Down by Law: Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry aims to reduce the 10th Precinct’s major crimes index to below 1,000 (last year’s total was 1,023).
BY SCOTT STIFFLER | They came in from the cold, but didn’t exactly amount to huddled masses — when the 10th Precinct Community Council held its first meeting of 2015 on the early evening of Jan. 28. Sparse attendance and early signs of an informal tone prompted Chelsea West 200 Block Association representative Pamela Wolff to request a round of introductions. With under 20 chairs occupied, representatives of Assemblymember Gottfried, State Senator Hoylman, the Hudson River Park Trust, 1 Oak nightclub and multiple media outlets handily outnumbered the local residents.
It was a homecoming for the Council, which met at Hudson Guild and Fulton Auditorium in November and December, respectively. This “floating venue” concept was initiated in hopes of reaching those who lack the mobility or motivation to travel to the Precinct’s 230 W. 20th St. location, at which Council meetings are normally held on the last Wednesday of the month.
“Now and then you have to visit your relatives,” quipped Council president Larry O’Neill, who called the meeting to order just after 7 p.m. and then introduced the Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry.
Having taken command last July, DI Irizarry began by acknowledging that fact, then noting seven other additions — officers who had just been assigned to the 10th Precinct after graduating from the NYPD’s most recent class. Three from that group, Police Officers Caitlin Lemmo, Patrick Persichetti and Lee Bonaventure, were in attendance.
DI Irizarry gave a brief overview of 10th Precinct crime statistics. Compared to 2013, this past year saw a nine percent reduction in major crimes (murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, grand larceny, grand larceny auto). The major crimes index for 2014 totaled 1,023 — a number she’d like to see drop below 1,000 by the time 2015 comes to an end.
There was a slight increase in felony assaults (110 vs. 98). Of those 110 incidents, 38 percent were domestic assaults. Asked by an audience member if the Chelsea major crime stats reflected a similar pattern of reduction throughout the city, DI Irizarry said, “Yes, overall,” then provided a partial explanation. By monitoring boastful postings on social media, she noted, “We’re able to identify and target what used to be called ‘gangs,’ which we now call ‘crews.’ ”
Waiting in a long outdoor line to secure the latest Apple product might be a noisy and difficult-to-navigate proposition, according to information shared by Detective Mike Petrillo — who learned of an impending project during a Jan. 28 meeting with the Meatpacking District Improvement Association (meatpacking-district.com).
Construction in the area will require temporary removal of the public plaza on Ninth Ave. that runs parallel to the Apple store’s 14th St. location. Petrillo speculated that the project could last as long as a year, while NYC’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) conduct their work.
In a Feb. 11 email, a Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesperson told Chelsea Now that, “The Ninth Avenue Reconstruction Project is a coordinated effort between DOT, DEP, and DDC that will upgrade existing utility infrastructure and reconstruct portions of the cobblestone roadway along with Gansevoort and Chelsea Plazas. The plans were vetted by CB2, CB4, and Landmarks. Construction is slated to begin this spring.”
Chelsea Now will be following this project — but for the evening of Jan. 28, Pamela Wolff had the last word, asking (only in semi-jest) if the workers “could please not hit the Spectra pipeline with their backhoe.”
The next Community Council meeting takes place at 7 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 25, at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). For information on crime statistics, visit nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/crime_prevention/crime_statistics.shtml.
