Leaf blower summonses were doled by Rye police out at a much higher clip in April, continuing a trend that began in March, year-over-year department data shows.
The recent uptick stems from the department assigning overtime to officers to further enforce city code complaints, according to Rye police Lt. Michael Anfuso.
In total, 37 leaf blower summonses were issued last month compared to zero in April 2024, according to the latest police data. That follows March year-over-year numbers, which also showed a significant increase.
Rye police issued 20 leaf blower summonses in March, while just five tickets were handed out in March 2024.
Gas-powered leaf blowers are only allowed in the city during the periods of March 1 to April 30 and Oct. 1 to Dec. 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, according to the city code. Violators of the law are hit with fines of up to $250 for a first-time offense, up to $350 for repeat offenders, and up to $1,500 for third offenses.
City code complaints — including things like construction noise and off-leash dogs — also increased this April by 36 percent, going from 11 to 15. Two summonses were issued in April, compared to three in April 2024, police data shows.
This April also saw six arrests, slightly down from the seven arrests made by police in April 2024.
The arrests included the lengthy police chase involving Antonio Trusty, who was pursued by Rye and Westchester County police across the city for allegedly driving a stolen vehicle. Cops drew their handguns to arrest Trusty on April 6, constituting the only use of force incident reported by Rye police in April.
There were no use of force incidents logged in April 2024.
Additionally, Luigi F. Mejabarahona, 24, was arrested on April 11 for trespassing on a Purchase Street residence and two sisters from New York City, Shaniqua Tanner, 36, and her sister, 37-year-old Shavonne, were taken into custody for assaulting a woman at a bus stop on Purchase Street.
On April 23, 48-year-old Jose Urena was arrested for attempting to withdraw $20,000 from Webster Bank on Purchase Street using a fake Connecticut ID.
Traffic stops increased by 9 percent in April, from 221 in April 2024 to 223. Neither month, year-over-year, saw a single DWI arrest.
Pursuits decreased by 25 percent, year-over-year, from four in April 2024 to three this April. And overcall calls to Rye PD for service decreased by 3 percent, 2,512 to 2,504.
