A new loading zone for the East Village

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

This past week, an attention-getting new No Parking sign appeared outside the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street between First and Second Avenues. The spot directly in front of the station house is now designated for "Prisoner Loading Only." 

An NYPD source explained that the space aims to "prevent an issue when a prisoner can escape." It is specifically intended for police use (sorry local residents!), facilitating the expeditious loading and unloading of prisoners. The goal is to have prisoners as close to the front doors as possible, minimizing "lollygagging" and reducing the risk of escape. 

Although there hasn't been an escape incident at the 9th Precinct, other station houses have experienced such issues, prompting this precautionary signage measure. 

Interestingly, while the space is designated for a specific loading zone, we spotted a marked squad car that didn't appear to be dropping off or picking up a prisoner. Our source acknowledged that police personnel will sometimes use it when stopping by the Precinct for errands. Officers in such cases are to monitor their radios to ensure the space is available when needed for its primary purpose.

H/T Carol From East 5th Street

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Edmund John Dunn

The NYPD floodlight tower in action on the SW corner of 14th Street at Avenue A... one of two towers to arrive on the block after the fatal stabbing late Sunday afternoon. 

More background here.

[Updated] When a Dodge Charger drove down the sidewalk on 2nd Street during a high-speed chase

With reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated below with info from the NYPD

We heard about a high-speed car chase through parts of the East Village today just after noon. We haven't been able to piece it all together just yet. 

We received reader reports of a Dodge Charger tearing down Second Avenue, turning on Second Street, and driving up on the sidewalk on the south side of the street to avoid the vehicles stopped at the light.

The car exits the sidewalk, sending pedestrians scurrying, crossing First Avenue, and heading the wrong way eastbound on Second Street. There is one eyewitness report of the driver abruptly abandoning the car on Avenue C, sparking a foot chase.

A TikTok user captured 11 seconds of the chase from the SE corner of First Avenue and Second Street. (Unfortunately, the embed code isn't working. The link is here.) 

[Updated] 

The clip is now on Instagram, too...

 

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A second clip includes an ending showing the NYPD towing the car on the Lower East Side. There is no word yet on what happened to the driver (and any occupants in the vehicle).

 

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We reached out to the NYPD for more information about what transpired today... (see below)

Two NYPD sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the case, told EVG's Stacie Joy that the driver "stole" his own car from the impound lot in Brooklyn. 

Officers spotted the car in the 5th Precinct, which serves Little Italy, Chinatown and the Bowery. The car continued into the 9th Precinct and the 7th Precinct before the driver was apprehended with assistance from the NYPD Aviation Unit back in the 5th Precinct. 

The chase remains under investigation, and the sources said the narrative could change.

At NYU, 'Gaza Solidarity Encampment' leads to arrests of over 150 people

Photos yesterday by Daniel Efram 

According to published reports, the NYPD arrested some 150 people last night at the site of the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" that a few dozen NYU students set up early yesterday morning at Gould Plaza on the school's main campus.

The numbers at the encampment grew to several hundred during the day. 

As the Associated Press reported: "The school said it warned the crowd to leave, then called in the police after the scene became disorderly and the university said it learned of reports of 'intimidating chants and several antisemitic incidents.'" 

Officers in riot gear began making arrests around 8:30 p.m., per media accounts and bystanders. 

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry posted this statement to X...

Earlier today, the NYPD received the attached letter from NYU — detailing a request to clear Gould Plaza of individuals who were refusing to comply with repeated requests to disperse. They were described as “interfering with the safety and security of our community.” Our… pic.twitter.com/oA758efW74

— NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) April 23, 2024

EVG regular Daniel Efram shared these photos from last evening...

Those arrested included students and faculty. 

"It's a really outrageous crackdown by the university to allow the police to arrest students on our own campus,” NYU law student Byul Yoon told the AP. "Antisemitism is never ok. That's absolutely not what we stand for and that's why there are so many Jewish comrades that are here with us today." 

NYU's independent student newspaper, Washington Square News, reported that after the arrests, some 100 people protested outside 1 Police Plaza.

Read more of their coverage here. 

Meanwhile, at Columbia, the university's campus "has become the epicenter of the unrest in the U.S.," per Axios.

A new CO at the 9th

Image via @NYPD9Pct

Capt. Pamela Jeronimo is the new commanding officer of the 9th Precinct... which made the announcement over the weekend...

We would like to introduce you to our new CO, Captain Jeronimo. Captain Jeronimo is coming with a great wealth of experience. Captain Jeronimo is also a licensed attorney. We welcome her to our great community!! pic.twitter.com/FqzctKAZ4t

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) December 9, 2023

This also marks the first woman to be the CO of the 9th Precinct. Jeronimo, who has been with the NYPD for 19 years, previously served as an executive officer at the 13th Precinct in Midtown South. 

She takes over the 9th from Deputy Inspector Ralph A. Clement, who held the position since October 2020. Clement is moving on to be the CO at the 103rd Precinct in Western Queens. 

Speaking out against the ongoing sweeps on 9th Street and 1st Avenue

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Several city agencies have recently participated in weekly sweeps of an unhoused encampment under the sidewalk bridge on the NE corner of Ninth Street and First Avenue.

Last night, nearly a dozen community groups and mutual-aid network members planned a protest outside the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street to speak out against the ongoing sweeps ...

In anticipation of this protest (there were flyers announcing it on social media), the NYPD had placed barricades on the entrances to the block between First Avenue and Second Avenue... and only residents (with ID) or delivery people were allowed through ...

At some point, police escorted activists Johnny Grima and Derrick DeMaria out of the barricaded area. It's not immediately clear what happened next. Grima ended up on the sidewalk on Second Avenue and Fifth Street with an apparent injury from a fall. (Grima claimed he was pushed while officers at the scene said he fell.)

It took nearly 30 minutes for EMTs to arrive ... while Grima remained on the ground...

A uniformed officer accompanied Grima to the hospital, where he was evaluated for injuries. 

In the spring of 2022, the city conducted multiple sweeps on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C (coverage here and here and here) ... and along Seventh Street and Tompkins Square Park in November 2021. 

In the past 18 months, activists have spoken out against the citywide encampment sweeps ... while asking for safe housing for New Yorkers living on the streets. 

Mayor Adams has defended the actions, saying "he was working to preserve the 'dignity' of homeless New Yorkers." 

After a late September sweep on Ninth Street and First Avenue, police officials reportedly said it "was a result of numerous community grievances from locals and business owners who complained that the sidewalk was blocked."

After 90 anxious minutes, East Village man jumps from 4th Street building

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Warning: Images in this post may be upsetting to some readers 

Editor's note: We chose not to publish any photos 

that might reveal the man's identity

Updated 8/16

Law-enforcement sources have told us that the man died from his injuries. We'll update if more information becomes available.

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After nearly 90 emotionally charged minutes early this afternoon, a man who witnesses described as incoherent jumped from the roof of a building on the north side of Fourth Street near Avenue B. 

The man, who police say turned 50 today and lives nearby, survived the fall. His current condition is not known. Police did not reveal his name. 

According to the Citizen app, a caller reported the man at 12:05 p.m. atop the five-story building at 229 E. Fourth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy arrived at the scene at 12:55 after police had cordoned off the immediate area.

During this time, a crowd gathered behind the police tape on Avenue B at Fourth Street. (The NYPD also closed Fourth at Avenue A.)

From the street, onlookers saw the man, dressed in an olive-colored shirt, khakis and blue sneakers, pace back and forth along the edge of the building. He didn't seem to pay any attention to the people below, where several bystanders shouted disgraceful comments and urged him to jump.

At some point, the man received a cigarette from the police and walked to the rooftop's edge, balanced on the precipice, and then resumed pacing. He did this several times.

When several ESU officers tried approaching him on the roof, he turned and ran, leaping off the building. He appeared to aim away from the inflatable that the NYPD deployed for him on Fourth Street.

Police officials say the man was badly injured though still alive when EMTs transported him to the hospital.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. 

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Rainer Turim 

Catching the NYPD's Emergency Services truckster (#1706-19) early this evening on First Avenue and Ninth Street... 

[Updated] Suspect arrested after shooting at police on 4th Street between C and D

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Updated 3/25: ABC 7 has an update here on the suspect, 20-year-old Richard Mendez, who allegedly had threatened his brother with a gun.

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A 20-year-old man is in custody tonight after shooting at a police cruiser on Fourth Street between Avenue C and Avenue D, according to published reports

Per CBS 2, "officers in a marked police car spotted the suspect waving a firearm." He then allegedly fired at the vehicle, striking it several times. The officers also reportedly returned fire. 

NBC 4's account of the story said the suspect "was ... menacing people with a gun" before the encounter with the NYPD near 330 E. Fourth St.

There were originally reports on the Citizen app that the officers sustained unspecified injuries. CBS 2 reported that "the officers were taken to a local hospital to be treated for ringing in their ears." 

Updated: 

According to the Post, the man was menacing his brother with a gun. It wasn't immediately clear if the suspect shot at the officers during the confrontation. 

Per the paper: "The suspect's brother was also arrested for an alleged robbery from Wednesday, according to sources."

Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 collab drop draws crowds, NYPD on 4th and C

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The collectible sneaker crowd turned out in droves this afternoon for an opportunity to pick up a pair of the Corteiz x Nike Air Max 95 collab (the pink iteration) on Fourth Street and Avenue C, where the corner deli was rebranded as the Corteiz Mart & Deli. 

Also turning out in droves: an assortment of law enforcement from various sectors of the NYPD...

See comments — this was always the location. We're told that the sale was initially set for 34th Street and Seventh Avenue, but the location was reportedly switched to the East Village at the last minute (or with enough time to get the signage up).

Shoppers need to pre-register for a wristband for the opportunity to buy a pair of the London-based streetwear brand Corteiz's collaboration with Nike. Sneakers are $399, but $200 in-store today.

There were reports of some pushing and shoving, which likely prompted the NYPD response. (The Citizen app initially labeled this as a "protest.") 

And an EVG reader shared an aerial view...

[Updated] NYPD release wanted poster in connection with Avenue A homicide

Updated 12/26

Police have arrested Roland Codrington (see below). He is accused of two murders — on Avenue A and a doctor Friday in Marcus Garvey Park. In both deadly assaults, the victims were killed with a knife. And in both deaths, the suspect did not previously have any interaction with the victims.

More details to follow.

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The NYPD is searching for a suspect in connection with the early-morning homicide Monday outside 214 Avenue A between 13th Street and 14th Street. 

Police have placed reward posters near the crime scene. The poster states the 9th Precinct "is attempting to identify and apprehend this individual." (Thanks to the reader for the photo.)

According to published reports and police sources, 51-year-old James Cunningham was found on the sidewalk with lacerations on his neck just before 1. a.m. He reportedly had a glass of seltzer at Spike's, 218 Avenue A, where he was a regular, per the Daily News, and was attacked after leaving. Police and media reports say that the suspect jumped Cunningham during a confrontation. Police have not yet revealed a motive in the deadly attack.

Sources told the Post that "Cunningham himself was just arrested 10 days ago and charged with menacing with a knife." 

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential. 

WANTED for Homicide in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/mwvePZlmQR

— NYPD 121st Precinct (@NYPD121Pct) December 24, 2022

Updated 12/25 

Sources say the suspect, identified as Roland Codrington, is also wanted for an attack at an East Harlem bar on Thursday night.

The following individual has been identified as Roland Codrington. If you have any information on his whereabouts contact @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. https://t.co/7UPzMAj5eA

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 24, 2022

Updated 12/26

Here's the press conference announcing the arrest of Codrington.

Watch as Police Commissioner Sewell and NYPD executives provide an update on an ongoing police investigation. https://t.co/izdFygSP6O

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 26, 2022

Checkpoint Santa

Photos by Stacie Joy 

During SantaCon today in the East Village, the 9th Precinct had two checkpoints set up for several hours ... one on Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street ... and on Avenue A between 11th Street and 12th Street...

Officers at the scene said they were there to monitor quality-of-life issues, with tickets for open containers (and at least one minor with alcohol).

SantaCon started this morning at 10 on 40th and Broadway, with 60-plus bars throughout Midtown East and West and elsewhere participating ... as well as eight East Village bars officially taking part ... with others following suit. 

There were also more than a dozen (by our unofficial count) bars and restaurants with a Santa ban.