C M SQ page 21 Y K Page 21 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, November 9, 2023
St. Andrew Avellino statue vandalized by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor
A statue outside Flushing’s St. Andrew Avellino Roman Catholic Church was vandalized last Monday evening, the NYPD said. Police were informed last Monday that the statue — which the office of Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) has identified as being of the Blessed Mother — had had its right hand broken off and its left one cracked, the NYPD press office said. The incident is believed to have occurred at approximately 5 p.m. that day. The NYPD said the department’s Hate Crimes Task Force was notified. The Rev. Gregory McIlhenney, the pastor at St. Andrew Avellino, could not be reached for comment by press time Wednesday. Both Meng and state Sen. John Liu (D-Flushing) decried the act. “The vandalism of the Blessed Mother statue at St. Andrew Avellino is both a disgusting and deeply saddening act,” Meng said in a statement. “Not only has this statue been a part of the community for some 11 decades, but
School vaping continued from page 4 to comprehensively meet the challenges being faced by students today.” Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the health commissioner, said, “No amount of e-cigarette use is safe for teenagers or adults. E-cigarettes negatively affect a teenager’s memory and concentration and may decrease their learning ability.” But will the initiative help? Some are less than optimistic. “I hope the training is more meaningful than ‘vaping is bad’ and a slap on the wrist,” the Central Queens teacher said.
it has also served as an adorning addition to this parish, its congregants, and passers-by.” Liu agreed. “It is absolutely deplorable that someone would defile this sacred symbol of faith from which so many parishioners and members of our community have drawn inspiration and peace,” he said in a statement. “Such wanton vandalism shows a profound disregard for our community’s commitment to tolerance, respect and unity, and we stand in solidarity with the St. Andrew Avellino parish against this hateful act.” As of press time Wednesday, the NYPD’s 109th Precinct is still investigating the matter. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS (8477), or, for Spanish, 1 (888) 57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto nypdcrimestoppers.com, or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577, or by going to @nypdtips on X, previously known as Twitter. Q All tips are strictly confidential.
“Talk to these teens about mental health. Teach them how to cope with life in ways other than vaping.” A Forest Hills middle school parent, Dawn R., said she sees illegal smoke shops opening “on every corner” and thinks they are largely to blame. “They sell these illegal products to our children,” she told the Chronicle. “It has to stop. Instead of trying to punish the kids, punish the adults who help them access it.” Asked what should be done, Dawn said, “Schools can only do so much. I want to see those smoke shops get shut down.” She added, “I caught my 13-year-old spending time with kids who vape. I told their parents and we put an end to it fast.” Q
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