A Reader Pens Open Letter to D.A. About Crime on Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill

Following a shooting incident over the weekend, a reader sent Brownstoner this open letter to the Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, New York City Public Advocate Tish James and the 88th Police Precinct about ongoing problems with drug dealing and violence on Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill. Thompson and James live nearby, as she points out in the letter; Brownstoner has been writing about crime on this stretch for years. In her letter, she listed the addresses of buildings and license plates of cars she believes is associated with the problems. Brownstoner has deleted these from the letter for legal reasons. Here is what she said:

“Violent Crime Haven at Clifton/Grand

In light of the recent murder and shootings, I am writing in regard to
the frightening, pervasive and constant illegal activity and violence
along Grand Avenue, specifically at the corner of Clifton Place. The
drug trade here is vibrant, enthusiastic, defiant and unchecked. This
is an absolute slap in the face to the neighborhood. It’s Hamsterdam
from The Wire – brazen illegal activity of every kind conducted with
impunity. All of the players seem confident that they can operate with
no consequences. 88th Precinct, what are you doing?

Often, there are hand to hand transactions happening on all four
corners of the intersection at once, in broad day light as well as all
night long. The apartment building…is one of the
centers of activity. The regulars on that corner will buzz up…and
small packages will come floating down from the window of
one (maybe more) of the apartments above. The fire hydrant [near]
this building is also a hot spot of activity, as is the pay phone
there on Grand. Is the only remaining pay phone in New York City left
as a convenience for drug dealers? Can this phone be removed?

The house [nearby] seems to be an even busier hub. There is a
parade of cars that park for short periods and conduct business
through the windows with a steady stream of customers. Sometimes,
there is actually a line at the car, giving new meaning to the term
drive through window. Other cars park for hours or the whole
day/night, most days of the week. It is a constant stream of activity.
The participants seem to have no fear of being caught. Sometimes all
four doors of a given car will be open with transactions taking place
in the front and back seats. Exchanging packages and money counting
are done openly…

It is truly a shame what a blight this corner is on the neighborhood.
The level of fear and intimidation that everyone lives with is
unbearable. It is heartbreaking to see the elders and children of the
neighborhood hustle past with heads down to avoid the drug dealers and
the hostility, violence and noise that they bring.

I have lived and owned a business in this neighborhood for the last 25 years.
I am not shocked by a lot. This situation is the worst I have seen anywhere.
The unpredictable nature of the crime and violence is terrifying to live with.
It has eroded any sense of community that might otherwise exist. People are
too scared to speak to their neighbors, not knowing who to trust.

Why do the people committing this illegal activity feel so comfortable
conducting themselves so openly? Where are the police? Three blocks
away but never present. Can we have a beat cop around the clock for a
few months? This has worked wonders on other corners in the
neighborhood. Can we get a camera installed on this corner? Would
that not immediately stop this activity? Mostly, can we get any
official interested in this very troubling situation? Something,
anything?!

Advocate Tish James, DA Ken Thompson, Captain Peter Fiorillo, you are
within blocks of this activity. How is it possible that you don’t see
this? As our neighbors and public servants you must act and correct
this.

— A Concerned Citizen”

Image by Google Maps