Precinct commander’s letter to readers of the Riverdale Press

Posted

Recently, The Press published an article regarding a homeless individual who built structures on the JFK campus. The NYPD had responded several times to the location looking for the structures and the person using them. In December, the location of the structures was located and pictures were taken to aid us in the future. Since my assignment here, I have heard complaints of a person living there. That person was identified as Carlos Gavila by community members.  After the article was published, the NYPD did locate the person using the structures. That person was identified, and he is not Carlos Gavila.  The individual was offered services and was transported to a shelter by the NYPD Homeless Outreach Unit. I regret any inconvenience that this has caused.

I would like to note that the primary mission of the NYPD is to protect people from harm. This includes transporting homeless persons to shelters, directing people to social service agencies and notifying those agencies when we suspect someone is unable to care for themselves. If you become aware of anyone that may need help, please contact 911/311 or the 50th Precinct with as much information as possible. Thank you for your concern.

Deputy Inspector Terence O’Toole, 

Commanding officer, 50th Precinct