Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Inwood Couple Endures Frequent FDNY, NYPD Visits Thanks To 155 Prank Calls
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 13, 2011
Modified Nov 13, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 13, 2011
Modified Nov 13, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
When does prank calling stop being funny? The Jerky Boys might say when the royalties stop, and their fans might say "at age 12." But for one Inwood couple, the thrill has been gone for almost two years. Mamadou and Assetou Sy have had 155 visits from the NYPD and the FDNY on fake calls, sometimes twice a day. "We cannot understand how this could be happening," Mamadou tells the Daily News, "How can people play around with the Fire Department and the police like this?" Moe is one thing, but continually calling emergencies services is just wrong.
The calls concern false reports of injuries, gunshots, fires, and the city is obliged to respond. "We can never not go," a NYPD Deputy Inspector says. "We will always go." Tapes have been played for the couple to determine if they recognize the voice on the calls, but they couldn't. Though they are Muslim, they don't believe that has anything to do with it either. What is known is that the caller is wasting precious city resources. "False alarms draw units and resources from actual emergency calls and put the lives of those responding needlessly at risk, FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer said.
After the Sys complained to the Housing Authority that controls their Dyckman House apartment, officials offered an emergency transfer, but the couple balked. "This is my home," Mamadou said. "We have a lot of memories here. We are not going anywhere."
Tagged
cruel jokes
dyckman houses
fdny
inwood
jerky boys
moe
nypd
prank calls
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. ET
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
Critics say the moratorium harms businesses in neighborhoods without a tradition of street fairs.
By
Carol Chen
News
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
Critics say the moratorium harms businesses in neighborhoods without a tradition of street fairs.
By
Carol Chen
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NJ early voting begins Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
By
Mike Hayes
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .