Surprise Sweep at Randall’s Island Migrant Shelter by NYPD Following Fatal Shooting
NEW YORK – In the wake of a tragic shooting that claimed the life of a woman, New York City police carried out an unannounced inspection at the Randall’s Island migrant shelter. The NYPD, as reported to CBS News New York on Friday, was searching for “dangerous contraband.”
Police Search Migrant Shelter Tents
Approximately 3,000 shelter residents were compelled to endure hours under the hot sun as officers conducted thorough searches of the tents, which have been home to many for months.
“They came in the morning. They said that everybody go outside,” recounted Clifton Arriste, a shelter resident.
“You can see the place is hot. It’s uncomfortable to be outside,” said Ibrahim Kaba, another resident. Despite the discomfort, Kaba believed the police operation was necessary for their safety.
“It’s good for our security. You know, it’s good for us. It’s to protect us. We don’t know what is inside. So let’s say if they have a gun or some drugs, taking that out is good for us,” he stated.
When asked about his sense of safety at the shelter, Arriste responded, “A hundred percent no … Sometimes people just fight for no reason.”
The NYPD noted that K-9 units identified several suspicious bags during the sweep. However, officers are awaiting search warrants to open and inspect the contents. Residents were allowed back into the shelter by Friday evening.
Legal Aid Society Criticizes Police Sweep
The Legal Aid Society condemned the police operation as “draconian.”
“They have already metal detectors. They’re searching all the bags of people as they come in. It certainly gives the impression that they want to create a big show and send a message, not that they have a strategy here to actually identify specific problems and protect people in a targeted way,” commented Joshua Goldfein, a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society.
Legal Aid also indicated that they would investigate any potential constitutional rights violations if arrests were made during the sweep.
Police Action Follows Deadly Shooting Incident
The sweep came just days after the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Sandra Serrano at the Randall’s Island shelter. The incident, which also left two people injured, is believed to have been a retaliatory act following a robbery.
As part of the investigation, the NYPD towed numerous unregistered vehicles, including cars and mopeds, from the shelter’s parking lot. At least one vehicle was discovered to be stolen.
