Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Water Tower
Filed under: 11222, Asshole, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff The Makes Heather Sad
March 15, 2014
March 20, 2014
As you can see, gentle readers, something has come to pass in the last few days. Follows are a few thoughts:
- This is one of my favorite landmarks in Greenpoint. In fact one of my all time favorite photos I have ever taken is of this water tower.
- This pisses me off. Big time.
- I suspect a number of the folks reading this list agree with the previous two points.
- Some may find prodigal penises (penii?) hanging from telephone lines offensive. I respect their opinion. However, let’s face facts: a. it does not entail destruction of property b. it is not taking a crap on someone else’s culture.
- I do hope an effort will be made to restore this flag to its previous state.
- I want each and every one of my fellow north Brooklynites to remember this the next time certain pillars of our community extoll upon the benefits of the tourism economy. Straight up: vandalism of this variety is not perpetrated by folks who live hereabouts. Rather, it is the handwork of those who reside outside the community and as such do not treat it with the same level of care and respect as residents do. Or at least this is the only plausible reason/excuse I can find for this.
- Any/all “news outlets” which see fit to run with this news item: remember to cite www.thatgreenpointblog.com!
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Java Street Pop-Up Park
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
Ever had one of those moments when a something— let’s say gut instinct— tells you:
Something has changed here.
Well, I had one such moment today while visiting the Java Street Pop-Up Park.
No gentle readers, I am not making reference to the fence which has found its way into the East River. That came to my attention on October 8th. No, this is something else.
There used to be something here as I recall. A park bench, perhaps?
Why yes, that’s what was there!!! I wonder where it went?
Oh, I see it has joined its friend the fence for a dip in the East River.
Impressive. But of course, I doubt this would have been possible had the fence been repaired in a timely fashion. But it wasn’t—- so now we have this vision to greet visitors disembarking from the East River Ferry. I am certain it will work wonders for our burgeoning tourism industry.
I imagine it is only a matter of time before a goose gets hurt on the barbed wire on said fence. For all I know this may have happened already. It’s not like they have the ability to call 911…
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Live From Manhattan Avenue
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
I have received word from an eyewitness (who sent me the above photo) that a fellow is turning himself in has been apprehended regarding the rape which recently came to pass in front of 198 Java Street. This was confirmed by a very brave person instrumental in making this happen. Presently they are awaiting the NYPD’s SVU to arrive. Does this mean the fellow is guilty? Absolutely not. This remains to be determined. However, this does demonstrate that the NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is taking this downright disgusting crime very seriously.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Dispatch From Frost Street
Filed under: 11211, Crazy People, Criminal Activity, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Hooliganism, Wow, WTF
I am certain a number of folks reading this tome are familiar with the item Gothamist posted recently about an attorney having what can be best described as an alcohol-fueled melt-down in Williamsburg. Those of you who are not in the know can become so by clicking here.
In any case, I found the incident downright uncanny as something very similar happened— also in Williamsburg— twenty four hours later. A doppelganger, if you will. I’m guessing the 94th had a very busy weekend— but I digress. My tipster writes on Sunday, June 2nd:
It isn’t Even hot yet and people are nuts. Whackjob… flipped out cross the street last night. 30’s white dude with braided bracelets was kicking and punch the shit out of somebody elses car. Then lays down on the sidewalk crying. Hell-o 94th! Sad, nobody loves him and he is mad about it. Really nice young Polish cop came. I liked seeing a cop in his own hood.
As it was explained to me by another witness this fellow managed to inflict several thousand dollars worth of damage to this defenseless motor vehicle before passing out on the sidewalk. And passed out on the sidewalk he conveniently remained until our Finest arrived. Upon being awakened next to his “handiwork”— I want to make this perfectly clear— this chap apparently had enough wits about him to deny any wrong-doing.
Yup. Methinks we’re in for an interesting summer north Brooklyn. On a related note, this evening the monthly meeting of the 94th Precinct Community Council will come to pass at the Church of Ascension’s Parish Hall. NOTE: this will be the last meeting until September.
94th Precinct Community Council Meeting
June 5, 2013 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Church of the Ascension’s Auditorium
122 Java Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Cheers!
Urban Artifact: 13 Days & Counting…
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn, WTF
It’s almost two weeks now and as of this morning (11:42 a.m.) the McCarren Park Hypodermic Tree is still in effect. My dedication to documenting this caught the attention of a passerby. He too took a moment to capture this curiosity with his camera.
After asking me how long this had been there (I told him “about two weeks”) he noted it had been used and added:
Kids could get their hands on this. That’s not good.
Precisely.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Community Notification From The 94th Precinct
Filed under: 11222, Crosstown Local, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Undoubtedly many who read this site and reside in Greenpoint have been puzzled by the varying accounts of the fatality which came to pass on the G train April 15th and want to know more about what happened. The following email comes from the 94th Precinct (via an anonymous tipster):
My heartfelt condolences go out to this man’s family and loved ones. They are undoubtedly devastated. In closing— and although I have written this elsewhere on the Interwebs— I feel compelled to post my two cents about this sad turn of events:
I am honestly at a loss as to what to say regarding what has happened in Boston. I guess I am still stunned— like many other people. As for what happened on the G, I’ll put it this way: mental illness in its manifold forms is the proverbial two ton gorilla in the room of this community. We see men and women with this affliction on our streets everyday. This is what we see— or choose to see. The fact of the matter is it is also hidden behind closed doors, so to speak.
In this respect I find it sad that many here elect to call our homeless bums and think (to toss out an example) placing them in work camps (yes, I actually heard someone say this at a 94 Precinct Community Council Meeting) is somehow going to fix the problem. It won’t. If one were to see someone on the street with a broken leg it would unconscionable if no one saw fit to call— or if this city refused to dispatch— an ambulance. Now take someone with a “broken mind”. That’s a different story altogether.
Having emotional problems is construed as a personal weakness. A vice, if you will. It is so stigmatized that many refuse to acknowledge it on our streets or even in our own homes. As what happened today proves all too well this needs to stop. We need to stop blaming the victim and advocate, LOUDLY, for more pro-active/effective mental health initiatives. The sad fact is any one of us could have been this person. All it takes is the right (read: wrong) set of circumstances. That’s it. I cannot stop thinking how completely and utterly hopeless this person must have felt to jump in front of a subway train. Really.
UPDATE, April 19, 2013: although this fellow’s identity remains unknown (and even if I did know, I’d keep it that way) I have learned form an anonymous tipster that he leaves behind a wife and four children. A very tragic story indeed!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Community Advisory
On Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at approximately 3:30 a.m., unknown perpetrator(s) did fire several gun shots on North 9th Street (Bedford Ave to Berry Street). One bullet struck a building at 139 North Street, causing property damage. There were no reported injuries. This incident is currently being investigated by the 94th Precinct Detective Squad.
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.
If this sounds vaguely familiar to some of you, there is a very sound reason: a man was shot on this very same block last year.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: 2013 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting Calendar
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
For those of you who follow such stuff (and you should), here it is!
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part II: More Shots Fired At Dupont Street & Manhattan Avenue?
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, WTF
Remember the email (replete with photos) I posted about shots being fired at this intersection recently? Well, it would appear it has happened again. Laura writes (yesterday, November 20th, in the wee hours of the morning):
At about 5:15 a.m. on 11/20/12 I was awakened by the sound of multiple gun shots. This is the second time our front door has been shot up. This time, the ground floor window was hit in as well.
Shit just got real folks. Closing on an up (?) note, I have received word that our City Councilman, Steve Levin, is attempting to reach out to the owner of the apartment building in question so as to get some surveillance cameras installed there. In the meantime, stay safe and be alert north ‘Pointers!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: More Crane Hell Greenpoint Avenue and West Street?
Some of you might recall several months ago the proprietor of Red Star Bar (which is located at the above-mentioned intersection) was having some issues with trucks bearing cranes. More specifically: said trucks tearing down street signs, hitting parked motor vehicles; generally scaring the living daylights out of people and not being very good neighbors. If the missives I received this morning from Eric are any indication it would appear this is an ongoing problem. He writes (in the wee hours):
Bay crane at it again! Truck blew the stop sign, took out the light pole on greenpoint and west and kept right on going! Didn’t even slow down! Cops are here now. I just missed it! Left to go home. Ill have my guys take some more pics and send them to u…
He continues:
Lucky they didn’t kill someone! 3 customers were standing on the corner smoking. The pole barely missed them as it fell.
…I’m so tired of this shit. Who’s gonna pay to fix it? Me! Yeah the city will put the light pole back up….so we all pay, but the sidewalk is all messed up now. You think the city is going to fix that? No! I’m going to have to pay someone to repair it….or risk someone falling and suing me!
Trust me …it’s not the couple hundred bucks it’s gonna cost to fix the sidewalk that has me enraged! It’s the principal! These fuckin guys have caused thousands and thousands, probably tens of thousands in damage, since they’ve totaled at least two cars, in the six years since I’ve been here. And eventually THEY WILL KILL SOMEONE!
They’re driving massive trucks. You’d figure they’d be extra careful? They come FLYING down Greenpoint Ave, ignore the stop sign, make the turn and if something is in their way…..tough shit and they keep right on going! You mean to tell me this asshole had no idea he took out a light pole? He didn’t even slow down!
They get away with it because of a loophole. If you get the plate on the trailer…the cops can’t do anything (because the trailer plate isn’t the same as the plate on the cab and usually a lease or rental). You need the plate on the cab of the truck. And how are you supposed to get that when all you can see is the ass end when he’s halfway down the block with a trail of carnage behind him. You think the drivers aren’t fully aware of this? lol
I understand Bay Crane has a business to run. But so do other people! Why is their business more important than someone else’s business or LIFE? We’re not asking for them to leave the neighborhood or make any drastic concessions. Simply obey the fucking law and drive responsibly. Is that a lot to ask?
I’ve been saying this forever…..this is a TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN! Mark my words…someone WILL BE KILLED ON THIS CORNER! Probably sooner rather than later!
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