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?
Very Weird. Mr. brownstoner are you editing people’s posts?? I posted something earlier today but what is shown under my name is not what I posted – and it’s not someone with the same screen name b/c the link with my screen names is to my website. Why do this??? I wasn’t trolling, I expressed an opinion in a respectful way. Please correct me if I’m wrong. How many other comments here have been changed by the site moderators?
I lived 3 buildings over from that dice game for six years, and have called the cops and 311 dozens of times when it got noisy. So its continuing existence is not because the neighbors are too PC, OK?
On the other hand, having those guys out at all hours meant I never had to worry about getting home from the subway safe.
My new block in CH is so quiet (and dark)it terrifies me. I actually wish there was more hanging-out going on.
you pays your money and you takes your chances
David:
Are you the guy with the House with the FAR up the Wazoo who is moving? It struck me that your part of the mid-lower Slope (15th Street between 4th and 5th, right?) seems pretty safe — not particularly gentrified, but pretty much a family area. And I see the last comment you made referred to Union.
David,
Funny, I’m lower PS too (b/w 4th and 5th Aves) and I’ve never noticed the guilt / antipathy toward calling cops etc. on my block, among newbies or oldtimers. There are some cultural differences but people have definitely been willing to raise a stink — whether about criminal activity or trash piling up — and if anything the oldtimers are more aggressive about it. I mean, a person wants to secure his home whatever he paid and whenever he bought. We’ve worked together with our old-neighborhood neighbors on stuff like this, the key being to get to know people and have relationships so that you’re not just dealing with them when there’s a problem. But I guess even within neighborhoods blocks vary a lot.
You write a blog posting your floorplans and detailing where the plasma TV will go and then wonder why you got robbed? Or will get robbed….
david, where do you live?
Who’s Vanilla Ice?
I called you Vanilla Ice, not a honkey, ya stupid cracker.