NEW ROCHELLE, NY — At the April 9th City Council meeting during the Citizen’s to be Heard public comment period, Council Members were informed by the of the local police union of gun incidents and other Part 2 crimes that are not counted when a city is named “Top 5” among America’s safest cities.
My name is Ray Andolina, 475 North Ave, New Rochelle. I proudly serve as the President of the Police Association of New Rochelle.
Good evening Mr. Mayor, Mr. City Manager, Council members, Distinguished Veterans and citizens of New Rochelle.
I am here tonight; once again, to express our continued and increasing concern regarding the safety of our members, the safety of the public, and the apparent unwillingness of the city to negotiate a fair collective bargaining agreement.
Since I addressed this council last month, another police officer has left our ranks. We are now down 41 PO since 2010 and are expecting to lose an additional five officers by year’s end.
We thought we would share some incidents that have taken place in the last month that you and our citizens may not be aware of:
March 15, 9:06PM – Officers responded to the area of Anderson St on a report of a man with a gun in his waistband. Officers arrived on scene and found suspect, fitting the description, with a BB gun and Drugs. Subject Arrested.
March 22, 11:12AM – A New Rochelle Parks & Rec employee found a handgun wrapped in a rubber glove by Beechmont Lake. The handgun was sent for ballistic testing.
March 22, 2:28AM – Officers responded to Main St & Division St on a report of a robbery at gunpoint. It was later learned that the robbery occurred IFO 200 Centre Ave. Suspect at Large.
March 27, 2:10PM – IFO police HQ, Robbery of a cell phone via gunpoint and knives. The victim was jumped by at least 4 suspects but was able to flee towards police HQ, while being pursued by one of the suspects, gun in hand. The suspect who was chasing the victim literally ran over an innocent woman who was just walking down the street. This incident resulted in the arrest of two suspects, the recovery of two .22 cal handguns and 1 knife.
March 27, 4:28PM – 345 Main St, Officers responded to a report of shots fired, two male suspects were described. At the time, the response to this incident tied up 11 officers. Investigation Continuing.
March 29, 10:39PM – Officers responded to 266 Pelham Rd on a report of a man, possibly intoxicated, with a gun. Found was a BB rifle and a BB handgun.
March 31, 11:09AM – Officers responded to 105 Lincoln Ave on a report of a possible past shots fired. Upon their arrival, officers were told by the resident that a few days earlier, she heard a loud bang while she was inside her home but never ascertained the origin. The resident called the police when her husband noticed that their living room window had been damaged with what appeared to be a bullet hole. Further examination revealed a bullet stuck between the two panes of the living room glass.
April 4, 7:00PM – Officers responded to the area of Glenwood Ave & Lakeside Drive on reports of gunshots. Officers interviewed several witnesses who heard the shots and then heard a vehicle leave the area.
The bottom line is that events like these and other Part 2 crimes are not counted when a city is named a “Top 5” or “Top 10” of America’s safest cities.
Our members are doing the best job possible to keep the public safe as well as trying to keep each other safe. Doing so, however, is becoming increasingly difficult and disheartening without the support we need and deserve from the City.
Again, we are requesting that the city hire above the budgeted number of Police Officers for next police academy class tentatively scheduled for August. We are also asking, once again, that negotiations be re-opened with the goal of coming to a fair, long term collective bargaining agreement.
Thank You.
Crime figures are often suppressed by misreporting them or labeling them “miscellaneous investigations”, as was the case with the recent “Mad Bomber” incidents.
Recent Gun Incidents Not Reported in “Safest City” Claims
You can’t be one of the “Safest Cities” if you report the crime.
There are instances that
There are instances that crime is not reported to authorities because victims are afraid of their safety
Crazy.
This is crazy. Ive heard of ridiculous things happening in new rochelle lately. I think the cops should start with the high school! Theres tons of students that sell and smoke weed/cigarettes during SCHOOL HOURS! Its ridiculous and supposedly the cameras work right? I was told not to long ago someone was beat up by the church by the high school.. Its ridiculous. Supposedly this is a “great” city.. I say BS