, but the building’s management has refused to sign it, a spokesman for the precinct said.
