Monday, August 29, 2016

NYPD Seeking Suspect Who Slashed Man With Box Cutter In Columbus Park

The police released surveillance photos of the suspect wanted in the Columbus Park slashing on Saturday evening entering the Chambers Street subway station after the incident.   The individual is described as a male Black, approximately 5'8" tall, 180lbs, bald and last seen wearing a gray tank-top.

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft 

The New York City Police Department is asking the public's assistance identifying the individual depicted in the surveillance photos wanted for questioning in regards to an assault that occurred within the confines of the 5th Precinct. 

It was reported to the police that on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at approximately 10:40pm, 36-year-old male victim was sitting on the park bench at Columbus Park located on Baxter Street and Hogan place, in Chinatown.

An unidentified individual approached the victim and slashed him with a box cutter causing a laceration to his left arm. 

The victim was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital in stable condition.
Columbus Park

Surveillance photos of the individual entering the Chambers Street subway station after the incident.

The suspect is described as a male Black, approximately 5'8" tall, 180lbs, bald and last seen wearing a gray tank-top.




Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are kept confidential.

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Woman Raped In Riverside Park Today - Suspect Caught

 The alleged rapist entered the park with the victim at the park's 69th Street entrance. (Photos: Geoffrey  Croft/NYCPark Advocates) Click on imiges to enlarge  


Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

Police apprehend the suspect wanted for raping a woman early this morning in Riverside Park, NYC Park Advocates has learned.

The incident occurred inside the park near West 70th Street and Riverside Blvd just before 12:30am today. 

Law enforcement sources say the 24-year-old victim met the suspect on the subway earlier in the evening.   

According to police they met on board a Brooklyn bound F train, where the suspect told the victim that his 'friend' could offer her a ride to Brooklyn, and that they had to meet him inside of Riverside Park. 

Once inside the park, the suspect placed his hands around the victim's neck, choked her and forced her to the ground, where he then raped her.

The victim began screaming for help and the assailant fled the location. The victim was removed to Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.

Police responded to a 911 call of an assault in progress inside Riverside Park. Responding officers canvassed the park, and with a detailed description provided by eyewitnesses at the scene, a 26-year-old male was taken into custody without incident at West 72 Street and Riverside Boulevard, within the park.

Police arrested Bronx resident Anthony Camillo, 26, of 193rd Street. 


He was charged with Rape, Felony Assault- Sexually Motivated (2 counts)  and Strangulation.


The suspect led the woman inside the park, where he choked her and forced her to the ground, where he raped her according to police.


With the rash of crime in Riverside Park on Saturday the city assigned the park's only two dedicated park police officers for the entire park to baby sit a small special event on the pier at 70th Street.  The officer's shift ends at 11:00 leaving the park without a dedicted patrol from 11:00pm to 7 am. 

Violent crime in Riverside park is up significantly rising 30% over the last nine months.  

In 2015 the park reported third highest number of crimes of any city park and the sixth most violent park.

Violent crime in parks is up 23% city-wide over the last nine months. Four-hundred and seventeen people reported being the victims of violent crime during this peroid.

The de Blasio administration has repeatedly stated that crimes in parks remain "rare.” 

They have also stated that parks are "by far the safest place in the entire universe."

Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver called the 23% rise, a “small uptick.”  

With the rash of crime in Riverside Park on Saturday the city assigned the park's only two dedicated park police officers for the entire park to baby sit a small special event.  The officers shift ends at 11:00 leaving the park without a dedicted patrol from 11:00pm to 7 am. 


Wrong Priorities. With the rash of crime in Riverside Park on Saturday the city assigned the park's only two dedicated park police officers for the entire park to baby sit a small special event.  The officers shift ends at 11:00 leaving the park without a dedicted patrol from 11:00pm to 7 am.  The park runs from W. 59th Street to St Clair Place  at W. 129th Street.  (Photos: Geoffrey  Croft/NYCPark Advocates) Click on imiges to enlarge  

Read More:

WPIX - August 28, 2016, By Magee Hickey

WNBC - August 28, 2016           

A Walk In The Park - August 26, 2016 -  By Geoffrey Croft

Friday, August 26, 2016

Police Seek Bike Riding Muggers Wanted In Riverside Park Robbing Spree


Police say a group of teens on bikes have been responsible for seven robberies in Riverside Park over several weeks. Police in the 20, 26 and 28 precincts have stepped up uniformed patrols round the clock as a result. A patrol car makes the rounds his evening near the skate park on 108th Street in the park. Violent crime in Riverside Park has risen 30% over the last nine months.  In 2015 the park reported third highest number of crimes of any city park.    (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge. 


Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

Police are searching for a group of teens on bikes wanted in a series of robberies in Riverside Park, NYC Park Advocates has learned.

The group of between two and four teens, a mix of male blacks and male hispanics on bikes have struck seven times between the end of July and August 15th. 

The robbery pattern have taken place during the day and night.



The muggers used the threat of physical force or physical force.


The thieves have taken cell phones, money and in one case, the attempted robbery of a bike.

Police in the 20, 26 and 28 precincts have stepped up uniformed patrols round the clock as a result.

The latest incident occurred on August 15th when a 65-year-old man was riding a bike along the Greenway just south of 125th Street when he was approached by 4 teens on bikes who stopped him.

One of the assailants blocked his path while another pulled a knife and demanded his bike. 

The man refused and was assaulted by three others who punched him in the face repeatedly.

Several other riders came to his aid and the assailants fled without the bike. 

Violent crime in the park continues to rise.

On August 5, a woman was sexually assaulted while walking her dog in Riverside park.  The man demanded oral sex and grabbed her. The victim bit the attacker and was able to escape.

A reward poster in connection to the August 5th sexual attack of a woman in Riverside Park.   (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge. 


Violent crime in Riverside Park has risen 30% over the last nine months according to the latest crime data reporting period ending on April 30th.  The park reported 13 incidents compared to 10.

City-wide 417 people reported being the victims of violent crime over the last nine months, an increase of 23%. 

The de Blasio administration in turn has responded by saying that crimes in parks remain "rare,” that parks are "by far the safest place in the entire universe."

Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver called the 23% rise, a “small uptick.” 

Read/View More:

WCBS - August 26, 2016 - By Brian Conybeare

Fox 5 - August 26, 2016 - By Sharon Crowley
 



Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Central Park: Bicyclist In Critical Condition After Fall

























A 67-year-old man was seriously injured after falling off his bike trying to avoid a jogger this evening in Central Park.  (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

A 67-year-old Manhattan resident riding a bike is in critical condition after he flipped over the handlebars while trying to avoid a jogger in Central Park this evening, NYC Park Advocates has learned.  

The man was pedaling north in the bike lane on the East Drive at 102nd Street when he swerved to avoid a jogger according to police and lost control.

He landed on his face according to witnesses at the scene. 

The bike is examined by a police officer in the highway division.


Witnesses said several doctors who were nearby began helping him almost immediately after the accident before EMS arrived. 

The incident occurred at 6:30 p.m. police said.  

The man was taken to St Luke’s  Hospital in critical condition according to police but not likely to die.

In June a cyclist was seriously injured when he fell under a truck in Central Park after striking another rider along the East Drive near 71st Street.  

A witness explains what he saw to the police.


The police cordoned off the area on the East Drive near 102nd Street. 

 The incident occurred at a busy time of the day for park users.

Blood of the victim on the asphalt.


Police compare notes at the scene.

(Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Woman Stabbed In Queens Playground In Botched Robbery

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

A woman was stabbed in a Queens playground after thieves demanded a cell phone she didn't have.
The 31-year-old woman was sitting on park bench on Sunday evening inside Grover Cleveland Playground when three males, 18, approached and demanded her phone.

The victim said she had no phone and tried to run away.

The assailants chased her. One stabbed the victim in the upper right shoulder.
A good Samaritan came to her aid and yelled scaring off her attackers.
The woman was Victim taken to Wyckoff Hospital.

The incident occurred in the park near at Fairview Avenue and Stanhope Street.

Two people were murdered in city parks over the weekend.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Man Shot 14 Times In Brooklyn Park Celebrating Son’s 3rd Birthday

Brooklyn

By Geoffrey Croft

A man was shot 14 times in a Brooklyn park early Sunday morning while celebrating his son’s 3rd birthday.  

Violence erupted just after 1:30 am in Scarangella Park  at West 13th Street between Avenues U and V when a gunman opened fire on Daquan Spencer, 30 who lived a few blocks away. 


The victim was attending a birthday party for his son when someone opened fire, hitting him 14 times, twice in the neck, one time in the left temple, chest left shoulder, three times in the abdomen and three times in the right thigh as well as buttocks back and hip.
Eighteen spent shell casings found inside the park according to police.

Spencer was rushed to Coney Island Hospital where he later died.

Eye-witnesses were able to identify the shooter to police.  

A few hours earlier a 62 year old woman was shot and killed while playing playing dominoes in a Harlem park.


Woman, 62, Killed Playing Dominoes In Harlem Park

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

A 62-year-old woman was killed when two stray bullets struck her on Saturday night in a Harlem Park.

Police were clearing Colonel Young Park of hundreds of people inside the park after hours, when they heard shots fired.
Cops transmitted the call and found the victim Odessa Simms lying on the sidewalk unconscious, with one shot to the base of the head, and one to the left shoulder.

The incident occured on Saturday, at 11:44 p.m,  near the northeast corner of West 144th Street and Lenox Avenue, inside Colonel Young Park.

She was taken to Harlem hospital and pronounced dead at 12:27am.

She lived two blocks away from the horrific scene.

Simms was standing, holding on to a park bench, where she had been playing dominoes with her back turned to Lenox Avenue, close to the basketball courts when the shots rang out according to police.

Eyewitness told police a male in this 30's was running with a silver firearm wearing all back chasing a light skinned male, early 30's in a white tank top southbound along Lenox Avenue between 145 st Street towards 144th Street when he fired at the man he was chasing.
He missed the intended target and shot the woman.
Two hours later a man was shot 14 times and killed in a Brooklyn park while celebrating his son's 3rd birthday.


Sunday, August 21, 2016

Deliveryman Robbed At Upper Manhattan Park

Manhattan

A deliveryman was robbed by a group at an upper Manhattan park. 

The 32-year-old deliveryman was at Fort Washington Park and West 158th Street on Friday night at 11:45pm when he was approached by a group of teens. They punched and kicked him and demanded his bike and cell phone.

He was struck with a wooden stick.

The assailants fled on the victim's bike with his cell phone.

EMS transported the victim to a local hospital

-  By Geoffrey Croft
 





Thursday, August 18, 2016

Machete & Knife Attack In Queens Park - Victim In Critical Condition

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

A man was slashed by a machete and stabbed several times last night in a Jackson Heights park,  NYC Park Advocates has learned, the same park where a teen was brutally attacked in May.

The 21-year-old victim said he was walking through Travers Park when he was approached by three strange men and got into an argument.

One of the men pulled out a machete and slashed the victim in the head, and twice on the left arm and once in the right.

The victim was also stabbed four times in the lower back.

The incident occurred at 8:35 p.m. in the park near 77th Street and Northern Blvd.  within the confines of the 115pct.

Police said the victim is in critical but stable condition.

The victim is not cooperating with police at this point and no arrests have been made.

Travers Park is the location of a vicious attack in May where an 18-year-old Hispanic male playing basketball was attacked by 10 men in what police believed to be a gang related.

The victim was stabbed in the back and suffered a collapsed lung, multiple stab wounds, and swelling and bruising to the face.  He was also hit with a chain and slashed with a broken bottle above his right eye.

Read More:

18-Year Old Stabbed In Back Playing Basketball By Gang 
A Walk In The Park - May 12, 2016 - By Geoffrey Croft

Monday, August 8, 2016

Violent Crime In Parks Jump 23%



Violent Spaces.   Violent crime in city parks has increased twenty-three percent over the last nine months as compared to the previous nine months.  This is the first time comparative crime statistics for parks are available over a nine month period.  Statistically a violent crime is reported more than once a day in a New York City park.  

City-Wide

By Geoffrey Croft

Violent crime in parks have soared over the last nine months according to the latest figures complied by NYPD and analyzed by NYC Park Advocates.    

Violent crime increased twenty-three percent compared to the previous time period.

Although overall crime in parks rose 2.97 % during this reporting period violent crimes increased dramatically. 

Four hundred and seventeen people reported being the victims of violent crimes in city parks over the last nine months compared to three hundred and forty over the previous period, an increase of twenty-three percent.  

Over the last nine months 6 people were murdered, 14 were raped, 254 people were robbed, and 143 were victims of felony assaults. 

As a comparison 2 people were raped, 10 were murdered, 221 were robbed, and 107 were victims of felony assaults over the previous nine month period.  


Statistically a violent crime was reported 1.14 times a day according to the latest figures available.

The statistics cover an eighteen month period from July 1, 2014 through March 31, 2016, the latest park crime data released by the NYPD. 

This is the first time comparative crime stats for parks are available for a nine month period.  

The striking figures come from the latest crime data tracked by the NYPD under a 2014 law.    The NYPD is now compiling crime data from 1,155 park properties, up from just 31 parks police began tracking in 2008. 

The figures do not include Central Park which has its own police precinct. 

Park crime for the seven major crime categories jumped twenty-seven percent in the first quarter of 2016 alone - 108 vs. 85  during the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same period last year.  

Felony assaults during the first quarter 2016 more than doubled and grand larcenies nearly doubled.   Violent crime rose seventeen percent, 53 vs. 62  in the 1st quarter to 1st quarter comparison.  This data covers the periods January 1st - thru March 31, 2016.

The De Blasio administration has repeatedly sought to downplay crime in parks.

For years park safety advocates have called on the city to dramatically increase the number of park police but they have refused.

Twelve Month Data

Over the last year 9 people were murdered, 328 people were robbed, and 210 were victims of felony assaults. 

These statistics cover a twelve month period from July 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016, the latest park crime data released by the NYPD. 
























Source:  NYPD Crime Statistics - CompStat

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/analysis_and_planning/city-council-parks-report-1st-qtr-2016.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/nyc_park_crime_stats_q4_2015.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/nyc_park_crime_stats_q3_2015.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/nyc_park_crime_stats_q2_2015.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/nyc_park_crime_stats_q1_2015.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/nyc_park_crime_stats_q4_2014.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crime_statistics/nyc_park_crime_stats_q3_2014.pdf




Read/View More:

Metrofocus Thirteen PBS - August 19, 2016 - By Jack Ford

New York Post - August 12, 2016 - By Andrea Peyser

Queens Chronicle - August 18, 2016 - by Ryan Brady

Jewish Voice  NY - August 10, 2016 - Miriam Gold 

WNBC - August 9, 2016 - By Andrew Siff

Staten Island Advance - August 9, 2015 - By Mira Wassef 

WCBS - August 9, 2016 - By Emily Smith 

Metro NY - August 9, 2016 - JASON NUCKOLLS & KIMBERLY M. AQUILINA

Brooklyn Eagle - August 9, 2016 - By John Alexander


DNAinfo - By Ben Fractenberg August 9, 2016

Fox 5 - August 9, 2016 - By Liz Dehlem 

CBS - August 9, 2016 - By Marla Diamond

New York Post - August 8, 2016 - By Natalie Musumeci and Leonica Valentine

Wall Street Journal - August 8, 2016 - By Mark Morales

WPIX - August 8, 2016, By Christie Duffy

WABC - August 8, 2016 - By Mallory Hoff 

WNBC - August 8, 2016 












Saturday, August 6, 2016

Police Beef Up Patrols In Washington Square Park After "Open-Air Drug Den" Report

Crackheads, bums and hookers rule Washington Square Park
A man and two women appear to be smoking crack cocaine out of glass tubes in Washington Square Park. (Photo: Illustration by The New York Post)

Manhattan

The police stepped up patrols in Washington Square Park after a report depicting rampart drug use and homeless condictions was published that called out the police for allowing the "open-air drug den."

On Thursday the New York Post ran a article with photographs of apparent drug use and dealing
in broad daylight in the famed West Village park and called out the police for doing nothing about it.

A Parks Department worker admitted he and his colleagues didn’t like to clean the area because the vagrants openly smoke crack.

The paper said increased police presents began on Friday at 7:00am with a van driving around and two officers on foot were stationed in the northwest corner of the park — the spot where it was reported that about, "20 strung-out vagrants were seen the previous day dealing drugs and urinating on trees."

 “It’s looking like the ’80s lately,” said Martinez, 24. “If [cops] are not being told to do anything from higher up, they’re not going to do anything.”

With police watching  on Friday, Parks Department workers were able to safely clean up the druggies’ garbage.

The NYPD admitted receiving more complaints about that area of the park and a spokesman promised additional cops will be assigned.

But the junkies were unimpressed.

Two men approached a Post photographer Friday and began cursing in full view of the cops.

“I’ll beat your f–king a– if you take a picture of me,” one of the men said.

As the man continued to scream, the police walked away.

“You shouldn’t be here,” one vagrant told the photographer. “These cops won’t even be able to help you. Some of the guys here are really pissed off. You should leave. I’m just warning you.”

Later, a cop was overheard joking with the vagrants, saying, “I know everybody, I’ve been working here 14 years.”

Andres Vlez, 20, who works in the area, said,

“The hard drugs that are being used is really sad. I just think they need to do more about it. It’s definitely the cops’ responsibility.”


Apparent drug dealers make a transaction in Washington Square Park Thursday, then count their money (below). (Photo: David McGlynn)

Read More:

NYPD Increases Patrols At Washington Square Park To Crack Down On Drug Use
CBS - August 5, 2016 -  By Glenn Schuck

POLICE INCREASE PATROLS IN WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK, 
30 ARRESTED IN RECENT MONTHS
WABC - August 5, 2016 - By Jim Dolan

Cops finally take on Washington Square Park crackheads
New York Post - August 5, 2016 - By Matthew Allan, Abigail Gepner and Linda Massarella

Crackheads, bums and hookers rule Washington Square Park
New York Post - August 4, 2016 - By Matthew Allan and Bruce Golding

Friday, August 5, 2016

Evidence Search Continues In Death Of Jogger Raped & Strangled In Queens Park Nature Preserve
























Police cordon off the area near 161st Ave. and 78th St. in Howard Beach the morning after   the body of Karina Vetrano, 30, was found dead in the marshes of Spring Creek Park, less than a half a mile from her father's home.    Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates. (Click on images to enlarge)

Victom Karina Vetrano.   For decades area residents have complained about the invasive weeds that act as warrens for illegal activity in Spring Creek Park, which the government refused to address. On Tuesday the lack of attention to these basic park maintenance and security issues had deadly consequences.  

“We plan to chop down just about every weed in that area until we are satisfied that we got all the evidence.”  -  NYPD

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

The search continues for evidence in the horrific murder of Karina Vetrano, the thirty year-old woman found brutally murdered in Spring Creek Park in Howard Beech on Tuesday evening.

Ms. Vetrano went out for a jog around 5:00pm but did not come home. 

Her partially nude body was found hours later, near a homeless encampment, face down, her under garment around an ankle.  Grass was found clutched in her hand, a result of her being dragged in the struggle. 

She had been raped, strangled and beaten to death while out doing what she loved, running outdoors in nature. 

The NYPD's Crime Scene Unit vehicle near one of the entrances to Spring Creek Park where  Karina Vetrano was found murdured. 


After she failed to come home for two hours her father, Philip Vetrano reached out to a neighbor, an NYPD Assistant Chief who made a call to help. 

Police launched a massive search to find the missing woman. 

Her father who had been aiding the police in the search for his daughter discovered the lifeless body on a foot path.

 Police at the scene.



Since the discovery police have been frantically searching the area for clues.

Earlier today police found a sneaker and a pair of headphones that were missing. The sneaker was found about 100 feet from the body and a pair of headphones was found on the opposite side of the path from the body. 

Police believe the items may have been tossed by the killer due to the distance they were found. They say this may also point to a less sophisticated killer.

Authorities are also using technology to aid with the investigation.

A drone was brought in by the FBI from Quantico to help cover the area.

The city had deployed a helicopter with night vision and heat seeking capabilities to scan for any evidence including homeless encampments in the overgrown weeds.

A Leica A 3-D camera scanner has also been deployed to document the vicinity as part of the crime scene reconstruction.  Beginning from her home and the street where she lives, the devise is being used try to retrace her movements to the park with pictures.

The investing has not been limited to the park. Police have been combing the neighborhood for witness and leads, going door to door.  

So far no evidence has been found of the killer leaving through local streets on foot. 

Detectives are examining video from security cameras from nearby homes.

“There is a lot of digital evidence, home video, cameras that point at the street. We are collecting that,”  Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said at press briefing on Wednesday morning near the park.

“At 5:46 p.m., she ran past one of the homes there," he said. 

Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce addressing the media.


Police believe the killer entered the park area and left the same way but they are unclear that direction that was.

Authorities have been questioning sex offenders in the area.

Federal Park Police from the Gateway National Recreation Area, which has jurisdiction of the park have provided information on several persons issued summonses for vagrancy the park over at least the last six months.

The agency's severe lack of enforcement manpower needed to cover the thousands of acres has also been brought to light, along with the lack of funding for maintenance. 

For days heavy mowers have been used to cut the overgrowth in an effort to uncover clues.

“We plan to chop down just about every weed in that area until we are satisfied that we got all the evidence,” Chief Boyce said on Thursday.

For decades area residents have complained about the invasive weeds that act as warrens for illegal activity in Spring Creek Park,  as well as in many other park properties owned by both the City and Federal government which they refuse to address.

On Tuesday the lack of attention to these basic park maintenance and security issues had deadly consequences. 

























Federal Park Police from the Gateway National Recreation Area at the scene on Wednesday.

The wake for Vetrano was held today at the James Romanelli-Stephen Funeral Home in Ozone Park.

She was dressed in a high-neck black dress with her hair pulled back.

The funeral is scheduled for tomorrow at noon at St. Helen Church in Howard Beach — just blocks from where she was killed.


The normally quite upscale neighbored in Howard Bech.  Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates. (Click on images to enlarge)


Read/View More:

New York Post - August 5, 2016 - By Larry Celona, Shawn Cohen and Natalie Musumeci  

New York Post - August 6, 2016 - By Jennifer Bain and Laura Italiano

New York Times - August 5, 2016 - By Liz Robbins

New York Times - August 4, 2016 - By Corey Kilgannon and Nate Schweber 

A Walk In The Park - August 3, 2016 - By Geoffrey Croft