After three shootings in Manhattan Valley this year, versus two for all of last year, police plan to focus special attention on the area, says Captain Marlon Larin, the 24th precinct’s commanding officer.
Larin said in an interview that the 24th will respond more aggressively to situations in the area that could lead to violence. “If someone calls 311 to report a group of kids drinking, we have to react to it like it’s a 911 call. We have to avoid disputes over nonsense.”
The latest dispute that erupted into more serious violence occurred on Sunday around 2 p.m. when two brothers got into a fight with two other men (who were cousins) on 110th street between Amsterdam and Columbus. The men were in a fistfight when one of the brothers pulled out a gun and shot one of his opponents in the leg, Larin said. Some readers have pointed out that this block is known for drug-dealing, but Larin said none of the men appear to have a drug history or much contact with police, beyond minor crimes or marijuana possession. The four men all live in the area. Police are ready to arrest the shooter, but had not done so as of this afternoon.
Larin said that the two other shootings this year, which we’ve reported on before, do not appear to be connected to this most recent one. Nonetheless, he does think the shooting violence has escalated this year, and police need to gather more information on potential problem areas before they erupt. That means developing informants.
As for whether the version of stop-and-frisk employed under Mayor Bloomberg could help the situation, Larin said “that’s not the way we do it anymore.” He said that officers can still search possible suspects, but need more detailed information before doing so. In the past, police could stop and frisk people based on a more vague description like “a man in a white shirt.” Under the new policy, “we would need a good witness.” Larin said he agrees with the new policy, and believes police can stop violence before it starts by working with informants, getting tips from the community, and other tactics.
One community policing program being tested in Washington Heights has beat officers patrol the same area every day and get to know business owners and community members so they could get more tips: “we’re not getting enough tips and information from the community,” says Larin.
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i applaud the effort in Washington Heights to test beat cops. I’ve wanted to see this for a long time. I also hope that in addition to “getting tips,” they will come to know community residents, especially the youth, well enough to develop trust and credibility so that they can influence decisions toward good citizenship rather than crime. In fact, that same trust and credibility is the only way they’ll get real “tips.”
I really like Captain Larin, he is responsive and clearly cares, but what he is suggesting is very much inconsistent with what the City Council and mayor are trying to accomplish.
Example: Larin says, “if someone calls 311 to report a group of kids drinking, we have to react to it like it’s a 911 call. We have to avoid disputes over nonsense.” That is all well and good, but the City Council is pushing a bill that would essentially leave this sort of behavior alone and unchecked – so a bunch of kids drinking, hanging around harrassing people, whatever, is not something the police should bother with because it disproportionately impacts minorities. What does Captain Larin have to say about this? Does he agree with the City Council, or will his officers more aggressively confront trouble makers who seem to be shooting at each other with increasing frequency in the West 100s?
My own judgment is despite what Captain Larin says, the police are generally going to take a “hands off” approach to general disorder being caused by youthful trouble makers. The implication is over time the West 90s and low-100s will probably be totally lost from a quality of life perspective, and you can already see the trendline (more shootings, more unoccupied storefronts, more panhanlders along Broadway, etc.). Too bad.
What the current administration and city council are proposing is to lower the standards across the board to appease the constituency who elected them, even if that means general myhem and lawlessness for the rest of us. This is their “solution” to the inequality problem in the city.
i don’t think the decriminalization of quality of life crimes, much discussed recently, is coming from the “administration.” I believe it is a City Council initiative and the Mayor had not weighed in, though Bratton has expressed concerns about it.
I am a fan of Captain Larin. But he can only do so much while his hands are tied by a Mayor and City Council who have turned back the clock. By throwing out Broken Window and Stop & Frisk, and their general non-support for the NYPD, they have successfully created an atmosphere in which criminals can operate with impunity. I and many others have been quite vocal in our concern about the continuing decline of the west 90s and 100s. And while I believe the area can still be saved, it will take a lot more noise from those who care to convince our elected officials to take action. We deserve better than this.
The West 90’s and 100’s have been in decline for decades and decades. So this is nothing new but hope one day in our lifetime something more will be done. In fact the 90’s and 100’s are much better than they ever were in decades.
I remember when shootings in Manhattan Valley were regular occurrence in the late 80s. At the time I lived on W. 82nd St. But when I moved to 96th & Broadway in 1995, the whole area north of 86th was on the upswing, with young people and families moving into the new rentals and condos along Broadway and Columbus Avenue. Amsterdam Ave even was on its way to becoming a mini Restaurant Row! But around 2012 the area went into rapid decline, with aggressive panhandlers, filthier streets, crazy people acting out, sidewalk sleepers, car break-ins, open-air drug dealing etc. Then the gang war shootings started between the projects on Columbus Avenue, and now random shootings and muggings seem to be the norm. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old, and am very wary these days about taking them into the Parks or on certain blocks with all of this going on. That said, I still hold out hope that the area can be saved.
I hear you Paul RL! I grew up in the 90’s on Columbus Ave. in the late sixties, til late mid to late seventies before my family moving to 90’s and West End Ave. It wasn’t the safest by no means but I became very street smart, very quickly. The thing is, everyone on our block and the couple blocks surrounding us looked out for one another. I don’t see that happening anymore. Shame.
I disagree. I think that, although affable and well-meaning, CO Larin just isn’t up to the job. All he does is whine that there aren’t enough offices to handle the problems. That is a non-solution. Maybe there are enough cops and he just doesn’t know what he’s doing to make them effective. Manhattan Valley is in crisis and if he can’t solve the problem, it’s time for a new commanding officer who will step up to the plate. This is no time for placing the blame on other things. Do the job or get out of the way.
I’ve posted this before. it is a misunderstanding that NYPD no longer conducts “Stop and frisk” activities. They now conduct S&F based on constitutional guidelines and no longer conduct s&F based on racial profiling.
the article below links to the NYPD memo stating the new guidelines. I have excerpted some of the relevant portions below.
https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150304/midtown/read-memo-see-how-stop-and-frisk-rules-changed-under-new-nypd-edict
from the memo:
2) WHEN MAY A STOP BE CONDUCTED?
IN ORDER TO CONDUCT A STOP, AN OFFICER MUST HAVE INDIVIDUALIZED, REASONABLE SUSPICION THAT THE PERSON STOPPED HAS COMMITTED, IS COMMITTING, OR IS ABOUT TO COMMIT A FELONY OR PENAL LAW MISDEMEANOR. IN ADDITION, THE OFFICER MUST BE ABLE TO ARTICULATE FACTS ESTABLISHING A MINIMAL LEVEL OF OBJECTIVE JUSTIFICATION FOR MAKING THE STOP, WHICH MEANS MORE THAN A MERE SUSPICION OR A HUNCH. “FURTIVE MOVEMENTS” OR MERE PRESENCE IN A “HIGH CRIME AREA,” STANDING ALONE, ARE INSUFFICIENT BASES FOR A STOP OR A FRISK. MOREOVER, EVEN WHEN USED IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER STOP FACTORS, THE STOPPING OFFICER MUST BE ABLE TO SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBE THE SUSPICIOUS NATURE OF THE “FURTIVE MOVEMENTS” THAT HE OR SHE OBSERVED, AND HE OR SHE MUST NOT DEFINE THE “HIGH-CRIME AREA” TOO BROADLY, SUCH AS ENCOMPASSING AN ENTIRE PRECINCT OR BOROUGH. IN ADDITION, A PERSON MAY NOT BE STOPPED MERELY BECAUSE HE OR SHE MATCHES A GENERALIZED DESCRIPTION OF A CRIME SUSPECT, SUCH AS AN 18 TO 25-YEAR-OLD BLACK MALE; IF A PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION IS THE ONLY FACTOR RELIED ON BY THE STOPPING OFFICER, IT MUST BE MORE SPECIFIC THAN THAT TO FORM A SUFFICIENT BASIS FOR A STOP.
A Clockwork Orange – Approaching!
NYC = RIP
Ha! A Clockwork Orange always been! The more things change, the more they stay the same!
In the 80’s anything beyond 96th was a block to block affair concerning safety. Things are much better for the most part. Still there is an influx returning of all kinds of characters that have multiple challenges such mental illness or drug addiction. People who are out of their minds are frightening regulars in the area. I don’t like that I feel I at risk every time I venture outside.Without stating my business outdoors, its not the way it used to be, but we all know it could be better. The laws for gun usage have to be changed. They must send a doubtless and daunting message such as anyone using an illegal gun should get a min 25+ years in jail no parole. The amount of gun play we have is not acceptable.It does not have to be this way. So lets make it so prohibitive that even an idiot will grasp the consequences.