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104th Precinct Police Blotter (2/7/2022-2/13/2022)

Monday, Feb. 7
Zamiqua Miller was arrested at 329 Wyckoff Avenue for petit larceny by Detective Wright.
Zamiqua Miller was arrested at 64-02 Catalpa Avenue for burglary by Detective Gerardi.
Lychena E. Solomon was arrested at 690 Onderdonk Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Arfeen.

Tuesday, Feb. 8
Janneth Guaman was arrested at 57-66 79th Street for possession of a forged instrument by Detective Wright.
Andy Morla was arrested at Fresh Pond Road and Eliot Avenue for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Shariff.

Wednesday, Feb. 9
Fernando Rodriguez was arrested at 65-04 Hull Avenue for criminal mischief by Detective Lodato.
Roman A. Vera Delgado was arrested at Tonsor Street and Metropolitan Avenue for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Arfeen.
Kelius Casete was arrested at Catala Avenue and Fresh Pond Road for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Martinez.

Thursday, Feb. 10
Derrick Randall was arrested at 78-16 Cooper Avenue for felony assault by Detective Bublin.
Gary Montague was arrested at 57-44 80th Street for grand larceny by Detective Moon.

Friday, Feb. 11
James McRory was arrested at 84-45 Fleet Court for strangulation by Office malik.
Segunda Sisa Pilamunga was arrested at Decatur Street and Cypress Avenue for driving while intoxicated by Officer Cedenopilier.
Luis Vargas was arrested at Wyckoff Avenue and Myrtle Avenue for suspended registration by Officer Nicacci.
Keily Araceli-Otero was arrested at 71-30 73rd Street for burglary by Officer Lyle.

Saturday, Feb. 12
Craig L. Capers was arrested at Forest Avenue and Myrtle Avenue for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Armond.
Hugo Reyes Cardenas was arrested at 65-09 Metropolitan Avenue for criminal mischief by Officer Bawa.
Victor Espirito was arrested at 62nd Street and Cooper Avenue for possession of a forged instrument by Detective Wright.
Jairo Paguay was arrested at 281 Saint Nicholas for third-degree assault by Officer Claybrooks.
Jeffrey Tavarez Florentino was arrested at Vermont Place and Jackie Robinson Parkway for aggravated unlicensed operator by Officer Bistany.
Rose Estrella was arrested at 281 Saint Nicholas for criminal mischief by Officer Claybrooks.

Sunday, Feb. 13
Jeremiah Banks was arrested at 903 Wyckoff Avenue for criminal contempt by Detective Rochford.
Jonathan Tyson was arrested at Grandview Avenue and Grove Street for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Griffin.
Josee De Jesus was arrested at Stephen Street and Cypress Avenue for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Pickett.
Diego Nunez was arrested at 68-17 Forest Avenue for criminal contempt by Officer Christoldoulo.
Angie Aguirre was arrested at 68-17 Forest Avenue for criminal mischief by Officer Christoldoulo.

Ardila to make bid for vacant Assembly seat

Nolan retiring after serving for the last 38 years

BY EVAN TRIANTAFILIDIS

Juan Ardila is running for State Assembly.

The Maspeth native will enter the June 28th Democratic Primary to replace Cathy Nolan, who is retiring after 38 years of service. The 37th District includes the neighborhoods of Long Island City, Maspeth, Ridgewood, and Sunnyside

“Queens residents deserve affordable housing, improved public transit, and a plan to combat climate change,” said Ardila. “Growing up in an immigrant family, I have experienced how important it is to have representation that understands how government can impact our lives.

“In Albany, I will be a champion for our seniors, our workers, and our tenants,” he added. “I am excited for a better future for all New Yorkers.”

Ardila is a first-generation American, the son of a Columbian father and Honduran-Cuban mother. After seeing his mother nearly deported and watching other family members face persecution from gang violence in Honduras, Ardila began his journey to public service.

He earned a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from NYU. He attended St. Adalbert Catholic Academy in Elmhurst before going to high school in Briarwood at Archbishop Molloy High School.

Ardila previously served as a staffer in the office of Brad Lander when he was in the City Council. He also worked at the International Rescue Committee in Manhattan and as a consultant at the city’s Department of Education.

He currently works at the Legal Aid Society.

Last year, Ardila challenged Councilman Robert Holden in the Democratic Primary. He fell 926 votes short of defeating the incumbent, garnering 45 percent of the vote.

Ardila’s Assembly bid has already earned the endorsements of State Senator Jessica Ramos, Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, and Councilwoman Jennifer Gutierrez.

“Juan draws on his experience in providing legal representation for all New Yorkers, and will bring his unwavering dedication to listen to working families,” said Ramos, “to organize his community around key priorities such as housing infrastructure, increased access to public transportation, and a more inclusive public education system.”

Ardila’s also has the backing of Make the Road Action and Churches United for Fair Housing Action.

“Juan Ardila is a fighter for his community who has stood with immigrant, LatinX, Black, and working-class members of his community in the fight for respect and dignity,” said Theo Oshiro, co-executive director of Make the Road Action. “We were proud to support him before, and we’re proud to support him again.”

Pressure to make ‘to go’ drinks permanent

Restaurant owners say temporary move was COVID lifeline

BY DANIEL OFFNER

Local restaurant owners are putting pressure on state lawmakers to make alcoholic beverages “to go” a permanent fixture in their establishments.

“We suffered a 90 percent decline in revenue when the first shutdown went into effect… and it has been a rollercoaster ride ever since,” Loycent Gordon, the owner of Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven said.

The policy was put into effect as part of the New York State emergency order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to try and help struggling restaurants stay afloat.

When the emergency order expired last summer, so too did restaurants and bars serving “to go” cocktails and wine.

Historic Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven, Queens, N.Y.

“This has been one of the lifelines that we needed that unfortunately expired,” Gordon said. “Alcohol to go is going to be one of those things that can help to add an additional revenue stream in a time where we have gone through so much and actually incurred so much debt.”

The New York State Restaurant Association held simultaneous press conferences with bar and restaurant owners all across the state to try and persuade legislators to adopt Gov. Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal, which they said includes a provision that would allow the sale of “to go” drink orders permanently.

Last June, state lawmakers attempted to pass a similar measure allowing “to go” drinks to be a permanent fixture, but according to The New York Times, it was thwarted by lobbyists with the liquor store industry, which had directed tens of thousands of dollars in political donations.

Dan Connor, the owner of Donovan’s Pub in Woodside, said he didn’t know why the liquor industry was fighting restaurant and bar owners over the sale of cocktails and wine to go after experiencing record sales numbers during the pandemic.

“I’m not sure why the liquor industry is fighting us on this,” Connor said. “We’re not selling bottles.”

Melissa Fleishut, president and CEO of the Restaurant Association said that the same relief that was once needed at the height of the pandemic is still necessary now.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling restaurants were able to boost sales and keep doors open through the ability of selling alcoholic beverages with their orders,” Fleischut said. “The restaurant industry needs stability now more than ever, and by making ‘alcohol-to-go’ permanent we can encourage a strong recovery. It’s popular with operators and customers alike. The numbers don’t lie.”

According to a study conducted by the association, out of the 700 New Yorkers polled, approximately 78 percent were in favor of such a law.

“It makes no sense whatsoever,” Arelia Taveras, president of the New York State Latino Restaurant Association, said. “We need to have equality and fairness in this industry.”

Taveras said that before the pandemic there were close to 26,000 restaurants in New York and now more than half are gone, many of which were in underserved communities.

“It’s increasing crime. There’s no employment. I mean, what are we doing here,” Taveras added. “Let’s let restaurants breathe. If anything they should be advocating for loosening the laws on restaurants so that everybody can come back.”

Monir Zamel, the owner of Andrew’s Coffee Shop in Midtown, has been in business since the 60s and 70s. During that time his business weathered several catastrophes including multiple recessions, 9/11, and Superstorm Sandy.

“I’ve never seen anything that impacted my business the same way that COVID-19 has,” Zamel said. “It was like living in a nightmare.”

Calls for response from the New York State Liquor Store Association were not returned as of press time.

Plans for a policy to enable restaurants and bar owners to serve cocktails and wine “to go” will be decided on by state lawmakers as part of the state budget.

Hochul’s budget proposal also includes a Restaurant Resiliency Program, aimed at providing $25 million in grant funding to restaurants providing meals to distressed and underrepresented communities, and a Restaurant “Return-To-Work” tax credit for small independently owned restaurants.

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