56 Gang Members Arrested In Amersfort Park - Gun Recovered

Brooklyn

Dozens of suspected gang members were arrested in a Brooklyn park by an army of cops after several of the thugs went viral to spread word of a meeting, the Daily News has learned.

A group of reputed Crips members used Twitter and other social networking sites to arrange what they called a "Crips Holiday" at Amersfort Park in East Flatbush on Wednesday, said a police source.

Acting on a tip, cops from the NYPD's Gang Unit, along with officers from the 63rd Precinct, the borough task force and the Emergency Service Unit, arrived at the park near Avenue J and E. 38th St. about 7:30 p.m., police said.

They ordered the crowd, who were mostly dressed in the distinct blue colors of the gang, to disperse from the park. When they refused, cops moved in and rounded up 56 of the gang-bangers, a police source said.

A 9-mm. Taurus pistol was later recovered inside the park, cops said.

"We don't know exactly what their intentions were," said one law enforcement source with knowledge of the arrests. "But a gun was recovered. The potential for danger was there."

As first reported by The News this month, the NYPD recently established a new Juvenile Justice Unit, which monitors social media websites for gang activity.

It's not clear if that unit had a role in the recent arrests.

Read More:

Gang members busted after using Twitter, other social networking sites to arrange 'Crips Holiday'

New York Daily News - August 25, 2011 - By John Doyle

NYPD Arrest 16 In Owls Head Park For Gang Related Activity

A Walk In The Park - February 26, 2011

Police In Brooklyn Step Up Patrols At Owls Head & Leif Ericson Park

A Walk In The Park - June 23, 2010

City Finally Looking Into Cause Of Multiple Tree Deaths In Washington Sq. Park

Dying Tree - Washington Sq. North. Thanks to the Washington Square Park Blog who has written extensively about the issue, the city has finally agreed to look into the cause of multiple trees that have died since the park's controversial renovation. The park was redesigned by unlicensed Parks Department landscape architect - and real estate agent - George Vellonakis. Mr. Vellonakis has since gotten his landscape license. (Photos By Cathryn Swan)

Manhattan

GREENWICH VILLAGE — Trees in Washington Square Park have been mysteriously dying ever since the famed greenspace was redesigned — and some nature lovers are trying to get to the bottom of the problem, according to DNAinfo.

Eight trees have died in Washington Square Park since May 2009 — all Zelkovas, a type of elm — near the park's fountain, a Parks Department official said Tuesday. Four have already been removed and four others have been identified as dead or dying.

"We have experienced a series of failed plantings for the Zelkova trees in the area around Washington Square Park’s plaza," a Parks spokesman said. "We are investigating potential causes of why trees are not surviving here and will conduct soil tests, examine the drainage and determine if there is a problem with this particular species."

Reconstruction of the park's fountain and plaza began in December 2007 and concluded in May 2009, according to the agency.

Northern end of the park. "With all the talk about “MillionTreesNYC” in our city, as one blogger on the Washington Square Park Blog wrote, it’s really “OneMillionDeadTrees”. Another p.r. ruse put forth by our Mayor — the plan lacks any built-in initiative to maintain the “million” trees planted on neighborhood streets."

The redesign of Washington Square Park began in 2007 and eliminated dozens of trees more than 40 years old. A lawsuit was unsuccessful in preventing this destruction.

The trees that died were planted during the rehab efforts, which moved the fountain about 20 feet to the east so that it would align with the arch. Dozens of older trees were removed in the process.

One expert, Bronx-based arborist Ralph Padilla, 50, said he thought the Zelkova trees — which a Parks Department official said have a history of success in the city — had been planted incorrectly.

"It seems pretty obvious that this is an instance of a tree being planted too deeply," he said after looking at photographs. "Even though tree roots are underground, they need oxygen to survive. If they're too low into the ground, they will suffocate."

Padilla, who has cared for city trees for more than 20 years, said the Zelkova trees in the park that are already dying don't have much of a chance of survival.

"If the canopy is green, it has a good chance. But if the leaves are all wilted, there's no coming back. It's too far gone," he said.

Four trees that have been removed were replaced for free by the contractor who planted them, according to a Parks Department official. The other four trees need to be replaced by the city for approximately $1,500 each.

Cathryn Swan, who has tracked the park's trees on Washington Square Park Blog for more than three years, said multiple experts have told her the trees are dying because of inadequate drainage or having been planted too deep.

Swan, a Brooklyn resident who started her blog when she heard that the park's redesign would chop down trees more than 40 years old, said she thinks political issues are the real problem in the park, though.

"Every business and city agency has its own level of politics, and this problem is due to internal politics," she said. "People don't want to upset the designer, and so they're not speaking out."

Longtime architect and real estate agent George Vellonakis, who oversaw the park's redesign, did not respond to requests for comment.

The Washington Square Park tree battle has deep roots. A group called the Emergency Coalition to Save Washington Square Park lost a 2007 lawsuit to stop the extensive reconstruction plans that resulted in the cutting down of about 32 trees.

August 16, 2011. The eighth tree around the fountain in two years that is now dying according to Washington Square Park Blog.

Read More:

City Getting to Root of Washington Square Park Tree Deaths

DNAinfo - August 25, 2011 - By Andrea Swalec

How to Prevent Additional Trees at Washington Square Park from Dying? — Questions Abound

Washington Square Park Blog - August 23, 2011 - By Cathryn Swan

How Many Trees Around the Washington Square Fountain Must Die Before Suffocating Design is Corrected?

Washington Square Park Blog - August 18, 2011 - By Cathryn Swan

Eighth Tree In Two Years Now Dying Around the Fountain

Washington Square Park Blog - August 17, 2011 - By Cathryn Swan

Part I: Why Do the Newly Planted Trees Around the Washington Square Fountain Keep Dying?

Washington Square Park Blog - July 11, 2011 - By Cathryn Swan

Part II – Arborcidal Design For Fountain Trees at Washington Square. Will City’s Parks Department Address This At Last?

Washington Square Park Blog - July 15, 2011 - By Cathryn Swan

Two of Seven Newly Planted Trees Surrounding the Washington Square Park Fountain Have Died — Is the Cause the Design?

Washington Square Park Blog - December 10th, 2009 - By Cathryn Swan

Parks Department Pledges To Deploy More Patrols At Night In Up Town Parks After Spike in Crime

Manhattan

The 34th PCT's new commanding officer Barry Buzzetti is on his 7th day at the helm and told residents new vehicle units with computers and maps and more police officers will be on the streets from now on, according to WPIX News.

Officers will be transferred from tourist areas in the city to patrol the uptown neighborhood during the day and at critical times according to Deputy Inspector Buzzetti.

Police are also working closely with the NYC Parks Department to deploy more patrols in parks at night and requesting auxiliary police officers to be used in the area as well. He also asked residents continue to be vigilant saying "we need true collaboration".

"I actually want to see it done, maybe in a month, two three months when things calm down, if I see a better result, then I will feel better," Gerard Urciuoli, an Inwood resident said.

A self defense class hosted by the Guardian Angels is scheduled for Thursday, September 1 from 6:45-8:45PM at Northeast Academy.

Read/View More:

WPIX - August 24, 2011- By Lolita Lopez

Sword-Wielding Man Arrested In Clove Lakes Park

Staten Island

A sword-wielding lunatic was collared after he was spotted in Clove Lakes Park in West Brighton, authorities said, according to the New York Post.

Dylan Vok, 28, was seen waving the 4-foot blade at Martling and Slosson avenues at 9:20 a.m. Monday, court papers state.

Vok, who was arrested in May for allegedly vandalizing 10 cars with a skateboard, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a knife.

NYPD Daily Blotter

New York Post - August 24, 2011 - By Doug Auer, Jessica Simeone, Kirstan Conley & Jamie Schram

Two Men Wanted In String of Robberies Near Morningside Park

The two suspects sought by police for multiple robberies around Morningside Park can be seen walking by park benches in the video released by police.

Manhattan

Police are looking for two men wanted for a string of broad daylight robberies near Morningside Park, according to DNAinfo.

The suspects — one who threatened and robbed the victims while the other acted as a lookout — struck four separate times around the park beginning Aug. 12, according to police.

In the last incident, on Aug. 21, one suspect, wielding a knife, stole money and a cell phone from a 23-year-old man at Morningside Drive and 116th Street about 2 p.m., police said.

The duo also allegedly stole three other cellphones and an iPod during the spree. In one other case, they simulated a knife, police said.

The first suspect is described as a man between 16-25 years old, 5-feet-7 to 6-feet-1 and between 160 and 190 pounds.

The second is described as 18-21 years old, between 5-feet-7 and 5-feet-11 and between 160 and 170 pounds.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477), submit tips to Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by text tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.

Read/View More:

Duo Robs Four in Broad Daylight Near Morningside Park, Police Say

DNAinfo - August 24, 2011 - By Ben Fractenberg

Mother Robbed, Punched In The Face In Fort Tryon Park Incedent

Manhattan

A heartless crook was nabbed after he robbed a mother in front of her two young children as they strolled outside an Inwood park., according to the New York Daily News.

Ishmael Velez, 40, walked up to a 33-year-old woman as she pushed a carriage near the park at Broadway near Dongan Place, just inside Fort Tryon Park about 1:30 p.m. yesterday. Without saying a word, he slugged the woman in the face and he snatched her purse, then fled, said police.

A witness to the attack came to the woman's aide and called police.

Cops nabbed Velez a few blocks away on Dyckman Street near Nagle Avenue about a half hour later, police said. He was still carrying the stolen purse when they nabbed him, said cops.

The woman was not seriously hurt.

Velez was charged with robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

New York Daily News - August 24, 2011 - By John Doyle

Man Murdered In Rosewood Playground - Shot Twice

Bronx

A male black was murdered in a Bronx playground on Sunday night. The victim was shot once in the head and once in the chest in Rosewood Playground in Bronx Park at approximately

7:23 p.m. according to police. The victim died at the scene.

According to the New York Post the incident happened when a fight broke out after a barbecue in Rosewood Playground.

No arrests have been made.

The NYPD were unable ID the victim and no other information was available at this time.

- Geoffrey Croft