Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A(nother) Robbery At HSBC?
A couple days ago it was brought to my attention by a reliable source that an attempted bank robbery came to pass at HSBC on Bedford Avenue. Well, per the following item (which was forwarded to me by an anonymous tipster) this would in fact appear to be the case:
The NYPD is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the following individual wanted in connection with an attempted bank robbery in the confines of the 94 Pct. The circumstances are as follows:
On Monday, June 27, 2011 at approximately 1139 hours inside of 252 Bedford Ave (HSBC Bank), suspect entered the location, passed a demand note to the teller and when he did not receive money, he fled the location in an unknown direction.
Suspect is described as a M/H/40-45, approximately 5’9″, 190lbs, last seen wearing a black t-shirt, short black jeans, a gray fishermen hat and sunglasses…
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
All calls are strictly confidential.
As some of you might recall, there was another robbery at this same location a few months ago.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Police Activity On Clifford Place?
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
A lady we’ll call “L” writes:
Hello, I’m a Greenpointer and follow your blog. Since you are always in the know I’d thought I’d reach out to you. I think something bad happened on last night on our street. cops all over the street and one was sitting outside the bldg across the street. 11 Clifford. Do you know anything about this?
No, I do not know anything about this incident— but YIKES! On a (somewhat) related note, yesterday I was asked about an incident on Manhattan Avenue and India Street culminating in this:
Apparently these was a car chase pursuit between New York’s Finest and a “perp” Saturday night around 11:30 p.m. Many police cars (including one which jumped the curb, took out a stop sign and damaged the above call box) were noted. That’s all I know. If anyone knows what happened here or at 11 Clifford do share via comments or via email at missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Your identity will remain anonymous if you so desire. Thanks!
UPDATE, 3:40 p.m.: I have been told that the incident on Clifford Street came to pass between 2:00 and 5:30 a.m., and although drugs and blood were found, there was no body. No body = no murder, folks.
UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.: Now I am being told there is a body. A tipster writes:
So now I’m told via my next door neighbor who talked to the owner of the building on Clifford that there WAS a body. I guess the guy was beat up on his stoop around 9pm, in front of a lot of witnesses. He made it into his house, where the landlady heard a big crash around 1:30 or 2, and then called the cops to check on him. That’s when they found him dead. He was a guy in his early 30s who owned two dogs. No one has wanted to ID any of his attackers for fear of retaliation.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Another Anti-GBLT Incident?
Filed under: 11211, Criminal Activity, Culture War, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Given that much of last night’s Community Council meeting was about both anti-GBLT violence and violence against woman in general you can imagine how disturbed I was to receive the following email this morning from a woman who appears to have experienced just these things as the previously-mentioned proceedings were coming to pass. Anonymous writes:
Hello Miss Heather,
I wanted to share my story with you.
Last night around 8pm, I had just finished having dinner with my girlfriend near N 4th and Kent. Our scooters were parked outside where visible. After dinner, we stepped into the Duane Reade only to come out to find a young man dragging mine about 5 feet from where I had parked it. His car now occupied my previous space, and I was now in an illegal spot.
I confronted him immediately, assuming this was a minor. He proceeded to become worked up – arms flailing, screaming and getting too close for comfort. He threatened to hit me, then proceeded to call his mother who lived nearby to come “beat my ass” then turning my accusations into “racial profiling”.
The scooter’s wheel was thrown out of alignment, which I attempted to show him before his excitement got to be too much and a few passersby got involved, asking him to calm down and show respect.
These next events all happened very quickly, so I might not have them in the correct order. After a few minutes and calls to 911 already rolling, he then pushed one of the men who had stepped in to defend me, and the man immediately restrained him. When the man released him, the suspect went to his car and removed an aluminum baseball bat and went after the man who had hold of him. Another bystander, managed to grab the bat from the suspect mid-swing. Within moments, an SUV full of teenagers rolled up. 4 boys jumped out of the car, 2-3 girls remained in the back seat. Had 20-30 bystanders not stayed close to my girlfriend and I, I have no doubt that this group would have turned the situation very ugly.
The suspect panicked as more people were calling 911 and reporting his license plate number. My girlfriend standing in front of the driver side of the car was nearly run over when he sped away from the scene.
He stopped 3 blocks away and stayed there wandering with his group of friends. My girlfriend was near the suspect keeping an eye that he remained there so we could send the police to apprehend them.
After 45 minutes and likely dozens of of calls to 911, the police from the 94th Precinct FINALLY arrived – one cruiser, two officers. Our suspect situated just up the street. When asked what had taken so long, that this was a call to a violent act, they claimed that they were reporting to a “car accident” and that they were the only officers patrolling the ENTIRE Greenpoint/Williamsburg area.
When I asked them to go to N 6th Street (the low-income housing area of the water-front condos) to find the suspect, they were excessively unmotivated.
I had 5 witnesses – people I didn’t even know – stay at the scene for an hour with me. This call wasn’t urgent? The known suspect 3 blocks away did not elicit a quick response to detain him?
Meanwhile, my girlfriend was being circled and verbally assaulted by these teens. Some of the comments were hate comments directed to our being gay.
The police finally made their way up the street (after other passersby continued to stop and say, the boys who did it are over there). The police missed the group and my girlfriend was able to flag them down. Myself and the witnesses ran to N 6th to ID the suspect, who’s mother had joined him outside.
She seemed reasonable and provided me with information to have any repairs taken. At that time, the police said…
“Well, if that’s all, then we are the only guys out tonight and need to get out of here.” No police report, no opportunity to press charges? It still was not clear whether or not he was a minor (a bit of information that would greatly impact my decision whether or not to take things further). I was flustered and they left with us standing in the middle of the courtyard entrance of this low income section.
I called the precinct once we left and will go there this evening to ensure a proper report is filed with the names that were taken at the scene.
I am afraid to pass through this neighborhood, as I am pretty easily recognizable. It goes without saying that my girlfriend is too. She’ll be creating a separate report of her own. We’ll likely be filing a complaint against the officers for their negligence.
After a night of running this situation through my head, there are so many things wrong with this picture.
Where are the police? Why don’t they find property damage, attempted assault and fleeing the scene of a crime reason enough to take action?
Many reports of violence and disruption in this neighborhood describe the same suspects as were standing in front of me. They made gay-hating comments – were they the same kids who beat Barie Shortell? Are they the same kids I have seen smashing windows and property in the blocks surrounding this incident with baseball bats?
Thankfully no one was hurt this time. My deepest appreciation to the many, many good samaritans in this community for getting involved – especially the ones who interrupted their nights to stay and provide a statement.
What do you think Miss Heather? How can we make our streets safer and work to address the class and racial tensions (on both sides) that are escalating here?
This is an excellent question. One, I will add, that was more or less raised at last night’s 94th Precinct Community Council meeting by both Community Board 1 Public Safety member Tom Burrows and Lincoln Restler. I have referred this young woman to these individuals in the hope they can get some answers about what happened and some redress. As these men— along with an officer present at last night’s meeting— stated over and over:
If you see something, say something.
Miss Heather
Live From The 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Natives Are Getting Restless
(Special D.I. Hurson-less Edition)
As the above table indicates, Deputy Inspector Hurson was not present at last night’s convocation. An explanation for his absence is later given by the lady who oversaw the proceedings in the following footage.* Scott Adamo, our precinct’s Community Liaison, happened to be on vacation as well so another officer, Henry the Crime Prevention Officer for our precinct, was on hand to take notes so he can bring the issues which arose at this meeting to both Mr. Adamo and Deputy Inspector at a later time. Let’s just say that certain people present— particularly a stalwart Community Council attendee (and personal favorite), Phyllis— kept this chap on his toes! Without further ado here is the footage. Enjoy!
PART I: Preliminary announcements, including the revised schedule and location for forthcoming 94th Precinct Community Council meetings. (You can view the calendar for the remainder of the year by clicking here.)
- Two 94th Precinct officers are commended for a recent arrest at the Cooper Houses (during which they were injured).
- A representative from the New York City Fire Department speaks about employment opportunities.
PART II: The Q & A Session Begins
- The issue of an increased homeless presence/encampment at Jerzy Popieluszko Square is raised by a concerned citizen. Apparently the former caretaker has stepped down and now the gates are being left open (thus facilitating the previous). I myself have seen this. It’s pretty bad.
- Community Board 1 Public Safety Committee member Tom Burrows speaks and a victim of the anti-gay incident I wrote about in this post gives a personal account of what happened.
PART III: Phyllis Speaks
- It has been verified by a second party that there is in fact a man at large on Bedford Avenue fitting Phyllis’s description. He sports women’s underwear (manties?) and flowers in his hair and likes to abuse women verbally (no mention of a stick was made). He was described to me as a small (think approximately 5’2″ tall) Asian-American chap between 30 and 50 years of age. He is quite insane and has been spotted in the East Village as well.
- Phyllis is 74 years old and makes it very clear she will be keeping on eye on our Finest.
PART IV: A resident of Ainslie Street (who has been overseas for some time) notes that north Brooklyn has an alcoholism problem much to the amusement of fellow attendees.
- Public urination is mentioned.
- Phyllis chimes in.
PART V: Diane Jackson of the Cooper Houses brings up the matter of recent robberies thereabouts and is of the distinct opinion that the perpetrators hail from the adjacent homeless shelter located on the premises of the former Greenpoint Hospital (Ed. Note: Do give this a listen, it is seriously disturbing stuff.)
PART VI: Lincoln Restler Speaks— and Phyllis responds (Boy, does she ever!)
- One word: fornication. Stated repeatedly and in a church by (who else?) Phyllis, no less.
New York Shitty Analysis/Commentary:
- For a meeting which seemed to be finished before it had even started, it proved to be very interesting. One friend of yours truly opined that it was (an I quote) “better than cable television”.
- I am very happy the young women who experienced harassment for simply bar-hopping in my fair ‘burgh showed up and spoke up. Granted, an error in judgement was made (throwing the bottle back) but ultimately what is important (and easily overlooked) is that she and her party were not the instigators. That distinction goes to a man who (for reasons only known to him) saw fit to verbally harass her and hers for simply walking down the street. This is not only unacceptable but it also begs the question (in my mind, anyway) as to who’s next? Greenpoint is without argument one of the safest (and finest) neighborhoods to be found in New York City. Nonetheless, when incidences such as this are brought to my attention it is all too clear that there is still work to be done.
- Mr. Restler handled his trial by
firePhyllis rather well. Given that she saw fit to grill Councilman Steve Levin at last month’s meeting and get him, Rami Metal and D.I. Hurson to all attest that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a good President** proves she is not partisan in regards to Democratic Party politics but is an equal-opportunity force to be reckoned with! I can hardly wait to hear what she has to say come September. Until them folks…
Miss Heather
*Here’s what I have been told by a tipster about this:
spoke to my buddy from the 7th precinct. the call last night in East New York was a suicide by cop. Dude shot a guy at an automotive store then waved the gun around at cops
YIKES!
**Who, as it was rather piquantly noted by Tom Burrows, cheated on his wife Eleanor rather flagrantly. Ergo, fornication and good governance— at least per Phyllis’s logic— can and did mix.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Tidbits From Community Board 1
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
I was told the agenda was light and for the most part light it was. There were even sounds of merrymaking behind yours truly.* At one point I heard the distinct “clinking” sound of a wine bottle being dropped. This of course garnered a great deal of attention from the (mostly) bored attendees. I personally assured our Public Safety Chair (whose jurisdiction oversees such stuff) that I was not responsible. Whether or not he actually believes me is anyone’s guess. The previous having been written, there were a few items of note from last night’s meeting. Some serious, some not so much. I will start with the latter first.
- Those of you who have always wondered which members of our board have perfect attendance records will be pleased as punch to know that Borough President Marty Markowitz’s office conferred just such awards last night! Follows is the riveting video footage I shot. Enjoy!
- Next up, a fellow Garden Spotter (who I presume was responsible for the rather jaunty fliers gracing the tables when I arrived— if anyone reading this managed to grab one please forward me a scan stat. I lost mine!) brings up the matter of expanding our current historic district to includes places North ‘Point.
Those of you who are intrigued by this chap’s proposal (I for one am) should make it a point to attend the next Land Use Committee later this month. I have it on very good intelligence that this gentlemen will be present.
Community Board 1 Land Use Committee Meeting
June 29, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m.
435 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
- Rounding out my video footage is a brief introduction from the Location Manager of the MTV series slated to grace the Garden Spot: I Just Want My Pants Back. (NOTE: You have to crank up the volume on this one.)
For those of you who are not in the know, the gentleman grilling this chap is our Public Safety Chair: Mieszko Kalita. The article to which he is referring comes from the Wall Street Journal and was a source of considerable anger in the Polish community hereabouts. The following passage should give you, gentle readers, a very good idea why:
The show’s other executive producer, David Bartis, who is based in Los Angeles, recalled the enjoyable unpredictability of filming on location in New York. He described an incident in which they called the police on an intoxicated bartender at Greenpoint bar Tommy’s Tavern, where they filmed the pilot. The bartender refused to leave the premises, Messrs. Bartis and Liman said, making it impossible for them to continue filming…
I suspect I speak on the behalf of a number of non-Polish, “newer” residents when I write that if the above anecdote is in fact true (and I have been assured by Mr. Kalita is isn’t), this gentleman is a hero. As our Public Safety Chair notes, there is a backlash against filming in this community (because there is so damned much of it). Those of you who are interested in taking up this chap’s offer for a dialogue (or simply want to watch the fireworks) will have an opportunity to do so June 23rd (once again) at the main office of Community Board 1.
Public Safety Committee Meeting
June 23, 2011 starting at 6:30 p.m
435 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Now I will round out this post with a few items which I did not film, but believe are important.
- On June 28th starting at 6:30 p.m. there will be a joint Executive Committee/Public Safety Committee meeting to discuss a course of action regarding the liquor license conundrum our community is currently facing. This too will come to pass at Community Board 1’s main office, so mark your calendar!
- By far the most disturbing part of the evening came to pass when a young woman spoke about she and two companions being the victim of anti-gay slurs on Greenpoint Avenue recently. Although I have reached out to this lady and her friends in the hopes of meeting with them and getting more details (for a later post) I will recounts what facts I did gather here and now. They were walking eastward on Greenpoint Avenue when a car pulled up and the men inside started shouting epithets. One of them threw a beer bottle at these women and one of them, being understandably angry, threw it back. This act, in turn, escalated the situation: the men in question followed them to the Gypsy bar (which is located at 159 Greenpoint Avenue) where a verbal confrontation ensued. One of the men asked of these ladies (and I quote) “Are you men or women? Because I do not hit women.” Exactly how this situation was resolved (or what, if any, action was taken by the management of this establishment) remains to be seen. However, it did end non-violently and it is my understanding that these ladies are going to work with the Anti-Violence Project to file a police report. When I learn anything new, dear readers, I will post it here. Otherwise, if any of my gay, lesbian or transgendered friends have the misfortune of being subjected to this unacceptable behavior, do not retaliate. Call 911 and let the police take up the matter. That’s they’re here for!
Miss Heather
*Who was engaged with a fellow member of the UCB1PSCLA playing Mad Libs using the evening’s proceedings as fodder. I have not transcribed them yet, but they look promising!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: An Incident At West Street & Greenpoint Avenue
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
A person we’ll call “A” writes:
Figured you might find this story amusing, useful or be totally pissed like I was!
I was enjoying some refreshments at one of my neighborhood faves, Red Star, Monday night when my alcoholic interlude was interrupted by a voice blasting over a loud speaker in the street “Move these cars or we will move them for you”. Everyone in the bar had the same puzzled look on their faces. Again we here this voice “Anyone on West Street move your car or lose it”.
It sounded like the cops, so a bunch of us went outside to see what was going on. Much to our surprise, not cops but trucks with a fleet of WIDE LOAD cars, complete with yellow sirens and obviously a PA system. There were three MAASIVE trucks with crane equipment on them trying to make the turn from Greenpoint Avenue on to West Street.
A bunch of guys started yelling to the people who had come out of the bar “You can’t park on this street! If these cars belong to you, move them or we’re going to hit them!”
We were all shocked. #1 There were no signs saying that parking on the street wasn’t allowed. #2 It was 12:30am at night and these guys were yelling through a PA system. #3 The few people from the bar who went to move their cars were told to “Hurry the fuck up” #4 While all this was going on, one guy was cutting down the street signs on West Street with some kind of a saw!
Most of the cars were moved but 2 remained. One of the guys with the trucking company came into the bar and started yelling “Move your fucking cars! We can’t get the trucks by!”
Eric, the owner, happened to come down to see what all the ruckus was about. And walked right into this guy yelling. I don’t know if you know Eric or not? He’s a really cool dude, totally a Brooklyn kid and that being said, not the type of guy I’d want to be yelling at.
“Can I ask why you’re in here yelling at my customers?” Eric asked the guy. “Who the fuck are you?” the neanderthal replied. “I’m the guy that’s going to drag you the fuck out of here by your ankles if you keep yelling at my customers. And why are you screaming profanity through a mega phone at 1am. People live on this block.” Eric fired back while getting right in the truck drivers face. “We’re from Bay Crane and we’re doing a big job. We don’t have time for this shit, tell these assholes to move their cars.” says the truck driver.
This was a classic Brooklyn style stare down! It was actually kind of amusing. Eric was about two inches from the truck drivers face and just calmly replied “So your business is more important than mine? Your business is more important than my neighbors quality of life?. Do me a favor? Leave now! Or shall I show you the door?” The truck driver just turned and walked out. Everyone in the bar started clapping!
What transpired next was just truly amazing to me! There were two cars left parked on the street. Everyone else had moved. These guys from the trucking company then started to pry the car doors open with some sort of a lock picking device. In the process they cracked one of the cars windows! Once they got the car doors open, they put them in neutral and pushed them down the street! UNREAL! Like they owned the streets!
A group of us were outside watching this entire shit show transpire. The trucks then proceeded to make the turn onto West Street. These MASSIVE vehicles, had to drive up on to thesidewalk to make the turn. You could hear the sidewalks cracking under the weight of the trucks.
I filmed most of it on my Iphone, but unfortunately it was way too dark and the video is pretty much black.
Sometime during the caravan of trucks passing, Eric came outside. A guy who appeared to be in charge, came over and started asking him if the security cameras outside Red Star work. “Of course they work and they’re filming everything you’re doing!” The man in charge seemed more than a little irritated. “You guys are really
unbelievable. You broke the sidewalks, cut down the street signs and broke into these people cars! What gives you the right to do that?” Eric asked the man. “I’m with Bay Crane. We have insurance, we can do whatever we want. Fuck off!” was the reply. I really thought the guy was going to get punched in the face at that point, but Eric just pointed to the cameras and went back inside the bar.After the trucks passed, these guys pushed the cars back. One was left halfway on the sidewalk and the other was left with the broken window. They obviously broke the locks on the other car because I could hear one guy saying “These locks won’t lock” The reply he got from the guy in charge was “Who gives a fuck. Too bad for him. Leave it and let’s go” and they jumped in their cars and sped off down West Street.
I really couldn’t believe what I saw. Who do these guys think they are? Yelling and screaming in the street at 1am. Destroying city property. Breaking into and destroying private property and just being generally rude and disrespectful of anyone and everyone who wasn’t in their group.
The cops even came by, talked to these guys for a minute or two and then just left! AMAZING!
I walked by the scene of the crime this morning and the street signs are just laying on the side of the street, the sidewalk is cracked and there is broken auto glass in the street. This really makes me sick. How can these guys do this and just get away with it? Now our tax dollars have to go to fix the signs and sidewalks? We can’t keep schools open but we should have to pay for a mess created by Bay Crane? And how bout the people who’s property was damaged? I guess they’re just screwed too?
I’m really pissed that I don’t have video for you! But I did manage to get the names off the sides of the trucks.
Omnisource Transport, LLC
1610 N. Calhoun Street
Fort Wayne, Indiana (IN) 46808
USAGary’s Flag Car
I have a confession to make: this is one of the most unbelievable missives ever to make its way to my inbox. So much so I reached out to Eric of Red Star to get his take. Guess what? He corroborated it! He writes:
Hey!
It seems the young lady has her facts correct!
This isn’t an isolated incident with these trucking companies. It’s been going on for years. I’ve seen them hit cars, rip mirrors off, use their trucks to push cars down the block/up on to the sidewalk, rip street signs down, crash into the light poles/telephone poles and tie up all traffic on both streets for an hour at a time.
Three years ago on Super Bowl Sunday a metal skid fell off one of the trucks and ripped the entire top of a BMW off. The drivers don’t even stop! They keep right on going!
One of these days they’ll eventually kill someone! Seriously! They drive way too fast down Greenpoint Ave., never stop at the stop sign and if they cause any damage…..it’s your problem not theirs!
I’ve had my basement doors broken twice by trucks driving on the sidewalk ($450 each time to replace). I had to install a concrete pillar on the sidewalk to prevent it. (another $300 project)
If the trucks can’t make the corner because of parked cars, they just lean on their horn, no matter what time of day or night. Sometimes it will go on for 30 or 40 mins at a time.
Sometimes they come into the bar yelling and screaming about cars parked on West Street. They’re not even polite about it. They act as if people have no right to use the street for parking.
They’ll leave the truck idling all night in front of peoples houses. Horn honking. Loudspeakers. CB’s ….basically whatever the fuck they feel like doing.
Most of the trucks are from out of state, so I assume the drivers are too. So they obviously could care less.
I’ve tried talking to them. Called 311. Called DOT. And all my neighbors have done the same. Nobody seems to give a fuck If you call the cops….the trucks are usually long gone before they get here. .
The only guy who really makes an effort to be considerate is Frank from Sky Lift across the street, at the end of Greenpoint Ave. He’s a really good guy and really goes out of his way to be courteous, safe and considerate.
Anyone headed down to the lots at the end of West, towards Eagle….doesn’t give two shits.
It really is infuriating to be honest.
Eric goes on to clarify:
The only thing I’m not too sure about is the young lady’s reference to Bay Crane. None of the trucks, that I saw said Bay Crane on them. Omni Source and Gary’s Flag yes……
He also assured me that the signs which were cut down are still there. They were tossed behind a fence. I have been promised photographs of this hilarity and will post it here upon receipt. without further ado, here they are along with some commentary from Eric (the chap who took them)!
Here’s one of the street signs they cut down. The other was tossed over the fence into the empty lot. Couldn’t get a pic of that one.
Here’s a pic of the concrete pillar I had to install by my basement doors to prevent trucks from driving over them. If you notice they also cracked the sidewalk. I’m sure I’ll end up being the one who gets ticketed for the placement of the pole….go figure huh?
In closing, I have reached out to our Community Board 1 Transportation whiz, Karen Nieves, in the hopes she can give us some guidance as to how to approach this clusterfuck. Methinks I will contact Deputy Inspector Hurson of the 94th Precinct as well.
Here’s the deal: Greenpoint’s waterfront is slowly— but surely— becoming more and more residential. Nonetheless, we still have a great deal of working waterfront and consequently more than our fair share of truck traffic. The operators of the latter motor vehicles need to become cognizant of their new neighbors and adjust their behavior accordingly. I honestly do not know what else to say about this other than I am appalled.
Miss Heather
P.S.: And to think the Department of Transportation last week proposed a complete overhaul of West Street!
NICE.
LAST GASP: Live From The 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Tonight’s proceedings were short and sweet. However, there were plenty of items of interest and naturally I shot footage. Without further ado, here it is along with a little commentary.
INTRODUCTION
- A general run-down of the previous month’s meeting is given.
- Attendees are made aware of the City’s Community Liaison’s web site.
- The first guest speaker of the evening is announced: Dennis Gagan of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
- When asked if crime is up or down he says down.
- Phyllis (a 94th Community Council institution) disagrees and quotes Winston Churchill.
- Mr. Gagan then proceeds to outline a stringent jail-time versus drug treatment program.
- One Greenpointer mentions that a regular offender seems to be in and out of jail for drug-related crimes on a regular basis and asks what he should do if he catches this chap breaking into his car. The following discussion elicits dark laughter from the audience. D. I. Hurson steps in.
PART II: Tim Duffy, the LGBT Liaison for the NYPD introduces himself and D. I. Hurson gives a rundown of crime statistics.
- Any and all interested parties can get Mr. Duffy’s contact information by clicking here.
- Here’s the skinny per D. I. Hurson:
- Narcotics arrests were up 50%
- Traffic-related citations were up 25%
- Overall crime was down 4% HOWEVER:
- Robberies were up.
- Domestic violence was up.
- Car break-ins— especially on the “Northside” (specifically between North 4 and North 7 Street)— were up.
- In regards to last month’s bank robbery at HSBC: the perpetrators were arrested.
- The hate crime which occurred at North 4 Street and Wythe Avenue has yet to be solved.
- There was an arrest regarding the shooting.
PART III: Community Board 1 Member Tom Burrows Speaks and the Q & A Session Commences
- Mr. Burrows disambiguates (once again) the hoopla regarding a so-called moratorium on liquor licenses.
- The issue of the Brooklyn Night Bazaar is addressed. Once again.
- Mr. Burrows implores people to call 311 about eating and drinking establishments which pose a public nuisance— and to forward this information to the local Community Board. If the Community Board does not know such an establishment poses an issue to the community, they cannot do anything about. In others words: if you see something, SAY SOMETHING@
- The issue of truck and— get this— MTA bus traffic on Kent Street is raised. NOTE: Kent Street is not on a bus route. The issue of motorcyclists and installing speed bumps is brought up as well. Hurson says speed bumps cannot be installed on bus routes. The ladies present assure him Kent Street is not on a bus route and he offers to lend a hand. (Ed. Note: I later advised these ladies to take up the matter with our Community Board’s Transportation Chair, Karen Nieves.)
PART IV: Q & A Session Continues
- The subject of graffiti is once more raised and D. I. Hurson explains how to get it fixed.
- Diane Jackson of the Cooper Houses voices concerns about men from the adjacent homeless shelter breaking curfew and sleeping in the halls of said housing. Apparently 60 Kingsland Avenue has the biggest problem.
- More about the drug-dealing situation on Kent Street.
At this point it seemed like everything was over. But it wasn’t.
PART V: Carlos Menchaca of Councilwoman Christine Quinn’s Office Introduces Himself
NEW YORK SHITTY ANALYSIS/WRAP-UP
After this meeting adjourned I arrived home to find this in my inbox.
Jan (who sent me the above photograph) writes:
Hi Heather –
The attached is what I was greeted with yesterday afternoon when I went to go pick up the car at the parking lot on N.9th St. to do errands. Since the interior wasn’t wet, I am going to assume this happened really late Saturday or early Sunday. Oh, and my cover was taken off too, so someone was interested in seeing what was under the wrapping.
This is my 64 Impala that I’ve had through thick and thin since 1983. Apparently someone thought it would be fun to walk over the car with ladies sized shoes (with a steel heel) and went into my windshield. We have this problem with someone leaving the gate open and stuff getting stolen once in a while, but I bet that bar across the street has something to do with it. Thanks kiddies, your little bit of fun walking across my 48 year old car is going to cost me a cool grand to fix the busted windshield, not to mention figuring out how to fix the dents in the roof.
Here’s the deal: as a result of virtually no awareness raised by the powers that be and/or lack effective outreach by our local Community Board I receive a lot of complaints. I gladly field them and post the most relevant ones here. However, it has come to my attention that a great many of these complaints are redundant in nature. Follows is the “top three”:
- Complaints about “eating and drinking” establishments— usually about noise, disorderly behavior, property damage and litter.
- Traffic/transportation-related complaints.
- Parks-related complaints.
What I would like to do so as to address this problem, serve my community; and perhaps preserve some semblance of my own sanity is create some customized version of a page which Jeremiah, of Vanishing New York, has on his site. It is entitled “How To Complain”. Follows is an excerpt.
You can (and should) read the rest here. In order to make this happen here’s what I need from you, dear readers from Brooklyn’s Community Board 1:
What do YOU want to complain about “effectively”? We have a number of very dedicated people on our Community Board. What is lacking is communication— and you! Do I need to hyperlink to Community Board 1’s calendar— including sub-committee meetings? Would monthly reminders about the 94th (and/or 90th) Precinct Community Council meetings be helpful? Contact information for elected officials, perhaps? Please tender your suggestions via comments or email at missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com.
Thank you.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Pay Phone du Jour: Call Me
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
From Manhattan Avenue.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: A Bank Robbery On Bedford?
This item comes courtesy of an anonymous tipster we’ll call “E”. He writes:
Hi Miss Heather,
Just wanted to give you a heads up, in case you haven’t heard, that there was a bank robbery at the new HSBC on Bedford Ave yesterday afternoon. I was walking by with my wife and son maybe around 1pm and people were running out yelling “call 911” (some ducking in to Duane Reade). An unmarked police car came up and did a crazy u turn in the middle of Bedford, coming dangerously close to pedestrians and lightly hitting a parked car before tearing down N 3rd the wrong way. I guess large amounts of stolen money trump citizen’s safety. No surprise there and no big deal I guess. Anyway, not sure what exactly happened in the end but there were police swarming in from every direction and I heard there was a gun involved. Never a dull moment.
WOW. If anyone has the 411 regarding what happened please share via comments or email at missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Your identity will remain anonymous if you so desire. Thanks!
UPDATE, 10:30 p.m.: someone who was present when this dastardly deed came to pass has stepped forward to give his/her account of what happened!
I was in the bank when it was robbed. The guy came in and told everyone to get on the floor. He told the tellers to give him the money or he’d start killing people. The tellers didn’t do anything, just hid below their desks. He took one guy’s wallet and another guy’s iPhone and took off. The cops didn’t get there in time. Missed him by like 15 seconds. He only got $40 and a phone. What a loser, pretty scary stuff though.
A robbery. During lunchtime. On a weekday. On Bedford Avenue. Yes, I would say that is very scary stuff indeed!
UPDATE, March 31, 2011 10:45 a.m.: I just received the following email from a person we’ll call “L”. It is rather compelling so I am adding it here.
Hi Miss Heather – Unfortunately bank robberies don’t seem to be something new here (altho this one seems to be the most potentially violent so far – & also the first on Bedford) – but wanted to pass these on, fyi — (curious about the underreporting of local crime; began compiling my own area “crime reports” list) Found these 2 in Jan 2011:from probably The Brooklyn Paper police blotter –
Bank stick-up
A robber held up the Apple Bank on Manhattan Avenue on Jan. 20, scampering away with $1,096.
The robber entered the bank at 4:10 pm, approached a teller window and passed a note that read, “Give all the money or everybody dead.” The perp then took the money in a black bag and fled towards Meserole Avenue.
from Gothamist crime reports map –
Bank Robbery | 185 Broadway & Driggs Ave Brooklyn, NY | 1/26/2011 5:21 p.m. (the Wmsbg / Dime bank bldg??)As always, thanks again for your great community coverage!
Thanks for the kind words and rather disturbing data, L!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Live From The 94th Community Council Meeting
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
That’s right folks: another month, another Community Council Meeting. Naturally I shot footage and am in the process of uploading it. How long this will take is anyone’s guess. In the meantime here are a few teasers/spoilers:
- The recent hate crime was brought up by a member of our local Community Board, Tom Burrows.
- Phyllis (a neighborhood and Community Council institution) was in particularly interesting form this evening.
- As is often the case, bicyclists and bikes were discussed. Those of you who are tired of seeing old, rusted out bike carcasses attached to street signs, fences, etc., do not despair: Hurson tells us how to get them removed!
They’re uploading. Albeit NOT in order.
Samuel Pierre From Mayor Bloomberg’s Office Speaks
D. I. Hurson gives a run-down of crime stats and opens the forum for questions.
GOOD NEWS
- Crime is down by 22% for the month.
- Crime is down for the year (?) by 14%
- Burglaries, stolen cars (down 12%) and grand larceny (especially material stolen from cars— Hurson’s own wife made a “collar” on Calyer!) are down.
BAD NEWS
- The matter of the hate crime which came to pass February 22, 2011. No arrests have been made.
- A shooting on Jackson Street (NOT AVENUE near the “Cooper Projects”) Hurson then goes on to assure us that despite reports in the press, the staff at the 94th is at its usual level and opens the forum for questions. Community Board 1’s very own Tom Burrow’s kicks it off.
Q & A Session Continued: the matter of the Greenpoint Hotel is brought forth. Among other things.
Q & A Session Continued: The Subject of Graffiti Arises
Lincoln Restler Speaks About What Happened To Barie Shortell & Suggests A Group Be Created to Better Address North Brooklyn’s Growing GBLT Community
Ending: An(other) Announcement about the Town Hall Meeting regarding the latest proposal for a 200 bed assessment center at 400 McGuinness Boulevard.
UPDATE, March 23, 2011: After numerous attempts it would appear that my footage of some really nice folks from the Greenpoint Youth Court is unusable. This is a shame since this is a really neat endeavor. For this reason I encourage you to check out their flier by clicking here. NOTE: they are recruiting and participants (between the ages of 14 and 18) receive a $100 stipend per month!
Miss Heather
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