BY LUCAS ROPEK | A spike in numbers is usually cause for concern for the 10th Precinct Community Council — whose meetings, held on the last Wed. of the month, are an occasion to hear about the month-to-month difference in crimes such as larceny and assault. The Jan. 28 gathering, however, had good numerical news to report: a packed house (the last meeting drew only three local residents), and the addition of seven new faces.
The 10th Precinct’s Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry, kicked off the first Community Council meeting of the year by acknowledging the robust attendance. “We haven’t seen you guys since 2015, so it’s great to see so many people,” Irizarry said, thanking the crowd for braving the cold and “dodging snow piles” to attend the meeting.
After being introduced by Council President Larry O’Neill, Irizarry began by acquainting residents with some new faces. “I want to introduce you to these fine gentlemen,” she said, referring to seven graduates of the NYPD’s Police Academy who recently joined the 10th Precinct’s ranks — six of whom were present at the meeting. “They are going to help us continue our work to keep Chelsea residents safe and their businesses secure,” Irizarry said, as the new officers stood for a round of applause.
In addition to the rookies, it was announced that a number of newly assigned foot patrols are to be set up along Eighth Ave. and W. 23rd St. This heightened police presence is meant to keep traffic moving smoothly, as well as to maintain the level of neighborhood safety that the police force prides itself on.
“With our new officers, and with these guys on foot patrols, I think we have an opportunity to put more of a show out for you guys,” Irizarry said, implying that the new forces would clamp down on traffic and pedestrian violations on Eighth Ave.
Next came an overview of crime statistics. Chelsea is currently experiencing an 11.6% decrease in crime over a 28-day period, though it was announced that the year-to-date statistics showed a 14% increase for the overall year.
This crime spike has not gone unnoticed. Several neighborhood residents in attendance expressed concern about the surge of slashings that have taken place recently. One local referenced the case of Carmen Rivera, a 71-year-old grandmother from Brooklyn who was slashed in the face while riding the subway last week by a man wielding a razor.
Though locals were concerned that the stabbings were perhaps coordinated, or even gang-related, Irizarry assured them these incidents were not the result of an organized effort. “It appears to be the work of unrelated, mentally disturbed individuals,” she said, noting that several of the culprits had been apprehended — including Bronx resident Kari Bazemore, 41, who attacked a 24-year-old woman in the early morning of Wed., Jan. 6, as she walked on W. 23rd St. near Seventh Ave. All of these perpetrators are “emotionally disturbed” people who, due to “frustration, or drug abuse, or whatever it is,” have targeted complete strangers, Irizarry reiterated.
When asked what residents could do to defend against future attacks, one officer recommended “self awareness” as an antidote. “People have gotten into the bad habit of staring down at their cell phones while walking in the street, completely oblivious to their surroundings,” the officer said. “There are simply not enough officers to put on every street corner to cover all of the random acts of violence that occur out of nowhere,” he continued. “Be self aware. If something doesn’t look right, do not hesitate to call 911.”
Besides safety concerns, traffic and parking disputes were the most recurrent issues at the meeting.
Stanley Bulbach, president of the West 15th Street 100 and 200 Block Association, brought up a detour on 17th St. that has repeatedly caused traffic congestion for W. 15th St. The detour is the result of an Oct. 20 fire that decimated The Dorian, a W. 17th St. building slated to be transformed into a 10-story condominium complex. The necessary renovations to the building have since caused the adjacent street to be repeatedly closed. In an interview with Chelsea Now directly following the Council meeting, Bulbach asserted that the Department of Transportation has repeatedly ignored his Block Association’s pleas to negotiate a more manageable detour. Irizarry asserted she would do her best to reach out to the right people and mitigate the conflict.
Finally, it was announced that the new year would see the opening of two large-scale establishments in Chelsea: Flash Factory, a music venue owned by nightclub mogul Michael Satsky (229 W. 28th St., btw. Seventh & Eight Aves.), and La Sirena, owned by famous chef Mario Batali (not yet opened, it is located in the Maritime Hotel; 363 W. 16th St., btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.). Both are expected to bring an influx of nightlife traffic to the area, and Irizarry assured residents that police personnel would be working to ensure the new businesses obey standard noise and parking guidelines.
The 10th Precinct is located at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves.). Follow on Twitter: @NYPD10Pct. Main number: 212-741-8211. Community Affairs: 212-741-8226. Crime Prevention: 212-741-8226. Domestic Violence: 212-741-8216. Youth Officer: 212-741-8211. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-741-8210. Detective Squad: 212-741-8245. The Community Council meeting, open to the public, takes place at 7 p.m. on the last Wed. of the month. The next meeting is Feb. 24.
