Council
Member Oliver Koppell moved quickly to protect residents from being
stung by bees swarming from a hive nested in a tree overlooking the
playground at 3901 Independence Avenue. A mother,
whose son had been stung, indicated to Koppell that the Board President
had called 311 three times about the problem but nothing had been done.
“I was concerned,” Koppell said, “because, in addition to being painful, bee stings can be extremely dangerous to people who are allergic.”
Koppell turned to the NYPD, where for the
past 18 years, Officer Anthony Planakis, known as “Tony Bees,” has been
charged with removing bee swarms throughout the Metro area. It’s well
known throughout the city
that “wherever they are, if it’s got to do with bees, you gotta call Tony Bees.”
Tony, himself, is a passionate beekeeper with a bee farm in
Newtown, Connecticut. He began his beekeeping activities as a
teenager, learning from his Cypress born-father, who also kept bees
since he was a boy.
“I wanted an expert to remove the bees without harming them or the people in the neighboring
area,” Koppell said. “I am happy that the NYPD was able to provide this expertise.”
It appears that that has been an increase
in bee swarms in the city. As well as Mr. Planakis, residents with a
bee problem can call on two bee rescue teams: New York City Beekeeping
and the New York City Beekeepers Association.
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