Inwood Safety Patrol Meeting 02/22/2010

Reaching out to Politicians:

• Espaillat is on the State level. We can get letters of support and the like from him, but we should contact City Council (Jackson), The Boro President, CB 12 safety sub-committee, and the Mayor’s office.
• We should push the city to conduct a feasibility study to ‘prove a need’ for the 34th precinct to be split, or for Inwood to have a precinct substation. This is a long term goal, but one worth striving for.
• Harlan will talk to CB
• Selina will attend CB12 meeting on 02/23 (1150 St. Nicholas)

What Positive things came out if the Espaillat sponsored meeting?

• There was a large turnout at that meeting. The ISP should try to harness that turnout
• Debbie Nathan was able to talk
• Lyana was able to introduce ISP

What do we need to maintain Patrols?

• ‘Uniform’-Possibly hats or shirts. Reflective vests would also be useful.
• Many shomrims have ID cards.
• Walkie talkies or radios

Google Voice:

• Turn off screening option
• Have a ‘call 911 if this is an emergency’ disclaimer on voicemail
• Is the 914 area code problematic (since it’s not a local number)?
• Possible number forwarding ‘shifts’ during certain hours to answer the phone and check voicemail

Outreach:

• Have Spanish speakers reach out to community east of Broadway
• Have Spanish version of every flyer/publication
• Find a space and have recruitment meeting.
• Possible meeting locations: Churches, Manhattan Storage (find out who broker is), ask NOMAA about space options
• Spanish interpreter at recruitment meeting?
• Try to have an ISP representative at every relevant community meeting
• Have a table at the Farmer’s Market
• Fliers at the library

34th Precinct

• Set up face to face meeting with 34th
• Strive to get a point-person (possibly officer Pabey) who will monitor forum for crime reports, suggestions for improvement, and NYPD misconduct
• How can the ISP help the 34th? Our main goal is to help the NYPD do their job more effectively
• The ISP needs to provide info to the 34th in a systematic and organized manner
• Make sure the 34th listens to our reports and follows up
• Possible training for ISP members by the 34th
• CO Capul left (long) voicemail on Google Voice number expressing desire for face to face meeting
• Pressure 34th and DCPI to allow the Manhattan Times to have a crime blotter

Debbie Nathan

• Carla asked (and offered to handle): Is the ISP willing to work with Debbie Nathan (as an intermediary to the 34th) to get a. an original police report (she has yet to get one) and b. post fliers regarding the attack and future attacks. Carla will call Debbie
• Wants the perp to get help (possible mental problems)

Other Stuff:

• New Flier with tear-offs of forum web address was handed out so that members could hang them up
• Rose has access to a copy machine
• We should start considering fundraising options
• We should contact a lawyer and start process of becoming non-profit
• We need to form a ‘board of directors’
• We should rotate meeting locations
• Have a forum topic where people can inform ISP what they’re “good at” and how it can help us outside of regular patrol walks

Thank You to everyone who attended!

~Rachel Figueroa Levin (jewyorican)

ArtForStrangers ***ANOTHER INWOOD MUGGING*** Seaman Ave, Near Dyckman. 2 Girls mugged another female. Minutes Ago. #Inwood Safety

ArtForStrangers ***One of the muggers had partially braided hair. Muggers seem to be latina. Victim asian(?) #inwoodsafety

Thank You @artforstrangers for tweeting about this. Does anyone have any more information? What time did this occur? What was stolen? Any injuries? Please post any info in the comments section or on our forum http://inwoodsafety.forums1.net/forum.htm

Well, last night was the 1st, and we hope of many Patrols through our Inwood neighborhood; @Jewyorican @Miklevin @lolitapop9 Mike from UME and the real star, Cecil . We literally walked a loop, starting on the corner of PTE & Isham walked to Dyckman, we made our way to Payson Ave, from Payson walked to 218th from 218th to PTE where we walked through Isham Park and ended our Patrol where we started. When we arrived at Isham Park A patrol car was just entering the park and taking a look around.

Due to the Super Bowl, there really wasn’t any activity outside .

It had been quite awhile since I had walked around Inwood, let alone walking south, which I rarely do. Looking around, it was nice to see that apt building were installing camera’s or had a hired a security company’s to monitor their property such as: http://www.securewatch24.com/

Again it may not stop intruders entirely but hopefully such person(s) will think twice before attempting something nefarious. All in all it was an excellent walk through. We look forward to meeting other Inwood resident who could accompany us in patrolling our fine neighborhood.

Here is a pic of the other attached high beam facing west

I am guessing this is a high powered light pointed towards the opened grassy area in Isham Park. I spotted two of these attached lights.

I spotted this and I can only imagine this is where the camera/sensor once was. I tried looking for the camera and I couldn’t locate it. If someone can shed some light on this matter I would be greatly appreciative.

This is where the path split’s up; continuing on the right will take you right to B’Way, continuing to the left will take you to PTE or into the park. I will let you know how the lighting is walking down the stairs to B’Way, must be somewhat dark though.

Here are those benches I was referring to. Still walking NE

Still on the path walking NE. As it warms up, people will start to hang out around here; on the benches or on the low-level wall