Crime streak prompts call for stronger patrols

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A series of violent crimes at Van Cortlandt Park has prompted northwest Bronx Councilman Andrew Cohen to demand greater law enforcement at the more than 1,000-acre park.

“There are not enough PEP officers and the ones that we do have are underpaid,” he said, using the acronym for Parks Enforcement Patrol officers. “The council has allotted more funding for the PEP officers, but it’s a drop in the bucket.”

The latest city budget included $5 million for 80 extra PEP officers, bringing the citywide total to 241. In a recent round of budget talks, the council recommended that the funding stay at the same level for the coming fiscal year.

Mr. Cohen’s comments came after three men were shot amid an apparent argument during barbecuing on Saturday, May 28 — the weekend marking the unofficial start of summer. The victims were listed in stable condition at St. Barnabas Hospital after receiving treatment and the suspects were still at large as of this week.

Days before the shooting, four unknown perpetrators allegedly robbed a pair of men walking near the Putnam Trail, with one perpetrator reportedly holding a knife to the throat of one of the victims and another suspect claiming to have a gun. On March 22, a man was slashed in the face while jogging near the Putnam Trail.

There are 46 PEP officers responsible for 22 parks in the Bronx, according to a statement from the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. These unarmed employees of the Parks Department have the power to issue summonses and make arrests for violating park rules. Their presence is also meant to deter major crimes. NYPD officers are responsible for responding to crimes.

Still, Bob Bender, the chairman of Community Board 8’s Parks and Recreation Committee, lamented the fact that the PEP officers are spread so thin.

“Their numbers are so few that there is very little chance you’ll actually see one,” he said.

Mr. Bender noted, “Historically when the weather gets warm there are more people in the parks and therefore more crime in the park.” Deputy Inspector Terrence O’Toole, the commanding officer of the 50th Precinct, said there were 11 major crimes in Van Cortlandt Park last year, including one rape and three robberies.

“The recent shooting is an aberration, the park is relatively safe,” he said in an email response to a Press inquiry.

Still, one Parks Department employee suggested that conditions at the time of the incident were ripe for crime.

The worker, who did not want a name published out of fear of losing employment, said after the fight, he found empty alcohol containers and evidence of marijuana use. The employee said there were about 100 people in the area at the time.

The shooting took place at around 10:25 p.m., according to police. The park officially closes at 10 p.m. 

“Parks are open throughout the city in various times. The general rule is sunrise to 1 a.m.,” stated Deputy Inspector O’Toole. “[Van Cortlandt Park] closes earlier, at 10 p.m., but many people don’t read the signs. Yes, the party should have been shut down. But they were in a dark area and not readily observable. And many other groups were also still there. Other groups were packing up to leave, loading cars and breaking down tables, etc.” 


A man grilling with his family at Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday said the recent spate of crimes was not enough to deter them from coming back.

“This is shocking, but things have been pretty good,” said Darnell Turnage.

Park Crime, Van Cortlandt Park, Andrew Cohen, Park eEnforcement Patrol, Anthony Capote