Not a good month in the 24th Precinct! Murder, rapes, shootings as well upsurge in other crimes have prompted increased police presence in our neighborhood.

Shootings
The 24th Precinct had four shootings this month, according to Inspector Nancy Barry and the CompStats (http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/cs024pct.pdf). The precinct is working with Housing Police and Narcotics.
·         A homicide in the Douglas Houses (875 Columbus Avenue) on September 17. Victim Jose Gonzalez found in apartment by home attendant with bullet hole to his head. Detective squads working very hard to make an arrest
·         Shooting in the Douglas Houses (840 Columbus Avenue) on September 28, 11:30 pm. Corner of West 100 & Amsterdam.
·         Victim shot three time when a  group of people were having a dispute. No arrest made as of  October 17.
·         Shooting October 15, 12:30 am at 88th & Amsterdam. Victim Javier Rodriguez is in critical condition in the hospital.

Rapes (SVU investigating both)
An arrest was made by Housing Police for a rape that occurred in  the Douglas Houses, when a woman entered the elevator. A man approached and grabbed her. She screamed and drew attention to the situation. Police arrested the suspect and he's still in jail.

The second rape was by a man the woman met and had drinks with. She believes she was drugged.  No arrest has been made.

Crime increased overall
Two arrests were made for gun possession. In one case, a police officer took a loaded .38 gun off a repeat offender on the street

Following up grand larceny on supermarkets, police were able to make two arrests and have identified another person. This was a "pick team" that targeted the elderly. With a picture of another suspect, another arrest is expected. Police are closing in on some of these patterns, making good progress

Three transit patterns have been identified in which cell phone were snatched on the train. Police have a repeat offender identified and have his picture, so he should be apprehended shortly.

The 28 and 24 precincts shared a crime spree by a 14-year-old who perpetrated what is called a chain snatch - two incidents in 28 Precinct, two incidents in the 24. A picture of the suspect led to an arrest, with the help of his school principal. Another suspect, 16 year old, will be arrested soon

Assaults were also up to 12, but the good news is that arrests have been made for 9 of them. Three, including the shooting listed above, are still open. Three were domestic violence. Pay attention to what’s happening with your friends!

Of the others, one was a friend who swung a bat – some friend!  The assailant is known to the police from other incidents.

Also an increase in car break-ins for which an arrest was made while the crime was in progress on Riverside Drive. Around midnight, officers arrested three juveniles.

As always, people who left bags and pocketbooks unattended had their property stolen, this month in restaurants at the lower end of Broadway (McDonald's, pizza parlor.) A man and woman were caught on video so police expect to make an arrest. Listen up, people: Do not leave bags unattended

Miscellaneous crime
Farther north of our precinct, people are jumping out in the woods at people on bikes.

In 24th Precinct, a teen member of the team stole unattended property at the soccer fields; he was arrested.

Below the 24th Precinct, robbery occurred on Riverside Drive and 83rd Street. A 70-year-old man was assaulted by four teens who took his wallet and phone and threw rocks at him.

Preventive Measures
The precinct has asked for and gotten additional help. Officers are being deployed in and around the area. They are giving the neighborhood a Scooter Taskforce, so you may see police on scooters. The Scooter Taskforce will be going up and down Riverside Drive. Because of the spike in crime, on Wednesdays and Fridays, you will see anywhere from 15 to 25 uniformed police on Broadway from 86th up to 110th and also on Amsterdam and in other areas.

Inspector Barry said the NYPD are still looking for the autistic boy, Avonte Oquendo, who has been missing since October 4. Flyers are located here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Avonte-Home/414437158656906?sk=photos_stream. NYPD is asking for anyone's help. If you’ve seen seen him please contact the detectives.

--Erika Herzog

The District Attorney’s office is working with four local churches and two transient residences to minimize on-street drinking and on-the-steps sleeping, according to Sandrine Fermino, Community Affairs Coordinator for the Northern Manhattan office.

Block Association board members and members of the public have noticed an upsurge in homeless people sleeping on the street or panhandling. One shop keeper refused to call 311 or 911 regarding an unconscious man on the sidewalk because the sight is so common and nothing is done to address the situation long-term, he said.

Not for the first time, complaints have been made about the early morning “homeless encampment” in the 103rd Street subway station. The person making that complaint has not yet heard back from the Transit Police or the 24th Precinct Community Affairs team, despite calling 311.

At the September meeting of the 24th Precinct Community Council, residents voiced complaints about transients from residences on 108th and 104th as well as the random folks sleeping/passed out/ill on the sidewalks. The Community Affairs response was that the upsurge is due to churches giving refuge to Occupy Wall Street participants who come from out-of-state. But the descriptions given by those complaining didn’t fit that profile at all.

Ms. Fermino had a different take. She said that despite their desire to do good, four churches have been overwhelmed by the number of homeless people sleeping on their steps. They are working with the DA to enforce “No Trespassing” rules. Ms. Fermino also noted a planned meeting with the directors of the residences from which lines of drinkers on Broadway appear to come.

Bottom line: When in doubt, call 911. The person passed out on the sidewalk may be sleeping or may be in serious trouble. Let the cops decide. You can also call the precinct directly at (212) 678-1811 or use the 311 app. The person can refuse help unless s/he is a danger to him/herself or others, hence the appearance of a revolving door for some. Goddard Riverside also works with the police to offer services to the homeless but, again, accepting services is voluntary.


-- Molly Sugarman

Grand larceny and robbery have pushed crime stats up in our precinct. Churches, supermarkets, and gas stations have been the scenes of crime. Sadly, a purse left in a pew is just as likely to be targeted by a thief as a purse hanging on a chair in a bar. So, too, is property in an unlocked car while you are pumping gas.


Up close and personal crime

A two-person crew is taking advantage of distracted shoppers. Whole Foods and Associated have both been targeted. Ladies, keep your purse on your shoulder or in hand, not in that convenient child seat on the cart. One member of the twosome distracts you – unless you have distracted yourself by turning your back on your cart as you search for the right cereal. The other person grabs or pilfers your purse.


Residential burglary

Also on the rise, grand larceny from residents. No forced entry so police are thinking the culprit(s) may be in the employ of the residents or have access. Do not give your key to the dog walker, the house cleaner, the plumber. Before you know it, you’ll have four to six keys out in the world, out of your control. And leave yourself open to the next item on the agenda … if you have unlocked files or papers lying around.


ID Theft

Identity theft is also on the rise. The Police Department has a whole page dedicated to preventing ID theft. Some quick tips include:

• Never carry your Social Security card.
  
• Never give personal or bank account information to someone who calls you, no matter who they say they are.
  
• Monitor your credit report and your credit card statements.
  
• Keep a copy of all credit card numbers so you can cancel your cards if stolen or misused.
  
  

Justifiable Pride

The precinct made five arrests in the 28 days preceding the meeting. Included in the count was the arrest of a man who was out of prison for one day (had served 10 years for rape) before he perpetrated two robberies and impersonated a police officer to tourists.


Extra Help from Police

The Crime Prevention office will happily engrave your bicycle with a serial number that can aid in recovery if stolen. The service is free, your place or theirs. Also available, a free apartment survey for safety, also by Crime Prevention. Call (212) 678-1850