-Perry
perryoki.com

More importantly, why on earth would you want to bust someone for selling weed to stroller moms? That’s kind of awesome. If they were pushing crack, then that’s another argument. Oh, or if it were poor quality weed, then, yeah, that’s also a no-no.

Anyway, leave ‘em be. Pick a fight with the Water Street window smashers instead.

Cracky & Smokey are a big problem and there isn’t much the 84th can do about them if they’re just standing on the corner, but there’s a lot they can do if everyone starts to call tell the 84th what they’ve seen. If a local officer or an operator tries to blow you off or gives you a hard time, don’t be discouraged, such responses are not at all representative of how the senior people at the 84th feel about these two. They take this situation seriously, but the people who keep befriending and giving money to these two are making their jobs a lot harder.

You can also call 311 to report these guys if they’re harassing you or you see them harassing someone else, or dealing. The 311 operator will usually transfer you to 911. It’s really important that everyone is calling. Someone from the 84th told me to call and call until I wear out my phone.

Also — I’ve given the police descriptions of several businessmen I’ve seen buying from Smokey — all of the men work at 55 Washington.

But that still doesn’t explain all the mothers with strollers who stand there chatting amiably with Cracky like she’s their oldest friend. I just don’t get it.

It has been said a million times, but people just have to stop giving them money. A few weeks ago I watched them for a few minutes, and was simply amazed how many people in the neighborhood treat them as dear friends. It was a parade of hugs and howdy-dos and happy talk. If I got that much love, I’d never leave either.

And re: crime anywhere is a good place to get mugged, if that is going to happen. I seriously doubt this landmark or the new park developments will ever be a magnet for crime – the nearby streets may be another story.