Crime & Safety

The 79th Precinct Community Council Meets (Video)

This month, the council discussed fighting crime in housing developments, job opportunities at the Nets Stadium and developing a Bed-Stuy Needs statement

The 79th Police Precinct Council met last night, Wednesday, November 16, one week earlier than usual, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The meeting was very light, both in public attendance and agenda items. Additionally, several key council and precinct members were out, most notably Deputy Inspector Peter Bartoszek and other officers, as they were pulled to Manhattan to cover the escalating events at Occupy Wall Street.

Council President Dr. Kim Best gave her monthly address, which focused on the upcoming holiday party and food and clothing drives:

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  • The precinct is now accepting coats, clothing and food donations which will be distributed to needy residents over the holiday months.
  • Toys for Tots still has not gotten back to the precinct about whether they will be able to provide toys this year for the precinct’s Toy Giveaway. Therefore, Dr. Best says the council is preparing for the possibility they will have to fundraise themselves. Therefore, they are now also asking the community for financial contributions and toy donations to supply all of the children who register for their Christmas and Kwanzaa parties at least one toy.
  • This year’s Christmas party will be held on Saturday, December 17, from 11:00am – 3:00pm, at ABCD School, located at 141 Macon Street. Children must register first in order to attend and receive a toy. Also the council is looking for volunteers to help manage the day’s activities.

Zachary James, the All Access Manager for the Nets Basketball team presented:

  • He is responsible for outreach to the community and filling the seats—not just for basketball games, but other activities going on there like music concerts and children’s shows. He wants to invite the community to feel free to reach out to him to include activities at the arena in their future community planning. He can provide group discounts and special seating arrangements.
  • They will be hiring for various positions in and around the arena, and they want to include the local residents as first priority in their hiring. Ratner has started a program called B.U.I.L.D. (Brooklyn United for Innovation in Local Development), located at 485 Hudson Avenue (one block east of Flatbush, between Fulton and Dekalb Avenues in Fort Greene). The program will conduct resume building and training. Upon completion of the program, you will secure a job at the stadium. For more information, call 718-230-7095.
  • The Nets are now selling All-Access season passes starting at $99. To purchase tickets, call 877-77-BKTIX, or visit them online at barclayscenter.com

Scholarship Report: The head of the scholarship committee is soliciting sponsors to begin rebuilding a scholarship fund for the new year. They have sent out several letters to companies, and are currently awaiting an answer. But they are asking the community if you of any company referrals, please contact the 79th Pct scholarship committee at bjbiggsglover@optonline.net or 79precinct.communitycouncil@gmail.com

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Also, in march they will honor three African American female entrepreneurs in Bed-Stuy. If you know of someone you believe should be honored, please submit your recommendation (a brief bio and explanation why they should be considered) to bjbiggsglover@optonline.net or 79precinct.communitycouncil@gmail.com.

Captain Lola Obe, commanding officer of PSA 3 presented:

  • The Captain covers all details pertaining to the policing of public housing. Her coverage area includes seven housing developments in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
  • PSA 3 meets the first Wednesday of every month at the Atlantic Terminal. However, they are working to move the monthly meeting to the Job Corps building in Bed-Stuy, closer to the department’s coverage area. They should have a final decision on the move this month.
  • Captain Obe said she was there to introduce herself to the community and make residents aware that she is very keen and tuned into areas of sensitivity surrounding crime in public housing. She is asking that the community please play a bigger role in stepping forward to report the names of individuals involved in criminal activity, as it is key that both the community, PSA and the precinct work together, if they are to make any progress
  • She mentioned the recent drug arrest sting at Lafayette Gardens Houses was the result of someone coming forward and identifying at least one perpetrator, which led to the arrest of a host of other perpetrators. She encouraged anyone who lives in the public housing who cares about safety to please not be afraid of stepping forward. Contact the precinct or contacting her office directly, 718-386-4994.

Lieutenant Cuna, who works in Special Ops in the 79th Pct., gave the monthly precinct address on behalf of Inspector Bartoszek:

  • In the last 3 weeks since the September meeting, they have significantly increased patrols around certain high impact zones.
  • Narcotics, robberies and shootings re coming down. Most of the robberies reported are occurring around transit facilities. So the precinct is asking again that people please be aware of your surroundings when walking home from the bus or train stations. Keep an eye on your electronics and keep your personal belongings close to you. In addition, the precinct has increased patrols around these areas as well.
  • He encouraged all residents who see unwanted graffiti on or around their property to contact the precinct. The City has a special department that will come out and clean any graffiti at the request of a resident, free of charge.

The precinct raffled off free turkeys and canned vegetables to 15 lucky meeting attendees!

Community Announcements:

One resident Joe Gonzalez, made a fiery announcement concerning what he called “do-nothing elected officials:” “Election season is coming up and these politicians will be coming around knocking on your doors asking for your vote. I have gotten the blessing of Dr. Best to put together a written document called The Bed Stuy Needs Statement, detailing what we want as a community. So when a politician comes around asking for your vote, we will be able to ask these elected officials where thy stand on the issue.”

Gonzelez pointed to Nostrand Avenue, which was promised to be re-paved since 2005: “We’ve been promised and then City Councilman Al Vann took it out of the budget. Drive down Nostrand Avenue and not only will you ruin your car going down that street, but you can lose your life, it’s so dangerous to drive down that street! We will have something, a written statement which will be given to everyone who wants it, a detail of what we need before we hand them our vote.”

*There will be no 79th Precinct Community Council meeting in December. The next council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 25, 2012.


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