James, Hynes To Host Grand/Putnam Town Hall
We were pleased to see a police car standing guard at Putnam and Grand on our way home from the office on Friday; and we gather that they’ve assumed a similar position at various times since the shooting two weeks ago. Of course, we haven’t seen them there at night. Nor have they been there…
We were pleased to see a police car standing guard at Putnam and Grand on our way home from the office on Friday; and we gather that they’ve assumed a similar position at various times since the shooting two weeks ago. Of course, we haven’t seen them there at night. Nor have they been there in the mornings when we walk past on our way to work. In fact, on Friday morning we asked a cop who was standing guard on the busy subway platform full of dangerous businessmen and women on their way to work why he wasn’t over on Putnam and Grand instead. He muttered something unintelligible and then said something about how there might be a greater presence there when the new class of recruits comes aboard in July. Hmmmm.
In the meantime, there is some reason for hope. On June 21 at 7 p.m.. Letitia James, DA Charles Hynes and the 88th Precinct Captain will host a town hall meeting at 966 Fulton Street to specifically address the “quality of life issues” at Grand and Putnam. It’s unusual to get this line-up of higher-ups for such a local forum so we hope there will be broad attendance from the community–not just the block. Does this represent a change in attitude from the political and law enforcement leaders who have ignored the magnitude of the problem in the past? We can only hope. We also hope that they come to the meeting with more than pat answers about how they are working on long-term solutions with undercover cops and how there aren’t enough resources. If so, the members of the audience (aka the voters) won’t be buying it. As we’ve said before, this is going to become a single-issue point of accountability for all the leaders in the neighborhood. Let’s hope they rise to the occasion.
Will The Cops Show Up Now? [Brownstoner]
BrownBomber, here’s my beef. Certain residents in that area are complaining about things not changing fast enough or significantly enough. There is been talk about a certain “lawless nature” around Grand and Putnam. Based on my personal experience, i would have to wholeheartily disagree. In the past 6 months, I have been stopped for WWB(Walking While Black) three times in that area. While walking from the subway to friends in that area, I’ve been accused of buying drugs on Putnam. I’ve been searched and warned not to be seen again that night or else risk loitering charges. How is a Black Man supposed to walking home from work without being stopped for WWB. Believe it or not, its safer for a black man to drive at night in than area than it is to walk.
Being stopped, accused of a crime and warned to not be seen again is something most of the folks who are complaining about a lack of police presence will never experience. Maybe they need to have their civil liberties violated a few times to realize that the cops are doing a whole lot more than they think.
Brownstoner, do you know where will the townhall meeting be held?
Agreed BrownBomber. Thank you Brownstoner for the update. I’ll try to ensure that as many of my neighbors as possible attend this meeting. In the past couple of months, drug dealers threatened a neighbor on St. James Place because they thought she was responsible for a police raid of an apartment that resulted in some arrests. Old residents in my area are concerned too, and have said so to me in the past and at block association meetings. They just feel that their concerns have fallen on deaf ears in the past. Hopefully, this will raise the profile of the problem and highlight this singular issue for the local politicians and police force.
While I would like to read more about corbels than crime, the fact is that our homes are not isolated islands surrounded by water. We all live in neighborhoods, and what goes on in those neighborhoods is both important, and relevant to a site about Brownstone Brooklyn. A healthy mix is a good thing. Everyone who has ever bitched and moaned about crime and safety in their neighborhoods should be interested in any kind of community/police/elected official involvement.
I hope there is a good turnout at the meeting.
ItsAWrap, the southeastern corner of Clinton Hill is very seedy and lawless section of an otherwise great community. In particular, the criminal activity is limited to Fulton Street from Washington to Classon Avenues (approximately from the methadone clinic to the short term hotels on the opposite end of this corridor). Not only is the drug and prostitution problem prevalent, its blatantly out in the open, during all times of the day (close to children playgrounds and schools). Despite the occasional complaint by concerned citizens, the community historically has tolerated these conditions (e.g., chalk it up to living in the hood or sheer fear). Given the “perceived” lack of community outrage, the 88th Precinct never did anything to seriously combat the problem. Are naysayers making the argument that new and old residents should not do anything NOW simply because the problem was not successfully addressed in the PAST?
Why the criticism? Brownstoner, is simply highlighting a unique opportunity for members of the community to be heard and reshape how crime and quality of life issues are viewed by local elected officials and the police department. In the end, this will benefit all area residents – both “old” and “new”.
Gee, wasn’t it just…well, it was actually just yesterday, that you informed us of your new blog, and kind of promised (or, at least, posted) that Brownstoner would go back to being a site about “Real Estate, Renovation and Architecture”? Of course, you didn’t say when that might happen, but I sure hope it’s soon.
Actually, ItsaWrap, neighbor has years’ of correspondence with the precinct, mayor’s office, city councilmen all of which has added up to a big fat zero. There’s been some improvement, but nothing more than the rising tide of the city become safer in general.
Great job, Stoner. I’ll be there in full support. I don’t want to dilute the issue on June 21st but I would also like to know: (1) how the 88th Precinct plans to deal with the addicts who hang out on the corner of Fulton and Classon after their Saturday morning treatment at the Waverly methadone clinic; and (2) the open prostitution and drug activity at the short terms hotels on Classon Avenue. IMO, these issues are related since Classon is around the corner and the Grand/Putnam Crips are the one who operate and control all of the drug and prostitution activities in the immediate area.
With that being said, it’s extremely important that area residents attend the town hall meeting on June 21st and show the 88th Precinct and the local politicians that a “new era” is upon Clinton Hill and crime and other public nuisances will no longer be tolerated by the community.
Brownstoner,
“drug deals in broad daylight with children walking by is a daily occurrence”. How many time have residents in the area called 911 or 311? What has been the response?
“other residents report having witnessed pay-offs to cops”. Who did the residents reports the payoff to? What was the outcome?
“in the middle of the night, a couple of cops showed up on their doorstep and starting banging on the door shouting, “Okay, come on out and show us who the drug dealers are…. hardly encourages residents to come forward.”” Cops show up at night(pretty sure drug dealing goes on at night) and that a bad thing?
“Nor did the Grand Avenue block president being threatened at gun point”. Threatened by whom? Did (s)he file a complaint? What was the outcome? Is (s)he now too scared to effectively preside over the block association? Have they given up?
The Politician, the Prosecuter and the Police Captain want to meet with residents NOW. You seem more intent on dwelling in the past, talking about things that you’ve andectocally heard; Brooklyn Legend and Lore. You’ve almost taken on a defeatist attitude.
When was the last time the Politician, the Prosecuter and the Police Captain meet with residents in that area? Residents need to make the most of this rare opportunity.
I’m not trying to critize your efforts to effect some change. I just think having specific examples is alot better than talking about generalities. Its easy to dismiss generalities, but specifics are much harder to run away from.