Avella Seeks to Create Another Police Precinct

Citing growing population in Flushing's 109th Police Precinct area, which, he said, "clearly indicates a desperate need for a new precinct," City Councilmember Tony Avella has introduced legislation to carve out a second police precinct from the existing one.

"Subdividing this precinct would enable the Police Department to more effectively serve each of the neighborhoods under its protection," Avella said in announcing the plan.

Currently, Avella explained, the neighborhoods making up the 109th Precinct are Flushing, Bay Terrace, College Point, Whitestone, Malba, Beechhurst, Queensboro Hill and Willets Point.

But, he noted, "The precinct's station house is located on Union Street, in the heart of Downtown Flushing, the area with the greatest population density and growth, placing a disproportionate demand on precinct resources, increasing the likelihood that other neighborhoods will be left without sufficient services."

Under his bill, Avella explained, the Police Department would be required to subdivide the 109th Precinct into two separate precincts, one covering Flushing South and the other covering College Point, Whitestone, Clearview and Bay Terrace, along the North Shore.

"By creating a new police precinct, the city and the police would be better able to address criminal activity and quality of life complaints, as well as provide a more visible police presence," Avella said. Under his plan, the North Shore precinct would fall within his council district.

According to the Department of City Planning, Avella (D-Bayside) said, the population of Community Board 7, which coterminous with the 109th Precinct, is 242, 952. He said comparing the Community Board 7-109th Precinct population with other board-precincts in Queens which already have two precincts, "You will plainly see why a new precinct [in Flushing] necessary."

According to the 2000 census, Avella said, Community Board 12 has a population of 223,602, almost 20,000 more people than the 109th, and is covered by two precincts, the 103rd and 113th, both in Jamaica. The 103rd Precinct population figure is 101,527, that of the 113th is 122,103.

Community Board 14 has an even smaller population, 106,686, yet is covered by two precincts, the 100th and 101st, both in the Rockaways, Avella noted. The population of the 100th Precinct is 43,584 and the 101st 63,154, Avella added.

The lawmaker pointed out that under the city's Administrative Code, the Police Commissioner is responsible for setting police precinct boundaries and furnishing stationhouses.-John Toscano