City News Briefs

Wacko Attacks Hizzoner’s Guard

A police officer protecting the mayor on his way to work was assaulted Tuesday morning.

According to the New York Post, Frank Zaluk, 30, was traveling with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s security cadre when Glen Cox, 30, jumped from behind a pole screaming, “I hate you fucking cops.” Cox proceeded to punch Zaluk in the face before other members of the mayor’s entourage helped subdue Cox.

Bloomberg was about 15 feet away while the struggle was going on, waiting for the number 4 train on the platform of the Fulton Street station.

Cox was taken to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric observation while Zaluk was also taken to Bellevue. The mayor later telephoned Zaluk, a 15-year veteran officer to thank him for his service. Zaluk, who regularly protects the mayor, was treated for minor injuries on his arm and back.

Report: Steam Pipe Had Structural Flaw

The New York Daily News is reporting that, according to a new study, the steam pipe that exploded on Lexington Avenue over the summer had an incomplete weld that ruptured, causing the explosion.

The report, commissioned by lawyer Kenneth Thompson, was conducted by engineering firm Exponent Engineering.

“The observed crack-like flaw appears to be old and is large enough that, in my opinion, Con Edison should have detected it prior to the rupture. Once detected, good and accepted practices would have required that this pipe section be immediately replaced,” the report stated.

Installed in 1924, the steel pipe in question was impossible to inspect, according to Con Edison, because it was insulated and encased in concrete. Con Ed has filed papers that would allow it to blame the city for the explosion.

Off Duty Cop Kills Man in Road Rage Incident

A narcotics officer in the NYPD has been suspended without pay after admitting to killing a man in a road rage incident.

According to WABC-TV Eyewitness News, 34-year-old Sean Sawyer shot and killed 25-year-old Jayson Tirado after an argument over who caused a traffic accident on the FDR Drive.

According to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, a backseat passenger in Tirado’s car has said that Tirado claimed to have a gun in his car and pointed his finger aggressively at Sawyer.

“He acted like a reckless teenager, shooting through the window, abandoning my son, letting him die, and now I find out it was a police officer,” Irene Tirado, the victim’s mother, said.

Sawyer has not yet been charged with any crime, and a grand jury will decide whether or not to indict Sawyer.

Principal Receives Noose in Mail

An African American principal of a Brooklyn high school received a noose and a racist letter in the mail, the New York Post reported.

The letter received by Canarsie High School Principal Tyona Washington was described by police as “hateful,” and was reportedly rife with expletives.

“She’s very upset and we, the family, are very upset about this,” said Renda Washington-Padgett, Washington’s sister.

The incident is the latest in a spate of hate crimes involving nooses that have occurred across the city since a noose was hung on the door of African American Teachers College Professor Madonna Constantine. Before the TC incident, police said there had not been a reported crime involving a noose in at least five years.