Question of the Day: Private Security?
On the same day last week, we heard in the morning from a policeman that the 88th Precinct (Fort Greene and Clinton Hill) had finally gotten a boost in manpower and in the afternoon that our neighbor across the street had been robbed the night before. We’re wondering what people think about the idea of…
On the same day last week, we heard in the morning from a policeman that the 88th Precinct (Fort Greene and Clinton Hill) had finally gotten a boost in manpower and in the afternoon that our neighbor across the street had been robbed the night before. We’re wondering what people think about the idea of supplementing the local police force with some private security. Our GC told us he thinks the local “bad guys” won’t be put off by rent-a-cops. Other people have said that bringing in private security would only antagonize relations between gentrifiers and old-timers. We’re sure other people’s response will be “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” But if you’ve already committed to being in a neighborhood, should political correctness stop you from doing everything you can to ensure the safety of your family? Is passing the hat to your neighbors to raise money for a night-time patrol realistic?
I’d like to hear suggestions on what to do when getting responses like the one Mrs Brownstoner got.
Do you go up the chain of command until you get a satisfoctory response? Or does the solution come from the members of that block working with the police in a program like block watchers?
Why is everyone assuming the pro security crowd are the newcomers? I was born and raised in FG, and my family has been in the nabe for almost 40 years. I’m not really in favor of hiring private security forces b/c I don’t think it’s necessary–the nabe is safe! and b/c they’re ineffectual. Let’s face it, guys, we’re not talking about bringing in armed guards here, just some older guys walking around with cell phones. In another words, they’re the same thing as a community patrol. What’s so elitist or divisive about it? Most of the guards would be working class black guys. I doubt i-bankers would be moonlighting as bklyn guards during their time off!
The Fulton Mall has rent-a-cops, and it’s not like a Connecticut gated community there.
I have to agree with Crownstoner. Why not get involved with your local precinct? Join Block Watchers. Talk to the community affairs officer at the 88th, create a block association, join the Clinton Hill Society, Fort Greene Assn…
There is the Wa-Greene, (Washington & Greene Aves), Carlton-Willoughby (carltonavenue@hotmail.com) & several others whom you can get info on at the Borough president’s office.
I think what frustrates me most about this topic is that many of the people who are moving to the neighborhood really don;t want to put in the effort to make their blocks, communities & schools better.
Maybe this is an elitist proposal that will alienate your old-time neighbors. Or maybe it’s not a class issue since rich and poor neighbors would benefit. The only thing for sure is: the most important opinions you should get are those of your meatspace neighbors — all of them, of all incomes — not those of a bunch of people reading a blog.
In any case, I don’t think the question is political correctness. It’s that for any fix to work in the long term, you need your neighbors all pulling together. So bring the safety issue up as you get to know them, and ask them if *they* think there’s a problem and what they think would work, rather than say as soon as you move in, “Your neighborhood needs private security. Aere you going to chip in or not?”
I tried to talk to the police about the dealers on grand and putnam and they told me to move out of the neighbourhood if I had a problem. no joke.
I’m on the fence about this too. i live in CH and have attended these monthly meetings and frankly nothing gets done. Ms. James is totally ineffectual and the precinct is still totally corrupt. the community does need to organize, but i think that there is still too much resentment by people who’ve been there awhile towards newcomers who are accustomed to a more responsive council rep and police precinct. it’s a complete waste of time because it impedes progress, but it is human nature that people need to feel like big fish in little ponds and will always fight change, even if it’s for the better – in this case, safety and clean streets.
We didn’t say we were committed to doing this, merely exploring the idea. We were throwing it out for discussion so you can chill on the elitist labels.
1. please hire private security guards to police gentrified brooklyn. great idea.
2. relations between invaders and brooklynites will become horribly strained, and
3. some sort of riot or public outburst will ensue,
4. which will lead to the collapse of the real estate market,
5. which will make rents, finally, normal and affordable, thus leading to
6. an influx of some non-yuppies–people who aren’t trying, through money and influence, with the best of intentions, to ruin the borough that they think they love.
I’m with Anon@10:29 – if you want private security, move to a gated community. It strikes me as incredibly elitist and ineffectual.
If you want to improve your neighborhood, get involved. A block patrol is one thought. Your precint has monthly community council meetings – go to them. Hear where the problems are, talk to the police about the problems you see.
Otherwise, move to Seaside (www.seasidefl.com/). Sorry to be so harsh, but that’s pretty anti-NYC in my book.