columbia news - NYPD Columbia Association

Columbia Association of the Police Department, City of New York
COLUMBIA News
Affiliated with the National Council of Columbia Associations
In Civil Service, Inc. and the National Coalition of
Italian American Law Enforcement Organizations
Fraternity Integrity n Charity
n
VOL.48, NO. 3
May– June 2014
SINCE 1932
ONLINE ISSUE
Our President’s
Message….
I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer and that this newsletter finds you safe and secure. Although this is a short turnaround for this edition, we have accomplished quite a bit here at Columbia.
June has always been an important month for us. We recognize the outstanding efforts of our scholarship winners at our General Meeting. Ten eighth-graders and ten high-school seniors received awards for high-school and college respectively. I would like
to take this opportunity to congratulate not only the students for their hard work and dedication, but the parents also. Education
begins at home, and you can be proud of the fact that your child has prospered. Keep up the good work. I would also like to
thank Louis Corrente (College) and Dyanne Marzano (High-School) for all of their hard work and dedication on the Scholarship
Committee.
On June 13th we held our Annual Golf Outing at Pelham/Split Rock Golf Course in The Bronx. Although the weather did not
cooperate, over 50 golfers participated in the event. There were many raffle prizes and the catering was outstanding. I would like
to thank everyone who attended the event as well as the staff at Pelham Split Rock Golf Course. I would also like to thank Louie
Balsamo and Dyanne Marzano for working tirelessly to make this years’ event a huge success. Everyone involved was able to take
a rain-soaked day at the golf course and turn it into a terrific event.
Our Annual Fishing Trip was on June 20th this year. And although the turnout was lower than years past, a good time was had
by all. Thank you Matt Cioffi for organizing this event.
The NYPD Columbia Association has had its share of tragedies. Several of these adversities include Lieutenant Joseph Petrosino being shot to death in an ambush in Sicily in 1909, Patrolman Alfred Loreto being shot and killed by two robbery suspects
while off-duty and on vacation in 1950, Patrolman Michael Melchiona being shot and killed in 1970, and Patrolman Arthur Pelo
being shot and killed by a robbery suspect in 1971. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention highly decorated Detective Joseph
Vigiano who was killed on 9/11. However, the assassination of Police Officer Philip Cardillo in Harlem’s 28th precinct in April
1972 stands out in my mind as being the most despicable. Make no mistake; any murder of a police officer is an appalling act. Although all of the officers I mentioned previously were murdered, it was the way the Cardillo investigation was (mis)handled that
made matters worse.
Cardillo and his partner, Vito Navarro, were the first cops to respond to what turned out to be a “phony 13,” a cop in need
of urgent help. That call came from within the Nation of Islam Harlem Mosque located on West 116th Street. Upon entering the
facility, the cops were met with approximately 15 to 20 men who assaulted them, stripped Cardillo of his gun and shot him at
point blank range. A street riot broke out shortly after the shooting between cops, Mosque members and people on the street.
Cardillo died six days later. The immediate investigation was hampered by Mayor John Lindsay and Police Commissioner Patrick
V. Murphy. Neither of these “leaders” attended Officer Cardillo’s funeral. An unrepentant Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan
would later state that the officers "charged into our temple like criminals and were treated like criminals."
In this mix was Benjamin Ward, who would eventually be appointed by Mayor Ed Koch to be the city’s first black police commissioner. Ward was the Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs at the time and was instrumental in the decision to release
16 suspects who were being held by detectives for questioning. This action required a substantial amount of investigative back
tracking and catching up, resulting in invaluable evidence being lost and two failed prosecutions.
Fast forward to today. The NYPD will open a new state of the art police academy in Whitestone, Queens, within the year. Its
library will be named after Benjamin Ward, despite a less than stellar legacy in the department. Many cops have expressed outrage
because there is no street, pole, sign, hallway or anything named after Phil Cardillo, yet an individual who was instrumental in allowing his killer to go free will be honored. This is unacceptable.
As your president, I ask that everyone reading this, active or retired, send a letter or email to your union president and/or
your local elected officials asking that the street in front of the new police academy be named after Phil Cardillo.
We will NEVER forget!
Richard Angeletti
President.
PAGE 2
Columbia News
New York City Police Department
Columbia Association
Board of Officers
The
editOr’s
Spot
Hello Columbia,
The summer is here, time to relax
and enjoy the nice weather. The Columbia
May—June 2014
wwwnypdcolumbia.org
Executive Board
President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
Richard Angeletti
Emanuel Rossi
Kendra Damante
Executive Secretary
Louis J. Balsamo
(718) 845-2201
Treasurer
Anthony Burgio
(212) 741-4851
Recording Secretary
Christopher J. Pizzo
(516) 318-3545
Corresponding Sec
Anthony Quagliariello
(646) 210-9170
Sergeant At Arms
Salvatore Ferrante
(718) 637-4151
Editor
Andrew Carraro
(718) 869-9988
Public Relations
John DelGaudio
(917) 757-1456
Association counts on the support of our
membership. We also hope that our mem-
(718) 822-5815
(845) 902-0175
(718) 972-7871
Financial Secretaries
Manhattan
Louis Corrente
(212) 477-9790
Brooklyn
Vincent Aprea
(718) 629-1220
Queens
Matthew Cioffi
(718) 476-7595
one another whenever possible. If you are
Bronx
Steven Berger
(718) 548-1250
Staten Island
John Peruffo
(718) 815-8608
starting a venture or business, please let
Retiree's
Nat Infurna
(516) 747-1389
Manhattan
R.J. Coleman
sorship, which in turn provides exposure
Manhattan
Michael Alfieri
(917) 575-0009
Manhattan
Russ Marauro
(212) 239-9801
for your endeavor. Recently, Stephen Ba-
Brooklyn
Brett Raso
(516) 476-2752
Brooklyn
Michael Spezio
(646) 634-7223
rounis, a retired Sergeant from the Bronx
Brooklyn
John Passarella
(516) 512-7015
Queens
Stephen Salazer
(718) 533-2011
Task Force, opened the first police-themed
Queens
Dyanne Marzano
(718) 279-5200
restaurant and bar in New York City. The
Bronx
Rocco Ruscitto
(914) 755-0606
Bronx
Richard Citarella
(718) 292-6161
Staten Island
Alessandro Pizzirusso
(718) 876-8956
Citywide
Michael Mongelli
(516) 732-5961
bers, both active and retired, try to support
us know. We have several events during
the year that offer the opportunity for spon-
46th Street Station House is located at 315
Trustees
West 46th Street and opened to the public
(212) 258-2840
Directors & Advisors
in June. Stephen generously sponsored a
Life Member Rep
hole for the Association’s golf outing. This
the President
Phil Panzarella
(631) 965-7290
Travel.
John Martini
(718) 848- 1858
is just one example of how you or your
Phil Rapaci Sr.
(718) 758-4475
Special Assistant to
Health
Dr. Brian Mignola
(718) 816-9056
business can support the Columbia Associ-
Health
Dr. Joseph J. Ciuffo
(718) 541-8962
ation through sponsorship of one of our
Legal
events. I will also soon be adding a spon-
Spiritual
Legal
Spiritual
sor page to our newsletter. I look forward
Stuart Salles
James Moschella
(212) 267-9090
(212) 233-3800
DC Msgr. Robert Romano (646) 610-6472
Msgr. David Cassato
(718) 259-9146
Past Presidents
to working with all our members regarding
Anthony Cesarano
(646) 529-4310
Frank Ventura
(212) 610-6910
sponsorship with the Columbia Associa-
Paul DiGiacomo
(212) 587-1000
Giovanni Porcelli
(718) 702-2200
tion. Please feel free to reach out to me
Stephen P. Chiarini
(516) 887-5737
John Bucalo
631) 669- 9023
with any questions at [email protected].
Andrew Carraro
Editor
PAGE 3
Columbia News
May—June
2014
LEGAL
LINES
Messages from your Columbia Association Attorneys Stuart Salles and James Moschella
CCRB UPDATE
As predicted, the Civilian Complaint Review Board's Administrative Prosecution Unit has continued bringing charges and specifications against
members of the service at a frenetic pace. Complaints against mos are up
from the first 6 months of last year, but most alarmingly, charges resulting
from these complaints have gone up significantly. Of particular note is the
number of charges arising from stops of individuals.
With the Department's changes to its stop and frisk policies, and with the
increase in charges served against members, is it any surprise that there has
been an alarming increase in gun violence? These developments are exactly
what could have been expected. Unfortunately, until the Department provides further clarification we are advising our members to be as cautious as
ever before engaging in any stops, frisks or searches unless it is absolutely
necessary to prevent a crime or in protection of yourself and others.
The positive news is that where charges have been served, we are taking
those cases to trial and we are beginning to receive very positive decisions
from the NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials, in most cases, finding our
members not guilty. In those cases where a member has been found guilty,
Commissioner Bratton in most cases has recommended retraining as the appropriate "punishment. " We hope that at some point in the future the Commissioner will pull the plug on the CCRB experiment. Until then, however,
we will continue to fight each and every one of these case. Be smart, and be
safe above all else.
Jim Moschella, Counsel
PAGE 4
Columbia News
Retired Desk
By
NAT
Infurna
Retired members
Financial secretary
MEMBERSHIP: As of May 31, 2014
Retired...................................419
Life........................................1052
Delinquent............................. 41
May—June 2014
Birth Announcements
The Columbia Association celebrates
the births to the following members.
Columbia Association
Treasurer
Sgt. Anthony Burgio
And Wife Danielle
On the birth of baby girl
Sofia Ann
June 1, 2014 5lbs & 7 oz
DELINQUENT MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT PAID DUES FOR
2014
Santo Barravecchio
John Lombardo
Salvatore Bonaventura
Arthur Lompado
Stefano Braccini
Robert Jennings
Bruce Bovino
John Luongo
Francis Cammarota
John Magnotti
Steve Campanella
William Maiurro
Glenn Carboni
William Marchello
Guy Castellano
Lois Martano
Michael Cavuto
Edward Martello
Michael Celentano
Dawn Oliva
Rafael Chireno
Paul Petro
Joseph Cipriano
Thomas Ponzo
Richard Cosentino
Roseann Russo
Joseph Culbert
Anthony Sanseverino
Christopher Daly
Peter Sceusa
Anthony Damico
Anthony Scotto
Paul Galbo
William Soviero
Robert Gentile
Anthony Tabano
Guy Gismondi
Joseph Tannuzzo
Joseph Guida
Joseph Weibel
Death Announcements
Gerald Iucci
2014 Dues is $25.00 check made payable to Columbia Association NYPD
Mail to Nat Infurna
The Columbia Association Mourns The
Loss Of:
188 Brown St
Mineola NY 11501
PRAYERS
Pray for Fred Cornicello in a rehab center after surgery and
Phil Panzaella at home after surgery
Also for all members sick at home or in a nursing home and for
all members on patrol to keep them safe,
DEATH BENEFIT
If you would like to donate your death benefit to the Scholarship
for a one time tax deduction notify the organization in writing of
your intentions.
HAVE A HEALTHY AND HAPPY SUMMER
UNTIL THE NEXT ISSUE CIAO!!!!!!
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life member Dominick Pellegrino
۩Pray for the repose soul of
Life member Joseph Pizzino
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon
them.
May they rest in peace.
PAGE 5
Columbia News
May—June 2014
Event Montage
Golf Outing 2014
PAGE 6
Columbia News
May– June 2014
Meeting Montage
June 2014
Scholarship Awards
PAGE 7
Columbia News
May—June 2014
Event Montage
Fishing Trip 2014
PAGE 8
Columbia News
May—June 2014
Event Montage
Annual Dinner dance
PAGE 9
Columbia News
May—June 2014
2014 schedule of events
General Meetings
Events
July 27th
Annual Lake George trip
September 23
October 13 *
November 25
See Flyer on Page 10
Sept 21st
Anthony J. Venditti
Annual Motorcycle Run
See Flyer on Page 11
October 13th
Annual Columbus Day Parade
Flyer to Follow
All meeting are held at the
Italian Charities of America
83-20 Queens Blvd
Elmhurst, NY
*October General Meeting is held Post Columbus Day Parade
PAGE 10
Columbia News
March– April 2014
PAGE 11
Columbia News
March– April 2014