Comments on: Talking about Safety in Dumbo

By: EQ

EQ — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 23:11:56 +0000

Just wondering why this is being held at 5 pm? I presume I am not the only one who works in the city and cannot be home this early. Would have liked to attend.

By: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » Dumbo BID Crime Prevention and Safety Seminar (DumboNYC.com)

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:17:52 +0000

[...] everyone who has any complaints or questions about what to do about panhandlers, businesses that want to prevent any crime, or have any building security questions, this is your [...]

By: more of my two cents

more of my two cents — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:34:42 +0000

The hair color question – I think Marissa probably was more referencing her ethnicity than really her haircolor (I don’t mean that in a bad way).

By: my two cents

my two cents — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:21:12 +0000

I think the area is as safe as many neighborhoods in NYC. I also think that the chatter on this thread is not necessarily over the top, but also not as bad as it might sound to someone who doesn’t live here. I think the chatter is because people actually care about safety in this neighborhood and it is a small enough community to be able to talk about it. (It’s great that people have a forum such as this one to share, so that people know what and who to look out for.)

Also- I’ve read and heard that using Front Street seems to be a safe route from the subway. I wouldn’t necessarily rule this apartment out. The area will most likely improve and until then, common sense always helps!

By: another V.H.

another V.H. — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:35:49 +0000

Marisa…I live in Vinegar Hill. Its a great neighborhood. If the rent seems fair you should go for it. Some of the chatter on this thread is over the top and not very reflective of what I have seen day to day in the neighborhood. I would take it in advisement but would not make it the only reason for turning down a good apt.

By: Perhaps clueless

Perhaps clueless — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:13:11 +0000

Why would hair color be relevant to one’s decision to move into a neighborhood? (Not trying to be argumentative, I’m just genuinely curious.)

By: Vinegar Hill Res.

Vinegar Hill Res. — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:20:44 +0000

Marisa, if you were looking to buy over here I’d advise you to take the place on Gold Street, walk home at night by 10 or take a cab to your door and just wait out the neighborhood improvement for a couple of years.

If it’s a rental, unless you absolutely love the neighborhood and plan on staying for several years, it might be better to look in a slightly more established neighborhood where you’ll feel safer on your own. It’s no fun to feel trapped in your own apartment.

By: marissa

marissa — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:18:30 +0000

so current dumbo residents, if you had a friend (say late 20′s female, 5’6, blond), would you advise her against moving to an apt on gold st? (and no, not the loft bldg.)
i checked this blog out as some of my typical apt renter research and am really doubting i’m going to take this place now.

By: Dumbo NYC, Brooklyn » Archive » DUMBOwatch Established to Keep DUMBO Safe (DumboNYC.com)

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:57:59 +0000

[...] comments about the panhandlers and illegal activity at Peas&Pickles deli from the Talking about Safety in Dumbo post keep coming. Rather than just ranting about it on this blog, one Dumbo resident has decided to [...]

By: Anon II

Anon II — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:08:34 +0000

I would believe that. If panhandling in DUMBO wasn’t a profitable business there would be none. Cracky and Smokey has enterprised it and has now franchised it to green hat, cane dude, wobbly dude with no shirt, etc.

By: dumbostreets

dumbostreets — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:04:36 +0000

I saw one of the panhandlers in Forager’s last night converting her change into bills. The guy at the counter later told me he estimates they make about $3.00 per hour.

By: Vinegar Hill Res.

Vinegar Hill Res. — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 03:06:11 +0000

I haven’t had any run-ins with the pair at P&P. My husband and I walk by them pretty often and for some reason they leave us alone. I know they have a place to live, I’ve heard the woman talking to a P&P employee about what she does at home and the vanilla tea she likes to drink. It seems really surprising and scary that these two have subjected others to verbal tirades, not to mention chasing people and throwing stones. Can’t see any reason why they haven’t tried this with us… probably just a matter of time.

I’ve just started to cross the street rather than deal with them and we stopped shopping at P&P about a month ago. We’re not going to turn a blind eye on someone who clearly needs help, but we’re also not going to pay a daily toll to this pair just to walk peacefully down our own street. I think it would be better for everyone if Dumbo residents and visitors saved the dollars and change they hand out and give the money to an organization like City Harvest instead. Or better yet, just hand out food.

The guy with the green hat is creepy. I have seen him hanging around outside my building or riding very slowly down Front Street checking everyone out. He’s someone I call 311 about. The pair at P&P seem more like an annoyance rather than a threat to me. Seeing the guy in the green hat watching my block and neighbors with a glassy-eyed stare is frightening. I’ll call the cops on him every day if I have to rather than leave him out there to trouble the people who live on my street.

By: AnonII

AnonII — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:48:48 +0000

Vinegar Hill resident, I couldn’t agree with you more. Give in to their needs and they wish you with blesses from the almighty God himself. Want to dare and not give them change it’s a fiery inferno of damnation from these panhandlers. Vinegar Hill res what are your experiences like with panhandlers over there? Update, Green hat now rides around with on a BMX bike looking to beg for change. He’s the guy with the cast.

By: Tbone

Tbone — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:39:39 +0000

Anon II- I agree, I think a lot of the people giving them money don’t live in the neighborhood. But I have started to take note when I see someone give them money (as I am often out and about walking my dog) and many of them are locals. I even recently saw what looked like a local give Cracky money and then have his toddler give her a high five. Weird.
Give it up for the crack addict!

Vinegar Hill Res- I couldn’t agree with you more.

By: Vinegar Hill Res.

Vinegar Hill Res. — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:50:10 +0000

It really seems to oversimplify the situation to write that the Dumbo panhandlers are the innocent less fortunate and we should just leave them in place in front of P&P. If they were only asking for money then posters like “Uh Oh” may have a point. The fact is that there have been too many complaints of verbal and physical harassment to let things stand as they are for much longer. Drug related crime is up in Dumbo, I heard this from the police myself. None of us should sit back and kid ourselves about safety in this neighborhood.