Queens Criminal Lawyers

So we like to have a little fun at Forest Hills Patch every now and then, using our backlog of photos that have been uploaded to the site, taken by our reporters and editors or e-mailed to us.

Which brings us to Caption This! Your chance to have some fun with photos on the site.

Above, we've got a picte of U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, the Congressman from Forest Hills. On Turner's right is NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. 

Got a funny caption for this photo? Share it with us in the comments!

(Also, nothing vulgar, it's the internet you guys, everyone can read this.)

The NYPD sent out a short statement on Friday evening touting the dramatic decrease in homicides across the city in 2012.

"As of today, there have been 136 murders in New York City, less than one a day and 20 percent lower than last year," the statement read.

The statement added that if the trend continues, New York City will experience a record low by the year’s end.

Included with the release was a PDF chart, included at right, which detailed the murder victims from 2011.

Queens was the site of just 16 percent of the murders that occurred in the city last year. The Bronx was far and away the borough with the highest percentage, accounting for more than a third of the city's slayings.

Backing up Mayor Michael Bloomberg's intense lobbying for stricter gun control laws was the fact that 61 percent of the city's murders last year were shootings.

According to the most recent COMPSTAT numbers, there have been no homicides in the 112 Precinct this year. 

Do you feel safer in the city knowing that so few murders have been committed this year? Tell us in the comments.

A survey of New Yorkers found most fault drivers for the majority of traffic accidents, with Brooklyn residents judging motorists harshest, while those in Queens putting extra blame on pedestrians. The poll was conducted by the Marist Institute for NY1.

Respondents to the Marist poll cited factors such as distracted driving, headphones and cyclists' perceived behavior as key issues in the report.

Here is a partial listing of the results.

The results are based on a telephone survey of 886 adults over the age of 18 during the month of April of 2012. The percentages of those questioned was based on the relative populations of the boroughs. The overall margin of error is 3.5 percent.

Earlier this year, the Forest Hills / Rego Park area saw a spike in automobile / pedestrian accidents. This prompted Heidi Chain of the 112 Precinct Community Council to appeal for more caution from local drivers and pedestrians.

We asked you, our readers in Queens, to let us know which local place your go-to caterer. Here are the results:

Bayside

3 Bros Butcher BBQ on Bell Blvd. charged past the competition to be named the favorite in Bayside.

Douglaston-Little Neck

While it may come as no surprise to some, the Fairway Market in Douglaston garnered the most votes and scored a positive review during the polling period for a total of 20 points, making them the hands down winner. 

Forest Hills

Manor Oktoberfest on Yellowstone Blvd. pulled away by a mere two votes over Nick's Bistro on Metropolitan Ave.

Congrats to the winners!

The Whitestone postal facility, which has been in danger of closure since 2011, has been saved, according to U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman.

If the facility had been closed, more than 700 jobs in Queens would have been eliminated altogether, with a small number of jobs being transferred to the post office’s sorting center in Brooklyn.

“The decision to take the Processing and Distribution Center off the chopping block is great news for the residents of Queens and the many businesses that depend on the critical services provided by this facility,” Ackerman said. “The plan to move the center’s responsibilities to the Brooklyn distribution location was a horrible idea that would have reduced the borough’s accessibility to a critical facility that hundreds of thousands of people rely upon.”

Ackerman credited a near-constant campaign of workers, political leaders and community members who pressed the post office to change their decision, dating back to a rally in December.

"I thank Postal officials for finally coming to their senses, and for realizing how adversely impacted Queens would have been if this facility was closed," he added.

The fears of residents were inflamed in February, when state Sen. Toby Stavisky announced that post office officials were planning to close the facility early.

State Sen. Toby Stavisky said she was thrilled with the decision to keep the center open.

"I'm delighted to hear that the Queens Processing and Distribution Center in College Point will remain open," Stavisky said. "This facility is ranked number two in productivity in the Northeast, and is the only local facility capable of handling the 53 foot tractor-trailers. It was a mistake to consider closing it in the first place, and I'm proud of what the local elected officials were able to accomplish by working together."

She added that the post office should think harder about generating revenue before they threaten to slash jobs again.

"If the USPS runs into financial troubles in the future, before closing needed facilities, they should consider revenue generating ideas."

It's time for House Hunt, your look at some of the homes and apartments that are on the market in your neighborhood this week.

67-24 Selfridge St.

This three-bedroom  home in Forest Hills is on the market for $659,000.

The home features a granite eat-in kitchen two skylights and a big yard.

The home was built in 1950 and is located in school district 28.

There will be an open house on Sunday, May 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

68-47 Ingram St.

A 1945 Tudor home with three bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths is on sale in Forest Hills on Ingram Street. The open house will be held on May 20, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The home features a washer and dryer and a dishwasher, as well as wood floors. It also has an attached one-car garage and a front porch.

The home is listed at $699,000, with annual taxes at $5,000.

For more information go to www.mlsli.com 

20 Norden Rd., Forest Hills Gardens

There will be an open house on Sunday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 20 Norden Rd. in Forest Hills Gardens. 

This 11-room, six-bedroom Tudor home was built in 1920 . The home features a formal dining room, finished basement, two fireplaces, an attached two-car garage and more.

The home also features a slate patio and a large attic that can be used either for storage or an addition. 

The home is listed at $1.85 million, reduced from more than $2 million with taxes estimated at $16,002.

For more information go to www.mlsli.com

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has yet to decide on whether to allow the controversial practice of hydrofracking in New York State.

A May 7 article in City and State suggests that the governor's decision on hydraulic fracturing could determine his environmental reputation.

Hydrofracking involves extracting natural gas and petroleum by drilling into rock layers.

Those who support the procedure believe it could be a source of energy and revenue for the state, while its opponents say it could pose dangers to the state's water supply.

U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, R-Forest Hills, is in favor of the process, saying it could provide lucrative jobs for workers in New York State.

Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, D-Forest Hills, and State Sen. Joe Addabbo, D-Forest Hills, have both expressed concern about the environmental impact it could have, however.

Patch wants to know what you think: Do you believe hydrofracking is a viable method of extracting gas and bringing in revenue for the state? Or, do you think the risks involved in the procedure are too risky? Cast your vote in Patch's poll and post your comment in the section provided below.

Police in Queens are asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing Queens resident.

51-year-old Derek Johnson was last seen at 9 a.m. on March 12 in the neighboring 107 Precinct, near 72nd Road in Kew Gardens Hills.

Johnson is described as 5'10" and 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

He has the word "phat" tattooed on the left side of his neck. 

He is in good physical but poor mental health.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips at the Crime stoppers website atWWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, D-Middle Village, lashed out at Republican Bob Turner of Forest Hills Thursday, slamming him for voting for a “watered-down” version of the Violence Against Women Act.

The bill, which was up for renewal this year, originally included new protections for same-sex couples in abusive relationships and a confidentiality clause that protected women who called the police in cases of domestic violence.

The version that passed the house on Wednesday had those provisions stripped out.

Crowley, a constituent of Turner’s hoping to replace him in the new Sixth Congressional District, sent him a letter Thursday.

“Yesterday, you and your Republican colleagues in the House of Representative rolled back protections for women who are victims of domestic abuse, and your decision puts the safety of half of your constituents—including myself—at risk,” Crowley wrote. "Your vote for this legislation does not represent the views of your constituents. We need to do everything possible to protect women and ensure public safety. Your vote moves us in the wrong direction."

Turner’s office has not yet responded to a request for comment on the issue. 

This year's September state primaries were scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 11, more than a decade after primaries were disrupted by one of the worst terror attacks on American soil ever.

In deference to the rememberance of those killed, including firefighters and police officers, state legislative leaders have agreed to move this years primaries from Sept. 11 to Sept. 13, according to the Associated Press.

The move could be complete as soon as this week.

We want to know, do you think it's a good idea? Or is it allowing terrorists to define our government years after the original Sept. 11 attacks?

Vote in our poll below and tell us what you think in the comments.