Longtime Advocate Rep. Meeks Applauds Announcement of 116th Precinct
Longtime Advocate Rep. Meeks Applauds Announcement of 116th Precinct
Queens, NY—Today, Mayor de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bratton announced a new precinct in Southeast Queens. Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, who represents Southeast Queens, issued the following statement relating to the announcement:
"Even before I was first elected to public office in 1992, I have advocated for the opening of a new precinct in Southeast Queens. Knowing that Southeast Queens was quickly growing, community organizations and I have been united for years in calling for the creation of a new precinct. In fact, I was the first elected official to publicly request the creation of a 116th precinct and in the late 2000s, I founded and organized the 116th Precinct Task Force. Together, with dedicated civic organizations such as the Federated Blocks of Laurelton, the Rosedale Civic Association, the Cambria Heighs Civic Association, the Queens Village Civic Association, the Springfield Garden Civic Association, the Springfield-Rosedale Community Action, and the Belrose Civic Associations, we were able to raise public awareness and create strong momentum for the creation of the 116th precinct.
“All of our hard work led to this announcement. Soon, police response times will be quicker, police-community relations will improve, and the communities of Laurelton, Rosedale, Brookville, and Springfield Gardens will be safer and better served. I thank Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Bratton for listening to the people of Southeast Queens and enhancing the safety of our neighborhoods. I want to also thank the multitude of community organizations who have fought by my side on this issue; this accomplishment proves that tangible results are possible through organizing and we can improve our communities so long as we never stop striving."
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