Burglary Prevention Tips
Dear Editor:
It has come to our attention that in recent weeks, there have been numerous residential burglaries that have taken place between 188th Street and 199th Street, and between 67th Avenue and 81st Avenue. Burglaries have also taken place outside this zone, such as west of 188th Street. It appears that criminals are looking for jewelry, currency, small electronics, and luxury items like laptops, expensive bags, and clothing. It is important to note that criminals seek residences that are unoccupied, have easy access like an unsecured window, have glass doors, or no alarm systems or security surveillance systems in place.
It is the recommendation of the New York Police Department to keep blinds and windows closed so burglars cannot see what is inside. It is advisable to acquire an alarm system, as many are affordable. One may also obtain small window sensor alarms that will emit a high-pitch noise to alert anyone in the home that the window has been opened. Homeowners should use security cameras that have good video quality. When purchasing doors, landowners should install entrances made of solid core wood or metal and ensure that both doors and their frames are always be in good condition. Doors should utilize two locks, preferably Grade Level 1 or 2, and place them 12 inches apart for added strength against lock picking and forced entry. One should alert their handymen that they require a dead bolt with a throw of at least 1½ inches into the strike plate and that it is anchored with at least 2½-inch screws.
Of course, when faced with an emergency, call 911 and do not enter the residence.
P.O. Valdez, NCO B, 107 PCT (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
P.O. Golembiowski, NCO B, 107 PCT (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Dear Editor:
I wanted to commend the Queens Jewish Link for being an open forum for readers on issues related to the pandemic and COVID vaccines. We live in very confusing times. Often, issues revolving around this pandemic are nuanced – not black and white. My initial reaction to those who oppose vaccine mandates were that they were ignorant, MAGA-supporting, anti-science fools. I agreed with Rabbi Schonfeld’s push for mandating the COVID vaccines. After reading the letters the last few weeks, including Mr. Behar’s last week, I’m not too sure. The reason for my change of heart is the lack of candor shown by numerous government bureaucrats tasked with fighting the coronavirus, specifically regarding the issue of natural immunity in people previously infected with COVID-19.
In Congressional testimony last week, Dr. Marty Makary, the widely respected surgeon and Professor at John Hopkins School of Medicine, was asked by Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, why, to date, there have been no natural immunity studies done in the United States. Lack of government funding has not prevented the study, as the Centers for Disease Control, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Institutes of Health have annual budgets of $9 billion, $6 billion, and $43 billion, respectively. Manpower is also not the issue, as there are about 30,000 employees among these agencies.
Dr. Makary’s answer was quite revealing. He stated: “I don’t think they (the US government) want to know the answer, because it would undermine their indiscriminate vaccination policy for every human being, including extremely low-risk people.” When asked further whether there were any studies done on natural immunity, Dr. Makary referenced the largest natural immunity study, which was done in Israel. The study concluded that natural immunity is 27 times more effective than vaccine immunity.
Yet the government bureaucrats in our country who get to decide public policy regarding masking, school closures, business regulations, and other critical decisions that deny citizens of their civil liberties, continue to diminish the reality regarding the superiority of natural immunity. How absurd! One would assume that when a supposedly Democratic government pushes a one-size-fits-all solution of vaccines for everyone, they would at the very least have some compelling data to back up their mandate.
I remain bewildered as to why our community doctors, who we all trust with our health, have also largely accepted the narrative of vaccines for all, while ignoring the overwhelming evidence regarding natural immunity. Is it possible that otherwise honest physicians would open themselves up to loss of medical privilege if they delivered the message rather than the massage?
Avi Goldberg
Dear Editor:
Because I was Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s chief spokesperson for most of his time in office, I know firsthand that being shomer Shabbos in city government sometimes means having to miss important events on Friday nights and Saturdays. That’s why it’s so exciting that our incoming mayor, Eric Adams, proactively moved his inauguration to Motza’ei Shabbos on January 1. This is a very good sign, and I want to give hakaras ha’tov to a mayor who is setting out to govern for all New Yorkers.
Stu Loeser
Chief Spokesperson for the City of New York, 2006-2012
Riverdale, The Bronx
Sign of the Times
Dear Editor:
I’m not sure when it became politically correct for a local cinema to endorse a candidate. Now they’re endorsing David Weprin on their marquee and before the mayoral election they endorsed Eric Adams, also on the marquee. I’m not sure if the endorsements are paid promos or simply the opinion of movie theater management. Either way, I don’t appreciate the movie theater’s endorsements no matter who the candidate is. I remember when going to the movies was a time to just have fun and escape from the daily reality. Let’s bring that back.
Michael Rollhaus
Dear Editor:
Susie Steinberg’s article, “Hunger At My Door,” brings up many examples of how and why we should help to feed the hungry.
Our community of Kew Gardens Hills has many people who benefit from food pantries, including one run by Chazaq. The Young Israel’s Senior program provides meals five days a week.
But I must object to the picture on the front page that accompanies the article. It shows a dirty hand holding a piece of bread. Although the man written about in the article may have been dirty, being poor and/or in need of tz’dakah does not equate to a person being dirty.
Batya Fishman
Dear Editor:
The four candidates who threw their support behind Queens NYC Council member Adrienne Adams to become the next NYC Council Speaker, including Councilwoman Diana Ayala, Councilman Keith Powers, Councilman Justin Brannan, and Manhattan Borough President and Councilwoman-elect Gale Brewer, have other motivations in dropping out of the race.
Watch for the political quid pro quo, should she be elected the next Council Speaker. All four will share in the spoils of victory. Don’t be surprised when Adams appoints each to the position of either Council Majority Leader or Chairperson of one of the more powerful Council Committees such as Finance, Land Use, Housing and Buildings, Higher Education, Public Safety, or Oversight and Investigations. There are also employment opportunities to friends and supporters of each Council member. Several hundred positions are available in the Speaker’s office and various supplemental staff assigned to Council members, along with the usual lulus for chairing one of the 38 council committees and funding for future member items. Everyone will get a piece of the pie at taxpayers’ expense.
Sincerely,
Larry Penner