PA says Red Hook waterfront is safe, by Keith J. Klein

The 76th Precinct Community Council meeting was held on Tuesday, January 5th featuring Port Authority representatives discussing counter-terrorism and security around the Red Hook container port and The Civilian Complaint Review Board was on hand to give a presentation on citizens’ rights.

Captain Elliot Colon took the podium first, starting with the monthly crime statistics report. The latest report showed a crime increase of crime due to a recent spike in domestic cases. Many of these were assaults likely tied to family situations that occur around the holidays. Colon reported that more arrests were made.
Plainclothes officers made an arrest on 80 Bush St. on New Year’s Eve. A suspect, acting erratically while intoxicated, threw a loaded .38 caliber handgun and his drink to the ground and was apprehended. The net result was one less gun on the street.

Wally Bazemore asked Colon about gang violence. Colon responded that the Gangsta Money Makers (GMM crew) is the only active group whose rivals are the Ow-Ow. He said that “since August 3rd there has not been any back-and-forth between any of the crews in Red Hook or Gowanus.”

Justice Center hosts pop-up
Both Julian Morales representing Councilman Menchaca and Amanda Berman from the Red Hook Justice Center discussed the ID NYC program. The Justice Center, located at 88 Visitation Place, is hosting a pop-up enrollment site until January 29th.

All residents 14 and older who reside in the 5 boroughs are eligible and there are many incentives and benefits to enroll, including free museum admissions.

Berman announced that all Americorp positions have been filled but there will be additional slots for part-time members later in the year.

Port Authority officials then took the stage. Marine Operations Manager, Mike Deveney, and Manager of Port Security, Joe Coccia made a rare local appearance.

Together they discussed the three separate terminals in Red Hook These are the Cruise Terminal, the Container Terminal and the berths at Piers 7 & 8.

They explained that all personnel on site are trained annually by the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor and each employee must have a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card) to ensure current employment.

With fences around all the piers they said “this port is 100% secure.” They explained that “there are many layers of security,” saying that everything coming off ships is vetted and radiation tested.

Each terminal’s detailed security plan is submitted and reviewed by the Port Authority. Deveney and Coccia also stated the Red Hook terminal is manned 24/7 and “we have not had any issues with breaches of security.” Everyone who works on the waterfront goes through a background check by the Department of Homeland Security.

They told the interested room that “there have been no ISIS threats to the maritime sector,” and that lone wolfs are more of a concern.
Overall, they concluded the 15 years since 9/11 have been a great success based on the collaboration between the public and private sector.

CCRB Engages the Community
Sylvia Ancrum, Outreach Coordinator from the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), spoke poignantly about the agency’s mission to investigate police misconduct. She mentioned, that while the police have a dangerous job, they have rules to follow.

She guided the room through the four levels of permissible police conduct. For example, an officer must always provide their name, rank and shield upon request and that there must be sufficient cause to proceed from a level 1 request for information to a level 2 common law inquiry and most importantly a level 3 detainment where a frisk & search can occur, potentially leading to a level 4 arrest.

Ancrum pointed out that it is at level 3 the CCRB is most concerned about in terms of ensuring they are conducted with sufficient cause.

Anyone that feels they may have been or knows a victim should call 311 or contact the CCRB directly at 1-800-341-2272. A few community members expressed their concern that area youth may not know their rights and setting up an informational workshop and seminar at the Red Hook Justice Center was suggested. Latoya Benjamin from the District Attorney’s office offered to help with outreach.

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