Dumbo NYC

The 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 take action and create a neighborhood watch committee, called DUMBOwatch. Here’s what DUMBOwatch is looking to accomplish:

DUMBOwatch is a social network founded by DUMBO/Vinegar Hill residents to ensure the safety of their neighborhood. Our first campaign is called LOCAL CHANGE, and it is focused on the increasing number of illegal panhandling—more than ever in front of Peas and Pickles.

Many of the DUMBOwatch members have been verbally and/or physically harassed by loiterers that are regularly present in the area. For instance, recently a DUMBOwatch member was attacked 20 ft. from his apartment off of Front St, and is now in the process of prosecuting the attacker. We need to act now before something worse happens. We have the law on our side.

Section 10-136(b)(2) of the New York City Administrative Code, Prohibition against certain forms of aggressive solicitation.

No person shall solicit, ask or beg within ten feet of any entrance or exit of any bank or check cashing business during its business hours or within ten feet of any automated teller machine during the time it is available for customers’ use.

Provided, however, that when an automated teller machine is located within an automated teller machine facility, such distance shall be measured from the entrance or exit of the automated teller machine facility.

There is an ATM located within Peas and Pickles. Since there are two entrances to this establishment, it is illegal to panhandle within ten feet of this location, a radius which extends into the street. The police have disregarded this crime for many years, but now it’s time for residents to collaborate and enact better means to improve our quality of life.

Here are some current strategies:

• We will set a specific date, to be announced by email, when all supporters will call 311 to inform the police about the illegal panhandling in front of banks and areas with ATM machines.
• We will be taking photographs of every suspicious loiterer in the neighborhood for easy identification in the case of witnessing any crime. These photos will be available online.
• The Brooklyn Paper will be covering this story, which will demonstrate to the 84th precinct that we are tired of having this issue overlooked.

With these goals met, DUMBOwatch is confident that the safety and security of the DUMBO/Vinegar Hill neighborhood will be improved. For any questions, comments, or concerns, DUMBOwatch can be contacted at dumbowatch@gmail.com.

The general consensus from commenters is that although there are some unfortunate people who need our help, there are other ways that many of us can volunteer our time and money to help those who are in need. People have good intentions by giving money to several panhandlers but are not helping to solve the root of the problem. If people stopped giving panhandlers money, they will eventually stop. I’d also imagine that many of the tourists who come to the neighborhood give them money so they won’t be bothered by the panhandlers. I don’t think this is just an issue of Dumbo residents being afraid and complaining that their safety is compromised, but more about what can we do to prevent any crime from happening in the future and keeping Dumbo a safe place for all. The approach DUMBOwatch is taking seems to be the right direction.

Previously:
{Talking about Safety in Dumbo, 7Sept07}