BY ZACH WILLIAMS | Police from the NYPD’s 10th Precinct highlighted identity theft, felony assault and grand larceny as top criminal challenges afflicting Chelsea at the May 27 meeting of its community council.
Increased vigilance from private citizens could help temper recent spikes in those crime categories, according to Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry, who commands the precinct. The disparate locations of incidents stretches precinct resources — especially when unexpected police-intensive events arise, such as the #BlackLivesMatter protest which led to the cancellation of the April council meeting.
The neighborhood is safe by-and-large, according to Irizarry. But that does not mean that an iPhone, laptop or flashy fashion accessory should be left unattended within local bars, coffee shops and libraries, she said.
Irizarry added that incidents of grand larceny rose by 9.1 percent in the last 28-day period. Of the 60 incidents, 28 were reports of possessions left without a watchful eye. The crimes haven’t been concentrated at any particular establishments, she said, noting that a bit more attention to one’s possessions and surroundings goes a long way to preventing such theft.
“We can’t post officers in every coffee shop, and that’s what we’re dealing with,” she said of the recent rise in grand larceny reports.
A similar situation exists in cyberspace, though Irizarry did not offer specific statistics at the meeting. Identity theft continues to target people of all ages, income strata and occupation — including Irizarry herself. She said a credit card company quickly nullified a charge for Nike shoes bought by someone in California who used her credit card number.
In the event of suspicious activity, whether regarding a credit or debit card, victims should contact the relevant card issuer in order to resolve account charges. At the ATM, thieves utilize tiny pinhole cameras and clandestine magnetic strips in order to record account information. Covering one’s hands while typing a PIN and looking for signs of tampering are two strategies which might thwart such efforts. Using cash more often than cards is the best way to protect the integrity of one’s secret financial information, police said.
Domestic violence remains a local problem. Victims include romantic partners, children, and the elderly (who are especially vulnerable for abuse by perpetrators seeking control of their financial resources). Felony assaults increased by 25 percent in the previous 28-day period, Irizarry said. Many of them are actually incidents of domestic violence, she added.
Victims of such crimes are often reluctant to speak to police. However, an anonymous tip to police via 911 can create a paper trail which could be of use in the future, even if a victim is unwilling at first to provide information, police said.
Such a record simply doesn’t exist to corroborate reports of rising fornication in local streets, according to Irizarry. A recent New York Times article (“Chelsea’s Risqué Business”) cited complaints from neighbors “that they find used condoms and latex gloves in front of their homes, have light bulbs removed to darken their vestibules and see men having sex in the hours before dawn on playground benches.” But there have been no reported incidents of that, noted Irizarry.
“We’re in May now and there’s been nothing,” she said.
Police do not want people calling them with reports of public fornication. That information should be directed to 311. Suspicions of prostitution does merit a call to 911, police said.
Located at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. Seventh & Eighth Aves.). Commander: Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry. Main number: 212-741-8211. Community Affairs: 212-741-8226. Crime Prevention: 212-741-8226. Domestic Violence: 212-741-8216. Youth Officer: 212-741-8211. Auxiliary Coordinator: 212-741-8210. Detective Squad: 212-741-8245. The Community Council meets on the last Wed. of the month, 7 p.m., at the 10th Precinct or other locations to be announced. The council is on summer hiatus, to resume on Sept. 30.
