This picture of a cop using an old police radio is from the group I got from One Police Plaza, and is undated. Now they can dial into various databases from their cars, and communicate to each other online (although, like people everywhere online, what they’re frequently doing is bickering).

I wonder where he is. It looks like he’s under a bridge somewhere, but it also looks like a bomb just went off or something. The photograph didn’t have a caption, alas.

I just got this from the Detectives’ Endowment Association.

NYC DETECTIVES UNION SAYS “FOLLOW OUR LEAD:”
NAPO RELIEF FUND IS THE PLACE TO SEND
NEW ORLEANS POLICE DONATIONS

The union representing New York City’s police detectives has made a $50,000 donation to aid police in New Orleans and says the NAPO Relief Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is the most appropriate place to send donations to New Orleans beleaguered police officers and their families. Michael J. Palladino, President of the Detectives Endowment Association of New York City and Vice President of NAPO (the National Association of Police Organizations) says this fund was set up years ago to aid in such emergencies. “Our brother and sister police officers in New Orleans are currently carrying a double burden: the job of trying to maintain law and order in a devastated major American city, all the while trying to cope with their own pain and loss– of their homes, families, friends, and their town. This is the worst imaginable scenario police officers can face.

“As the Vice President of NAPO, I urge caring New Yorkers to consider the special needs of New Orleans police at this time. There may be many organizations that claim to assist the police, but if you donate, you should do so with confidence. The Police Association of New Orleans, the organization representing New Orleans police force, is working with NAPO’s Relief Fund to ensure that your donations will go directly to their members in need.”

The National Association of Police Organizations is a Washington, DC based coalition of police unions and associations from across the United States. NAPO serves to advance the interests of America’s law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. Both the NYC Detectives Endowment Association (DEA) and the Police Association of New Orleans (PANO) were founding members of NAPO when the organization first formed in 1978. Donations can be made by check or credit card. Donation forms can be downloaded from www.napo.org or donations can be sent directly to the NAPO Relief Fund, c/o NAPO, 750 First Street, NE, Suite 920, Washington, DC 20002-4241. Donations to the NAPO Relief Fund are tax deductible.

For More Information Contact:
Michael J. Palladino, President (212) 587-1000
Sam Katz (212) 587-1000
26 Thomas Street New York, NY 10007
Phone (212) 587-1000 FAX (212) 732- 4863

In 1936, a young Syrian boxer named George Abdinoor (aka The Sheik) was murdered in Brooklyn, then buried in a basement in Lawrence, MA.

He was unearthed 18 months later, and buried in the United Syrian Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. His case was never solved. 145 of the 365 homicide cases that year went cold.

The year with the largest number of unsolved homicides in New York was, not surprisingly, the year with the most murders. In 1990, 791 of the 2,245 murders that year are still unsolved. That’s 35%, and that’s typical. The most recent figures I have are for 2003. As of 2004, 294 of the 596 murders that year were not yet solved. That’s almost 50%. However, I did discover that a cold case has up to a 5% to 10% chance of being cleared within one year after it went cold. After two years it’s less than 1%. That means the percentage of unsolved murders in New York is around 40%.

Recap: Someone asked, “How far back in time can a cold case be sent in? How many years back can a case be re-opened?”

I answered that there is no statute of limitations on murder. If a murder hasn’t been solved, the case is still open even if no one has looked at it for years or decades. Then I asked others to weigh in.

From Det. Wendell Stradford: Yes that is correct, there is no statute of limitation on murder. And if a “very old” case has a chance to be brought to a meaningful conclusion, even if no one is ever arrested, we would give it a go. The bottom line is the family of the victim gets answers.

From retired Deputy Inspector Vito Spano: There is never a time limit. The key element is solvability. If there is new evidence, information or technology that may lead to solving a case, then the case will be assigned to a detective. Can it be developed? That is the main criteria for opening up a cold case.