Meet the 10th Precinct’s new Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry, at Aug. 5’s National Night Out Against Crime event.
BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry’s first command lands her in familiar territory. The Fordham University graduate, who became a cadet in 1994 and began her career one year later as a patrol officer in the Bronx’s 44th Precinct, has worked for the past six years as Commanding Officer of the NYPD Police Academy’s Specialized Training Section. Before that, she spent 2007-2008 as Executive Officer of the Lower East Side’s Ninth Precinct, during which her work with the Club Detail included frequent plunges into Chelsea’s chaotic nightlife scene.
Just under a month ago, D.I. Irizarry became the 10th Precinct’s Commanding Officer — returning to a Chelsea in which larceny accounts for the overwhelming majority of crime, and quality of life ranks high among the concerns of residents.
Having already met with several local electeds, Community Board 4, members of the 10th Precinct Community Council and club owners — with plans to visit Penn South, Google, Chelsea Piers and other commercial establishments in the coming weeks — Irizarry recently sat down with Chelsea Now for her first media interview.
Chelsea Now: What were your duties at the Police Academy?
Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry: My section provided tactical training for people who would be going to a plainclothes unit, computer training, and command-level training — which is once a month, when all of the training sergeants from throughout the city come in to learn new procedures and protocols. I also did a yearly training for our In Service Tactical Training [INTAC] Unit, when our In Service officers come for a one-day tactical, scenario-based training. My section oversaw that, and also the Chemical Ordinance, Biological and Radiological Awareness [COBRA] Training Unit.
So many of Chelsea’s larceny crimes happen in the clubs. What ideas do you have for enforcement and education?
We had a bad week last week in terms of grand larceny, and a lot of them were unattended [property]. It really is the same old routine, mostly females with their purses, who leave them on the back of a chair, or on one of the couches. Then they go on the dance floor, and when they come back, either their entire bag is gone, their credit cards are gone, or their cell phone is gone. Education is key. I met with the TAO Group about a week and a half ago, and they have something incredibly unique that not many restaurants have: hooks under all their tables, so customers never have the purses on the back of their chair. And also, they have trained their staff, as they’re waiting on customers, to say, “Oh mam, your purse is on the floor. We have the hook under the table.” A place like TAO can do that, because their employees are regular staff [with limited turnover].
For places that are not training their staff to be really cognizant of these unattended bags, it’s going to continue to be a problem. 1 Oak has a complimentary coat check, and that’s been very effective. In the winter especially, a lot of people will not check their coats if they have to pay for it. But this [comp policy] encourages people, and they end up not losing any property. I also have a foot patrol unit, one sergeant and six police officers, that [my predecessor] D.I. David Miller created. I can deploy them to any area, when I notice a traffic or crime condition.
In September, the Precinct’s monthly Community Council meetings resume. Will that be your formal introduction to local residents?
Yes, and I think it’s going to be exciting. When I had the opportunity to meet with Larry and Frank [Council President Larry O’Neill and Recording Secretary Frank Meade], they counseled me about the types of complaints that are most common at these meetings.
What were those complaints?
Noise and bicycles — and bicycle lanes. I mean, not that the lanes themselves are hazardous, but some of the bicyclists that ride in these lanes do not pay attention to the traffic signals.
What changes and improvements do you hope to bring during your time at the 10th Precinct?
The main things are to create safer roadways for our pedestrians and bicyclists, and continue to reduce grand larcenies.
Will the public have a chance to meet you at next week’s National Night Out Against Crime?
Absolutely. I’m looking forward to that.
The 10th Precinct’s participation in the annual National Night Out Against Crime will be held on Tues., Aug. 5, on W. 17th St. (btw. Ninth & 10th Aves.), from 5-8 p.m. There will be activities for children, along with crime prevention tips and handouts. Elected officials and a rep from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office will be in attendance. The Community Council resumes its meetings (last Wed. of the month, 7 p.m.) on Sept. 24, at the 10th Precinct (230 W. 20th St., btw. 7th & 8th Aves.). Main number: 212-741-8211. Community Affairs: 212-741-8226. Follow them on Twitter: @NYPD10Pct.
