Second Safest City Blog

Four men were arrested after Clarkstown police stopped their car on Route 59 after an officer ‘recognized’ a man that lived in North Carolina and discovered that him and his buddies were loaded up with one handgun in the trunk. Seven police cars responded and they had all four men get out of the car at gunpoint. Richard Williams, 36; Sante Ballard, 23; Raymond Jones, 27; and Michael Batts, 22, all from North Carolina, were charged with 4th degree gun possession.

Just to clarify: according to the official story, these men from out of state were driving through with a gun stored in the trunk - but all four were pulled out at gunpoint by seven responding police cars and charged with weapons possession.

How can four people all be in possession of one gun? How serious of a threat is a gun in the trunk during a traffic stop to warrant that?  As for the need for 7 police cars to respond, considering they found only a single .25 caliber handgun, and considering police carry .40 caliber handguns and wear body armor, it just makes it look like we’ve never seen a gun before.

It’s interesting to note that the article doesn’t mention that there was a warrant on any of these men, just that the officer recognized one and ‘believed’ he had charges pending.

Thankfully we have an army of Honda Civics, taxis, and mayors from nearby towns patrolling the streets, keeping us safe.

Drivers in Clarkstown, take notice: the next time you get pulled over by the Clarkstown Police, the officer may be riding in a taxi or a Honda Civic, and be wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

This provocative article outlines the questionable tactics of the Clarkstown Police in allowing officers in plain clothes to use completely unmarked cars for traffic stops and routine police work. Not surprisingly, the Clarkstown Police spokesman refused to issue comment until the town council prodded him. His response?

“Maybe that’s why we were just identified as the second safest community in New York State of a population our size. Being a resident of the town you should be very proud of your police department and the work we’re doing.”

Truly safe cities don’t need armed narcotics and gang task forces.