Chaos caught on camera outside Mott Haven parole office
Patterson said parole officers noticed an altercation outside of 82 Lincoln Ave. between a parolee and a group of people who drove outside the parole office.
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A chaotic scene was captured on camera in Mott Haven by a bystander who said parole officers helped save a person's life.
Gregory Patterson recorded the June 11 incident on his cellphone.
"I was watching the parole officers try to restrain somebody, yet at the same time, tell me - somebody else across the street to go away," shared Patterson.
Patterson said parole officers noticed an altercation outside of 82 Lincoln Ave. between a parolee and a group of people who drove outside the parole office.
"He was parked at the end of the block. They hopped out, ran down on my man (the alleged parolee) over there. And as soon as it happened, the patrol stopped it. And they tried to apprehend the vehicle, but they fled away," Patterson explained.
The altercation ended differently than a similar situation that took place back in October, where a drill rapper was shot and killed outside of another parole office just a block away on 79 Alexander Ave., taking the life of 27-year-old John Martinez
With so many residential apartments and schools in that section of the Bronx, one woman who did not want to share her identity but saw Patterson's video online said she believes the neighborhood is no longer suitable for parole offices.
"There's a school. There's a lot of people living here, and we can't continue doing things the old way. Things need to change. "Parol offices do not belong next to a school. Many people come to parole. Right. Sex offenders, child predators. So we really want them next to a school. Let's make it make sense," she said.
District 17 Council Member Justin Sanchez, who represents the South Bronx in City Council and sits on the Public Safety Committee, released a statement about the issue, stating in part:
"NYPD officers responded quickly and effectively, de-escalating a dangerous situation that could have easily become another tragedy, and I commend them for this. Following last year's fatal incident, they regrouped, reassessed, and adjusted their approach; this is exactly what we need to see.
Prevention must remain the primary objective. Residents, business owners, and the broader community are rightfully alarmed and should be part of the conversation to ensure their neighborhood is safe."
News 12 also received a statement from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) stating in part:
"On June 11th, DOCCS Parole Officers intervened in an incident that occurred outside a Bronx parole office. The matter is under investigation by the Department’s Office of Special Investigations and the NYPD. We appreciate the professionalism and dedication that our parole officers demonstrate every day as they work to protect public safety and assist those under their supervision."
Patterson shared he is thankful that no one was injured in the situation.
"Sometimes we have a negative stigma on a cop, but something the cops does save our life. In this incident, they actually did save his life," said Patterson.
