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Culture on the Cheap
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Exploding Manhole & A Shooting On Bedford Avenue?
A fellow we’ll call “G” writes:
About 9:15 Outside the Lucky Dog… Firefighter said a transformer blew and the flames shot out a manhole cover, hit the bottom of a BMW. Guy who hangs out at the barber shop on S. 2nd says it’s his friend’s, wasn’t fully insured… hope Con Ed or National Grid are on the hook.
The locals helped redirect traffic until the firefighters and cops got there, and the poor drunk hipsters at the Lucky Dog were locked inside for an hour before the firefighters cleared them out.
While we’re on the subject of Bedford Avenue, there was apparently a shooting in the wee hours on North 9th Street just west on Bedford Avenue (THINK: behind Kasia’s). Accounts vary as to whether the victim survived or not. If/when I get more details I’ll post them here. Otherwise, if you have the 411 as to what happened please shoot me an email at: missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Your identity will remain anonymous if you so desire. Thanks!
UPDATE, July 30, 2012: I have received word that Consolidated Edison is going to compensate bicycle owners whose rides were destroyed as a result of this incident. This is a good first step. Nonetheless, I hope they conduct a thorough investigation into exactly what happened and will share their findings with the public.
UPDATE, 10:14 p.m.: you can read the New York Daily News’s take on what happened by clicking here. The good (?) news: while listed in critical condition, the victim is expected to pull through.
UPDATE, 3:41 p.m.: Here’s another account of the fire in front of Lucky Dog.
Lest I have not made this clear: When I post missives from my inbox— especially when it involves an eyewitness of an event— I pretty much leave them “as is”. Their content/wording does not (and in fact, often) does not reflect my personal views of the subject at hand. I was not present when the manhole explosion occurred and by all accounts it sounds pretty terrifying— especially for those who had to wait on the premises of the Lucky Dog for over an hour until our Bravest got matters under control.
Do I necessarily like “G’s” how “G” relayed this event? No, not really. However, that was what I was sent and I opted to leave his/her words in intact. Perhaps this was mistake on my part? I am always open to reader feedback— but having someone wish I die of AIDS? Methinks this is going a bit too far. What’s more, it is against the law.
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: Another Bicyclist Hit?
This item comes from our 50th Assembly District Democratic Leader (and all-around nice guy) Lincoln Restler. He writes:
I am emailing you because a good friend of mine was smashed by a car riding his bicycle in the early hours of Sunday morning at Graham and Skillman just a few blocks from C’s accident. A car stopped temporarily to let my friend pass and then the driver stuck his foot on the gas to hit him full force. He went flying and was knocked unconscious. He woke up in Woodhull. Not only was it a classic hit and run – but my friend’s bike was stolen. Well, actually he was borrowing another friend’s bike. It has been seen around the neighborhood, so I was wondering if you might do a post to get the word out that this is a stolen bike. Details below about the bike and my friend Tyler’s first person account of what happened. thanks so much.
Without further ado, here it is.
“On Saturday night I was hit by a car on a bicycle at the intersection of Graham and Skillman. I was knocked out cold from the collision and woke up in the Woodhull ER. Luckily I was wearing a helmet or it could have been much worse. The car took off and the bicycle was stolen form the scene sometime while I was unconscious or after the ambulance had taken me away. I am writing to ask for people to keep a look out for this bicycle, details below, in the neighborhood. A good friend had lent me the bike to ride home and we are desperately seeking to get it back in his hands (no questions asked). He is a free-lance reporter and relies on the bike to get around and cover the local news. It’s bad enough that this was a hit and run accident, but to have the bike disappear on top of it is just wrong. The local police (94th precinct) have been unhelpful, so we’re turning to the community. If you have any information about the bike or accident please contact me directly at tyler.griswold@gmail.com
Details on the bike:It is a red Lemond Tourmalet steel-framed (59cm) road bike with Shimano components, white bar tape and a Fizik Arione saddle (this is important for the identification because I had put a fancy racing seat on it). The bike was in excellent condition, although the rear derailleur had a creak.”
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Stolen On Huron Street
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
A fellow named Michael writes:
Hey Heather,
Love the blog, as always. Sadly I have another stolen bike post. I was wondering if you could help my wife out by posting something on your blog.
My wife woke up to a stolen bike this morning. Her green 3rd Ward NYCBike was stolen last night/early this morning on Huron Street between Manhattan and Franklin. The bike had a brown wicker basket, old-school Brooks saddle and NYC Street Memorial placard in the spokes. A pic is attached (pre-Brooks saddle). Contact Lindsay.Illion@gmail.com with any info.
Thanks again for any help.
If any north ‘Pointers have seen this bike or know of its whereabouts please contact its rightful owner at the above-listed email address. Thanks!
The Word On The Street, Part II: For The Love Of Big Brother (& Tomatoes)
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Yours truly encountered the above missive today at the intersection of Herbert and Humboldt Street. Exactly what would make these tomatoes especially desirable is beyond me. Perhaps the emissions from the off-ramp of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway impart to them some special flavor? I suppose only the thief knows for certain. In any case, methinks I’ll take the old fashioned route and acquire my produce at the grocery store. It is pretty clear this person means business.
New York Shitty Video Du Jour: Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Taken today, July 9th, 2012.
Williamsburg Photo Du Jour: And Now A Word From 373 Graham Avenue
Filed under: 11211, Crazy People, Criminal Activity, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
To Complain
94 Percint 1 718-Fuck-U
In NYC.
Or mind your own business.— Taken July 7, 2012.
LAST GASP: On The Subject Of Helicopters
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
As some of you recall— and bore witness— there has been a lot of helicopter activity in the Garden Spot this week. While this has become pretty much standard operating procedure on July 4th nowadays, after hearing buzz about a police officer being shot, I wanted to know what gives. To this end I sent an email to head of the 94th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Hurson. Follows is his reply:
There was a Police Officer shot in Manhattan that night (July 5th — Ed. Note), however I think people noticed the helicopter I called in to assist us in dispersing a roof top party at 110 Green Street that had turned unruly. People
started dropping fireworks down on pedestrians and when my Officer arrived started throwing beer bottles at them from the seventh floor roof.
Throwing fireworks at pedestrians? Volleying beer bottles at police officers? This is ridiculous folks. Really.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: The Watchers
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
A person we’ll call “Y” writes on July 6, 2012:
Hey Heather! In response to the 4th of July sentinels, a/k/a the NYPD helicopters, I was chilling on our rooftop last night and lo and behold a VERY low flying NYPD sentinel was spied by mine eyes. This fella was extremely low. We are on a 4th floor walk up and he was parallel to the height of our building. There was also a lot of activity on the streets in the form of four-wheeled sentinels heading to the shit tits. But, the air-born sentinel was circling the area west of McGuinness, but eventually he was hovering over the shit tits. It seemed quite odd as the copter was so low I could have probably thrown one of our poorly formed tomatoes at it. Here is a shot. Sorry for it being rotated. The vantage point does not do the picture justice as the helicopter was literally 40 feet above the highest rooftop which is a mere 5 stories high.
I myself heard this myself. It was pretty jarring, to say the least. In regards to the increased police presence on July 4th, I have heard, but have yet to receive confirmation, that a police officer was shot. If/when I hear something from the 94th I will add it here. Otherwise (and closing with an interesting fact), the Shit Tits (as they are lovingly called hereabouts) are considered by the powers-that-be to be a viable terrorist target. While it is not my intent to revel in/encourage the apocalyptic, one has to admit Greenpoint being hit with a tsunami of shit is, well, interesting to say the least.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Armed Robbery at 187 Maspeth Avenue
This comes from the 94th Precinct via anonymous tipster:
On Thursday, June 28, 2012, at approximately 6:00 p.m., two unknown male/black perpetrators shot a male worker while robbing a scrap metal business of an undetermined amount of money. The business is located at 187 Maspeth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. The male victim was shot once in the left upper arm and once in his right upper leg. The victim was removed to the hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries. An investigation is ongoing.
If you should have any questions regarding the above notification please contact P.O. Adamo or P.O. Truglio (94th Precinct Community Affairs) at (718) 383-5298.
First off, I am relieved the victim of this robbery is going to make a full recovery. Nonetheless, this incident highlights a practice espoused by a number of scrap metal establishments hereabouts: paying for scrap with cash (as opposed to issuing checks). Not only does the latter discourage the theft and reselling of stolen access covers (by virtue of the funds being traceable), but it would probably discourage robberies as well. No large amounts of cash on hand = no incentive to rob. This is something well worth considering.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Dispatch From The McCarren Park Pool
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
A person we’ll call “E” writes (in an email entitled “McCarren Pool/Hot Tip!” at 6:33 p.m.):
the pool is lovely. up until the lifeguards tried to get someone to stop doing something. lifeguard jumped in the pool. another got pushed in. fracas! punches were thrown, not too many people involved. they kicked everyone out and closed the poop an hour early. 2 squad cars and 2 unmarked cars were on the scene. alas, no photos.
Interesting/relevant fact: We used to have a Parks Enforcement Police “PEP” Officer in our district. The powers-that-be got rid of him. Happy Friday.
UPDATE, 8:33 p.m.: Here’s the 411 per 94th Precinct’s Community Affairs office:
No riot… Just a fight involving 3 people and then a lifeguard tried to intervene (and) got hit by accident (no injuries).
Thus, the person witnesses saw taken away in an ambulance was a lifeguard— and the above missive from the 94th intimates his injuries were not severe. Does this mean this incident isn’t worrisome? It is. What transpired today raises (in my opinion) a very important question:
Exactly what IS the protocol at the McCarren Park Pool for handling emergencies— be it a fight, a medical emergency, accident, etc.?
Unlike McCarren Park (or any park here, for that matter) pool users probably do not have cell phones handy to call 911 if /when an emergency arises— so who does? Thoughts/information, anyone?
P.S.: While I am fairly certain “E” meant “pool” in the third sentence, it gave me an opportunity to share one of my favorite parts of Caddyshack (and there are many). Such is one of the perks of being one’s own editor.
P.S. #2: Why is it whenever something bad happens at McCarren Park it is located in Greenpoint?
I’d really like to know.
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