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Community rallies against illegal Airbnb in wake of shooting

Bayside residents are in an uproar after a shooting took place earlier this month outside of an Airbnb rental, which left one injured and launched stray bullets into the surrounding area, piercing through cars and even a child’s car seat.

“We are appalled by this incident and will do everything in our power to root out the bad actors and restore our quiet streets to the safe, welcoming neighborhood that we know and love,” Roseann Foley Henry, president of the Bellcourt Civic Association, said.

The property, located at 208-16 38th Avenue in Bayside, has been in the early stages of foreclosure for the last two years and is currently occupied by squatters who have illegally rented it out creating concern for the quality of life in the area.

Members of the community gathered with elected officials outside of the house early Friday morning to call on Airbnb to permanently ban listings at the address and for the city to intervene by issuing an order to vacate.

“We are calling on the city to stop giving our community the run around and issue a vacate order on this property before anyone else gets hurt,” New York State Senator John Liu said. “We also call on Airbnb to stop illegally allowing this property to be listed on their website. Two years is too long for our community to have one home hold an entire block hostage.”

The illegal rental property has been at the core of the issue, playing host to a barrage of late-night parties that have led to numerous complaints of excessive noise, litter, and confrontations with neighboring residents.

Mounting concerns from members of the community culminated into fear after one party-goer was shot in the torso. The victim is reported to be in stable condition, however no arrests have been made as police continue to investigate.

Following the shootout on March 19, elected officials sent a letter to the NYC Department of Buildings calling for a vacate order on the property, and a letter to Airbnb calling for the company to permanently ban any future listings at this address.

Liu said that it is up to the city to redouble its efforts so that it can gain access and properly inspect the property.

“There are several problems at this location that are preventing a satisfying resolution for our community,” Liu added. “At the end of the day, the city needs to be the one to step up and recognize the dangers here as reason enough to vacate the premises and keep our community safe.”

According to Joseph Marziliano, district manager of Community Board 11, the property in question was already problematic for the neighborhood, several years before squatters began listing it to renters online.

“For five years, this problematic property has plagued our neighbors, first as a zombie home, then as an alleged squatter’s den, and now as an illegal Airbnb with a shooting spilling over into the streets,” Marziliano said in a statement. “We are urging Mayor Adams’ administration to issue a vacate order to restore peace to our community.”

Assemblyman Edward Braunstein said that the absentee property owner only emboldened the squatters to not only illegally list the property, but to advertise rooms for rent within the single-family household.

“Enough is enough. Several times in the past, my office has worked with residents to get AirBnb listings at the property shut down, only for it to appear again under another account,” Braunstein said. “While authorities continue their investigation to apprehend the individuals responsible for the shooting, AirBnb must permanently ban listings at this location… we must use every tool at our disposal to address this serious matter once and for all.”

NELIA ENCARNACTION

Nelia Encarnaction passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the age of 86. Beloved Wife of the late Ernesto Encarnaction, Sr.  Loving Mother of Ernesto (Minerva) Encarnacion, Luisa (Bende) Lagua and the late Eric Encarnacion. Cherished Grandmother of Ton Ton, AJ, Erin, Jon Jon, Alyssa and Erikka and Great Grandmother of Nora Lynn and Adalynn Marie. Dear Sister of Edgardo, Vilma, Tahimik, Isagani and the late Luningning, Romeo and Cesar. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church on Thursday, March 31, 202 10:30 AM. Private Cremation followed under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

THOMAS HALE

Thomas Hale passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at the age of 67. Beloved Husband of the late Michele. Loving Father of Thomas Hale Jr. and father-in-law of Aiyess.  Cherished Grandfather of Cassie and Thomas III.  Dear Brother of Debbie Pryzkuta, Danny Hale, John Hale and Artie Hale and brother-in-law of Lynn Fiorino, Tony Pryzkuta, and Debbie Hale. Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Stanislaus Church on Thursday, March 31, 2022 9:30 AM. Interment followed at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, New York under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

MARY P. TENNERIELLO

Mary P. Tenneriello passed away on Monday, March 21, 2022 at the age of 87. Beloved Wife of the late Mchael Tenneriello. Loving Sister of Catherine Wojciechowicz, Sally Rowland and the late John Rowland, and Dear Sister-in-Law of Mary Rowland. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Mary’s Church on Friday, March 25, 2022 9:30 AM. Interment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

THOMAS D. LIBRETTI

Thomas D. Libretti passed away on Monday, March 21, 2022 at the age of 64. Beloved Father of Tommy Libretti, Gina Costa, Anthony Libretti and Joseph Libretti. Loving Brother of Robert Libretti, Helen Miller and Rita D’Agostino. Cherished Uncle of many loving nieces and nephews and Grandfather of his Granddogs – Gus, Monte, Mac and Lupo. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of NY. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady of Hope Church on Thursday March 24, 2022 9:45 AM. Private Cremation followed at All Souls Cemetery, East Elmhurst, NY. Entombment of Cremains held on Friday, March 25, 2022 at St. John Cemetery Ave Maria Garden Mausoleum, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

CHRISTINA DANIELLE DICIOCCIO

Christina Danielle DiCioccio passed away on March 10th, 2022 at the age of 38 years. She is survived by her Mother, Maria DeCapua DiCioccio, Brother Don DiCioccio, Uncles Philip DeCapua and Wife Maryann and Donald DiCioccio and many cousins and friends. Christina was a Physicians Assistant in Marietta, Georgia. Funeral Mass at Transfiguration RC Church, Thursday, March 17th at 9:30 AM. Interment St. John’s Cemetery. Under the direction of The Kodis Funeral Home 63-06 Flushing Avenue, Maspeth, New York.

STEPHEN J. KOLBASUK

Stephen J. Kolbasuk passed away on February 22nd, 2022 at the age of 74 years. Beloved Husband of Bunney (Helga), Loving Father of Michelle and Stephen and Wife Veronica.  Dear Brother of Patricia Dul and her late husband Emil and Gregory and Wife Marion. Loving Grandfather of Vincent and Harrison Kolbasuk. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass at Holy Cross RC Church, Saturday, February 26th at 9:30 AM. Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, New York. Under the direction of The Kodis Funeral Home 63-06 Flushing Avenue, Maspeth, New York.

LORRAINE E. ZABOKLICKI

Lorraine E. Zaboklicki passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the age of 87. Beloved Wife of the late Walter Zaboklick. Also survived by many loving friends. Mass of Chrisitan Burial offered at St Adalbert’s Church on Monday, March 21, 2022 10:00 AM. Private Cremation followed at All Souls Crematory, East Elmhurst, NY. Interment of Cremains to follow at The Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth, NY 11378.

ESTUARDO RIGOBERTO HERNANDEZ

Estuardo Rigoberto Hernandez passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022 at the age of 92. Beloved Husband of Orfelina Hernandez. Loving Father of Dalia Hernande, Diana Hernandez, Maria A. Guitano, Rubi Iniguez, and Maria B. Galeano. Cherished Grandfather of Jairo, Eric, Kris, Andre, Steven, Mitos, Matthew, Bria, Lia and Isabella and Great Grandfather of Mila and Sofia. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady of Hope Church on Monday, March 21, 2022 9:30 AM. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378.

KYLE C. GOODRIDGE

Kyle C. Goodridge passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at the age of 59. Beloved Husband of Amanda R. Wahab-Goodridge. Loving Son of Octavia & the late James Goodridge. Dearest brother of David Goodridge. Cherished nephew of Michael, Gregory and BrendaThomas. Dear Cousin of Patrice and Julie Stevenson. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Mr Goodridge was a Deputy Chief EEO Officer for the MTA Bus Service. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Kidney Foundation or The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. Funeral Services offered at Papavero Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 10AM – 12PM. Private Cremation followed at All Souls Crematory, East Elmhurst, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378.

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