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January 26, 2009

St. Felix Rape Aftermath

st-felix-street-01.jpg
channel-2-st-felix.jpgIn the wake of Thursday morning's rape on St. Felix Street in Fort Greene, Council Member Letitia James held a press conference on Friday afternoon and the story ended up getting picked up in the mainstream media including Channel 2 News whom we spotted interviewing block residents when we rode down the block on Friday evening. The other thing we noticed when we visited the block that evening at around 7 p.m. was the noticeable lack of lights on the front of buildings. (While the police won't say exactly where it happened, this stretch shown here is our best guess based on correspondence with someone who lives on the block.) It's easy to play Monday Morning Quarterback on this one, but the truth is that basic lighting can go a long way towards creating a safer environment. If there's not a law requiring building owners to have at least one light on the front of there building, there should be.
Sexual Attack on St. Felix Prompts Press Conference [Brownstoner]
Ft. Greene Residents Respond to Rape [Brooklyn Eagle]
Fort Greene Residents Call For Greater Police Presence [NY1]
Doctor Raped and Robbed in Brooklyn [WCBS]
More Foot Patrols Demanded After Fort Greene Rape [Gothamist]




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:28 AM | Comments (32)
Categories: Crime

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Comments

Move to a neighborhood that is safe! Pay the cost of living there and stop whining about crime in Gentrified Neighborhoods! You Assheads don't get it and it's just sad...

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at January 26, 2009 9:36 AM

What, Can you really be pro-crime or against improving the quality of life in these neighborhoods? It's not just wealthy white gentrifiers who want lower crime, you know.

Posted by: lowintheheights at January 26, 2009 9:39 AM

What, you are a Neanderthal. And a racist it would seem.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 26, 2009 9:41 AM

What;

Looks like you had another wonderful weekend in Lodi.

Posted by: benson at January 26, 2009 9:42 AM

DIBS you are being far too kind frankly.

Posted by: pierre de taille at January 26, 2009 9:51 AM

"What, Can you really be pro-crime or against improving the quality of life in these neighborhoods? It's not just wealthy white gentrifiers who want lower crime, you know."

No it's about Cognitive Dissonance! Wanting something to be different that it already is. If some don't like the conditions about a area then that person should move somewhere else where it's safer. This Blog is all about promoting covert Race/Class warfare and I'm sick of it! This type of dialogue does not "promote" any unity and inflames those tensions!!!!

"What, you are a Neanderthal. And a racist it would seem."


Waitt Jon can post all of the "Code Crap" and no one says anything but I have a different point of view and I'm a Racist??!!

"Looks like you had another wonderful weekend in Lodi."

Sure did but don't kiss your wife, my kids are in there...


The What

Someday this war is gonna end..


Posted by: Return of The What at January 26, 2009 9:53 AM


There is a law that buildings must have exterior 100 watt lights on from dusk to dawn (exact hours I forget).

Unfortunately, incidents like this one can happen anywhere in the city. Sick perverts tend to roam the streets all over the place.

I'm thinking of having security cameras installed on my own buildings later this year. It's not cheap though. For two cameras per building (one in the rear yard and one at the front entrance) and everything wired to my office computer, I was quoted about $5000/building.

Of course, I'll shop around more.

It's crazy, but the law states you can't have hidden cameras in public areas without a sign notifying people of the cameras.


Posted by: IronBalls at January 26, 2009 9:53 AM

Loon is not code, What, as much as you want to believe it.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 26, 2009 9:58 AM

that 100 watts regulation is only for multi-family..So 1 and 2 family houses exempt (maybe 3 fam not sure).
And the woman raped was not a resident but worked at hospital. And why does the What think it is good for some neighborhoods to accept disproprotionate crime? Does she think people in those neighborhoods are less deserving?

Posted by: Petebklyn at January 26, 2009 9:58 AM

IronBalls, does that law apply to all buildings? Residential? Commercial?

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at January 26, 2009 9:59 AM

Snappy;

The law applies only to multi-family dwellings, which NYC defines as 3 families and up.

Posted by: benson at January 26, 2009 10:04 AM

Thanks Benson.

From the photo, this stretch looks to be inexcusably dark. I don't know if mandating the lights on all buildings is the answer, but perhaps some sort of financial incentive could be offered to homeowners who voluntarily install them. Perhaps a rebate system like some municipalities offer to homeowners who install water saving bathroom fixtures, etc.

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at January 26, 2009 10:09 AM


If the law only applies to multi-family properties, it should be changed.

Seriously, how inexpensive is it to have a couple energy efficient light bulbs on outside your house at night?

Posted by: IronBalls at January 26, 2009 10:10 AM

Hey Retards how about calling 311 and telling them to install a Lamp Post there! That's why the section of block is dark, no damn Lamp!!!!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at January 26, 2009 10:31 AM

Yes, a lamp post would be a good thing, but I think that individual homeowners installing light fixtures serves a dual purpose. First, like the lamp post, lights on home exteriors will illuminate dark sections of passage. Second, and perhaps more important, it will send a message to those that would prey upon others that this particular neighborhood/stretch of a block will not tolerate the type of crime recently visited upon them and that they will take individual responsibility in terms of looking out for their neighbors and others who happen to pass through. Not that a lamp post or two shouldn't be installed but, IMO, this makes the option of exterior home lights a better way to go.

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at January 26, 2009 10:44 AM

I live on this street and there are a few pockets which are extremely poorly lit. Any word on if there are any suspects in custody? It would be great to get more street lights and for all the neighbors to leave on their outdoor lights at all times, I am.

Posted by: Fort Greene BK at January 26, 2009 10:47 AM

What, I doubt any person of any color wants to be attacked and assaulted on their way to work in any neighborhood. As much as I have tried to be understanding of your "defense" of our shared neighborhood (and there are times that I agree with you that things could/should stay as they are), I can't let that comment slide without some sort of response.

Posted by: wasder at January 26, 2009 11:03 AM

"What, I doubt any person of any color wants to be attacked and assaulted on their way to work in any neighborhood. "

You know damn well what I mean Wasder. Look at the posts today: one story about Crown Heights (Negative) and Carroll Gardens (positive). Ever since Brownstoner took over the post posts have been tinged with Race/Class nuisances! This Blog is supposed to be about "the renovation of Brownstones", not this kind of crap! Plus if anyone don't like the conditions of their neighborhood, they should sell or move to someplace else. I'm sick of Brownnstoner and the Retards of this Blog insulting long time residents of these neighborhoods. No one beg you to move here and while you here just STFU and enjoy yourself instead of posting garbage like this....

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at January 26, 2009 11:43 AM

I do know what you mean What but I can't seem to empathize with you in this case. Brownstoner is reacting to a violent assault in our neighborhood. There has been no mention of the race of the victim or the perpetrator (hence hard to call "racism" on the coverage) and we have no info about whether the victim or perp lived in the neighborhood (so you can't claim that this is an intentional attempt to give biased coverage about the neighborhood). It is what it is--a rape---and as such is to be abhorred and rejected by civil people. Since I have moved to my new house I have made every effort to fit in and get to know folks without imposing my values or tastes on my neighbors. But I don't think my neighbors would have a problem with Mr. B posting information on a hideous crime in our midst. Your critiques would be much more effective if you would pick and choose your battles a lot more carefully.

Posted by: wasder at January 26, 2009 11:50 AM

I'm emailing my block association to get people alerted to how dark our block is. On my side of the street - and this is an entire block between two avenues - there is one house, ONE, with exterior sconces lighting the front stoop, plus lots of houses with decorative but unnlit gas lights on posts. Combine that with lots of trees and the block is DARK. It isn't that expensive to remedy; our electrician is installing two front-door sconces and a under-stoop light for less than $300 (minus the cost of the fixtures themselves). It seems a small price to pay to keep the block safe.

Posted by: zeebee_in_bklyn at January 26, 2009 12:07 PM

Don't loons migrate?
I wish.

Posted by: dittoburg at January 26, 2009 12:47 PM

"This Blog is supposed to be about "the renovation of Brownstones","


Posted by: Return of The What at January 26, 2009 11:43 AM

Hey WHAT...WHEN THE HELL HAVE YOU EVER POSTED ANYTHING ABOUT THE RENOVATION OF BROWNSTONES?????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 26, 2009 3:12 PM

The blog was never just about that, even on Day 1.

Posted by: brownstoner at January 26, 2009 3:18 PM

What- I don't consider the CHN post to be negative- it isn't about Crown Heights. It's actually about what the city is trying to do to screw Crown Heights. ANd make life even more difficult for the homeless.

Posted by: bxgrl at January 26, 2009 3:55 PM

"If there's not a law requiring building owners to have at least one light on the front of there building, there should be."

You'd think all the conservatives would be screaming 'government mandates without government compensation'!

But kinda slippery here. I mean, I put a nice large Arts and Crafts fixture on the front of my house as part of the reno, yet I'm not dumb enuf to realize that anyone could just walk up and unscrew the light bulb.

In fact, that's what street lights are supposed to be for. A high, bright light source. I don't know this block well so I don't know about the streetlights.

What, ya know I'm usually on your side with this back to the past stuff, but you seem to be saying that white nabes are safe, so that's where white people should live. Think about the flip side of that.

Posted by: denton at January 26, 2009 4:15 PM

"The blog was never just about that, even on Day 1."

Jon spewing from his pie hole again! So this means that you are going forth with this agenda, right Jon?

That tells me you are swirling down the toilet bowl and nothing will save you and you have to resort to posting racist crap to get the hits up, right Jon?

This means you have a hidden hated from the long time residents of this neighborhood, right Jon?


The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: Return of The What at January 26, 2009 4:38 PM


"Plus if anyone don't like the conditions of their neighborhood, they should sell or move to someplace else."

Or, you could work with your block or neighborhood association to try to make things better. That's what longtime (black) residents of my Crown Heights block have done and continue to do.

Posted by: East New York at January 26, 2009 4:43 PM

"What, ya know I'm usually on your side with this back to the past stuff, but you seem to be saying that white nabes are safe, so that's where white people should live. Think about the flip side of that."

That's is not what I mean for example: The shelter in Bedford Ave. This shelter has been there for over 25 years! Most of the retard who moved/brought in the neighborhood know this but the retard whine all day and wish that "people" would move out!

The retards took a risk on buying a house in a largely minority neighborhood and now they want everyone who is Black to GTFO! The come on these Blogs and with Code words and Covert Racism use the Mask of "Renovations of Brownstones" to conduct this type of behavior!

If you want to be safe move back to Armpit Ohio and plant some God damn food, at lease you would be productive. Instead of trying to Jack people neighborhoods..

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: Return of The What at January 26, 2009 4:47 PM

For some people its easier and more fun to critique than to do something about it, ENY. Unfortunately for them, they don't realize its tired and no one is listening. We've got a lot of work ahead of us and you can either be on the sidelines spewing crap, or out there working to make a difference.

Posted by: bxgrl at January 26, 2009 4:49 PM

Not even worth a response today, What.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 26, 2009 5:05 PM

what- you are completely wrong about the Bedford Armory- had you gone to the rallies you would have seen that the majority of people there were long-time Black residents of CHN who are tired of trying to rebuild their community only to have to fight the city over and over again. you would also have heard them say this is not just about what the neighborhood wants, but also about how to best help the homeless.

there has always been a big group of Black homeowners and concerned community activists who have never depended on white folk to move in and save them. These are the people who are most active re the armory and they have existed long before the barely begun gentrification started. You're insulting them by implying that only gentrifyers would fight the expansion of the homeless center and for racial reasons.

CHN is treated like a dumping ground for City services- so Manhattan can be even more elitist. There are times when you are right about the changes in neighborhoods- this isn't one of them.

Posted by: bxgrl at January 26, 2009 5:18 PM

There's a block association meeting on St. Felix St. on 1/28 if anyone is interested? I don't have details but there are signs up on the block.

Posted by: Fort Greene BK at January 27, 2009 6:07 PM

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