Paterson speaks out on teen son's brush with NYPD
Gov. David A. Paterson's son, Alex, 15, was taken into police custody in Manhattan for about two hours Tuesday and then released to his parents, officials said Tuesday.
Marissa Shorenstein, Paterson's press secretary, said the governor's son had been taken into the NYPD's 20th Precinct, located on West 82nd Street, and subsequently was released to his parents. The statement did not give more details.
"The governor and the first lady ask that their privacy is respected during this personal time," Shorenstein's statement said.
>>VIDEO: Click here to see Paterson's son throughout the years
Police spokesman Paul Browne said five male teenagers were spotted by 20th Precinct officers at about 12:45 p.m., involved in a game in the vicinity of Amsterdam Avenue, near Lincoln Center.
Gov. Paterson said Wednesday the debit card his son had when stopped by police was found near a subway garbage can and never used, resulting in “just one of the situations” kids can get into, The Associated Press said.
In his first comments since his 15-year-old son, Alex, was
stopped by police Tuesday, Paterson emphasizes there was no arrest.
He told the “Imus in the Morning” program on Fox News that his
son was playing dice, not for money, with some friends when he was stopped near his high school in Manhattan.
“He’s fine,” Paterson said of his son. “I think he’s a little
annoyed. He feels he didn’t do anything wrong and there hasn’t been anything documented that he has.”
Three of the teenagers produced identification and were allowed to leave, police spokesman Browne said.
Of the two others, both 15, one protested having to show identification and questions arose with the other regarding some kind of "bank card," Browne said. That card is the subject of further investigation, he said.
Neither of the two teens brought to the precinct were arrested or charged with crimes, Browne said.
Both were issued juvenile reports, copies of which are filed with the precinct and the NYPD's office of youth services, police officials said.
Assuming the youths have no further problems, those reports will be expunged when they turn 17, police said.
NYPD officials would not disclose the names of any of the teenagers.
Browne said the law generally gives juveniles confidentiality except when they are accused of serious crimes.
With The Associated Press
>> PHOTOS: Click here to see photos of Governor Patterson and his family through the years
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 21 Massapequa, Miller Place wrestling champs Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks about Massapequa and Miller Place wrestling teams winning state dual meet championships and Jonathan Ruban takes a look at the undefeated Northport girls basketball team.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 21 Massapequa, Miller Place wrestling champs Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks about Massapequa and Miller Place wrestling teams winning state dual meet championships and Jonathan Ruban takes a look at the undefeated Northport girls basketball team.
