The safety officers, with Downtown Alliance president Jessica Lappin, who were honored for their exceptional service. From left: Nathan Turner, Jeffrey Lissade, Jeremy Vega, Francisco Rosario, Teresa Seignious, Akeem Jones, and Public Safety Director Dave Harvin. Not pictured is Supervisor Shawn Soto. Photo courtesy of the Downtown Alliance
At its annual ceremony, the Downtown Alliance honored on May 14 seven of its public safety officers for their exceptional service over the past year—from giving aid and assistance to a gravely injured citizen, to assisting the NYPD with making an assault arrest.
Alliance safety officers, nearly 50 in total, provide around-the-clock coverage of Lower Manhattan below Murray Street.
“They do it all, from patrolling the streets, to giving directions, to acting fast when someone needs help. This group continues to embody the integrity, professionalism and courage that NYC and Lower Manhattan is known for," said Alliance president Jessica, who presented the awards with the business improvement district’s director of public safety Dave Harvin.
The following officers received recognition for their service. Accounts of their actions were provided by the Alliance.
Security Officer Theresa Seignious was conducting routine patrol when she observed a man and a woman spray painting the side of 120 Broadway. She notified Alliance dispatch to call 911 and request police response. The NYPD responded and, after conferral with building management, arrested the perpetrators.
While on patrol on Broadway, Security Officer Theresa Seignious observed two fruit vendors arguing over a vending spot at the corner of Broadway and Rector streets. The vendors started to push each other when one vendor produced a knife while threatening the other vendor. Officer Seignious notified Alliance dispatch to call 911 and request police response. Officers from the 1st Precinct responded and Officer Seignious directed them to the perpetrator who was arrested.
Supervisor Francisco Rosario and Akeem Jones were notified by Alliance dispatch to respond to the corner of Pine and William streets to investigate a scaffold collapse. When they arrived on the scene, they observed a piece of scaffolding on the ground and two injured workers. They immediately notified Alliance dispatch to send over more guards and call 911 to request EMS and NYPD response. The two directed guards to reroute pedestrians and blocked off streets to allow emergency vehicle access. The injured workers were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and NYPD officers relieved Alliance personnel until scaffolding could be secured.
Security Officer Nathan Turner was on routine patrol when a passerby informed him of a man who had fallen out of his wheelchair into the bus lane in front of 25 Broadway. Officer Turner arrived on the scene and, along with several passersby, assisted the man back into his wheelchair. Officer Turner then contacted the man’s son and waited with him until the son arrived on the scene.
A taxi driver flagged down Security Officer Nathan Turner to say he had an unconscious man in the back of his taxi. Officer Turner notified Alliance dispatch and requested EMS response. He was also able to notify two MTA police officers who were stationed at 2 Broadway. The aided passenger eventually regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital.
While on routine patrol, Security Officer Jeffrey Lissade saw a woman crying at the corner of Fulton and William streets. He asked her if anything was wrong and she told him she had just been physically assaulted. Officer Lissade notified Alliance dispatch who called 911. The NYPD arrived, canvassed the area, and an investigation was subsequently conducted which led to an arrest by the 1st Precinct Detective Unit.
Supervisor Shawn Soto and Security Officer Jeremy Vega observed a man acting irrationally and harassing passersby. He notified Alliance dispatch to call 911 and request police response. Supervisor Soto responded first, and they both observed the man follow someone into 88 Fulton St. Once NYPD arrived on the scene, Supervisor Soto directed them into the building, where they took the man into custody and removed him to the hospital.