2. 4 February 04 - 10, 2016 February 04 - 10, 2016 5.com.com
reported a variety of aesthetic and safe-
ty-related concerns — including drain-
age problems, degraded safety surfaces,
sharp edges on playground equipment
and several non-functioning park fea-
tures.
Wasserman, an area resident whose
two toddlers make frequent use of the
park, mentioned his and the committee’s
efforts to get community input into the
park’s redesign, which included a char-
rette at the Hudson Guild earlier in the
week. The committee’s plan is to raise
money through fall of this year, when
work on the park will begin with the goal
of finishing work in time to re-open by
spring 2017. He announced that a little
over $1 million had already been raised.
By the end of the event, a silent auction
sponsored by Sotheby’s International
Realty brought in an additional $50,000
for the project (high-bid items included a
Pier 62 Carousel creation, a one-on-one
cooking lesson with Chef Scott Conant,
and a private dinner event at The Little
Owl, a popular Mediterranean restaurant
in the West Village).
Wasserman then introduced City
Councilmember Corey Johnson of
District 3, who announced that $820,000
in city capital funds make up a portion
of the amount already in place. “The
Chelsea Waterside Play Area is a remark-
able gathering spot for our neighborhood
families,” said Johnson. “I look forward
to working with the community and
Friends of Hudson River Park to make it
even better. I can’t wait to see the faces of
children as they play on the most updat-
ed playground equipment and enjoy their
new surroundings.” He also mentioned
new projects to revitalize Piers 57 and
76, and reminded the audience of plans
for Pier 55, already announced and now
in the design phase.
Johnson was followed by New
York State Assemblymember Richard
Gottfried, who began by reminding the
audience that in the past, many opposed
the creation of Hudson River Park,
including Governor Nelson Rockefeller.
Construction of the park began in 1994
(it is currently 70% complete). In light
of these facts, Gottfried quoted the
Chinese proverb “A serious task is a long
path.” He then pledged $500,000 toward
Continued from page 1
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year by acknowledging the robust atten-
dance. “We haven’t seen you guys since
2015, so it’s great to see so many peo-
ple,” Irizarry said, thanking the crowd
for braving the cold and “dodging snow
piles” to attend the meeting.
After being introduced by Council
President Larry O’Neill, Irizarry began
by acquainting residents with some new
faces. “I want to introduce you to these
fine gentlemen,” she said, referring to
seven graduates of the NYPD’s Police
Academy who recently joined the 10th
Precinct’s ranks — six of whom were
present at the meeting. “They are going
to help us continue our work to keep
Chelsea residents safe and their busi-
nesses secure,” Irizarry said, as the new
officers stood for a round of applause.
In addition to the rookies, it was
announced that a number of newly
assigned foot-patrols are to be set up
along Eighth Ave. and W. 23rd St. This
heightened police presence is meant to
keep traffic moving smoothly, as well as to
maintain the level of neighborhood safety
that the police force prides itself on.
“With our new officers, and with these
guys on foot posts, I think we have an
opportunity to put more of a show out for
you guys,” Irizarry said, implying that the
new forces would clamp down on traffic
and pedestrian violations on Eighth Ave.
Next came an overview of crime
statistics. Chelsea is currently experienc-
ing an 11.6% decrease in crime over a
28-day period, though it was announced
that the year-to-date statistics showed a
14% increase for the overall year.
This crime spike has not gone unno-
ticed. Several neighborhood residents in
attendance expressed concern about the
surge of slashings that have taken place
recently. One local referenced the case
of Carmen Rivera, a 71-year-old grand-
mother from Brooklyn who was slashed
in the face while riding the subway last
week by a man wielding a razor.
Though locals were concerned that
the stabbings were perhaps coordinated,
or even gang-related, Irizarry assured
them these incidents were not the result
of an organized effort. “It appears to
be the work of unrelated, mentally dis-
turbed individuals,” she said, noting that
several of the culprits had been appre-
hended — including Bronx resident Kari
Bazemore, 41, who attacked a 24-year-
old woman in the early morning of Wed.,
Jan. 6, as she walked on W. 23rd St. near
Seventh Ave. All of these perpetrators
are “emotionally disturbed” people who,
due to “frustration, or drug abuse, or
whatever it is,” have targeted complete
strangers, Irizarry reiterated.
When asked what residents could do
to defend against future attacks, one offi-
cer recommended “self awareness” as an
antidote. “People have gotten into the bad
habit of staring down at their cell phones
while walking in the street, completely
oblivious to their surroundings,” the offi-
cer said. “There are simply not enough
officers to put on every street corner to
cover all of the random acts of violence
that occur out of nowhere,” he continued.
“Be self aware. If something doesn’t look
right, do not hesitate to call 911.”
Besides safety concerns, traffic and
parking disputes were the most recurrent
issues at the meeting.
Stanley Bulbach, president of the
West 15th Street 100 and 200 Block
Association, brought up a detour on 17th
St. that has repeatedly caused traffic con-
gestion for W. 15th St. The detour is the
result of an Oct. 20 fire that decimated
The Dorian, a W. 17th St. building slat-
ed to be transformed into a 10-story
condominium complex. The necessary
renovations to the building have since
caused the adjacent street to be repeatedly
closed. In an interview with Chelsea Now
directly following the Council meeting,
Bulbach asserted that the Department of
Transportation has repeatedly ignored his
Block Association’s pleas to negotiate a
more manageable detour. Irizarry asserted
she would do her best to reach out to the
right people and mitigate the conflict.
Finally, it was announced that the new
year would see the opening of two large-
scale establishments in Chelsea: Flash
Factory, a music venue owned by night-
club mogul Michael Satsky (229 W. 28th
St., btw. Seventh & Eight Aves.), and
La Sirena, owned by famous chef Mario
Batali (in the Maritime Hotel; 363 W. 16th
St., btw. Eighth & Ninth Aves.). Both are
expected to bring an influx of nightlife
traffic to the area, and Irizarry assured res-
idents that police personnel were meeting
with the staff of both establishments to
make sure they would be conforming to
standard noise and parking guidelines.
The 10th Precinct is located
at 230 W. 20th St. (btw. Seventh &
Eighth Aves.). Follow on Twitter: @
NYPD10Pct. 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 meeting, open to the public,
takes place at 7 p.m. on the last Wed. of
the month. The next meeting is Feb. 24.
Continued from page 1
Magnificent Seven: 10th Precinct Introduces New Officers
Photos by Lucas Ropek
L to R, recent Police Academy graduates assigned to the 10th Precinct: Police Officers Giordano, Horner, Caulfield,
Osofsky, Palermo and Williams (not pictured, Officer Fahrbach).
Deputy Inspector Michele Irizarry,
Commanding Officer of the 10th
Precinct, assured residents that the
surge of slashings and knife attacks
were not coordinated effor
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Greg Wasserman, chairman of the capital campaign for
Chelsea Waterside Play Area, spoke of the committee’s
goal of raising $1.5 million to renovate the playground.
Photo by Katie Lyman, courtesy Friends of Hudson River Park
L to R: Councilmember Corey Johnson, Hudson River
Park Trust CEO & President Madelyn Wils, and Manhattan
Borough President Gale Brewer.
Continued on page 10
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