Dumbo NYC

I used to park on Water. First someone struck or kicked my mirrors over and over and broke them. There were black skid marks on the paint, as if someone had kicked them off while wearing boots. The next week my windshield was broken, probably with a large rock. There's nothing in the car, the car was never entered. This was pure malice. If Darren Stone is responsible, he is a very disturbed person who needs to grasp that what goes around comes around.

Can the person who posted the notice elaborate?

From a NY Post police blotter back in June:

A career criminal nicknamed "Squarehead" made a boneheaded move when he was busted for swiping NYPD and FDNY radios from the personal vehicle of a city Office of Emergency Management employee in Downtown Brooklyn, authorities said yesterday.
Darren Stone, 42, smashed the vehicle window at Gold and Front streets, and stole more than $14,000 in property, including the portable radios, a digital camera, documents and tools, authorities said.
The OEM employee discovered the break-in at 5:15 a.m. Saturday.
He spoke to a witness, leading to Stone's arrest, sources said.
Stone was charged with criminal mischief, grand larceny and coercion.

What happened with the spy photos of the drug dealers? Were they out making "handshakes" in the rain today?

I saw a car on John Street between Bridge & Jay this morning, about 7am, that had been broken into.

Even if the graffiti was correct and in fact it was this Stone fellow. Is it right to put out a call based on ggraffiti ona wall. What if it was some one who just disliked the man and trying to get him in trouble? Seems like it could be defamation of character.

Imagine if some person who disliked you spray painted a comment about you or put a note on the web and someone else broadcast this without any evidence? Perchance it was wrong.

Guilty before being proven innocent?

all of these animals should be shoved into a rocketship and launched into outerspace. they are ruining life for the rest of us honest people. and i don't want to hear any liberal crap about 'not having opportunities,' or 'rough starts.' everyone has the 'opportunity' to not be a douchebag - these f-bags choose otherwise.

My car window was smashed about a week and a half ago on Water between Washington and Main. I saw another car on Water towards the Water Street Grill smashed as well.

A guy who works nearby saw the guy just before he did it and gave the cops a good description. We also probably have the guy on my building's camera but the cops have not come to view it yet. Unless this joker is caught in the act nothing will be done to stop him.

If this happens to you, you MUST call the police so they get more pressure to stop the madness. And if you see something funky going on, PLEASE help a neighbor and call the cops.

My window was smashed around July 4th on Adams street, and two fold up chairs were taken, Then, when I moved the car under the Manhattan bridge until the window repair came on Monday, my license plates were stolen off the car!
Reported al to police who were disinterested at best. Real hassle for me as i had to go to the precinct and get a form for the DMV to replace my plates.
The precinct people were very rude and uncooperative, making me wait and giving me the wrong information eventually.
So if they catch this guy, I would be feel somewhat relieved. ( doubt they will though.
S

There enough to worry about in our daily lives, having to worry about my car window being smashed just really sucks. Whoever is doing this sh!t hopefully will get caught soon. It's bogus to think someone is going around the DUMBO/V.H. neighborhood and smashing windows and nobody sees this person. Shouldn't the sound of breaking glass or car alarms be loud enough to alert others. If anybody sees anything please call the 84th precinct, I already saved the number in my cell.

june. ours was smashed

Our car got broken into last week on Plymouth (just off Bridge) and the little trash that was in the car was thrown around, but there was nothing for this jerk to take. The next day I moved the car to Bridge St and found that a Saab which had taken my spot on Plymouth had its front right window smashed. The very next day another car in the exact same spot had its front right window smashed. Now no one parks over there... Its a sad downturn to the neighborhood, but then again the projects have always been only 4 blocks away...

We found our window smashed this morning. We stupidly left the car on Water between Adams and Front. Called the cops who agreed this has been happening far too often. I can't get too mad-I should know better by now. But I will make sure to call the precinct to get my complaint report number.

My building caught footage of this guy when he broke into a car around the 4th. He's an African American man, and his weight fluctuates kind of dramatically depending on how he's doing. He pushes a wire shopping cart and uses a pillow or a blanket to muffle the sound of the glass break, then he climbs in through the window and spends quite a bit of time rifling through everything in the car. He probably also uses the noise from the trains overhead to time his window breaks. That said, it seems like there's more than one guy going after local cars, particularly in the cases of sheer vandalism.

If a break-in happens in close proximity to a residential building, be sure to stop in or leave a note to see if a CC security camera might have picked up anything. Most residential buildings have street view cameras covering their general vicinity.

The only way to make sure the car break-ins and other neighborhood crime get appropriately addressed is to report every single incident to the police, and insist that a report is filed. I call Captain Abel periodically and he cannot stress enough how important it is that we all make reports, even it it feels like nothing can be done. He said that if anyone hassles you when you call, get their name or operator number (even if it's a call to 911) and pass it along to him. If you can't reach him directly, send an email to Hide at Dumbo NYC with the information.

It's time for everyone in DUMBO to call the precinct. This is absolutely out of control. I've lived here for a decade now and I've never seen anything like this. The streets are literally LINED WITH AUTO GLASS. It's insane. The accumulated cost of all these repairs is probably staggering at this point.

I'm glad to see that a dialog has started. This was exactly my intention when I wrote the message on the wall. I'm a Water Street resident and not, I assure you, someone simply trying to defame Darren Stone.

My first run in with Squarehead was in March. My car might have been one of the first in this recent string of hits. I heard my car alarm, looked out the window and saw dark figure walking away with his arms filled with things from my trunk. I chased him down and he put my stuff down and left without a fight. When I gave the cops his description, they said that it fit the description of a long time offender in the area, though they wouldn't give me his name. This "crackhead", they said, was recently released from prison and has returned to his "favorite spot".

Over the next several months, there were dozens of break-ins and on several occasions, I saw the same guy, skulking around the scaffolded area of water street with a plastic bag on his hand. Each time he saw me he ran. Each time I called the police, they gave me the "hey, what can we do?" response.

I know some people in the area, some I help out with food or clothes. When I asked them on the same day, independently, if they had any idea who was working water street windows, they both offered up the name Squarehead.

About three weeks ago, I saw him smash the driver side window of a white utility van in broad daylight. Police got there an hour later and gave the same polite, yet unhelpful response. They were, however, surprised that I knew his nickname and confirmed that they believe he was up to his old tricks. "Darren Stone" is his name.

I pulled his police report (which I will email to anyone who wants it - just send a message to waterstreetwindowsmash@hotmail.com). It's an impressive record. I spoke to the anti-crime unit of the 84th. They know about him, and were friendly, but also gave me the revolving door speech. The did also mention that they believed Stone was in prison already, which if that is the case, to no surprise there is more than one offender.

So here's what I know:
>>Darren Stone is a 44 y/o, medium-dark skinned African American male of medium height (5'7" - 5'10")
>> He's fairly thin, but often wears baggy clothing.
>> Every time I've seen him he's been wearing grey/light-colored sweat pants or running pants.
>> Every time I've seen him he's been wearing a dark (blue or black) doo-rag.
>> Twice I've seen him riding a silver Razor kick scooter
>> He USUALLY strikes between 1am and 4am
>> He may have lookouts (while I walked down the block unknowingly towards him I heard a "CAW CAW CAW" from behind and he suddenly ran out from beside a car)
>> He often uses plastic bags, shirts and packing tape around his hand to break windows.


That's basically the story. I know that living in NY is to willingly accept a baseline level of crime. I've lived here my whole life. But sitting idly while some career criminal preys on our property every other night is unacceptable.

I'm not sure what I want to do, but I know that raising awareness and coming together as a community on this is probably the right way to go.

If you want any more info or want to be added to a mailing list, please send a line to waterstreetwindowsmash@hotmail.com.

Cheers to all.

Our back rear window was smashed in on Front St between Jay and Bridge Streets this spring, and I wrote about it on this blog.

Almost every week I see smashed car windows in Dumbo while walking my dog.

In my comments earlier this year I described how, when I called 911, there was no response for about 1 hour. Tired of waiting by the car, I left and went home. The officers called my cell phone and were upset that I had I wasn't waiting for them at the scene. The officers were not interested in helping, and are clearly understaffed for this neighborhood. It will take time for police resources to catch up with Dumbo's growth.

In the meantime, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND:

1) Do not leave any items inside your car - clothing, bags, even trash. These are not car thieves or vandals, these are desperate crack-heads looking for something of (any perceived) value to smash and grab.

2) Do not leave coins or dollar bills in your cup holder or anywhere visible inside the car. They will smash your window to get even a handful of change.

3) Expect this to happen anywhere. Car windows are broken all over the city, in the best of neighborhoods. It's just a part of life.

These freaking animals should be stuffed inside a rocket ship and launched into the deepest regions of space. I believe that if we all threw some money into a hat, we could convince the Chinese government to take care of this for us. I am so sick of these disgusting jerkwads causing problems. I've got enough crap to worry about. Any chance those projects will be torn down any time soon? Can't we move them the hell out of here, or maybe build a big wall with armed guards posted on top? Something must be done.

pjs arent going anywhere for the next 40-50 yrs - dont kid youself.

sad fact is, cops dont patrol enough (just standing outside the F train is not enough) and with the train overheard you cant hear break ins or muggings so they will continue. If dumbo wasnt so close to manhattan I an many other people would be gone already.

really a shame that you have such savages near a potentially great neighborhood

if only more buildings had security systems...
i am in the process of deploying a 4+ IR camera system on bridge/plymouth, i can only hope it catches these idiots next time!

I don't have a car but I'm still getting really frustrated seeing cars with broken windows almost everyday on my way to work from Water St.

Not long ago I witnessed someone breaking into a car near Water and Bridge around 9PM and yelled at them. They took off running on Bridge toward the PJ's and I instinctively took off after them (instincts aren't always right). I came to my senses just before rounding the corner where the Chinese restaurant is.

I called the cops on my way back and they were there by the time I reached Water St. I got a pretty good look at the guy and was able to give them a description of someone who was a bit older than what I expected. They said they knew who he was and that he was known for this in the neighborhood but they didn't tell me his name. They took my statement and said even if they arrested him he would be right back out in a day or two. WTF!! Do we just have to wait for the guy to die of an overdose or something?

Anyway, I can't say for sure if it was this Darren Stone guy without a picture but i'm glad someone has been doing some research on the problem. Is there anything we can do? I understand this is Brooklyn and things like this happen occasionaly but this is happening way too frequently! There's so much wasted glass on the floor I'm beginning to think we should start recycling it.

I'm thinking we could get some really big crane, lift that whole f'ing project complex up into the air, drive it down to Red Hook and dump it in that s'hole neighborhood where it belongs. Alternatively, we could drop it into the ocean. I'm not a technical wiz, so I ask all of you, are either of these realistic possibilities?

at least there are relatively few registered sex offenders in the area:

http://www.familywatchdog.us/

Check it out. This should help put the "what about the CHILDREN!?!?" people at ease a bit.

It's funny how the projects that everyone wants out of there neighborhood is the safest place to park, I'm yet to here about break ins......

We need to come up with real ideas to stop this situation from getting any worst!

The public housing was there well before all of you. If you can't handle some crime in your "neighborhood", feel free to move out.

Thank you in advance.

projects are all over nyc, those lets move the projects comments are very ignorant. Still this fool needs to be locked up hopefully we can get more on this guy

Perhaps a giant glass dome over dumbo so they can't get in, or better yet over the projects, so they can't get out. Yes? Electrified fences? Maybe? Maybe we can get those giant alien tripods from War of the Worlds to patrol the permiter? I'm trying to think outside the box people. You're "pls everyone call the precint" nonsense will do nothing. Cops have bigger issues to deal with, and honestly they could care less about our fancy car windows. Rambo?

Maybe whomever is in charge at the 84th needs to have a talk with the officers about taking reports of crime more seriously. The "cops have bigger things to worry about" is garbage. They're not all homicide detectives, that's why there is the Major Case squad and other specialized units. Dealing with smaller crimes is what most cops do. And there isn't much "big" crime in the 84th Precinct, there were 2 murders and 4 rapes in 2007.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/downloads/pdf/crim...
I never cared for Guiliani, but he was right, ignore little crimes and you just embolden criminals. Maybe busting the guy whose breaking into cars will cause him to flip on his dealer, or whomever he is selling the stolen goods to, and up the food chain it goes. And it isn't the cops' job to worry about whether a criminal will be out in 48 hours, it is their job to gather evidence and make arrests. When the guy gets out and busts another car window, send him back for another 48 hours. That is what they get paid for.

And cry me a river about them being understaffed. I once had to deal with a precinct in Manhattan; I sat there for god only knows how long as cops walked in and out with food, sat there eating and hurling around every racial epithet you could think of. Finally one of them realized I was there and they shut up.
They're not understaffed, they don't want to have to deal with the paperwork. It might break into their dinner plans.
And yes, there are great cops. But just being a cop doesn't make you a good person, or a dedicated person. Some people just like being cops so they can carry guns and not have to obey the "unimportant laws" like not running red lights or driving the speed limit. It is more of a a power trip, not a call to serve the community.

I propose a weekly public meeting spot to discuss this and other security problems in Dumbo.

Stories and descriptions need to be shared to help catch these individuals. If there are enough of us who are willing to work together, exchange ideas and watch each others backs, perhaps, we can make a difference.

Anyone in?

P.S. It might also be fun to meet each other in person, no?

F*&K IT!!! We need MacGyver!!! Give that mofo a rubber band, two buttons and a 2-ft strand of dental floss and he'll clean the f'ing streets with these d*&kheads. Somebody make the call!

In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team.

Duuuh-duh-duh-duh...duh-duh-duuuuhhh!!!

Mr. Dumbo: I am in.

Sitting around blogging about it isn't going to solve anything, plus it would be fun to meet the neighbors.

Jay Street Bar? Weeknight?

So is that a "NO" on the A-Team then? I really do think this is the type of localized neighbrohhod problem that Hannibal and the rest of the guys are perfectly suited for. The only tough part will be figuring out how to drug B.A. so they can get him on a plane to JFK. He'll be pissed when he wakes up, but once he starts kicking some Farragut ass, he'll be glad they did it.

I agree with Mr. Dumbo. Shall we get together on this? I know these discussions are supposed to be civil and constructive. However, that aside, how can we send a message that will seriously deter Squarehead & his window-smashing crew? Is it inhuman to recommend marginally legal, less-lethal, yet painful means of deterrent? Think slingshots armed with C batteries.

A Team!!! LMAO!! I am so in!

How about recruiting the new kung fu people to whoop some ass...hehehe, jk.

Hi All,

I'm going to be setting up either a blog or a group email so that we can stay in touch after the traffic to this post fizzles out. My hopes are that we can use it to coordinate efforts, share information regarding the situation and finalize our bounty hunter selection.

Anyone interested in being added, email waterstreetwindowsmash@hotmail.com

Thanks

I am writing from News 12 Brooklyn in regards to the string of car break-ins that have been occurring in the DUMBO/Vinegar Hill area. We are working on a story today about the incidents and so we were hoping we could speak anyone about this increasing crime. Please give us a call at 718-861-6818 (asap if possible). We can also be reached at news12bkln@news12.com.

- Connie

Hey all,

One request-. Could everyone who experienced a break in send to waterstreetwindowsmash@hotmail.com, a description of where and when your window was smashed? I'd like to be able to submit numbers and an area map to the police.

Please be as detailed as possible so I can make this map accurate.

Thanks!

Personally, I like the carnage and the glass all around. I think it adds character to our neighborhood. I wouldn't change a thing. Darren is just misunderstood.

how long before one of them attacks a child? something has to be done

Won't someone PLEASE think of the children!!!

DUMBO WATCH UPDATE

Hey all,

I've received about 2 dozen emails today from follow Smashees, concerned residents and reporters. NBC contacted me today about doing a story on this and check out Channel 12 news (cable station 156) starting 5:30pm today for their segment.

I've been compiling event info and building a SmashMap that I'd like to continue building and share with the police.

**********************************************
If your car was broken into, please email me at waterstreetwindowsmash@hotmail.com with the following information:

# The date the break-in occurred
# Make and Model of the car
# Damage done and approximate cost to repair
# Any personal items stolen
# Approximate cost of items stolen
# The location (please be as specific)
# Whether a police report was filed
# Any other details that might be relevant (How long it took the copes to arrive, was anyone seen near the car, was this break in captured on a security camera, etc.)
# Contact information (email will suffice) for the car owner (I promise not to publish it, but I would like to have it on hand so I can contact effected individuals when we get the Police involved again)

You can view the SMASHMAP in progress, here:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0...

Thanks for all the input, info and support.

I'll be in touch.

Thank you DumboNYC for posting this. Just saw the News 12 Brooklyn (on channel 156??). Never heard of them before- thanks 'Sign Poster' for telling us the cable channel- wouldn't have found it otherwise. Maybe w/ this publicity the 84th will finally do something- especially considering they seem to know who's smashing all the windows. It's certifiably an epidemic- as a dog owner I see at least one new smashed window a day. Often a whole bunch along a single block. For months. No way the 84th wasn't aware of it, and I'm disappointed it takes publicity for them to consider doing anything. I've lost any sympathy I've had for their 'understaffed' precinct. They certainly have time to stop by Peas & Pickles off and on all day long- doesn't take much to notice numerous nightly window smashings and blatant drug dealing in front of the said grocery. It's not like they couldn't have known. And their laissez faire- veering to dismissive, attitude towards callers to the precinct and people speaking directly to patrol officers (like me) is downright sleazy. Please get an undercover over here already.

cw11 local news is out there now doing a story about this, seems getting it onto ch12 has gotten the ball rolling, even though it is a cablevision only network!

Hi All,

Thanks to the overwhelming response to the recent posts on dumbonyc.com, we've created another blog specifically to focus on criminal activity in our area, especially as of late, the recent spree of break ins.

Ongoing attention and collaboration is going to be key in impacting a change, so please check it out and invite any and all to join.

http://waterstreetwindowsmash.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to all and Stay Safe.

My Jeep was unfortunately the opening and closing vehicular star of the News 12 show. The moron who broke into my vehicle rooted around, took my Bluetooth (my dumb fault for leaving it in the car, although it was hidden) and more importantlys, HE OPENED MY HOOD AND STOLE MY FRICKIN' BATTERY! Curious if he's taken anyone else's battery.

I posted this on another thread but does anyone know what happened at Faragut? There were like a hundred cop cars outside the projects on Saturday night.

There have been at least seven more car break-ins in the last 24 hours. Six were on Front Street, and one was on Water Street. The first five happened in the early morning hours, possibly as late at 6:30 am. The last two happened around 6pm tonight.

In the links on dumbonyc.com this week is the story in the Brooklyn Paper that the car window basher Darren Stone has been arrested. Check it out.

Here it is:

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/31/35/31_3...

Yep, Darren Stone was arrested early last week and is now off the street. So clearly there is someone else in the area committing similar crimes since a bunch of cars had their windows smashed TODAY.

Unfortunately there are probably copycats doing this from the farragut housing pj's.

There was a honda wagon parked on columbia heights near Vine st. (I know, not technically dumbo) with smashed front window (passenger side) yesterday (8/25/09). I called 311 and was transferred by the 311 operator to 911 (all evidence of crimnial wrongdoing apparently requires 911 call).