May/June 2014 Newsletter

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 n Integrity n Charity

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 turna-

round 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 Gen-

eral 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 Petro-

sino 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. Alt-

hough 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 com-

missioner. 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 al-

lowing 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 May—June 2014

Executive Board President Richard Angeletti (718) 822-5815

1st Vice President Emanuel Rossi (845) 902-0175

2nd Vice President Kendra Damante (718) 972-7871

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

Financial Secretaries

Manhattan Louis Corrente (212) 477-9790

Brooklyn Vincent Aprea (718) 629-1220

Queens Matthew Cioffi (718) 476-7595

Bronx Steven Berger (718) 548-1250

Staten Island John Peruffo (718) 815-8608

Retiree's Nat Infurna (516) 747-1389

Trustees Manhattan R.J. Coleman (212) 258-2840

Manhattan Michael Alfieri (917) 575-0009

Manhattan Russ Marauro (212) 239-9801

Brooklyn Brett Raso (516) 476-2752

Brooklyn Michael Spezio (646) 634-7223

Brooklyn John Passarella (516) 512-7015

Queens Stephen Salazer (718) 533-2011

Queens Dyanne Marzano (718) 279-5200

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

Directors & Advisors Life Member Rep Phil Rapaci Sr. (718) 758-4475

Special Assistant to

the President Phil Panzarella (631) 965-7290

Travel. John Martini (718) 848- 1858

Health Dr. Brian Mignola (718) 816-9056

Health Dr. Joseph J. Ciuffo (718) 541-8962

Legal Stuart Salles (212) 267-9090

Legal James Moschella (212) 233-3800

Spiritual DC Msgr. Robert Romano (646) 610-6472

Spiritual Msgr. David Cassato (718) 259-9146

Past Presidents Anthony Cesarano (646) 529-4310

Frank Ventura (212) 610-6910

Paul DiGiacomo (212) 587-1000

Giovanni Porcelli (718) 702-2200

Stephen P. Chiarini (516) 887-5737

John Bucalo 631) 669- 9023

The

editOr’s

Spot

New York City Police Department

Columbia Association

Board of Officers wwwnypdcolumbia.org

Hello Columbia,

The summer is here, time to relax

and enjoy the nice weather. The Columbia

Association counts on the support of our

membership. We also hope that our mem-

bers, both active and retired, try to support

one another whenever possible. If you are

starting a venture or business, please let

us know. We have several events during

the year that offer the opportunity for spon-

sorship, which in turn provides exposure

for your endeavor. Recently, Stephen Ba-

rounis, a retired Sergeant from the Bronx

Task Force, opened the first police-themed

restaurant and bar in New York City. The

46th Street Station House is located at 315

West 46th Street and opened to the public

in June. Stephen generously sponsored a

hole for the Association’s golf outing. This

is just one example of how you or your

business can support the Columbia Associ-

ation through sponsorship of one of our

events. I will also soon be adding a spon-

sor page to our newsletter. I look forward

to working with all our members regarding

sponsorship with the Columbia Associa-

tion. Please feel free to reach out to me

with any questions at [email protected].

Andrew Carraro Editor

http://www.nypdcolumbia.org


LEGAL

LINES Messages from your Columbia Association Attorneys Stuart Salles and James Moschella

CCRB UPDATE

As predicted, the Civilian Complaint Review Board's Administrative Pros-ecution 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 pro-vides 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 ap-propriate "punishment. " We hope that at some point in the future the Com-missioner 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


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

Death Announcements

The Columbia Association Mourns The Loss Of:

۩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.

MEMBERSHIP: As of May 31, 2014

Retired...................................419

Life........................................1052

Delinquent............................. 41

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

Gerald Iucci

2014 Dues is $25.00 check made payable to Columbia Associa-tion NYPD

Mail to Nat Infurna

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!!!!!!

Retired Desk

By

NAT

Infurna

Retired members

Financial secretary


Event Montage

Golf Outing 2014

Meeting Montage

June 2014

Scholarship Awards

PAGE 6 Columbia News May– June 2014

Event Montage

Fishing Trip 2014


Event Montage

Annual Dinner dance



2014 schedule of events

General Meetings

September 23

October 13 *

November 25

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

Events

July 27th

Annual Lake George trip

Sept 21st

Anthony J. Venditti

Annual Motorcycle Run

October 13th

Annual Columbus Day Parade

See Flyer on Page 10

See Flyer on Page 11

Flyer to Follow

PAGE 10 Columbia News March– April 2014

PAGE 11 Columbia News March– April 2014

Documents

May/June 2014 Newsletter