Arrest In Bogus Bomb Incident

By on April 19, 2013  News
Apr 192013
 

[source: NYPD via Gothamist]

[source: NYPD via Gothamist]

According to the Daily News, a 14-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday in connection with the propane tank that was made to look like a bomb and left on retired firefighter Ed Green’s front porch late Tuesday night.

The alleged culprit was collared within hours of police releasing surveillance footage that captured an image of a white man in his 20s casually walking away from the crime scene in the moments after the fake device was left by Green’s door.

The incident took place in the early minutes of Wednesday morning at approximately 12:30 a.m. on 68th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

Police charged the boy with placing a false bomb or hazardous substance. Authorities shave not released his name because he is a minor.

Local elected officials praised first responders before calling the untimely hoax a “sick joke” and a waste of police resources.

“An arrest has been made in connection to the fake “bomb” left on the doorstep of a retired FDNY 9/11 first-responder on 68th Street,” announced City Councilman Vincent Gentile in a press release yesterday. “I commend the 68 Precinct and their detective squad who worked around the clock and delivered a swift arrest in this case. What may have been a sick joke to this individual was no joking matter at all to law enforcement. I thank everyone that came forward with tips that helped bring this individual to justice.”

“I have just been informed that an arrest has been made of an individual in the Bay Ridge bomb scare that took place Tuesday night on 68th Street,” said State Senator Marty Golden on his senate page. “I commend the 68th Precinct, Commanding Officer Captain DiBlasio, and all the NYPD Detectives assigned to this case, for their work, in making sure that this individual is no longer roaming our streets, causing havoc and wasting police resources.”

[UPDATED] Fake Bomb Brings Police, Bomb Squad To Retired Firefighter’s Home

By on April 17, 2013  News
Apr 172013
 

[source: NYPD via Gothamist]

Click to enlarge [Source: NYPD via Gothamist].

[UPDATE] 4/19/13 A suspect has been arrested. Read More Here.

[UPDATE] 4/18/13 Police have released the above video and accompanying photos of a person wanted for questioning about the fake explosive device. The person of interest, seen fleeing the scene of the incident, is described as an adult white male wearing dark clothing. [Via Gothamist].

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. You can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES), then entering TIP577.

A fake bomb was apparently left in front of a retired firefighter’s home early Wednesday, drawing scores of police – including bomb squad personnel – to 68th Street between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue.

The Daily News is describing the fake device as an empty propane canister with a garage door opener keypad attached covered in masking tape with wires sticking out.

It was discovered around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday by retired city firefighter Ed Greene just moments after it was left on his front stoop by a prankster who rang the bell before running off.

Greene reportedly called police and then alerted his neighbors.

With NYPD already on high alert after the twin bombings at the Boston Marathon on Monday, police officers and a bomb squad quickly filled the surrounding area.

Families on the block were hurriedly evacuated through their backyards and down the street. After reaching the corner, residents were kept there for two-and-a-half hours until bomb squad officials determined the homemade device was not real.

“Who would do such a stupid thing, if it was a prank?” asked next-door neighbor Barbara Leen, who was among those evacuated. “Why would someone do such a thing? They’re nice, good people.”

The propane tank was the type usually used to sweat pipes, another neighbor told the News.

“It looked like a big can wrapped in masking tape,” said Leen.

In December of 2011, a man was arrested for walking into the 68th precinct stationhouse on 65th Street with a fake explosive device. That device was similarly described by the New York Post as being made out of an empty propane tank.

City, Neighborhood On Edge After Boston Marathon Explosions

By on April 16, 2013  Featured story, News
Apr 162013
 
Soldiers and Airmen of the Massachusetts National Guard muster on the Boston Common to receive orders for a coordinated response in support of civilian authorities in the wake of the marathon bombings here, April 15 2013 (Image source: National Guard).

Soldiers and Airmen of the Massachusetts National Guard muster on the Boston Common to receive orders for a coordinated response in support of civilian authorities in the wake of the marathon bombings in Boston, April 15 2013 (Image source: National Guard via Flickr).

New York City law enforcement and national security officials are on high alert after a series of apparently coordinated explosions ripped through crowds of spectators and participants near the finish line of yesterday’s Boston Marathon. Continue to read about Southwest Brooklyn’s vital role in anti-terror efforts

NYPD Officer Charged With DWI In Bay Ridge

By on March 12, 2013  Featured story, News
Mar 122013
 
Image source: pixabay.com.

Image source: pixabay.com.

An off-duty New York City police officer was arrested this past weekend and charged with driving under the influence on the streets of Bay Ridge, according to CBS 2.

Officer Lester Sanchez, 29, was arrested early Saturday at 4:53 a.m. in the confines of the 68th Precinct, which includes Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights.

Sanchez was reportedly charged with driving while intoxicated, refusing to take a breathalyzer test, and reckless endangerment.

This arrest arrives on the heels of several high profile and heart-breaking fatal crashes – including one involving an on-duty NYPD officer, and as police officials respond to widespread public outcry by announcing a series of sweeping changes to crash investigations.

The New York State Senate has also recently approved legislation, sponsored by retired NYPD officer and State Senator Marty Golden, that would stiffen punishments for drivers who flee the scene of accidents which result in property damage, serious injury, or death.

Bay Ridge Jewelry Burglaries Moving South

By on March 7, 2013  News
Mar 072013
 


View Larger Map

As the jewelry burglary [jurglary?] trend in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights continues, it’s apparently moving south.

When Bay Ridge Odyssey first began writing about the break-ins in January, the crimes were centered around 70th Street, as February passed the halfway mark, they had moved to the mid 70s.

Now, as reported in this week’s Brooklyn Paper by Will Bredderman, two incidents – including one attempted burglary and a successful one – occurred in the final days of February at locations in the high 70s and 80s.

While we haven’t verified that this shows the entire picture [all data was pulled second-hand from police blotters], it certainly makes for an interesting snapshot.

Here’s the timeline: Continue reading »

Pedestrian Rage Justified: Reporter Clocks 4th Ave Driver At 68 MPH

By on February 28, 2013  Featured story, Traffic & Transit
Feb 282013
 
car crash dominic bartolini Flickr

Image source: dominic bartolini via Flickr.

It looks like our pedestrian rage was fully justified.

Brooklyn Paper’s Will Bredderman recently used a radar gun to check out how many drivers are actually following 4th Avenue’s posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour.

The answer: Not many.

While most of the 28 drivers observed on a weekday afternoon stuck fairly close to 30 mph, only eight – less than one third, drove within the legal limit, with one driver clocked in at a whopping 68 mph!

Bredderman then repeated the same experiment at different times with similar results. Click Here For More, Including Why Drivers Speed In Bay Ridge

The One Where We Go All “Pedestrian Rage” On Scumbag Hit-And-Run Drivers

By on February 18, 2013  Traffic & Transit
Feb 182013
 

DOT_Skullgirl_revisions__oldWhenever I hear about stories like the hit-and-run this past weekend that left a 15-year-old boy in serious condition, I can’t help but think about the atrocious habits I’ve seen from a large number of South Brooklyn drivers without conjuring a few four-letter words in my head.

Because seriously: if you’re driving a car, and you’re operating it in a way that endangers pedestrians… f— you, you selfish —-ing —-.

I was told recently that I am prone to “Pedestrian Rage,” and this is true. And I don’t make any apologies for it either. Because it’s a matter of life-and-death. When someone drives their car in an unsafe manner, that person is a hazard to my health. To my health, and those I care about the most. Did I mention, f— you?

Fun fact: One of those flimsy Smart Cars you see on the street weighs about 1,600 pounds. Your SUV that you bought because you think driving down the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway is an off-road experience is a 4,000 pound suit-of-armor.

Fun fact: pedestrians are soft and squishy.

Fun fact: the speed limit in New York City is 30 mph. Yes, I know we can comfortable drive down the wider streets and avenues at about 45 mph. Comfortable for those of us wearing 4,000-pound suits of armor, anyway.

Fun fact: some of you are driving with an ungodly amount of alcohol coursing through your veins. On occasion, something bad comes of it. A lot of the time, your drive home turns out OK, and you therefore think it will be OK the next time.

You are NOT OK, you selfish SOB, and one of these days, the worst is going to happen: someone is going to pay for your hubris with their life. And I want to be there to make sure you get the death penalty when you do. Continue reading »

VIDEO: NYPD Rescues Cargo Ship Captain Near Verrazano Bridge

By on February 4, 2013  News
Feb 042013
 

Last Tuesday the NYPD carried out the daring rescue of a cargo ship captain suffering from a heart attack, and the entire incident was caught on video, as reported by CBS 2.

The Grey Shark, a 330-foot commercial vessel, was anchored between the Verrazano Bridge and Staten Island Ferry Terminal – not far from Ambrose Anchorage, when its pilot Captain Aly Akl reportedly suffered a heart attack.

The NYPD rushed to the ship, which a medic then boarded in order to treat its skipper.

After Detective Robert Brager confirmed that Akl’s condition had stabilized, a decision was made to airlift him off the Grey Shark for medical treatment.

An NYPD helicopter on the scene lowered a rescue basket which was used to hoist Akl up, followed by Brager.

In the above video, courtesy of insideNYPD, you can see Akl being prepped for the rescue basket – which begins at around 41 seconds, with the actual airlift taking place at approximately 3:20.

Other police involved in the rescue include Det. Ralph Gaglioti, Sgt. John O’Hara, Officer Colin Woode, and Officer Christopher Maher.

Following National Trend, NYC Murder Rate Drops To All-Time Low

By on January 25, 2013  Featured story, News
Jan 252013
 

 68 Precinct Stats

Murder, which is widely believed to be the most difficult crime statistic to fake, has once again fallen to an all-time low in New York City, with homicides at a 52 year low for Brooklyn, writes Denise Romano for Home Reporter.

Bay Ridge’s 68th Precinct had one murder last year – the high profile slaying of local clothing store owner Mohammed Gebeli.

According to CompStat, the NYPD system for tracking and analyzing crime rates, that means last year the 6-8 saw a 75% reduction in homicides compared to 1993, and a whopping 90% less murders than 1990. Continue reading »

[UPDATED] Man Jumps Off Verrazano Bridge, Condition Unknown

By on January 7, 2013  News
Jan 072013
 
Subway fares and bridge tolls are going up in March 2013. (Photo credit: Brian Hedden)

Photo credit: Brian Hedden/Bay Ridge Odyssey

[UPDATE] 1/8/13 A Canarsie woman who wishes to remain anonymous reportedly came forward yesterday to Denise Romano at Home Reporter. The source allegedly identified the missing man as her daughter’s boyfriend.

Less than two days into the new year, a man was seen jumping from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

The incident occurred at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, when witnesses spotted a man stop his car in the right lane of the Staten Island-bound upper level at around the center of the span before leaping off, as reported by Denise Romano for Home Reporter.

The right lane of the upper level was closed for approximately one hour while NYPD Harbor Units and Emergency Services Units searched for the jumper. The man’s identity was not reported by media as it was not known at press time and his condition is likewise a mystery, as police have yet to recover a body.

According to Staten Island Advance, excluding Wednesday’s occurrence, “there have been five suicides on the bridge since December 2011, three thwarted attempts and one person who survived the jump.”

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