The crime map above is provided by SpotCrime.com in partnership with Talk of the Sound based on data obtained from the New Rochelle Police Department. You can sign up for free targeted daily alerts of crime in your area of New Rochelle here.
2012 has gotten off to rocky start for New Rochelle residents who have had to contend with marauding bands of youths on the streets and armed ninjas kicking down apartment doors as an undermanned New Rochelle Police force struggles to keep up with a recent crime wave that has left residents beaten, bloody and robbed of their possessions and cash.
With just 7 or 8 police officers on patrol in their squad cars on any given weekend evening, officers are having trouble keeping with an increasing number of assaults, robberies, burglaries and more. Robberies are up 100% from the same time last year which police note is still a small sample and may be more attributable to the weather more than anything else.
“Last year we were stuck in 30 inches of snow,” said Detective Captain Joseph Schaller. “This year the weather has been good and these things have a tremendous impact on criminal activity. If we’re snowbound, we’re all snow bound including the people trying to commit robberies.”
Last Friday evening at about 10 p.m., a group of 10-12 male/black suspects, ages 16-20, assaulted and robbed a teen on Bridge Street, near the New Rochelle train station behind the Chase Bank building. Scanner reports indicated that passengers coming off a Metro-North train in the same area were harassed by the group of youths. A few moments after the police took the report of the assault and robbery on Bridge Street, around 11:30 p.m., employees at the Domino’s Pizza at 435 North Avenue reported that a man, covered in blood, had entered the store saying he had been beaten and robbed.
On Saturday night two more robberies were reported. The first robbery was reported at 7:59 p.m. at 309 Main Street when a man tried to run out of the CVS store after being caught shoplifting. The second robbery was reported at 10:25 p.m.by a woman who told police she was attacked by four men in dark clothing after she got off a bus. She said she was knocked to the ground, punched and kicked. She said her cell phone and purse were stolen.
Later that evening, at 1:44 a.m. Monday a man was robbed in the lobby of a building on First Street. He told police $120 in cash was taken.
Another robbery took place yesterday on North Avenue and Lockwood. A 32-year old woman told police she was struck in the face by a while/male named “Joey” who stole $100 and a pair for glasses valued at $500. The man ran down Park Place and was later caught by police.
Talk of the Sound previously reported on several dramatic robberies including a home invasion at an apartment at 77 Center Avenue and the robbery to two Iona College students at 30 Eastchester Road.
UPDATE: We had tweeted an armed robbery on Mayflower near Holy Name but only recently posted the full story, Armed Robbery in New Rochelle on Mayflower near Holy Name Church. For reasons that are not clear, that robbery is not on our SpotCrime map.
NYS CrimeStoppers is now offering a $2,500 reward for the capture of one robber described as male/black, 5′ 10″, slim build, 175 – 200 pounds dressed in dark clothiers, wearing a black ski mask. The Journal News is reporting that police believe he may be linked to armed robberies in New Rochelle, Mamaroneck and Pelham.
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Violent Crimes in New Rochelle and the Mayor Remains Silent
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Armed Ninjas Carry Out Daring Home Invasion in Downtown New Rochelle
Daring Attempted Bank Robbery at Citibank in Downtown New Rochelle
Armed Robbery at Service Station in Downtown New Rochelle
Guilty Verdict in New Rochelle Home Invasion at Off-Campus Housing of Iona College Students
New Rochelle Police Chase Three, Capture One Suspect in North End Home Invasion
New Rochelle Resident Brutally Assaulted by Two Men Hiding in Bushes
Iona College Newspaper Fantasy
The Ionian has a story on the armed robbery at 30 Eastchester Road where one guy is quoting calling the incident a “freak accident” and the head of campus security states (falsely) that this was “an isolated incident with no similar incidents reported in the area surrounding the College.”
Just 17 days earlier, 3 college students (New Rochelle students on break from colleges outside of NewRo, not Iona student), were robbed at gun point a few blocks away, on Mayflower. There was another robbery on North Ave and Treno right near the college.
Students shaken up by Eastchester robbery
http://www.ioniannews.com/news/students-shaken-up-by-eastchester-robbery-1.2770971#.TzWMF1H6Dld
Not at All
Absolutely Not. The term “North Enders” is not a politically correct euphemism; it is related to geographic location and demographic standing. It has never been anything related towards religion. For years the city was and is known for its different sections. The North End was once anything North of Quaker Ridge Road. Then you had Wykagyl,Bon Air,Pain & The Girl Scout House, Forest Ave/High School area up to NRHS and Eastchester Rd. There are many more South, East and West End you can probable get more if you talk to some of the other longtime residents. I have probable left out several. No offence to those I left out.
Got it!
Referring to demographics, not religion, of particular neighborhoods. Makes sense.
Silly people…You are on your own now!
This is how it works, a police department loses about 15% of its staff due to attrition/transfers (yes, the grass is greener) and where do you think the cuts come from? You think that the cops with cushy inside jobs are gonna be forced to give them up…no way. The regular rank and file cops (you know, the ones you see driving around actually preventing crime) thats where. Which is why a midnight shift works with 7 or 8 cops instead of 12 or 13…the long and the short of it is that the public is on their own, the police of this city are going to respond after the fact and take a report and hopefully find the criminals later. Staffing simply does not allow for them to send out directed patrols to address robberies, etc.
Unrealiatic
Anyone who expects Noam to change after 20 years on New Rochelle City Council is naive. Anyone who expects Noam to change after 20 years on New Rochelle City Council is unrealistic. Anyone who HOPES Noam will change after 20 years on New Rochelle City Council is chasing the same windmills as the prophets who deny New Rochelle has a problem. Other than impractical expectations I agree with the problem is not that hard to solve if the administration has the balls to do what is necessary. As a longtime resident of West New Rochelle, I have one question; I know of only one building that has a lobby on or near 1st Street and that would be Garito Manor, better known as West End 2000 to those of us over 60. Bob, could you verify the address and whether or not this happened in Garito Manor? I ask because if it is Garito Manor, an assisted living facility for seniors, then this is the lowest of lows. Thugs robbing senior citizens and again IF SO Noam, Strome, Carroll and council have no excuse to do whatever is required to stop this in its tracks. Hire more police, initiate undercover units, get the county and or state police involved, whatever is necessary to stop street thugs from preying on seniors. Do we wait until women are attacked to respond in force? New Rochelle’s priorities have been screwed up for 20 years and we are now paying the price. A beautiful skyline at the expense of quality of life is too big a price to change. It’s time to tip the scales in the other direction NOW!
The first priority of government is to protect its citizens so DO IT NOW!
Unrealiatic
Anyone who expects Noam to change after 20 years on New Rochelle City Council is naive. Anyone who expects Noam to change after 20 years on New Rochelle City Council is unrealistic. Anyone who HOPES Noam will change after 20 years on New Rochelle City Council is chasing the same windmills as the prophets who deny New Rochelle has a problem. Other than impractical expectations I agree with the problem is not that hard to solve if the administration has the balls to do what is necessary. As a longtime resident of West New Rochelle, I have one question; I know of only one building that has a lobby on or near 1st Street and that would be Garito Manor, better known as West End 2000 to those of us over 60. Bob, could you verify the address and whether or not this happened in Garito Manor? I ask because if it is Garito Manor, an assisted living facility for seniors, then this is the lowest of lows. Thugs robbing senior citizens and again IF SO Noam, Strome, Carroll and council have no excuse to do whatever is required to stop this in its tracks. Hire more police, initiate undercover units, get the county and or state police involved, whatever is necessary to stop street thugs from preying on seniors. Do we wait until women are attacked to respond in force? New Rochelle’s priorities have been screwed up for 20 years and we are now paying the price. A beautiful skyline at the expense of quality of life is too big a price to change. It’s time to tip the scales in the other direction NOW!
The first priority of government is to protect its citizens so DO IT NOW!
Unrealistic So What
We always argue abuot the same point. I don’t know whether Noam will change or not. I hope he does. If you read what I said, he doesn’t, he is toast. Making him toast depends on council and people like you and I. you and complain about him as long as you like old timer, but sticks and stones will break bones but names will never harm. that is the gist of my thesis. note that i always try to produce a way out and i have.
thing is we agree on just about everything and your post above proves it. politics is what has poisoned our well for a couple of decades. i would like to see it changed.
i am anything but unrealistic. i have been through things and conditions that would lead you to think differently. i am sure you have as well and i do not call you unrealistic. that is like the Administraton’s “perception” a word that gets nobody nowhere.
so we act! when and how depends but it must come soon.
Your priorites are exactly mine… first duty is always to protect citizens, to provide essential services.
Lets do something novel here — lets agree to agree. There will always be small diffferences in form and substance, but if guys like us cannot bring an agreement, imperfect or otherwise, how can we expect others to comform.
Old Timer, like I told Knitter, I primarily rely on prayer and hope and then, if that doesn’t work more temporal needs. Both can work at the same time.
In closing I am going to repeat over and over again to readers that it is the fault of the City Council period. We have a seven member council, one for each district and a council man at large who has the duty of running the council meeting. he also has the additional job of ceremonial mayor. we do not have a strong mayor and so i continue to go after the council to do their job and make that right. I am the only one that does. this topic apparently frightens the vinegar out of majority, minority, citizens, county politicians, state politicians, and league of woman voters.
but like you I am an old timer. maybe you can read the City Code Articles X-XII and set me straight. maybe you or someone who has been around the city for a spell can locate the Referendum wording that was offered to the voters a decade or so earlier so we can compare this defeated referendum to current performance. Bet it doesn’ happen
finally notice Obama taking a backstep on his ill fated big government step that troubles people on separation of church and state? i don’t want to deny Catholics (I am one) of birth control, hell it is said that 98% of us practice it anyway despite theological teachings. But this knucklehead made it into an unnecessary issue and now will backtrack. that is the weakness of the young politician especially an ideologue from either side and, so this is what infests Noam for the most part.
So, we can piss and moan about him or we can pray, act, and try to convince our council members to stand up and be independent. crime downtown is analogous to the Constitution issue. Safety of the citizen is paramount and a duty of elected officials and is not something sluffed off as “perception” or allocated to the poor precincts of the City. Cox has provided factual data on growth and impact.
Hope this helps explain why I take the positions I do. I really hope he changes and sees the way and the path. I dont’ know if he will.
thanks as always
Leopard can’t change his spots
Against my better judgment and a previous statement I hit reply. At the end of the day a Leopard cannot change his spots. I did not argue with you I stated my opinion, which admittedly, is contrary to yours. You took offense so I guess this is an argument. The people in change of this city for the last 20 years are the ones responsible for where we find ourselves today. That said the fact is that the democrats were the controlling party over that time. Noam has participated over that period of time and by your own admission is attempting to be a full time mayor in violation of the charter. While you cite the charter I too have knowledge as other mayoral duties include representing the city in governmental matters, delivering a state of the city speech and, heaven help us, take control of NRPD in emergency if the council so decides. That knowledge is useless in that it is dishonored! And who dishonors it? NOAM!
I believe you have a good heart and pray daily but all your praying and hoping will not change Noam’s spots! Why was it necessary to bring your hope for Noam into your original post? It appears you go out of your way to defend, deflect and or minimize Noam’s duties, responsibilities and most importantly accountability.
It’s interesting that you choose to challenge me instead of being outraged at the possibility of punks preying on seniors. Let’s focus on the problems.
no offense no argument.
no offense, no argument. justwant people to concentrate on what you already know. you have read the Code/Charter and that is clear. Old Timer, tell me your view as to why, why, why so many people simply pass that by as if it means nothing. If means something, If is our rule of law period. Let me ask you one thing only. Forget Noam, say the mayor is Tim Idoni and you are a councilman from district 2. Would you simply yet Tim assume the duties of a strong mayor without raising Cain? This is my point. I am flummoxed that everyone does including St Paul last year who is no shrinking violet. I would bet my SSR payment that if people, especially the Council Members stood up and said no, this is not our rule of law, things would be a lot better than they are.
we get the government we deserve and that is all of us unless we fight the inescapable fact that our Charter is not followed so things happen down these parts that should not happen because our council and all of us have allowed it to happen because we concentrate on the person and not the system.
Until we do, we get what we deserve. I notice that unlike some other posts like the death of that poor child, TOTS does not get much in the way of written traffic on this. I notice further that bob cox is correct in that many people read this blog. So, Old Timer, what is your conclusion?
I admire you because you are prepared and you make sense and step forward. That said, I am going to take a nap and wait for Sussman, Adam the 50K man, some of the regulars, John D who makes sense on all matters, and…. surprise me.But dammit people acknowledge it, dispute it, or take your medicine.
Idoni’s the one
Idoni is the one who made the position of mayor what it is, a totally politically motivated and driven position. St. Paul or any other councilman in the minority could shout as loud as they want it would result in a defeated party line vote. It’s like shoveling sand against the tide. Twice strong mayor was put before the voters and twice it was defeated. What was interesting was that the politics was blatant and the electorate saw through it. Let me explain. The first strong mayor go round the dems opposed strong mayor as they feared Maisano would be elected strong mayor and the second go round the dems supported strong mayor as Idoni had become entrenched. Being fair, the GOP also flip-flopped on their stance because of who would be the strong mayor supporting the first strong mayor vote expecting a Miasano win and opposing the second strong mayor vote to prevent Idoni from becoming strong mayor. Personally, I would support the strong mayor form of government for one reason, that being, I want the opportunity to vote for the person who is responsible to run New Rochelle. I don’t want an elected official making that determination for me.
The Charter Review Commission supports a City Manager style government as they claim a “professional” runs the city and prevents cronyism. The current city manager system proves the opposite. We do have a “professional” city manager but as far as cronyism goes, read TOTS. Idoni appointed Procopio and Noam didn’t have the courage to terminate him when he falsely claimed STAR and Combat Veteran tax exemptions he did not qualify for. Then Noam & Strome threw the assessor under the bus allowing him to determine it was an “honest mistake’ and Procopio didn’t make full restitution. Finally, Noam changed the appointment/termination of the Civil Service Commissioner (Procopio) from the mayor’s duties to that of the city manager. Isn’t it queer how Noam doesn’t have the courage to terminate Procopio but has the balls to terminate firefighters multiple times? Sorry Warren but it is what it is. Procopio has gotten many friends & supporters hired with a nod and a wink, lacking required qualifications, some who Cox has exposed here on TOTS who ended in termination and or prosecution.
I too will take a breath and allow others, much more qualified then myself, as Warren noted to weigh in.
brilliant work
old timer i will buy you a bottle of jack daniels if you locate a copy of the actual referendu. bob cox will know how to get it to me.
you on also supporting something i have felt for a while. there is no reason for a minority party to stand for how things are run in the City via the Charter unless they think that the upcoming election will be in their favor and they don;t want to be stuck in the role of ceremonial mayor. you see how selfish and stupid politicians can be.
lets see the referendum and compare it to how the job is being done. if it is essentially the same, chuck has to go period. mayor becomes city manager like bloomburg is city manager. he works full time.
lets stop sitting around like victims, thinking nothing changes, and make things happen.i want a full complement of police and fire with no exceptions.
you did real good. and thanks. warren
Timely and Needed
I am distressed at the loss of focus and denial of data on the part of the Administration concerning a clear upswing in criminal activity. The current denial is phrased as a question of “perception.” Stripped of all esoteric meaning, politicians use the word, “perception” to embrace their own defensiveness; in this case, a subjective denial of fact that things are worsening even as we speak. My wife will not go downtown and she deals with hardened ex cons in her job on a daily basis. I am hesitant to attend community meetings as a service disability has stripped me of a drivers license. Tonight I will take a round trip cab ride to meet a commitment.
The map pinpoints recent activity and were this activity clusterd around Wykygl or Pinebrook, you would not hear the work, “perception.” It would be stronger — similar to the old bromide that a Conservative is a Liberal who has been mugged.”
So, where is this “oneness, this one City theme we see printed in the Journal News and elsewhere? It is non-existent. You have to put the onus on the City Council — the 7 member Council consisting of a Ceremonial Mayor who runs the Council meetings as well as the six members who are in a position to set policy and oversight. Why isn’t this happening? There must be either a shared perception or a lack of managerial courage as Hornstein of Columbia would phrase it.
Look, this town is pathologically liberal in outlook and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I can name great liberal leaning leaders who would not go through data denial as we do and resolve to fix the issue. Times have radically, repeat radically changed; the world is in an upheaval and people are clamoring for justice. In our nation, the so called or thought of provincial blue and red dogs are making things happen. Obama is still trying to test out and implement his brand of progressive socialism. New Rochelle is not doing that, but Obama and our Government are both fundamentally flawed by not recognizing the need for a new paradigm to accommodate a changing worl.
The intrusion on church and state will work itself out in the next few weeks although you question Obama and his advisors for allowing this risk to happen in the first place.
But, will New Rochelle still linger over its dinosaurs…. Klugman, Korn, etc. know very little about how the world is morphing or else they would jump up and push Noam in the direction that would sustain him and perhaps even give him a political future. Based on current events, he has none! He could stop being Don Quixote and cease tilting at the windmill of denying the painfully clear relations between a city that “gets it” and commits to turning around, as opposed to one that manipulates so called “community involvement” by defining and describing who plays and what the rules of the game really are. They are frankly, unsubtantial and flat on off the mark on adding value to a budget and development plan. He could start by changing his advisory base and downplay his associate, Sancho Panza, and put him to handling bicycling paths and not serious issues.
The issue of financial management and budget leads to the second point. How in the name of common sense can the Council accept the fact that “we have no money?” Yes you do, you simply are unfocused on where to look and how to balance the priorities of rescuing the City which is on the precipice of falling into a deep pit of offal. Try a new tact —get away from the first providers; in fact build both up to minimally prior levels given the simple points that: (1)the need for them is growing based on both crime rates and (2) new high rise apartments. Talk turkey to the union heads and indicate that, along with other City contracts, you can expect strict negotiations on benefits, pensions, overtime, and what is mandate in Albany will be challenged by a consortium of communities dedicated to that end and we will see to that. And, regrettably dismiss a significant number of exempt managers and supervisors to make up the shortfall. Or, maybe the City Manager if the Ceremonial Mayor continues to act as a Strong Mayor. But, the former for sure as well as Consultants for present state like De Bart whose value is questionable, and anyone dedicated to intermediate or longer range assignments which need to be suspended for now.
Council, give yourselves a raise if needed and work more hours (exempt the Council Chair). Take your duties seriously even recognizing this is not your full time job. Go offsite and learn business policy and how to develop policy and oversight.
Here is how an executive in industry would do it. “Pat, we need a mini police precinct down on Main Street. We will provide you with the facility. We will provide you with the signage. By March 15 I want a plan that is essentially cost neutral to transfer some uniformed clerical or IT functions to that locations. We would like to see a dispatcher as well and a plan for both patrol cars and walking patrolment to drop by and report; the latter by radio. In sum, we want to show a face to the community. There is no give on this but additional ideas on improving safety and community acceptance would we welcome.”
What the Council doesm’t take into consideration are matters of executive risk management. For example, Council talks of building a commercial small business base and prior a residential base ostensibly for higher net worth people. It has done zilch, literally nothing to support that over the years even though several council members are business men.
But, I began on risk. Turn the equation now toward the potential investor — a business moving in or a new resident to occupy a high rise like Trump or Avalon. Why the hell would they consider a City in decay? It doesn’t take much to see the growing crime threat. It doesn’t take more than a walk downtown to see the panhandlers, the youth clusters on the corners, the dirt, decay, the store front non revenue generating facilities. It takes nothing to see the parking difficulties, the lack of policity, etc….. now being a sophisticated potential investor, look at the lack of City involvement and responsibility in the school district. Check its results trending back 5 to 10 years. Now talk to business owners and see what level of useful support they get from BID or the Chamber. Listen to what they hear about lease renewals and the City’s unwillingness to vigorously investigate zoning. And, cap it off with the curious standard set by WVOX who look at dissent as not supporting the City so sign a hold harmless type clause and you can continue on the air.
Spend some time in Mamaroneck and see that their demographics are similar to ours and see what they are doing and have done to attract business and residents. It is commendable.
Citizens have a responsibility. The north enders are largely apathetic, even angry at the suggestion of change or the city being ill run. So they will rationalize, cluck their collective tongues, say Ward and Davis, etc. are wonderful, great faculty and then shop in Eastchester or White Plains and eat in Scarsdale or Bronxville. The rest will carp and complain through this site and meet in neighborhood associations, reminisce about old times, and rail at the abatements, Noam as the second coming of Beelzebub and little more.
Me too! I have an epiphany though and it is either change or leave. I prefer the former. This city is worth fighting for. Noam will change or literally perish as a force. It is inevitable. Obama will change and tune into the citizens, and professionally, Simpson-Bowles or he will perish and alas, he is not quite up to Al Green’s job as a gospel or soul singer.
It is up to the City Council. Commit to one term and one term only and think for God’s sake. Stop rationalizing, romanticizing, put yourselves in the place of the youngster who was almost beaten to death. How about the woman who was punched and relieved of her cell phone?
I want my wife to walk home safely from the Station. I want my police officers to be fully supported and manned. I want the fire fighters to be fully supported and manned. I want Retrofit to fight on level terms with an out of town giant and the same for Almarc. I want to see clergyman get up and out and work the family angle. I want the Armory to serve a purpose for veterans and for youngsters.
Don’t tell me there is no money! There is dammit. Don’t tell me that there is not a growing crime issue! There is dammit! And, don’t tell me that leaders and people of good will cannot solve this problem. We can… I can ….. you can…. dinosaurs cannot, they are extinct.
North Enders
Is “North Enders” the politically correct euphemism for members of a certain religious persuasion here in New Rochelle?