Press Release
For Immediate Release
For Information
Deputy Chief John Buonincontri
deputychief@lvac.net
Vandals deface volunteer ambulance.
OZONE PARK (NY) – Sometime in the early morning hours overnight, vandals painted graffiti on one of two ambulances owned by Lindenwood Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps (VAC), a community based volunteer ambulance service serving the 40,000 residents of the Southwest Queens communities of Lindenwood (part of Howard Beach), Ozone Park and South Ozone Park . The damage was discovered by a member of the corps early Sunday morning. “The dollar of spray paint will now result in thousands in repairs and a vehicle being out of service for weeks.” said Chief Christopher DeLuca of the ambulance service. “and we don’t know if this will be covered by our insurance policy” he continued.
The ambulance service is no stranger to acts of vandalism on its property. Lindenwood VAC’s headquarters, once the home of famed beatnik author Jack Kerouac had a memorial placed in the author’s honor stolen and more recently its other ambulance was also hit with graffiti however the vandals used markers its was easily cleaned.
Like most of the 32 remaining volunteer ambulance services in New York City, Lindenwood VAC does not have a garage or place to store its vehicles and it is forced to park them unprotected on the street. “This event has us now reexamining where we park and secure our fleet” said Deputy Chief John Buonincontri “we will probably have to invest in a video surveillance system costing thousands as we do not the ability to move nor the funds to rent a garage or space to place the vehicles for the long term”
NYPD is currently investigating the crime. Lindenwood VAC is currently trying to get surveillance footage from a nearby business hoping it will yield some evidence to help police catch the individual responsible.
Meantime, Lindenwood VAC is left holding the bag faced with costly repairs and upgrades in security as well as being left with one ambulance until the repairs are complete. Those who wish to donate to help defray repairs, are able to assist the squad in security upgrades or have a garage or secured lot to donate are urged to contact Lindenwood VAC at 718-738-3029 or deputychief@lvac.net. Donations may be sent to PO Box 170191, Ozone Park, NY 11417-0191
Further information:
Chief Christopher DeLuca (chief@lvac.net)
Deputy Chief John Buonincontri (deputychief@lvac.net)