NYPD Releases Video of Woman in Howard Beach Queens New York By Joseph DeSilva, Crime & Public Safety Reporter | March 12, 2026 | Community Safety NEW YORK — NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny announced Thursday the release of newly recovered security footage showing a 30yearold victim in Howard Beach Queens New York hours before her death. Investigators obtained the video from a commercial establishment on Coleman Square, hoping it leads to new tips from the public. Detective squads have spent the last 48 hours canvassing the neighborhood and analyzing municipal street cameras. The newly released footage captures the victim walking alone on 159th Avenue during the quiet early morning hours of Tuesday, shortly before her body was discovered in a marshy area near Spring Creek Park. Security Footage Details Near Coleman Square Patrol units from the 106th Precinct secured the local surveillance footage after a business owner reported his outdoor digital camera was active overnight. The highdefinition clip shows the victim walking at a steady pace near the commercial plaza, wearing a dark jacket and lightcolored pants. Investigators are urging anyone who was driving along 159th Avenue between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday to review their dashcam footage. The department has established a dedicated tip line to handle incoming calls specifically related to this active investigation. NYPD Investigations in Howard Beach Queens New York Detectives are examining all available security feeds along the waterfront perimeter to establish a comprehensive timeline. This latest digital discovery has shifted the focus of the investigation to the commercial corridors bordering the neighborhood, where foot traffic is typically minimal after midnight. According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the newly recovered offers the first clear look at the victim's final known location. The NYPD Marine Division has also coordinated with local detectives to search the nearby shoreline for any discarded personal belongings or physical evidence. Official Response and Family Statements "We are utilizing every digital asset available to trace her final steps," Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Thursday afternoon. "The footage from the business plaza provides our clearest timeline yet of her movements, and we need anyone who saw anything unusual to speak up." Local civic leaders have expressed deep worry over the incident and are organizing safety patrols along the perimeter of Spring Creek Park. The victim's family, through a legal representative, has requested privacy while the active investigation continues across South Queens. Historical Context of Spring Creek Park Incidents This incident follows prior safety discussions regarding lighting and security cameras along the marshy park borders. Local civic groups have repeatedly petitioned the city for enhanced street illumination near the park's entrance points, citing low visibility during latenight hours. Similar recovery efforts occurred last month, when police initiated following a separate water rescue. Local community boards have emphasized that these coastal areas require dedicated park enforcement patrols to deter latenight trespassing. Community Safety Measures and Homicide Investigation Timeline The 106th Precinct has temporarily reassigned six footpatrol officers to monitor the pedestrian paths near Coleman Square through the weekend. Residents are organizing a neighborhood watch meeting at the local civic center next Tuesday to discuss security upgrades and street lighting. Detectives are continuing to process physical evidence recovered from the shoreline and are awaiting autopsy results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Police barricades remain in place near the Spring Creek Park trailhead as forensic technicians conduct secondary searches of the dense marsh grass. Frequently Asked Questions What security measures are being taken near the Spring Creek Park trails? The NYPD 106th Precinct has increased its presence by deploying six footpatrol officers to monitor the pedestrian paths near Coleman Square and Spring Creek Park. Local community boards are also coordinating with city agencies to evaluate the installation of permanent street lighting and public safety cameras along the park's perimeter. How can residents submit security footage or tips to investigators? Residents can contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline or visit their local precinct to share any relevant surveillance or dashcam footage from Tuesday morning. Information can be submitted anonymously, and detectives are specifically interested in feeds captured near 159th Avenue between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.