Paltry Survey Turnout Forces Civic to Nix Plan for Privately-Funded Security Service for Howard Beach

sociation Co-President Barbara McNamara on Tuesday evening announced that only 230 residents had lled out and returned the survey the civic had made available to help determine residents’ interest in a private force—less than a quarter of the number needed to further explore the idea.

“ is says it’s not really something that’s wanted out there,” McNamara said. “And I’m not sure we need it.” e service would have cost $100 per family per year for one car, $200 a year for two, and so on.

Area residents had become concerned about a perceived rise in crime, speci cally on Cross Bay Boulevard, where reports of “handle sur ng,” an o ense of opportunity in which car door handles are pulled and if a door is unlocked valuables inside are stolen, poured into the civic and into social media posts.

“Lock your car doors. A er a while they will stop sur ng,” McNamara said before pivoting to the ills of social media.

“ ere are no migrant homes being built on Spring Creek,” she said, referring to an erroneous Facebook post that had many area residents worried. “ at was terrible that that post was allowed to stay up that long. I would like to take to task anyone who puts up a post [that makes Howard Beach] look like a place people would not want to live in.”

Captain Jerome Bacchi, commanding ofcer of the 106th Precinct, noted at Tuesday’s civic meeting that overall crime in the precinct is down 17 percent compared to the same time last year. However, he acknowledged that vehicle the is still a problem in Sector A (Howard Beach, Old Howard Beach, Lindenwood) with 17 cars pilfered already this year across those three communities.

Civic Co-President Phyllis Inserillo said real change can only happen if Albany allows it.

“If we don’t change the State [bail reform] law, nothing is going to change,” she added.

By Michael V. Cusenza

“Now every li le thing that happens is promoted on Facebook,” she added. “Trust me, we’re not going to hell in a handbasket.”

McNamara echoed a point made earlier in the evening by City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park).