It is impossible to know if the recent increase in violent crime in the city is legitimate cause for concern that the “bad old days” of crime may return, or if it simply represents a blip in a trend line continuing a descent of nearly two decades.
Homicides are up nearly 22 percent in 2010, compared with the same period last year. Shootings are up in the city, to 293 from 257, a 14 percent increase. And there are more victims of gunfire: 351 through April 4, up from 318 in the same period a year ago.
But it is not statistics, but rather the tenor and pace of 2010’s spasm of disorder that are suggestive of a bygone era, and have again raised questions about whether New York City is finally at the end of crime declines.
The neighborhood with the highest concentration of bars in the city (if not the world) scores off the charts in all the expected areas: retail diversity, restaurant density, proximity to nightlife, and desirability to the creative classes, with only schools and affordability truly lacking. With a typical two-bedroom running at about $3,300 per month, it’s expensive. But thanks to nearby NYU, the East Village has more income and ethnic diversity than most of its neighbors.
Talked to people at Graceland last night and they confirmed the landlord was asking for a 35%+ raise on rent. I'll be really pissed ... there's a lot of fun characters that work there, and with the continued storefront wasteland of Avenue A, who knows what we'll get in there, if anything.
An eyewitness tells us she ran into the wacky couple walking into an open house at an apartment building in the East Village on April 11, just as she was walking out.
Dressed like they hadn’t changed since going out the night before — our eyewitness says Russell was wearing skintight leather pants, while Katy was sporting a skin-tight mini skirt with lace print and platform shoes — the couple checked out the two bedroom apartment in the village’s Alphabet City neighborhood. And although we couldn’t get an asking price out of her, our eyewitness did tell us that she heard Russell ask if he could use the bathroom, which is apparently a big no-no at open houses.
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance to identify a man wanted for a series of burglaries in the East Village.
Police say the suspect is responsible for nine burglaries, with the most recent coming April 4.
In all the incidents, police say the man fled the scene with assorted property.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers Web site or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
All calls are strictly confidential.
The NYPD is investigating a series of burglaries in the East Village. The brazen burglar has struck at least nine apartments from March 10 through April 3, police said.
He even hit one building twice in one day -- once in the morning and once at night, the NYPD said.
The nine apartments are in the East Village from East 13th Street to East 8th Street from Avenue C to 3rd Avenue.
He usually comes through a window or back door, but on March 17 he came through the roof of a building on East 9th Street to burglarize the top floor apartments, police said. The owner of that apartment believes there were at least two burglars.
NYPD BLOTTER
The New York City Police Department is asking for the Public's assistance identifying the male wanted for a series of Burglaries that occurred within the confines of the 9th Precinct, details are as follows:
...and the latest, courtesy of an EV Grieve reader... The NY Academy for Mime.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A new shopowner with a sense of humor on First Street
They just couldn’t make the numbers work anymore. We all know that life isn’t fair, and anyone who expects the good guys to win is living in a dream world. But it’s a loss to the block for Atomic Passion to go, and losing my neighbor makes me feel like it’s not Atomic Passion that’s wrong here, it’s the world where their numbers aren’t the ones that work. Most people didn’t notice Atomic Passion close, but if you were on East Ninth Street last week you would have seen part of the city die. Because when Atomic Passion closed, New York City became just that much colder, just that much of a tougher place to live.
Manhattan
A thug seriously injured a man in a Greenwich Village apartment after they had met at a bar, authorities said yesterday.
After leaving the pub together, Joel Pakela, 40, escorted the victim to the apartment on Mercer Street at 5:20 a.m. last Thursday, cops said.
Inside, Pakela suddenly attacked the man, hitting him repeatedly in the face and breaking his orbital bone, sources said.
Witnesses called 911 and police arrested Pakela after a struggle, authorities said.
He was charged with assault and resisting arrest, said a spokesman for DA Cyrus Vance Jr.
Turns out the guard was there to secure the pies. The staff explained it was a “sketchy corner”, so he was milling about to keep the peace, and presumably to protect the pepperoni.
"I had a very unpleasant incident at Simone earlier today when I went with a friend for a snack. When we went there it was a nice quiet place and we placed our order. Soon after our soup came the lights went down and the (what they called) music got very loud. When we were unable to get them to keep the volume down we went to leave, did not want to pay for a cancelled sandwich order (that we did not take with us).
They called the police. Long story short, I called to cancel my credit card charge and I was advised that TWO charges (in the same amount but NOT in the amount of my receipt) had been billed to my card."
"We were there when the cops came. How could we leave? The cops were not any help. Even though we did not take the sandwich with us they said we had to call the [Better Business Bureau] and take [Simone] to Small Claims Court."
Magnificent and chic, this pre war beauty is the best the East Village has to offer. This spectacular renovation is worth every step of the sixth floor walk up. Flexible floor plan and attention to detail have created an unparalleled level of urban sophistication. Can be used as a three bedroom apartment or a two bedroom with a home office or seperate dining room. Enjoy your spectacular chefs kitchen featuring top of the line appliances including a Miele dishwasher, Sub Zero refrigerator and wine cooler. Gaze over the historic roof lines of neighboring 19th century tenement buildings while your south facing windows fill your apartment with generous sunlight. Gorgeous bathroom features original light fixtures and large claw foot tub with custom walnut vanity and cabinet, Jado faucet and glazed tiles. Apartment also features hi ceilings, ebonized oak floors, great closet space. Details galore, this apartment is a must see! Building offers laundry room, bike room and storage.
