Waterfront Commission
Encyclopedia
The Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor (WCNYH) is a regulatory agency in Port of New York and New Jersey
in the United States
The inter-state government entity of New York
and New Jersey
was established in August of 1953. Under statutory mandate, the mission of the commission is to investigate, deter, combat, and remedy criminal activity
and influence in the port district and also ensures fair hiring
and employment
practices.
) to combat labor racketeering. It is held that the Gambino crime family
controlled the New York waterfront and the Genovese crime family
controlled the New Jersey side.
The Police Division operates out of three offices in Manhattan
, Brooklyn
, and Newark
.
The Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor cooperates with various state, federal, and local law enforcement authorities in pursuing investigations into waterfront-related crimes. The Waterfront Commission participated in the investigation of criminal activities by the leaders and members of the Gambino crime family and union leaders. Charges of racketeering conspiracy, extortion, theft of union benefits, mail fraud, false statements, loansharking, embezzlement of union funds, money laundering, and illegal gambling, dating back over three decades, were brought forth by the United States Attorney's Office - Eastern District of New York in February 2008 against leaders of the Gambino crime family, their associates, and union officials. The Police Division utilizes numerous vehicles in its vehicle fleet, including marked police car
s and trucks
.
Joseph Fisch issued a report of his two-year investigation of the Waterfront Commission. The report detailed extensive illegal, corrupt and unethical behavior on the part of Waterfront Commission staff. Following release of the report, the large majority of the Commission's executive staff was fired, including the New Jersey Commissioner Michael J. Madonna (the New York Commissioner's seat was vacant at the time of the report's release, although the report faulted the actions of the former New York Commissioner, Michael C. Axelrod).
The report was thanks in particular to two whistle blowers, Kevin McGown, and Brian Smith, who, both resigned, have since filed a discrimination complaint against the agency.
Port of New York and New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey comprises the waterways in the estuary of the New York-Newark metropolitan area with a port district encompassing an approximate area within a radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
The inter-state government entity of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
was established in August of 1953. Under statutory mandate, the mission of the commission is to investigate, deter, combat, and remedy criminal activity
Criminal Activity
Criminal Activity is the debut album by American rap supergroup Criminalz, which consisted of Spice 1, Celly Cel and Jayo Felony. It was released August 7, 2001 on Celly Cel's label, Realside Records. The album was produced by Doyle, G-Man Stan, Spice 1 and Stan Keith...
and influence in the port district and also ensures fair hiring
Recruitment
Recruitment refers to the process of attracting, screening, and selecting qualified people for a job. For some components of the recruitment process, mid- and large-size organizations often retain professional recruiters or outsource some of the process to recruitment agencies.The recruitment...
and employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
practices.
History
The commission was set up in August 1953 (a year before the movie On the WaterfrontOn the Waterfront
On the Waterfront is a 1954 American drama film about union violence and corruption among longshoremen. The film was directed by Elia Kazan and written by Budd Schulberg. It stars Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger, Eva Marie Saint, Lee J. Cobb and Karl Malden. The soundtrack score was composed by Leonard...
) to combat labor racketeering. It is held that the Gambino crime family
Gambino crime family
The Gambino crime family is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The group is named after Carlo Gambino, boss of the family at the time of the McClellan hearings in 1963...
controlled the New York waterfront and the Genovese crime family
Genovese crime family
The Genovese crime family , is one of the "Five Families" that dominates organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Mafia . The Genovese crime family has been nicknamed the "Ivy League" and "Rolls Royce" of organized crime...
controlled the New Jersey side.
Division of Licensing/Employment Information Centers
The Division of Licensing and Employment Information Centers is responsible for screening, registering, and licensing individuals who are interested in working at the dock. The commission is authorized to deny or revoke the registration and/or licenses of those who involve themselves in criminal activity.Police Division
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, and Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
.
The Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor cooperates with various state, federal, and local law enforcement authorities in pursuing investigations into waterfront-related crimes. The Waterfront Commission participated in the investigation of criminal activities by the leaders and members of the Gambino crime family and union leaders. Charges of racketeering conspiracy, extortion, theft of union benefits, mail fraud, false statements, loansharking, embezzlement of union funds, money laundering, and illegal gambling, dating back over three decades, were brought forth by the United States Attorney's Office - Eastern District of New York in February 2008 against leaders of the Gambino crime family, their associates, and union officials. The Police Division utilizes numerous vehicles in its vehicle fleet, including marked police car
Police car
A police car is a ground vehicle used by police, to assist with their duties in patrolling and responding to incidents. Typical uses of a police car include transportation for officers to reach the scene of an incident quickly, to transport criminal suspects, or to patrol an area, while providing a...
s and trucks
Police truck
A police truck is, broadly, a large motor vehicle that is used for police and law enforcement duties.-Police pickup truck:A police pickup truck may be used for many different purposes. Four-wheel drive versions may be used for patrolling off-road areas such as mountains, forests, flooded areas,...
.
New York State Inspector General Report
On August 11, 2009, the "New York State Inspector GeneralInspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
Joseph Fisch issued a report of his two-year investigation of the Waterfront Commission. The report detailed extensive illegal, corrupt and unethical behavior on the part of Waterfront Commission staff. Following release of the report, the large majority of the Commission's executive staff was fired, including the New Jersey Commissioner Michael J. Madonna (the New York Commissioner's seat was vacant at the time of the report's release, although the report faulted the actions of the former New York Commissioner, Michael C. Axelrod).
The report was thanks in particular to two whistle blowers, Kevin McGown, and Brian Smith, who, both resigned, have since filed a discrimination complaint against the agency.
External links
- Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor home page.
- Annual report, The Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor 1994-2003.