[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 93 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         THIRTEENTH PRECINCT HONORED FOR WORK WITH KENMORE HOTEL

                                 ______


                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, June 7, 1995
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to New York's 
13th Police Precinct and its valiant efforts on behalf of the Kenmore 
Hotel, its tenants and the surrounding community.
  The Kenmore is the largest single room occupancy hotel in New York 
City. On June 8, 1994, it was seized by the Federal Marshalls and 
police officers, thereby becoming the largest building ever seized 
under the Federal Forfeiture Act. During the 9 years prior to its 
seizure, the Kenmore had steadily fallen into disrepair and become a 
haven for crime and drugs. The sad fact was that a once great landmark 
of New York, a place where Nathaniel West and Dashiell Hammett once 
lived and wrote, had become a crime-ridden residence. Drug dealing, 
prostitution, robberies, burglaries, and serious assaults are common in 
the building. The problems of the Kenmore became a source of concern 
not only to its residents, but to the surrounding community.
  Due to the efforts of the personnel of the 13th Precinct and, in 
particular, one community policing officer, Scott Kimmins, major 
efforts were taken to inform and involve other local and Federal 
agencies regarding these developments. Officer Kimmins, whose beat 
included the Kenmore, walked the halls of its 23 floors daily for 
several years. On July 11, 1994, I was joined in front of the Hotel by 
Attorney General Janet Reno, New York Governor Mario Cuomo and others 
to personally honor Officer Kimmins and his colleagues at the 13th 
Precinct for their courageous efforts in cleaning up the Kenmore. 
Nearly a year after that auspicious day, the 13th Precinct continues to 
maintain a presence at the Kenmore, ensuring greater safety for its 
residents and neighbors.
  Thanks to Federal intervention and under the auspices of the Federal 
marshals, the Kenmore is now under new management. Though still far 
from perfect, conditions are improving. Indeed, I am hopeful that the 
U.S. Attorney's office will be successful in stripping the current 
owner of his ownership and reversing this sad chapter in the Kenmore's 
history.
  It is because of the extraordinary efforts of Captain Michael Darby, 
Officer Scott Kimmins, and others at the 13th Precinct that the 
conditions at the Kenmore have improved so dramatically. Indeed, I am 
pleased to report that all incidents of drug and non-drug-related 
crimes, including assaults, have dropped substantially since the 
seizure.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the 13th 
Precinct and its officers for their courageous effort to improve 
conditions at the Kenmore and to make New York City a safer, better 
place in which to live.


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