The 24th Precinct as seen a spike in major crimes this year, with felony incidences rising more than 25% through the first week of April. In particular, felony assaults have risen 35% and burglaries have more than doubled, to 37. Robberies, however, are down 17%, and there have been no murders, while there had been two by this time last year. Teh headquarters of the 24th is on 100th Street.
David Longshore is one of the victims of the crime spree in the 24th. Here is his story, compiled from emails he sent to us:
“I was walking around the corner to the deli when three teenagers approached me. Two walked to the left, and one went to the right. One of them asked me if I was looking for something before immediately striking me on the side of the head. I fell to the sidewalk, and dislocated my right shoulder. After kicking and jumping on me, they laughed and made an effort to take my wallet, but were unsuccessful. They were three African-American teens, between the ages of 15-18, one wearing a light gray hooded jacket, the other a dark blue hooded jacket. The third was wearing an orange/reddish hat. Please let the community know of the threat in our midst.
We’re putting together an emergency block association meeting in an effort to have the NYCDOT increase the lighting on the corner of 108th and Broadway. We’re also discussing installing a CCTV on the corner of the Manhasset. I’ve been living on that block for 20 years, and generally it has been quiet. But as of late there has been (as I understand it) an uptick in the number of muggings and assaults in our area – and we must defend ourselves.
My employer, Assembly Member Michael DenDekker, has asked me to represent him at the 27th Annual New York Crime Victims Candlelight Vigil. It’s going to be held in our neighborhood – West End Collegiate Church, 368 West End Avenue at 77th Street – on Sunday, April 22, 2012, from 2-4.”
As of last week, Longshore had not heard any updates from the NYPD since a detective visited him in the hospital shortly after the attacks. When we checked with the NYPD last week, a spokesperson said they hadn’t caught the people responsible for the crime.
Photo by vpickering via flickr.
There is a monthly Ccommunity Council meeting at least once a month in each precint. It is a good time to ask questions of a precints leadership team and is open to all. The 24 precint Community Council, of which I’m on the executive board, has its meetings the third Wednesday every month. They are held at 7pm at the precint on 100th street between Col & Amsterdam Avenues.
The next meeting is this week, Wednesday at 7pm. We will also be sponsoring our yearly street fair on B’way this Sun., the 22nd. We will have a table in front of the old Metro, just look for our banner.
Thanks and do come to the meeting. You can ask any questions you have or ask for more info.
WITH TIMES HARD AND HOT WEATHER AROUND THE CORNER THINGS WILL ONLY GET WORSE.EMPORER BLOOMBUCKS IS ONLY CONCERNED WITH SCHOOLS AND BIKE LANES AND HOW MANY SKYSCRAPERS HE CAN SQUEEZE IN MIDTOWN UNTIL HIS SHAM OF A TERM IS UP.
Thank you, Avi and the West Side Rag, for covering this story. My hope is that by publicizing these unfortunate incidents, there will be greater vigilance on the part of the NYPD and all Upper West Siders. I also feel that a block-by-block analysis of street lighting should be conducted by the City to determine those areas where improved sidewalk lighting is necessary. So many people – including members of the NYPD -have worked very hard over the past decades to bring our City forward. Now is not the time to let it slide! Thanks to all, and please KEEP SAFE!