By Philip Messing
New York Post
NEW YORK — Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. is reviewing accusations the Port Authority Police Department downgrades felony arrests at the PA Bus Terminal to keep crime statistics low and save on overtime costs, The Post has learned.
The shocking claims were sparked by Lt. David Attard’s move to drop felony charges originally brought against a violent shoplifter who left an officer hospitalized after an attack in a Duane Reade store at the terminal, sources said.
Last January, The Post detailed how PAPD cops threatened security guards at the same Duane Reade for arresting shoplifters.
The latest flap at the store occurred Feb. 19, when PAPD cops arrived to arrest Richard Hemphill, 46, for shoplifting. Hemphill allegedly fought Officer Dan Galvin, who was taken to the hospital.
Hemphill was initially written up for two felonies - robbery and assault - but Attard allegedly demanded that he be charged only with three misdemeanors: petit larceny, resisting arrest and criminal possession of a weapon.
That angered the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, which says Attard’s other duties - he also tracks felony crime - posed a conflict. Attard’s critics also say it was wrong not to prosecute Hemphill on felony charges, denying Galvin overtime.
John McAusland, the PAPBA’s general counsel, complained to Vance about Attard’s actions.
A PA spokesman insisted the case was properly handled.
Copyright 2011 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc.