Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
The 66 Precinct reports an attempted rape among the 2 felonies that occurred last week in sector G, i.e. from Beveley Rd to Avenue F, and from 37 Street to Coney Island Avenue. A Precinct Conditions Sergeant said the attempted rape is not connected to those that happened in Park Slope and Sunset Park.
Wednesday, September 21 ATTEMPTED Rape @ 7:30pm area of East 9th Street (no cross street given)
Woman says as she was walking home a man grabbed her from behind, using physical force to pull down her pants and pull her shirt over her head. He fled in unknown direction when she kicked and screamed. No Arrest.
Sunday, September 25 Robbery @ 6:15am (no cross streets named)
Three men caused a man to fall by hitting him in the head with a glass bottle. While he was on the floor the men went through his pockets and took his cash. No Arrest.
- Jole
Tags: 66th Precinct, felonies
Posted in Crime, News, Police |
Monday, September 26th, 2011
If you experienced damage to your home or business due to Hurricane Irene, you may be eligible to receive federal disaster relief funds beginning today. The city’s Office of Emergency Management announced that state and federal Disaster Recovery Centers will open today and will remain open, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, through October 7.
The Kings County location is at Brooklyn College, 2900 Bedford Ave. However, they do request that people register before showing up. More details at the Ditmas Park Blog.
- Mary
Tags: hurricane
Posted in News |
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
- Jole
Posted in News |
Monday, September 19th, 2011
Diamonds, oil, Coke, and an attempt at business with both former Presidents Bush. All this was involved in a twisted tale of con-artists who relied on the legendary name Guggenheim to swindle investors, and it has roots in our area.
David Birnbaum of Ocean Parkway, along with Catarina Pietra Toumei and Vladimir Zuravel, was accused of fraud for masquerading as a member of the famous wealthy family, and according to the New York Times, all it took was a little internet matchmaking:
Exactly how David Birnbaum of Brooklyn became David B. Guggenheim, scion of the Guggenheims, is unclear. His tale, like so many others, seems to have taken life on the Internet. Mr. Zuravel apparently met Mr. Birnbaum at a Brooklyn synagogue and was convinced that Mr. Birnbaum was for real. After Mr. Zuravel later connected on Facebook with Ms. Toumei, the three went to work.
Charges of fraud against Birnbaum were dropped earlier this month, perhaps because the group’s scam found no takers.
- Mary
Tags: fraud
Posted in Crime, News |
Friday, September 16th, 2011
Cheryl J. Gonzales, a Housing Court Judge for the past 6 years, lost big in the borough-wide race for Brooklyn Civil Court Judge. A candidate of the reform/independent Brooklyn Democratic clubs and endorsed by the NY Times, Daily News, Kos, and Daily Gotham, she was swamped by her opponent, Sharon D. Hudson, a court attorney at the Red Hook Community Justice Center, who got 62% of the 35,000 votes cast.
Ms. Hudson was either Democratic Party Leader Vincent Lopez’s hand-picked candidate or won with his surreptitious support. Either way, according to Mole333 inThe Daily Gotham, the election was a “progressive fail”:
Vito Lopez did almost nothing for Weprin in the end…but his machine sure helped (either behind the scenes or openly) two other candidates: Hudson for judge and Espinal for Assembly. ….
re Brooklyn Civil Court Judge race: Here, to give credit where credit is due, Vito Lopez, all behind the scenes, exerted his biggest influence:
…Progressive, reform, pro-gay rights candidate Cheryl Gonzales, who, while running for office took time off to try and address the recent spate of rapes in Brooklyn (didn’t hear any of Vito’s people do that!), was endorsed by the New York Times, most local papers and most local reform clubs. She was trounced by the Vito Lopez candidate, Hudson. Now either Lopez put infinitely more effort into this (again, all behind the scenes) than he did for Weprin (TAKE NOTE NATIONAL DEMS…VITO LOPEZ DOESN’T HELP YOU), or Brooklyn as a whole is far more willing to vote for someone named “Hudson” than “Gonzales” since most people just saw their names.
Either way, the progressive grassroots and the New York Times got trounced by Vito Lopez acting behind the scenes.”
Both candidates, by the way, are black: Ms. Gonzales was born in Trinidad.
- Jole
Tags: Democratic primary: Civil court judge;
Posted in Election, News |
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
If you enjoy Greenwood Playground and all the events that happen there, consider volunteering to help keep it as great as it is. The Friends of Greenwood Playground do a lot with just a few people, and they could use some extra helping hands for the upcoming Annual Harvest Hootenanny (aka the Hoot), and just in general.
Dari from FoGP outlines how you can help:
HELP WITH THE HOOT 10/23:
A few people to solicit and coordinate the raffle prizes
Set up and clean up crew
Someone to help set up and monitor the entertainment (sound system, electrical hookup, etc).
Someone to solicit and coordinate food vendors
We are thinking about doing a Halloween parade but need help coordinating.
Help soliciting other neighborhood involvement!
GENERAL:
Help with planning future events
Help with updating our website
Help with coordinating and applying for permits
General ongoing support and volunteerism
New brainstorming and fresh ideas!
For more info, contact FoGP at greenwoodfriendsfunds@gmail.com or on Facebook.
- Mary
Tags: Friends of Greenwood, Greenwood Playground, volunteering
Posted in News |
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
A REMINDER Tonight at 7:30 at 5910 13th Avenue, the 66th Precinct will hold its monthly Community Council meeting. It’s where you can come to express any concerns you may have to your Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector John Sprague, and his team.
- Jole
Posted in News |
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
First I heard of a primary here was reading The New York Times endorsement today for Cheryl Gonzales for Brooklyn Civil Court Judge. It’s a 10-year term and covers small claims court (up to $5,000); other civil conflicts up to $25,000; housing conflicts—including commercial. It also offers mediation, other services and a local office in Red Hook. Her opponent is Sharen D. Hudson.
According to The Daily Gotham’s run down of endorsements, Ms. Gonzales, currently a housing court judge, is well regarded by tenant groups and very sympathetic to marriage equality.
Polls are open until 9 p.m. Turn out so far is light. (Only 6 by noon.) As The Daily Gotham says, “These are critical races and the candidates endorsed…are excellent folk who deserve your vote.”
You can also say hello to Kensington Beat Cop Officer Samuel, who is on duty at the PS 230 entrance table.
- Jole
Tags: 66 Precinct, Democratic primary: Civil court judge;
Posted in Community Event, Election, Local Politics, News |
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
While the Automate Postal Center at the Kensington Post Office keeps us guessing, it seems that’s not the only postal issue in town these days.
Some people on the KWT Yahoo group have been experiencing spottier-than-usual mail delivery, some saying they go days without seeing a postal carrier–which could get worse, of course, if the USPS goes broke. How’s your service these days?
- Mary
Tags: post office
Posted in News |
Monday, September 12th, 2011
Vacation’s over. Your civic duty calls.
First up is the 66 Police Community Council meeting slated for 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, September 15 at Community Board 12′s offices. These meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month from September until June. Community Board 12 is located at 5910 Thirteenth Avenue in Borough Park, Telephone: (718) 851-0800. Then, the Community Board will hold its first meeting of the fall season 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 20 at its offices.
Are there issues you would like the Commander Sprague to address? Please post them here. And how’s the new beat cop, Officer Samuel, working out for you? Let us know.
- Jole
Tags: 66 Precinct, 66 precinct Community Council, Community Board 12, Kensington beat cop
Posted in Crime, News |
Sunday, September 11th, 2011
I lived there—just north of Canal at Sixth Avenue; worked there (at Broadway below Wall Street), and was walking up Broadway in full view of the towers in 1993 at the first bombing. The Twin Towers were the southern marker of my neighborhood. Standing on West Broadway, if you looked south, there they were. To the north was the Empire State Building.
At last, symmetry restored.
- Jole
Tags: 9/11
Posted in News |
Sunday, September 11th, 2011
In ten years, a lot can change, but a lot can stay the same. Where were you on September 11, 2001?
- Mary
Tags: September 11
Posted in Neighborhood History, News |
Saturday, September 10th, 2011
The 9/11 Memorial Run is a motorcycle ride with bikers who ride from as far away as Michigan and Ohio, and their destination is Brooklyn Powersports on Fort Hamilton Parkway.
Neighbor Azi caught these shots of the ride’s arrival this morning, and of one decked out memorial bike.
Riders donate to the Maimonides in memory of Billy Lake, a 44-year-old New York City firefighter and Bay Ridge native who died in the attack on the World Trade Center.
- Mary
Tags: Brooklyn Powersports, memorial, motorcycles, September 11
Posted in News |
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
Robbery On McDonald Av near public pool (no location given—possibly Midwood). Three men struck civilian; took money and Chinese food. Arrest made.
Three grand larcenies (property worth more than $1,000)
@ Avenue C: A woman left a shopping bag containing her wallet unattended on a chair in a residential lobby. The wallet was gone when she returned to retrieve it. No arrest.
@ 260 Ocean Parkway just below Beverley: Upon returning to his parked car, a man discovered someone had broken into it by unknown means. No arrest.
@ Ocean Parkway & 18 Av: A woman claims someone took her cellphone and fled in an unknown direction. No arrest.
- Jole
Tags: 66 Precinct, crime, felonies, news
Posted in Crime, News |
Monday, September 5th, 2011
The sketch of a man accused of raping one woman and targeting four more in nearby neighborhoods Park Slope, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge has been released.
His most recent attempted attack was on Prospect and Sixth Aves in Park Slope. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.
If you see a neighbor who looks or sounds like she (or he) is in trouble, please be sure to be helpful in whatever way possible.
- Sarah
Posted in News |
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
An intelligence program that the NYPD says doesn’t exist has been spying on people in Muslim neighborhoods. According to internal police documents obtained by the Associated Press, after identifying “hot spots” (say, Little Pakistan), officers were told to “participate in social activities such as cricket matches and visit cafes and clubs” to not only find evidence of terrorism and crimes, but get a feeling for neighborhood sentiment about America.
However, the NYPD insists they don’t send undercover officers anyplace without prior information of illegal activity. Like the FBI, they can’t do that legally.
The papers also note that the secret unit had officers who spoke a range of languages including Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. I wonder if these officers were raised speaking those languages, or learned them at some point in training. Imagine grabbing a samosa at Bukhari and overhearing Urdu being spoken in a thick Brooklyn accent? Undercover fail.
Of course, the NYPD argues, spying sometimes works. In 2004, they paid a confidential informant who helped stop an terrorist attack on the subway system–which potentially saved a lot of lives, though it seems to have come at a great cost to the informant.
Representative Yvette Clarke was found for a quote for the story, and she says she’s calling on the Justice Department to investigate this program.
Councilmember Brad Lander has also voiced his concerns, calling for the City Council to help establish oversight for the NYPD’s intelligence and counter-terrorism units.
“Because the NYPD has correctly decided New York City requires an intelligence gathering division on par with federal intelligence agencies, the City also needs a framework for appropriate legislative oversight that is on par with the federal level,” he said in a statement last week. “I believe the Council can create a framework that ensures that the sensitive details of the NYPD’s intelligence work remain confidential so that we support the important mission of protecting our city from terrorism while allowing for necessary legislative oversight.”
- Mary
Tags: Little Pakistan
Posted in News |
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Hydraulic fracking, which forces water, sand, and chemicals deep underground to unearth natural gas, has been in the news a lot recently, as New Yorkers question whether it’s safe or not. Neighbor Azi Paybarrah spotted this sign and a pile of flyers near the Fort Hamilton subway station yesterday–is this an issue that a lot of neighbors are concerned about? Are you planning on calling the governor to voice your objections?
- Mary
Tags: environment
Posted in News |
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
Hanging Garlic, originally uploaded by carryboo.
- Mary
Tags: photo of the day
Posted in News |
Sunday, August 28th, 2011
According to Con Ed’s Power Outage map, only one household in Kensington proper has been without power, and they’ve been overnight.
How are you all holding up?
- Sarah
Tags: utilities, weather
Posted in News |
Saturday, August 27th, 2011
The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch for the tri-state area in regards to Hurricane Irene.
The latest tracking model indicates that the hurricane will come in close proximity to NYC as a Category 1 or 2 within the next 48 hours. The hurricane has the potential to produce 7 to 10 inches of rain and winds between 55 and 95 miles per hour.
1. We ask that you clear your homes and property of any loose debris, construction material, patio furniture or anything that may become airborne in such winds to minimize damage and injury.
2. … Prepare your household for possible power outages by having operable flashlights, first aid kits, transister radio and enough food and water. (Minimal 3 day supply)
3. Furthermore prepare a “Go-Bag” in the event of an evacuation order. We are preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.
The NYPD is in constant communication with all other city agencies and will be working to ensure the safety of all the citizens of New York City.
John J. Sprague
Commanding Officer, 66 Pct
- Jole
Tags: 66 Precinct, hurricane
Posted in News |
Saturday, August 27th, 2011
PS 217, the Colonel David Marcus School, is our nearest evacuation center–in addition to PS 249, as the city map indicates. Local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members were preparing the school today.
Please remember that the evacuation center should be used as a last resort. Also, pets are welcome. A 70th Precinct Community Affairs officer adds:
Command Post telephone number is (718) 434-6960. Volunteers needed, please call and inquire. Also if there’s anyone that you know whose living alone and is on a respirator, please let me know. You can reach me at (718) 851-5557.
UPDATE: PS 249 is still an evacuation center. It is also in need of volunteers. Just show up to the school to help out.
PS 217 is at 1100 Newkirk Avenue between Coney Island Ave and Westminster.
PS 249 is at 18 Marlborough Road, at Caton.
- Mary
Tags: hurricane
Posted in News |
Friday, August 26th, 2011
The satellite view of Hurricane Irene hitting the East Coast today from the NOAA.
It’s so beautiful out today, it’s hard to imagine a hurricane is coming. But it is, and the City is trying to remind us that it’s no joke:
* The mayor has ordered the mandatory evacuation of Zone A flood areas, which includes our neighbors in Sheepshead Bay, Coney Island, Brighton Beach, and Manhattan Beach. They need to be out by 5pm tomorrow.
* The MTA will shut down service at noon Saturday. Completely. That’s it. You’re not going anywhere, maybe not even by rush hour on Monday.
* If you live about the 10th floor of a building, authorities recommend you evacuate before the hurricane hits. High wind increases the possibility that windows might blow out.
* You want updates from the city? Fuggedaboutit. NYC.gov sites are all down due to high traffic.
* Dollar stores have candles. They also have crappy flashlights that might not work (like the one I got, ha).
* Lots of places still have plenty of bottled water. But why not consider storing some tap water now, in bottles and pitchers, while you have the chance.
* What’s on your shopping list?
- Mary
Tags: hurricane
Posted in News |
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
There was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake at about 2pm, and the center was around Virginia. People up and down the East Coast felt it.
I’m hearing mixed reports from people in Brooklyn about whether or not they felt anything–I didn’t. And of course, Twitter is going crazy with updates.
Some people are reporting that their mobile phones aren’t working, though I have been getting text messages.
Were you guys shaking in the neighborhood? And do you think, as the professionals at the U.S. Geological Survey (now to be known as nightmare-makers) said to the Washington Post, that the worst could be yet to come?
- Mary
Tags: earthquake
Posted in News |
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
There was a rape in the 66th the week before (CompStat #32), but location is not known.
Thursday August 18 Grand Larceny @ corner of Ditmas & McDonald Avenues
A man, 31, took a bag from a 20-year-old woman’s hand without harming her. Arrest made on scene.
Saturday August 20 Burglary @ 727 E 4 St bet Ditmas & Av F
Someone entered inside an apartment and took the TV. No arrest.
Saturday Aug 20 Robbery@ corner Beverley Rd & E 8 St
A 16-year-old boy punched a young man, 19, in the face and then took his bike and money. Arrest made on scene.
- Jole
Tags: 66 Precinct, felonies
Posted in Crime, News |
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes has announced the creation of Safe Stop, an initiative which provides a safe place for youth, seniors, and all others to go if they need help in case of an emergency. The program was pushed into action following the Leiby Kletzky tragedy, though it had been in the works for a while.
Stores that participate in the Safe Stop program will display decals in their windows identifying them as a designated Safe Stop location. The merchants will be trained by Executive Directors of neighborhood Business Improvement Districts (BID), and will be able to provide a shelter, call 911 in case of emergency, or give public safety information from the DA’s Office and the Police Department if it’s not an emergency.
The first stores involved in the program are in Park Slope, Sunset Park, and Williamsburg.
While this sounds like a great program and a great effort, anyone else see the problem here? Neither Borough Park, where Kletzky was from, or Kensington, where his remains were found, have a Business Improvement District.
Park Slope Patch notes that DA’s office will “take part in an additional initiative through the Legal Lives Program where prosecutors will present a law-related curriculum to hundreds of schools throughout Brooklyn each year,” in an additional effort to get the word out about the program.
- Mary
Tags: kids, safety
Posted in News |
Tuesday, August 16th, 2011
PIMS, the compstat unit at the 66 precinct, reports only 3 here; and another 2 in Midwood (see Midwood blog)
Wed. Aug 10 Burglary @ 623 E 5 St, bet Cortelyou Rd & Ditmas Av
Someone entered a residence and took jewelry and money. No arrest.
Sat. Aug. 13 Robbery in front of 631 E 5 St @ 11:45 am bet Cortelyou Rd & Ditmas Av
A 15-yr old boy punched a 12 -yr- old boy in the face and took his bike. Arrest made on scene.
Sat. Aug. 13 Burglary @ 103 Ditmas Av, corner McDonald Av
Someone entered this residence but civilian not sure whether perp took anything. No arrest.
- Jole
Tags: 66 Precinct, felonies
Posted in Crime, News |
Monday, August 15th, 2011
As we approach the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we’d like to take a look at what’s changed from a neighborhood perspective. Not just how the neighborhood has changed, but how life is different for the people who live here.
Did you decide to dedicate your life to public service? Have you helped with charities? Are you organizing an event for the anniversary?
Or is it something simpler. Do teachers teach differently now? Did you lose a family member or friend, and now try to live each day a little better, in their honor? Do you have a photo or artifact, either from before or after, that you keep as a tribute to a memory?
We’ll take a look at neighbor’s stories, and hopefully be able to create a snapshot of what changes, or stays the same, in a decade.
If you’d like to share your story, please email me at mary.bakija@patch.com.
- Mary
Tags: September 11
Posted in Neighborhood History, News |
Monday, August 15th, 2011
Here’s Officer Silas Samuel, the new beat cop, left, and his squad car partner, Conditions Sgt. Lesly Charles.
Working patrol, Officer Samuel’s assignment was to investigate the calls from Kensington to 911. As a result, he knows the area well and has tasted the food here in all its variety. Officer Samuel, whose family settled here from India, will be patrolling his beat in a NYPD scooter in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, look for his cruiser.
Sgt. Charles transferred to the 66 Precinct from Bedford-Stuyvesant over a year ago. He’s learned Kensington moves at “a different pace.”
- Jole
Tags: 66th Precinct
Posted in News |
Friday, August 12th, 2011
Maker Faire, the family-friendly, sciencey/artsy/craftsy event that’s taking place for the second year at the New York Hall of Science in Queens, is looking for people to help advertise it in neighborhoods around the city–specifically in Kensington. You agree to pass out and hang up postcards and flyers, then prove you did it by sending them photos, and they’ll give you two free tickets to the Faire, worth $50. Not a bad deal, and you get to see a bunch of weird stuff.
The Maker Faire runs September 17-18. Visit the Make blog for more details.
- Mary
Tags: crafts, science
Posted in News |
Friday, August 5th, 2011
As of last Tuesday, August 2, Officer Silas Samuel took over duty as Kensington’s beat cop, said Det. Mike Milici, of the 66th Precinct’s Community Affairs office. Officer Samuel was previously assigned to the Patrol division.
- Jole
Tags: 66 Precinct
Posted in Crime, News |
