Author Archive for krivero

CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG.

Published
by
krivero
on May 3, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 3 Comments

Police and Civilians

Photo taken from NYPD photo gallery.

Within the last several months, news reports of violence erupting between police officers and civilians have plagued the media. Surges of all too familiar headlines have plastered the front page of local newspapers: A police officer gunned down by residents or an innocent person murdered by police officers. Protests, court hearings and trials usually follow the event ultimately creating tension between everyday people and civil workers.

“I’m nervous now,” said Stanley Heriveax, a 25-year-old Brooklyn College student. “When I see them [police officers] I cringe because I don’t know what they’re about to do.”

While the fear of locals may be well documented, police officers’ concerns are similar. “We have a dangerous job and a huge responsibility to the community,” said P.O. Michael Echols of the 77th precinct in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. “When situations between a police officer and a civilian are publicized, we have to be extra careful of individuals who may seek retribution.”

In a community such as Crown Heights, Brooklyn where there is a history of malice between the dominant racial groups (Hasidic Jews and Black West Indians), the increased presence of police officers create tension between them and the locals, and should be paid close attention.

Richard Greene, a long-time community leader and the Founder of Crown Heights Youth Collective, a group that focuses on the prevention of violence among the children in the neighborhood, agrees. Since the 1980s, this organization has been an active force in bringing peace to the street corners of Crown Heights.

According to an interview aired on CW11 news at ten, Greene believes that with the proper actions on the civilian’s part, the violence can be avoided. His views are well respected by the dwellers of the parks and corners he unofficially supervises. Along with other leaders like Connie Cuttle, Founder of SAVE and Henna White, co-founder of Mothers for Mothers, Greene helps maintain a calm atmosphere by interacting with residents and suggesting ways for them to cope with the increase presence of police in the neighborhood.

“He’s a cool dude. I’m always willing to listen to what he has to say, cause he understand where I’m coming from,” said a 22-year-old male who referred to himself as ‘G’, “I just hope that someone is talking to them cops.”

Fall of The Great “Empire”

Published
by
krivero
on April 25, 2007
in Brooklyn and Uncategorized
. 1 Comment

Empire Roller Skating Rink. NY Times Pic

Picture taken from NY Times Website.

April 23, 2007. The lime green walls that surround the maple floors of Empire Roller Skating Rink in Crown Heights, Brooklyn lovingly known as “Empire” to residents, will officially be home to a storage company. Residents are outraged at the community gem being ripped from their grasp. “I just don’t understand why this is happening,” said Diane Louis, a former employee of the facility. “Skating is the only activity that my family does together. Empire was close, convenient and the music was great to groove to.”

The closing comes just several months from the closing of the famed Roxy roller rink in Manhattan and almost a year after the closing of Bronx’s Skate Key. “It seems like there is a mission against skating,” said Michael Nichols, a 35 year old professional skater from Bedstuy who frequently skated at Empire. “The only rink that’s left in the five boroughs is in Central Park and I’m sure the music and ambiance is nothing like Empire.”

A rally of two hundred participants gathered last week in front of the facility to show their support. Individuals signed online petitions in support of the rink, leaving comments recapping their experiences there. Their efforts were in vain as the 66 year-old-establishment was sold by the building owner for $4.5 million to facilitate a storage company.

Throughout the cries of resentment, shouts of joy can be heard. “I’m glad to see it go,” said Marcus Cunningham, a 55 year-old -man who lives around the corner. “Maybe now I can park my car near my house or walk around the block without fearing that I would be walking into a fight or even gunfire.”

Violence has erupted several times in the past after the skate sessions let out. The most publicized event was a shooting that left four injured on January 3rd of this year. According to a NY1 article, Michael Feiger, the owner of Empire for the last six years, has been cited with criminal summons in the past for fights and shootings outside the rink. Feiger insists that he follows all laws and that his security team enforces strict rules to make sure no weapons enter the building. “We do our jobs to ensure the safety of the patrons as well as ourselves,” insisted Teon Harmon, one of the long-term security guards.

The closing of Empire Roller Skating Rink has attracted major attention. A landmark to the community, it will be missed greatly, but to those who embrace the change, victory prevails.

Published
by
krivero
on April 25, 2007
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Brooklyn Neighborhood Thrown a Safety Net

Published
by
krivero
on March 29, 2007
in Brooklyn and Uncategorized
. 2 Comments
boro_banner11.gif
Picture taken from nyc.gov website.
Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week the sounds of blaring sirens are constantly bouncing off the buildings in New York City. Neighborhoods like Crown Heights in Brooklyn have become accustomed to the heavy presence of the NYPD. Crimes ranging from armed robbery to petty larceny are some of the illegal activities that residents face on a regular basis. With a slew of drug dealers, drug addicts and petty offenders littered throughout the community, the feeling of safety does not come easy.

“I’m scared to walk down Kingston Avenue, especially at nights,” said Kwame Johnson, a Crown Heights resident. “It’s eerie and dark, and so many things have happened here in the past.”

One unspeakable crime in June of 2006, where the body of a sixteen year old girl was found in a garbage bag on Kingston Avenue sent the community in an uproar. The murder of this child remains unsolved and the safety of the remaining residents hangs in the balance.

With the rapid gentrification of the neighborhood, occupants of this area wish to have the crime rates reduced. “It’s one thing to build these beautiful new buildings and houses here, but are the people in those buildings and houses going to be safe,” asked Anita Brouder, a homeowner in the neighborhood.

That wish may become a reality as there seems to be a slither of hope for safety with the presence of uniformed police officers patrolling the blocks on foot. They appear to be concentrated in problematic areas such as Albany Housing Projects, Kingston Avenue and Nostrand Avenue, with Nostrand Avenue having a command center.

The efforts of the two precincts in this neighborhood, the 71st precinct and 77th precinct, established programs in hopes of creating a secure environment for residents. Programs such as Security Surveys which allow a crime prevention officer to check and evaluate the sufficiency of your business or home are in effect. The problem is, residents are unaware of these services.

“We can’t know about these programs if they don’t make it known,” said Johnson. “Maybe they should consider informing us so we can help them help us.”

Brooklyn Neighborhood Gone to the Dogs

Published
by
krivero
on March 7, 2007
in Brooklyn
. 2 Comments

The streets of North Crown Heights, Brooklyn are filthy despite the efforts of residents who pack their trash in bags before their pick up by garbage trucks. Even the alternate side parking rules to allow for street sweepings are followed, but to no avail. The unwelcome guests-the stray dogs-seem to think that they have a right to grunge for food when all is quiet.

According to the NYC Administrative Code §16-118(2) and §16-118.1, “all commercial premises should be maintained (the sidewalk and the area 18 inches from the curb) at the beginning and at the end of the day.” Restaurant owners claim to comply with these rules profusely, sweeping the sidewalks in the evenings and placing their trash in the designated areas. However, upon their arrival the following morning they are confronted with a disgusting spillage throughout the block.

Residents of this neighborhood admit that sanitation comes by on their regular schedule to do their part to keep the streets clean. But the stray dogs that occupy this area will not allow the inhabitants and the city workers to have a hygienic dwelling.

About three stray dogs of mixed breeds live in a makeshift shack in an empty lot on Albany Avenue. During the time that the restaurants are closed, the dogs tear open the trash bags filled with putrid food in hopes of finding dinner.

The owners of these establishments are left to clean up the smelly mess. They complain of large rodents and the overall health risks that this condition brings forth. Yet, the dogs still roam free, terrorizing the defenseless trash leaving a community defeated and left to deal with the disorder.

NEIGHBORHOOD HERO

Published
by
krivero
on February 11, 2007
in Brooklyn and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

While doing research on my neighborhood, I came across an article about a local hero entitled “The King of Crown Heights”.  Not only was this article very inspirational, it is also helpful.  I wanted to share this with you guys because it helped me get an idea of what a feature story on an individual from a neighborhood should be like.  Please read this article and let me know what you guys think about it.