In a surprising turn of events, the New York Police Department quietly transferred the lead officer of the Central Park precinct this month, due to rising crime rates. The official, Captain Anthony Lavino, has communicated his move to the 23rd precinct in East Harlem to those in the community he served. He thanked them for their support during his time working to enhance the safety and security of Central Park.
Captain Lavino will be succeeded by another seasoned officer, Captain Timothy Magliente. Before his latest assignment in Central Park, Magliente served in the 10th Precinct in the Chelsea district since 2022.
However, progress in maintaining law and order in Central Park seems to have hit a roadblock. Law enforcement data indicates an alarming trend of robberies more than doubling in Central park so far in 2024. There have already been 37 incidents reported, an astounding 61% increase from all of 2023, and the highest recorded since 1998.
In 1998, Central Park witnessed as many as 80 robberies, emphasizing the seriousness of the current situation. But it’s not just robbery; there has been an increase in other serious crimes as well.
Felony assaults have seen a comparative surge in the first few months of this year. The count has escalated to 11 cases, up from 8 during the same time span in the previous year, denoting a 38% rise.
Among the heinous crimes recorded, one particular incident stands out like a dark mark on the park. The count for rape cases has climbed from two to three this year, the third event being a horrifying attempted rape that took place on October 26th.
In a brutal predawn assault, a man sought to sexually abuse a 38-year-old woman near 85 East Drive situated in the park’s northern section. He forced her over a metal fence, physically assaulted her, and attempted to rape her, as per the police record. The perpetrator remains at large.
Inhabitants of the area and regular park visitors have expressed concern over the growing crime rate in the otherwise benign space. Residents talked to The Post about their perceptions of safety in the park, expressing their dismay and fear over the recent crime wave.
Harlowe Brumett-Dunn, a Seattle native studying at the New York University, shared her distress. When she first moved, she was thrilled by the prospect of spending time in the park. However, her enthusiasm was thwarted by the news of a sunbather getting sexually assaulted by a vagrant in broad daylight.
She acknowledged how this shocking incident shattered her sense of security, and made her ponder upon systematic failures leading to crime, in even the public locations during the day. She questioned if merely changing the precinct’s commanding officer could be seen as a comprehensive solution to the criminal activities.
Post the sunbather assault incident, the administrative officials under the police department have come up with a plan to increase surveillance of the park, including the use of cameras. Yet, many remain skeptical about this approach.
City Councilwoman and former Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer also supported the notion that a leadership transition alone may not solve the issue. She stressed the need for substantive measures, such as increased police presence and resources.
Brewer reminisced about Lavino, who continually called for additional personnel and surveillance equipment during his stint. She expressed uncertainty over whether he was successful in securing these resources.
Finally, an NYPD spokesperson stated that this change was an opportunity for the newly-appointed officer to prove his mettle in a precinct grappling with increased illicit activities.