We received several questions this weekend about why helicopters were circling above the West 100’s on Sunday morning at about 1:30 a.m.
Captain Marlon Larin of the 24th precinct tells us that the helicopters were responding to a gathering that had begun peacefully but turned violent at the Frederick Douglass Houses, which stretches from 100th to 104th street.
“We requested aerial support to monitor a crowd of approximately 150 to 200 persons who were present in the playground area of the Frederick Douglass Houses. The crowd was orderly during the earlier hours of the evening. However, as it began to swell in numbers, some persons therein became unruly. At that point we requested for a dispersal which was achieved after a couple of hours. Only four persons were arrested and there were no injuries to anyone. The arrests were for disorderly conduct (2) and return on warrant (2).”
We asked what had prompted everyone to gather in the playground, and whether any of the violence was connected to gang activity, which police said has been an issue at Douglass.
“Although it was not a rally, we believe that it was a residual effect of the Eric Garner demonstration earlier in the day on Staten Island. We do not believe it was stimulated by gang activity. By unruly I mean that the crowd became noisier as it grew in size. The added personalities caused conflicts amongst themselves to the point where bottles were being hurled.”
Image via Google Earth.
Wouldn’t it seem odd that a demonstration would take place in the early morning hours.
How does bottle-hurling become a minor sidenote? You can kill somebody by hurling a bottle at them.
Bruce, since this is your favorite part of the neighborhood and they can do no wrong, I assume you where at the rally.
What actually happened?
any time you want to take a tour of Douglass Houses, Webrot, I am more than happy to accompany you! I’ll even hold your hand.
I’ll also make sure to tell the people there that you want to rip down their homes and replace them with luxury “market rate” housing… while you are applying for subsidized housing yourself!
Tear down these projects–they have long since outlived their usefulness. Money should not be taken out of paychecks to fund this sort of thing. Housing is an individual responsibility.
y would u want the pjs tore down there lots of memories there yall people no the new douglass im from old school and douglass as a kid was the most fun place until now that the new era dont no how to make fun of there hood fun to them is fighting and guns in my days fun was kick the can ring a larry o and man hunt douglasss is my home and will continue to be the best pjs in manhattan
answer the Question Brice!! What happened last night?
or was it time for you to get back in your limo?
for the record, I do think that the crumbling projects should be torn down and replaced with mixed income, the street grid restored, a mix of high , mid and low rises, along with commerce – businesses and stores, little or no parking – AND replacement of the EXISTING Apartments for existing residents in the community. the projects are a failed concept of warehousing the poor that have been torn down in every other major city to much success.
but as to Frederick Douglas houses, I merely agreed with the former Mayor’s plan to build on some of the open space and parking spots – which would have added precious housing for all New Yorkers – but narrow minds like yours killed that idea. for now.
what happened is precisely what Capt. Larin said happened. He gave an excellent summary.
It seems that the Captain had been coached by the NYPD’s PR/Media Team before responding to WSR’s inquiry. If that’s not an overtly politically-correct response, I don’t know what is.
we should be happy that Capt. Larin is reporting FACTS in a clear and succinct way… to avoid rumors, exaggerations, etc.
that’s an important part of Community Policing.
Agreed – a thinly-veiled response from Captain Larin. The neighborhood needs to open its eyes to the ongoing problems that some residents of the FD Houses have been causing for the neighborhood.
Oops – I was replying to Duck’s thread.
Sounds like it was verrrry close to becoming a riot, and for no reason, other than that a few idiots were bored. Another success for the NYCHA.
Sounds like a party as much as a demonstration? Or, another demonstration on a week that’s been understandably full of them.
I’m not defending bottles being hurled, but it’s been interesting this summer to watch NYC community pushback when parks get trashed after large loud parties. Seems like the 24th handled this well.
So, if I might translate Captain Larin’s statement in to English:
As a result of the politically and racially-charged Staten Island march, a bunch of people, and probably a few gang members, started rabble-rousing around the common areas of FD Houses. They then proceeded to become a menace to themselves and to the otherwise decent residents of FD Houses and their nearby UWS neighbors (read: me), who were probably just trying to get some sleep or relax. Finally the police were called, probably by the FDH residents themselves, when people started fighting and throwing bottles, so it could be stopped before they started to let the bullets fly, which would have been the predictable and inevitable outcome.