QUEENS — For the second time in the past month, the Forest Hills precinct will hold a community meeting to address a recent series of break-ins, the authorities announced.
The meeting, scheduled for May 6 at P.S. 174 in Rego Park, will provide residents with tips on how to prevent burglars from entering their homes.
During the meeting, cops will “educate our residents throughout the precinct on things that you can do to avoid being a victim,” said Heidi Chain, president of the 112th Precinct Community Council. “I hope that everyone attends.”
“As an example," Chain said, "residents will be encouraged to lock windows and doors."
“Also residents will be told not to open their doors to strangers — it is not safe," she added.
The burglary spree began in February. Since then the neighborhood has seen 14 break-ins that occurred in the area between Metropolitan Avenue and Exeter Street and between 69th and Continental avenues, the police said.
Thieves targeted mostly jewelry and cash, breaking into homes both on weekdays and weekends, from mid-morning to late afternoon.
The cops significantly increased their deployment in the area and distributed hundreds of fliers instructing residents how to protect their homes. They also held their first special meeting in April, attended by hundreds of concerned residents.
Overall, burglaries in the 112th Precinct, which includes Forest Hills and Rego Park, have jumped 93 percent over the same time last year. As of April 21, there had been 56 break-ins in the 112th Precinct. In the same period last year, there had been 29 burglaries.
The meeting will take place on Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. at P.S. 174 William Sidney Mount School at 65-10 Dieterle Crescent in Rego Park.
