West Side Rag 20th Precinct’s Chief Explains Mixed Progress on Thefts, and Concerns About $2 Bail – westsiderag.com

Posted on November 19, 2021 at 9:17 am by West Sider

Captain Neil Zuber addressing community members

By Joy Bergmann

Captain Neil Zuber, commanding officer of NYPDs 20th Precinct, characterized recent developments in UWS crime as bittersweet during Thursday evenings Community Council meeting.

He noted the area had seen an improvement in grand larcenies [major thefts] at retailers, but at the same time, the precinct saw three stores close. The leases were up, plus the larcenies, Zuber said, without naming the three retailers. He later confirmed the Rite Aid on Amsterdam and 70th was among them. According to the latest NYPD CompStat report, grand larcenies year-to-date have risen 52% compared to 2020, and 26% compared to 2019.

Zuber lamented the impact of state bail reform on policing efficacy and morale.

For example, he said, 20th detectives recently arrested a suspect in seven theft complaints with a similar modus operandi: An elderly victim in Fairway or other public place would have their wallet removed from a purse. The suspect had a long rap sheet of prior offenses, Zuber said. We requested high bail. The D.A. requested high bail, he said. He got $2 bailthats what were facing.

When asked for an update on the October 4th shooting at 72nd and Columbus and the October 28th shooting near 71st and Broadway, Zuber said there had been no arrests yet in either case. Theres been progress on bothwere waiting on labs and other results, he said, noting that investigations can take time. This is not television.

Zuber also reported the precinct saw three people resign in the past two weeks. He could not say for certain that the Covid-19 vaccine mandate caused the resignations, but indicated it may have. He also said the mandate may have spurred the departure of several school crossing guards.

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West Side Rag 20th Precinct's Chief Explains Mixed Progress on Thefts, and Concerns About $2 Bail - westsiderag.com