The 52nd Precinct is upping patrols in and around St. James Park in Fordham after noticing a rise in gang-related disputes over the last month.

“St. James Park is going to be a big concern for us,” said Deputy Inspector Peter Fiorillo in a 52nd Precinct Community Council meeting. “I’m already starting to see problems in there.”

The precinct has identified four gangs that have been involved with the activity: Bloods, Crips, Black Kings and Trinitarios. Over the past month, Fiorillo cited two shootings with no injuries and four stabbings. He said the goal is to make the park, and surrounding area, as safe as possible by having a couple of police officers patrol the area all day, every day. 

Residents have a range of feelings about St. James Park and more police officers patrolling the area. Bronx native Dawn Sweeney, 48, works near St. James Park at an animal clinic. She usually comes to the park to walk her dog and enjoys coming there during the day.

“I won’t come out here at night, though, because at night you tend to get these fights that go on,” said Sweeney. “And you get your drug deals that come through because, when you walk, you can see the little baggies.”

Gabe Lorenzo of Kingsbridge does not usually hang out at St. James Park, but he believes 24-hour hour cop supervision would benefit the park.

“If you look now, there’s people here all the time,” said Lorenzo, adding the night usually invites criminal activity.

Twenty-five reported incidents surrounding St. James Park between June and August of 2016 included felony assaults, grand larceny, robberies and burglaries, according to the New York City Digital Crime Map. The last murder in the area was in 2015. The victim was identified as 21-year-old Henry Leal.

Sammy Torres, 23, does not think increased police presence will be effective.

“That’s creating an unsettling environment for everyone,” said the Fordham Heights resident. “Having police in the parks, around everywhere, kind of makes it feel like we’re animals being watched by trainers.”

“For the most part, I have to say that the park has quieted down since the mid-90s,” said Sweeney. “Because when I used to come through, in the evening, like seven, eight o’clock at night, a lot of people used to be here, very rowdy. But now they’re barbecuing with their kids [and] playing basketball.”