Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


Car Break-in Get Some Media Attention

August 14th, 2008

[UPDATE: CBS 2 has their story about this online and the 'sign poster' has started a blog at waterstreetwindowsmash.blogspot.com to chronicle and find ways to solve the problem.]

Thanks to our readers and residents fed up with car-break ins, the media has caught onto the story. Last night, cable News 12 ran a story on the break-ins, interviewing a few residents and business owners. The Brooklyn Paper also posted a story yesterday about the “serial window-smasher”. CBS Channel 2 news, NBC Channel 4 news, and cw11 News are reportedly gathering more information and may run stories about this as well.

A spokesperson at the 84th Precinct says that they will increase the number of plain clothed officers to patrol the streets. To report any break-ins, call the 84th Precinct at 718-875-6811.

The person who posted the sign on the wall has created a mash-up map of car break-in locations (below). Send him an email to report any other car break-ins.


View Larger Map

Filed in Dumbo in Media at 10:06 am
Comments
  • Adam
    Our Mini Cooper's windshield was randomly smashed in Williamsburg on Humboldt St b/w DeVoe and Ainsle about 2 months ago. The impact was so severe, it put a hole in the windshield. The damage looked like it was created with a pipe or baseball bat.
  • Anon
    I've seen two Mini Coopers here in Dumbo with smashed windows in the past couple of months. One of them was on Front Street a few days ago. I wonder if they are targeted?
  • BrooklynLove
    All this attention is nice, and if the cops step up presence as a result - great. but once incidents subside the cops will go away again and the result will be an even greater volume of incidents. reference tower of power before and after. if you want a lasting reduction in crime you need to hire a private security service to patrol the area.
  • Sign Poster
    DUMBO / VINEGAR HILL PATROL SITE

    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.
  • Add another Mini to the victim list: if you parked EGR1849 under the Bridge on Front Street, you're missing a passenger side window.

    See http://www.flickr.com/photos/epc/2763761916/
  • local
    who is this darren jones/darren stone?
    and why does sign post guy think he's responsible?

    and is this sign poster person the same character responsible for dumbowatch?
  • Sign Poster
    Local,

    See my explanation of Darren Strong in a comment under 'Sign Poster' in the previous/first post re: break-ins on this site. And yes, I am that same character.
  • local
    sign poster:
    who are the people you help out with clothes and food? the same folks you witch hunted as dumbowatch?

    you were lame then and now

    but smarter not to post under your own name this time...
  • floodthezone
    Already seen some extra cops patrolling Gold/Water Sts. from Hudson down to Bridge.
  • Mike
    local, what are you doing for the neighborhood? I applaud "sign poster", "dumbo watch"... whoever... cares enough about the neighborhood to take action and actually get stuff done. Meanwhile, you simply cower behind your computer screen and talk pure shyte. Until you manage to get off your a** and actually do something... you sir ARE lame and will ALWAYS be lame.
  • Sign Poster
    Actually the whole thing is a misunderstanding.

    Local, I misunderstood you. I never posted on HERE under dumbowatch, rather I created a blog called dumbopatrol. And I never witch-hunted anyone. Not my style, so you're thinking of another person. Guess that's the problem with anonymity :)
  • Darren
    Hi. What is the big deal about a broken window? Mines was broken a few years ago, and the po-pos never did anything to help me. Now I live on the street and break windows in the hope that the fifties finally do something for the neighborhood.

    You have to break a few eggs (windows) to bake a cake (good neighborhood.)
  • fratello
    To Local: Sign Poster does not sound like the same guy as Dumbowatch (whoever that is), and I'm glad that he's helping us communicate within this neighborhood, and helping raise awareness outside the neighborhood about the severity of this problem. Broken glass fragments are like crime pheromones for thugs. Broken windows say: "Come over here, man. You smell that freshly broken glass? That means this area is police-free. You can mug and rape people here and no one will care or try to stop you. Go ahead, do what you like."

    There was an earlier question about whether Mini Coopers are targeted for vandalism; unfortunately, they might be. In a year my Mini was vandalized five separate times ranging from intentional scratches on the hood to a broken windshield.
  • new2
    Where is Two Trees / Wallentas in all this? Seems they should have a strong vested interest in preserving the property values in the neighborhood, and that they should have some serious sway with the local precinct and government... Also seems they could single-handedly mitigate the issues by a) giving leases to more businesses that will remain open in the later evening after dark, and/or b) installing security cameras on their buildings, and/or c) hiring a private neighborhood watch team to patrol overnight along Front St. at least between Gold and Main. WorldWide Plaza in Hell's Kitchen has their own private security 2-4 person patrol on foot 24/7 and it enables people to sit outside in their plaza at all hours without concern.
  • media attention
    If we can do something about ending the vandalism, why can't we do anything about the two DRUG DEALERS / aggressive beggars on Front and Washington?????
  • dumbored
    From curbed.com:

    "Thank God for Cracky and Smokey - dumbo dwellers owe them a debt of gratitude. Harassing people and selling drugs in the most visible part of the neighborhood is exactly the quality-of-life draining work that keeps Dumbo affordable. Without their expletive-filled threats, and window smashing vandalism, you wouldn't even be able to find a $5,000/month studio there. Keep up the good work you two!"
  • ratNYC
    This morning while I was checking the traffic on the radio (1010wins) I'm sure I heard an arrest and charges had been made in connection with 11 car window break-ins in Dumbo. I have not been able to find the news in the station's website.
  • Anon
    I applaud anyone who is doing something to make this neighborhood safer and more enjoyable to live and work in. Nothing lame about that.
  • jon
    spotted: smokey and cracky being written up with 3 nypd cops on main and water street at 2pm today. they were let go, and the cops left in their van before i had a chance to ask what happened.
  • I saw 3 cops writing up a ticket to green hat guy the other day as I was walking past the park.
  • dime bag
    green hat was arrested today.
  • Sign Poster
    Fratello, you bring up a good point. I might try to sweep up some of the piles of fresh glass when they appear.
  • fred williamson
    Smokey and Cracky have to go. I think we're at the tipping point with them. Something's going to blow.
  • Action needed
    Fred: Many, many, many residents and local workers agree with you. The Smokey problem is real. It's much more than a have-not fighting against the newly-arrived haves. It is about a thug acting as an aggressive and threatening presence in our neighborhood. The irritating couple do, in fact, live here in the neighborhood, and sustain themselves through begging. They have been in Dumbo for longer than most of us, and they view their struggle as a fight against a white-washing of their home by big-money condo invaders, and enjoy intimidating anyone that doesn't represent "old dumbo" (ie 1975-1998).

    With more and more foot traffic here, these home-owning bums will continue to scam dollars from tourists and the hipsters who think its edgy to be "friends" with them.

    Reasonable residents expect or want DUMBO to become a sterile environment, but nobody wants to be threatened by a thug while walking in their own neighborhood. Most people who dislike the derelict duo would tolerate them if they toned down. Their cocky and threatening demeanor goes against the traditional humility of asking others for help.

    The 86th precinct has decided not to control the thugs, and the Dumbo business owners and property owners have dropped the ball so far.

    Action is needed now. Simply ignoring cracky and smokey will not work. We need leadership, and a real plan.

    I'm not advocating vigilatism or force - but some smart advocacy, and partnership between neighbors, businesses and police will go a long way to making Dumbo a better place free of this trash. Who will step up?
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