DUMBOwatch Established to Keep DUMBO Safe


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}

206 Comment

  • way to tie an assault (and accompanying hysteria) to annoying panhandlers. totally reasonable and responsible.

    and that’s a terrible image. are there no designers in dumbowatch?

  • way to tie an assault (and accompanying hysteria) to annoying panhandlers. totally reasonable and responsible.

    and that’s a terrible image. are there no designers in dumbowatch?

  • seems that if panhandlers are annoying residents. residents have the right to react.

  • seems that if panhandlers are annoying residents. residents have the right to react.

  • This is a great idea. Those panhandlers have hopefully harassed me and my child for the last time.

  • This is a great idea. Those panhandlers have hopefully harassed me and my child for the last time.

  • So according to other posters on this site, the panhandlers:

    1. Have a place to live
    2. Do not require food (as they turn it down)
    3. Are able bodied
    4. Earn almost the minimum wage for doing nothing
    5. Openly flaunt their wads of tax-free money
    6. Are verbally and perhaps physically abusive
    7. May also be drug-dealers in their spare time

    To those few people who say we should leave these bums alone, I ask you, “are you kidding me?” The safety of our children is too important to do nothing.

  • So according to other posters on this site, the panhandlers:

    1. Have a place to live
    2. Do not require food (as they turn it down)
    3. Are able bodied
    4. Earn almost the minimum wage for doing nothing
    5. Openly flaunt their wads of tax-free money
    6. Are verbally and perhaps physically abusive
    7. May also be drug-dealers in their spare time

    To those few people who say we should leave these bums alone, I ask you, “are you kidding me?” The safety of our children is too important to do nothing.

  • won’t somebody think of the children!?!?

  • won’t somebody think of the children!?!?

  • finally!!!!!!!!!!!!! i called 311 several times and you know what happened….nothing!!!

  • finally!!!!!!!!!!!!! i called 311 several times and you know what happened….nothing!!!

  • Janet – do you know what the national or NY state minimum wage is?

  • Janet – do you know what the national or NY state minimum wage is?

  • No, it’s gotta be shriller: Won’t somebody PLEASE think of the children?!?!

  • No, it’s gotta be shriller: Won’t somebody PLEASE think of the children?!?!

  • • Here’s my report on the problem of aggressive panhandling. This is on the border of Dumbo. I’ve been reading this post with interest for a few weeks.

    • On Sun. morning (9/23) at about 8:45 a.m., I was driving in my car, underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, from the BQE exit, onto Cadman Plaza West. As I waited in line for the red light to change, I noticed a male panhandler who fits some of the descriptions others have listed on this post. He was holding out his hand for money from the drivers who had also stopped. Mindful of the advice on this board, as the panhandler made his way back to me, I stared straight ahead, with my sunglasses on, while in my car, and ignored the panhandler.

    • This approach only seemed to enrage the man, who then aggressively moved closer to my car with his hand out, and then suddenly lifted his right leg about three feet, and kicked the driver’s side mirror of my car with the sole of his foot with great force. The mirror is hinged, so it bent towards me and the driver’s side window, but it didn’t break. The plastic casing still has a scuff mark from the panhandler’s boot.

    • I was alone in my car, and am a medium-sized female, so I wasn’t about to stop to confront the panhandler. Because I was late for an appointment, and was on my way to Brooklyn Heights, I didn’t call either 311 or 911. FYI, I don’t live in either Dumbo or Brooklyn Heights, but pass through both neighborhoods, driving or walking to shop, etc. I can now decide to either change my driving route, or next time bring my digital camera and try to gather evidence and report this. I’m not new to NYC, but I’ve never had a panhandler be quite so aggressive while I was driving in Brooklyn or Manhattan, in the late-1980’s or 1990’s.

  • • Here’s my report on the problem of aggressive panhandling. This is on the border of Dumbo. I’ve been reading this post with interest for a few weeks.

    • On Sun. morning (9/23) at about 8:45 a.m., I was driving in my car, underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, from the BQE exit, onto Cadman Plaza West. As I waited in line for the red light to change, I noticed a male panhandler who fits some of the descriptions others have listed on this post. He was holding out his hand for money from the drivers who had also stopped. Mindful of the advice on this board, as the panhandler made his way back to me, I stared straight ahead, with my sunglasses on, while in my car, and ignored the panhandler.

    • This approach only seemed to enrage the man, who then aggressively moved closer to my car with his hand out, and then suddenly lifted his right leg about three feet, and kicked the driver’s side mirror of my car with the sole of his foot with great force. The mirror is hinged, so it bent towards me and the driver’s side window, but it didn’t break. The plastic casing still has a scuff mark from the panhandler’s boot.

    • I was alone in my car, and am a medium-sized female, so I wasn’t about to stop to confront the panhandler. Because I was late for an appointment, and was on my way to Brooklyn Heights, I didn’t call either 311 or 911. FYI, I don’t live in either Dumbo or Brooklyn Heights, but pass through both neighborhoods, driving or walking to shop, etc. I can now decide to either change my driving route, or next time bring my digital camera and try to gather evidence and report this. I’m not new to NYC, but I’ve never had a panhandler be quite so aggressive while I was driving in Brooklyn or Manhattan, in the late-1980’s or 1990’s.

  • Chopper Reid- If you are not interested in taking this seriously and are only here to make obnoxious comments, then please just go away.

  • Chopper Reid- If you are not interested in taking this seriously and are only here to make obnoxious comments, then please just go away.

  • No, please stay and reveal the silliness of people who fear panhandlers “who earn almost the minimum wage for doing nothing” and “openly flaunt their wads of tax-free money.” Forget violence—these guys might inspire innocent children to drop out of the capitalist system. Madness!

  • No, please stay and reveal the silliness of people who fear panhandlers “who earn almost the minimum wage for doing nothing” and “openly flaunt their wads of tax-free money.” Forget violence—these guys might inspire innocent children to drop out of the capitalist system. Madness!

  • Just wanted to say a big thank you to the organizer of Dumbowatch for all of his hard work. I am all for keeping Dumbo as safe as possible.

  • Just wanted to say a big thank you to the organizer of Dumbowatch for all of his hard work. I am all for keeping Dumbo as safe as possible.

  • all for it! can i join with only one good arm? my other is broken but will be healed soon.

  • all for it! can i join with only one good arm? my other is broken but will be healed soon.

  • Chopper Reid are you a panhandler?

  • Chopper Reid are you a panhandler?

  • Adam – the NY minimum wage is $7.15. I would be willing to bet that Smokey/Crackey et al make more than that. Why should these layabout bums make more than hardworking waitresses and cleaners??

    Do we need to wait for one of our children to be hurt or maimed? Or should we address the problem before it gets out of hand?

  • Adam – the NY minimum wage is $7.15. I would be willing to bet that Smokey/Crackey et al make more than that. Why should these layabout bums make more than hardworking waitresses and cleaners??

    Do we need to wait for one of our children to be hurt or maimed? Or should we address the problem before it gets out of hand?

  • “Silliness of people who fear panhandlers”???!!! Are you really that stupid? I lived for many years near West 4th Street, where there are many regular panhandlers. One day, a panhandler who I walked past every day decided out of the blue to try and knock me over with his cane and hurt me. So excuse me if I fear unstable drug addicts who harass people for money to buy drugs. Oh my god! Shocking isn’t it that a panhandler would assault someone?! Shocking that they would be unstable and potentially dangerous! It would be so out of character for someone who would verbally abuse people for no reason to become suddenly violent! Especially someone who is desperate for drug money. Shocking!

    If you are not interested in having an intelligent discussion and you don’t care about this issue, then don’t contribute to this thread, please. Seriously, how old are you that this is how you spend your time- mocking people who are concerned about their safety and their children’s?

  • “Silliness of people who fear panhandlers”???!!! Are you really that stupid? I lived for many years near West 4th Street, where there are many regular panhandlers. One day, a panhandler who I walked past every day decided out of the blue to try and knock me over with his cane and hurt me. So excuse me if I fear unstable drug addicts who harass people for money to buy drugs. Oh my god! Shocking isn’t it that a panhandler would assault someone?! Shocking that they would be unstable and potentially dangerous! It would be so out of character for someone who would verbally abuse people for no reason to become suddenly violent! Especially someone who is desperate for drug money. Shocking!

    If you are not interested in having an intelligent discussion and you don’t care about this issue, then don’t contribute to this thread, please. Seriously, how old are you that this is how you spend your time- mocking people who are concerned about their safety and their children’s?

  • Adam is sore because Smokey makes more than he does

  • Adam is sore because Smokey makes more than he does

  • Has anybody noticed that these bums take their handfuls of change to Foragers to get paper money. Isn’t that what you might call enabling? Seems to me they should be talked to.

  • Has anybody noticed that these bums take their handfuls of change to Foragers to get paper money. Isn’t that what you might call enabling? Seems to me they should be talked to.

  • Green hat guy did the same thing in Bridge Grocery today. Exchange change for dollar bills. Interesting isn’t it.

  • Green hat guy did the same thing in Bridge Grocery today. Exchange change for dollar bills. Interesting isn’t it.

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  • While I’m all for curbing the excessive panhandling in DUMBO, the proposed actions of the DUMBOwatch group seem to me a little questionable, at best. For example:
    “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.”

    “Every suspicious loiterer?” “Photos will be available online” for all to see? Am I actually reading that? Are you going to send them to Guantanamo after that? Or perhaps we’ll have a witch hunt and burn-at-the-stake anynone we suspect? Come on, people. My prediction is that in one short year it’s the DUMBOwatch group we’ll be afraid of and not the magically disappearing panhandlers.

  • While I’m all for curbing the excessive panhandling in DUMBO, the proposed actions of the DUMBOwatch group seem to me a little questionable, at best. For example:
    “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.”

    “Every suspicious loiterer?” “Photos will be available online” for all to see? Am I actually reading that? Are you going to send them to Guantanamo after that? Or perhaps we’ll have a witch hunt and burn-at-the-stake anynone we suspect? Come on, people. My prediction is that in one short year it’s the DUMBOwatch group we’ll be afraid of and not the magically disappearing panhandlers.

  • we have the right to take pics on public property. i’m joining in. atm law aside, perhaps people have to right to stand on the corner but since the panhandlers are often rude about it, i’m not going to accomodate them.

  • we have the right to take pics on public property. i’m joining in. atm law aside, perhaps people have to right to stand on the corner but since the panhandlers are often rude about it, i’m not going to accomodate them.

  • Janet – I believe you would lose that bet. In the other safety/panhandling/drug addicts/hysteria thread, a commenter stated that an employee of Forager’s estimated the panhandlers’ average income at $3/hr.

    I was wondering why you would say “almost minimum wage” when it actually seems to be less than half.

    So who here has been assaulted by one our well-known panhandlers? Who has seen evidence of drug use or sales? Seems to me a reasonable person would involve the police if either of those things actually occurred. Not like it’d be difficult to pick the perp out of a lineup.

  • Janet – I believe you would lose that bet. In the other safety/panhandling/drug addicts/hysteria thread, a commenter stated that an employee of Forager’s estimated the panhandlers’ average income at $3/hr.

    I was wondering why you would say “almost minimum wage” when it actually seems to be less than half.

    So who here has been assaulted by one our well-known panhandlers? Who has seen evidence of drug use or sales? Seems to me a reasonable person would involve the police if either of those things actually occurred. Not like it’d be difficult to pick the perp out of a lineup.

  • adam, no sense debating the money that the panhandlers actually make. whether the make above or below the minimum wage isn’t the issue here.

    as mentioned many times, people are concerned with safefy. im still not exactly sure why you are coming to the panhandlers rescue. it would be more informative if you were to give reasons why you think things are alright as is, rather than picking on the comments people have left.

    so if you could adequately express why you would prefer to have panhandlers here or how keeping panhandlers would add to our community, i would surely be informative for this blog.

  • adam, no sense debating the money that the panhandlers actually make. whether the make above or below the minimum wage isn’t the issue here.

    as mentioned many times, people are concerned with safefy. im still not exactly sure why you are coming to the panhandlers rescue. it would be more informative if you were to give reasons why you think things are alright as is, rather than picking on the comments people have left.

    so if you could adequately express why you would prefer to have panhandlers here or how keeping panhandlers would add to our community, i would surely be informative for this blog.

  • I picked on Janet’s points because they were all hysteric hype.

    I don’t think I’m coming to the rescue of anyone and I don’t particularly care either way whether individuals choose to ask others for money. If beggars are assaulting people then yes, that’s a problem, and I’ll gladly help see that the law is enforced. That’s why I asked those questions, which remain unanswered.

    I’m commenting because I’m uncomfortable with people implying that our children will be maimed if we don’t force the panhandlers from our neighborhood. I don’t like that a mugging incident is mentioned together with a plea to do something about beggars. This is sensational. And I still don’t understand why being asked to spare a quarter outside P&P has people concerned about safety. Is that alone the impetus for all of your concern?

    Probably not. I see two issues here being convoluted. You can’t round up the panhandlers because someone got mugged by a criminal.

  • I picked on Janet’s points because they were all hysteric hype.

    I don’t think I’m coming to the rescue of anyone and I don’t particularly care either way whether individuals choose to ask others for money. If beggars are assaulting people then yes, that’s a problem, and I’ll gladly help see that the law is enforced. That’s why I asked those questions, which remain unanswered.

    I’m commenting because I’m uncomfortable with people implying that our children will be maimed if we don’t force the panhandlers from our neighborhood. I don’t like that a mugging incident is mentioned together with a plea to do something about beggars. This is sensational. And I still don’t understand why being asked to spare a quarter outside P&P has people concerned about safety. Is that alone the impetus for all of your concern?

    Probably not. I see two issues here being convoluted. You can’t round up the panhandlers because someone got mugged by a criminal.

  • Adam,
    If you’re going to play the role of 1st amendment defender/ACLU guy, please do a better job. There is a legitimate 1st amendment case here, but you haven’t come close to making it. The only issue here is neighborhood safety. Whatever legal means available to rid us of this nuisance should be taken advantage of. If you are so concerned about the panhandlers, take up a collection of your bleeding heart friends and pay them to stay away.

  • Adam,
    If you’re going to play the role of 1st amendment defender/ACLU guy, please do a better job. There is a legitimate 1st amendment case here, but you haven’t come close to making it. The only issue here is neighborhood safety. Whatever legal means available to rid us of this nuisance should be taken advantage of. If you are so concerned about the panhandlers, take up a collection of your bleeding heart friends and pay them to stay away.

  • “If you are so concerned about the panhandlers…”

    I’m not concerned about the panhandlers. In my prior post I actually stated exactly that. Bleeding hearts and the 1st amendment? What are you talking about?

    “The only issue here is neighborhood safety. Whatever legal means available to rid us of this nuisance…”

    This nuisance places your safety at risk? That’s the point I was trying to make. If you understand that and think I could do a better job making it, give me a hand.

  • “If you are so concerned about the panhandlers…”

    I’m not concerned about the panhandlers. In my prior post I actually stated exactly that. Bleeding hearts and the 1st amendment? What are you talking about?

    “The only issue here is neighborhood safety. Whatever legal means available to rid us of this nuisance…”

    This nuisance places your safety at risk? That’s the point I was trying to make. If you understand that and think I could do a better job making it, give me a hand.

  • I hope Dumbo Watch is prepared for a defamation law suit when they post someone’s picture and suggest that they are junkies or criminals by mistake! Matter of fact, I hope my picture ends up there.

    Yes the beggars are annoying, yes they should get a job, and yes there is probably substance abuse. But putting your children at risk…that is BS.

    Own up to what this really is, NIMBYism. You move into a neighborhood bordering low income housing, and now you turn into the gestapo by alleging crimes, and posting photos. If you have been assaulted or witnessed drug dealing, report it!

    If you did not want to deal with this, you should have moved to Park Slope, the UES, or out to Westchester Cty.

    But of course, half of this neighborhood probably considers themselves “liberal”. Oops, you are only liberals when poor underprivileged people stay out of your neighborhood!

  • I hope Dumbo Watch is prepared for a defamation law suit when they post someone’s picture and suggest that they are junkies or criminals by mistake! Matter of fact, I hope my picture ends up there.

    Yes the beggars are annoying, yes they should get a job, and yes there is probably substance abuse. But putting your children at risk…that is BS.

    Own up to what this really is, NIMBYism. You move into a neighborhood bordering low income housing, and now you turn into the gestapo by alleging crimes, and posting photos. If you have been assaulted or witnessed drug dealing, report it!

    If you did not want to deal with this, you should have moved to Park Slope, the UES, or out to Westchester Cty.

    But of course, half of this neighborhood probably considers themselves “liberal”. Oops, you are only liberals when poor underprivileged people stay out of your neighborhood!

  • So Adam, you think I’m hysterical? How many stories of verbal and physical harassment do you need to hear of before you acknowledge the clear danger here?

    Now to answer your point about Smokey’s salary.. The staff at Forager’s apparently change around $3 per hour for them. However, this is just the change and does not account for the notes they are given. Which I’m sure takes him well above minimum wage.

    I would bet you Smokey’s daily salary that this is the case, but I’m just not sure I could afford to bet that much..

  • So Adam, you think I’m hysterical? How many stories of verbal and physical harassment do you need to hear of before you acknowledge the clear danger here?

    Now to answer your point about Smokey’s salary.. The staff at Forager’s apparently change around $3 per hour for them. However, this is just the change and does not account for the notes they are given. Which I’m sure takes him well above minimum wage.

    I would bet you Smokey’s daily salary that this is the case, but I’m just not sure I could afford to bet that much..

  • Just back from the art festival. Visitors are stuffing dollar bills into Smokey and Crackey’s hands like mad. “God bless yous” filling the night. Better than minimum wage tonight!

  • Just back from the art festival. Visitors are stuffing dollar bills into Smokey and Crackey’s hands like mad. “God bless yous” filling the night. Better than minimum wage tonight!

  • no Janet, I don’t think you’re hysterical. we all have the ability to discuss (and even disparage!) others’ ideas without ever uttering a single word about one another.

    you may say that what I just wrote is idiotic without inferring that I am an idiot.

    how many stories of harassment have you heard?

    and come now, can you truly claim that the following sentence doesn’t contain at least a whif of hysteria:

    “Do we need to wait for one of our children to be hurt or maimed?”

  • no Janet, I don’t think you’re hysterical. we all have the ability to discuss (and even disparage!) others’ ideas without ever uttering a single word about one another.

    you may say that what I just wrote is idiotic without inferring that I am an idiot.

    how many stories of harassment have you heard?

    and come now, can you truly claim that the following sentence doesn’t contain at least a whif of hysteria:

    “Do we need to wait for one of our children to be hurt or maimed?”

  • When I first moved to DUMBO last year, I fell prey to smokey-cracky and would strike up conversation, give them change, etc. Rather than a nuisance, I felt like their presence made my trip home from the subway a little safer- extra eyes to watch the area. As well, they are very friendly.

    A few months later, while hanging with a friend on Main street (who no longer lives in the building), cracky/smokey/the husband stopped by to sell some pot. I learned from his “customer” that cracky/smokey’s choice of drug is heroine, but he mainly deals pot.

    After seeing the exchange, I stopped talking to them and giving them money. I don’t necessarily think they would physically attack me, but I can sense their glares. During the day, I ignore them to the best of my ability, but at night I walk on the other side of the street (just in case).

    I think there are other panhandlers that are much more dangerous in the area. I am a young girl and have had various encounters on my way back from the F train. One lady asked if I could spare some change and when I said “no” and kept walking, she followed me saying “walk faster walk faster, you can’t hide, I’ll find you”. Instances like this one, where I was being threatened and followed, are much worse than the cracky/smokey duo (who are more of an annoyance now).

    Are video surveillance and extra lighting out of the question? I find the strips between Pearl to Adams, and Washington to Main (both on Front) to be creepy. That is where many panhandlers hang around. More lighting? Advertised video surveillance?

    Either way, I am glad there are others who feel intimidated and vulnerable too. I hope we are able to make a difference!

  • When I first moved to DUMBO last year, I fell prey to smokey-cracky and would strike up conversation, give them change, etc. Rather than a nuisance, I felt like their presence made my trip home from the subway a little safer- extra eyes to watch the area. As well, they are very friendly.

    A few months later, while hanging with a friend on Main street (who no longer lives in the building), cracky/smokey/the husband stopped by to sell some pot. I learned from his “customer” that cracky/smokey’s choice of drug is heroine, but he mainly deals pot.

    After seeing the exchange, I stopped talking to them and giving them money. I don’t necessarily think they would physically attack me, but I can sense their glares. During the day, I ignore them to the best of my ability, but at night I walk on the other side of the street (just in case).

    I think there are other panhandlers that are much more dangerous in the area. I am a young girl and have had various encounters on my way back from the F train. One lady asked if I could spare some change and when I said “no” and kept walking, she followed me saying “walk faster walk faster, you can’t hide, I’ll find you”. Instances like this one, where I was being threatened and followed, are much worse than the cracky/smokey duo (who are more of an annoyance now).

    Are video surveillance and extra lighting out of the question? I find the strips between Pearl to Adams, and Washington to Main (both on Front) to be creepy. That is where many panhandlers hang around. More lighting? Advertised video surveillance?

    Either way, I am glad there are others who feel intimidated and vulnerable too. I hope we are able to make a difference!

  • My friend was sitting in a taxi a few weeks ago outside my building. The bum who limps along Front St stuck his head in the window and demanded some fried chicken. When she said no (she didn’t have any), he shouted some obscenities at her and trotted away to harass someone else.

  • My friend was sitting in a taxi a few weeks ago outside my building. The bum who limps along Front St stuck his head in the window and demanded some fried chicken. When she said no (she didn’t have any), he shouted some obscenities at her and trotted away to harass someone else.

  • Adam – if someone else wants to put their children at risk by walking near the vagrants along Front St, that’s fine. However, I will be crossing the road with my daughter whenever I see them.

    I can’t see what’s hysterical about that to be honest. Drug addicts/dealers are among the most dangerous members of the population. For the sake of our children, lets clean up these streets.

  • Adam – if someone else wants to put their children at risk by walking near the vagrants along Front St, that’s fine. However, I will be crossing the road with my daughter whenever I see them.

    I can’t see what’s hysterical about that to be honest. Drug addicts/dealers are among the most dangerous members of the population. For the sake of our children, lets clean up these streets.

  • This is truly orwellian…

    “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.”

    WHO decides which pictures are of suspicious loiterers and who decides who is not?

    Neighbors informing on neighbors and posting pictures of them as “suspicious” online– sounds like Ceausescu’s Romania. Methinks there could be libel/slander at issue here.

    In any case it is sickening.

  • This is truly orwellian…

    “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.”

    WHO decides which pictures are of suspicious loiterers and who decides who is not?

    Neighbors informing on neighbors and posting pictures of them as “suspicious” online– sounds like Ceausescu’s Romania. Methinks there could be libel/slander at issue here.

    In any case it is sickening.

  • Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s private individuals who will be taking pictures of people who are loitering in the neighborhood that’s the most objectionable here. I agree that posting the images online is taking this one large step too far. DUMBOwatch, you should check with a very good lawyer before you proceed.

    However, there have been too many reports of verbal and physical violence on these boards for area residents not to take the issue of local panhandling / loitering seriously. Have any of you who have fallen victim to threatening behaviour promptly reported it to the police? I have a feeling that a lot of this stuff is going unreported and I’m really troubled by this — it’s just so irresponsible.

    Exterior cameras on local businesses and residential buildings along with improved lighting in the area may be helpful. You know you can’t really go anywhere in London without being filmed. I suppose there’s a pretty large grey area in here, but if you’re not doing anything wrong….

  • Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s private individuals who will be taking pictures of people who are loitering in the neighborhood that’s the most objectionable here. I agree that posting the images online is taking this one large step too far. DUMBOwatch, you should check with a very good lawyer before you proceed.

    However, there have been too many reports of verbal and physical violence on these boards for area residents not to take the issue of local panhandling / loitering seriously. Have any of you who have fallen victim to threatening behaviour promptly reported it to the police? I have a feeling that a lot of this stuff is going unreported and I’m really troubled by this — it’s just so irresponsible.

    Exterior cameras on local businesses and residential buildings along with improved lighting in the area may be helpful. You know you can’t really go anywhere in London without being filmed. I suppose there’s a pretty large grey area in here, but if you’re not doing anything wrong….

  • Adam- really nice backtracking! Calling Janet’s comments “hysterics”, and then say “oh, I wasn’t saying you are hysterical”. I really can’t believe that someone would honestly think that being concerned for your child’s safety is hysterical or wrong. There is absolutely nothing hysterical about worrying that drug addicts are hanging out on your street all day long! I mean, c’mon. Just think about it Do you have children? I somehow doubt it. No one is saying that definitely the “children will be maimed”, they are simply saying that it is not worth the risk. You say you don’t care either way about this issue, so why don’t you just stop reading this thread! At the very least, please read all of the posts on this blog regarding this issue before you make a comment.

    Janet- nothing you have written here is even close to being hysterical and I am really sorry that someone said that. As I’ve posted before, when I lived in a the West Village, a panhandler who I walked past nearly every day for years decided to attack me with his cane. I was, fortunately, not hurt. But I do not take it for granted that there is a potential danger here. And you are right, there is something inherently dangerous about someone hooked on heroin or crack.

    I agree that having photos available online does sound to be a bit much, but if you really think about it, it is not a bad idea to have a photo available if a crime is committed by one of the “regulars”. If people want to take photos in a public place, then so be it.

    I think the reason people don’t report things is living in NYC we get used to being harassed for money and feeling threatened on the street. The great thing about Dumbo is it is such a wonderful, small neighborhood of mostly homeowners (rather than transients who rent for a year and leave) that we could actually make a difference and make our neighborhood a safer place by reporting incidents to police. I know my husband and I have begun to do just that. (Not that it has made any difference thus far)

    I just have to say that I get really annoyed at the people who say we should just “move to Westchester” if we don’t want to deal with panhandlers. There are many reasons I moved to Brooklyn and to Dumbo, and we all know that panhandling is common in urban areas, but that does not mean we can’t do something to try and make our neighborhood as safe as possible. Just because we live in an urban area does not mean we have to just “deal” and learn to live with crime and harassment or move to the suburbs. That makes absolutely no sense.

  • Adam- really nice backtracking! Calling Janet’s comments “hysterics”, and then say “oh, I wasn’t saying you are hysterical”. I really can’t believe that someone would honestly think that being concerned for your child’s safety is hysterical or wrong. There is absolutely nothing hysterical about worrying that drug addicts are hanging out on your street all day long! I mean, c’mon. Just think about it Do you have children? I somehow doubt it. No one is saying that definitely the “children will be maimed”, they are simply saying that it is not worth the risk. You say you don’t care either way about this issue, so why don’t you just stop reading this thread! At the very least, please read all of the posts on this blog regarding this issue before you make a comment.

    Janet- nothing you have written here is even close to being hysterical and I am really sorry that someone said that. As I’ve posted before, when I lived in a the West Village, a panhandler who I walked past nearly every day for years decided to attack me with his cane. I was, fortunately, not hurt. But I do not take it for granted that there is a potential danger here. And you are right, there is something inherently dangerous about someone hooked on heroin or crack.

    I agree that having photos available online does sound to be a bit much, but if you really think about it, it is not a bad idea to have a photo available if a crime is committed by one of the “regulars”. If people want to take photos in a public place, then so be it.

    I think the reason people don’t report things is living in NYC we get used to being harassed for money and feeling threatened on the street. The great thing about Dumbo is it is such a wonderful, small neighborhood of mostly homeowners (rather than transients who rent for a year and leave) that we could actually make a difference and make our neighborhood a safer place by reporting incidents to police. I know my husband and I have begun to do just that. (Not that it has made any difference thus far)

    I just have to say that I get really annoyed at the people who say we should just “move to Westchester” if we don’t want to deal with panhandlers. There are many reasons I moved to Brooklyn and to Dumbo, and we all know that panhandling is common in urban areas, but that does not mean we can’t do something to try and make our neighborhood as safe as possible. Just because we live in an urban area does not mean we have to just “deal” and learn to live with crime and harassment or move to the suburbs. That makes absolutely no sense.

  • I have to chuckle. Because what’s truly ironic here is that the panhandler pandemic only arrived when the “homeowners” arrived. For years I could walk in and out of P&P and never encounter a panhandler/crackhead/smackhead/ dealer/potential-attacker. It is only with the influx of apparent cash that the panhandlers showed up…They realized this was an ideal place to find revenue. And can you really blame them for that? Hell, if I were a crackhead I’d do the same thing.
    But I digress. Yes, I agree, they need to take a hike. I personally haven’t had any ill interaction with them, I just find them incredibly annoying. So I ignore them, much like I ignore the “homeowners”.

  • I have to chuckle. Because what’s truly ironic here is that the panhandler pandemic only arrived when the “homeowners” arrived. For years I could walk in and out of P&P and never encounter a panhandler/crackhead/smackhead/ dealer/potential-attacker. It is only with the influx of apparent cash that the panhandlers showed up…They realized this was an ideal place to find revenue. And can you really blame them for that? Hell, if I were a crackhead I’d do the same thing.
    But I digress. Yes, I agree, they need to take a hike. I personally haven’t had any ill interaction with them, I just find them incredibly annoying. So I ignore them, much like I ignore the “homeowners”.

  • I’ve lived here for 6 years and have seen these panhandlers grow in number as DUMBO has become more gentrified. I’ve never given them money but I have always been nice to them and until recently most of them have been nice to me as well. However the one with the limp is becoming a danger both to the neighborhood and himself. I’ve been cursed out and threatened by him and I’ve seen him threaten numerous other people. I’ve also seen him at rush hour lunging around in middle of Old Fulton Street demanding money.

    Panhandling is a part of living in New York, or any major city for that matter. It’s not going to go away, especially as more people with more money move into the area. However, I’m not sure posting photos on the web is the solution. It’s not like the local police don’t know who they are, so I don’t see what help it is to have the “regulars” photos posted. And why do we need to have DUMBOwatch set a date so we can all call 311 to complain. If you are harassed call 311 right then and there. If you threatened or attacked, call 911.

    Has anyone just called (718 875-6811) the 84th precinct community affairs desk directly to complain? The local police precinct representatives also have regular meetings to listen to our concerns. Why not organize a large group of people to attend and grill them for not addressing the issue? Has anyone talked with Yassky’s office? Has anyone raised this with the organizers of the local BID? Has anyone asked the local retailers to stop giving them paper money for loose change?

    Before we start forming an e-posse, why don’t we try to use the power of the blog to organize a unified response so the local officials can see that this isn’t just a few random complaints lodged from time to time or the obsession of a few crazed bloggers. Because I bet that’s how they see it at this point.

  • I’ve lived here for 6 years and have seen these panhandlers grow in number as DUMBO has become more gentrified. I’ve never given them money but I have always been nice to them and until recently most of them have been nice to me as well. However the one with the limp is becoming a danger both to the neighborhood and himself. I’ve been cursed out and threatened by him and I’ve seen him threaten numerous other people. I’ve also seen him at rush hour lunging around in middle of Old Fulton Street demanding money.

    Panhandling is a part of living in New York, or any major city for that matter. It’s not going to go away, especially as more people with more money move into the area. However, I’m not sure posting photos on the web is the solution. It’s not like the local police don’t know who they are, so I don’t see what help it is to have the “regulars” photos posted. And why do we need to have DUMBOwatch set a date so we can all call 311 to complain. If you are harassed call 311 right then and there. If you threatened or attacked, call 911.

    Has anyone just called (718 875-6811) the 84th precinct community affairs desk directly to complain? The local police precinct representatives also have regular meetings to listen to our concerns. Why not organize a large group of people to attend and grill them for not addressing the issue? Has anyone talked with Yassky’s office? Has anyone raised this with the organizers of the local BID? Has anyone asked the local retailers to stop giving them paper money for loose change?

    Before we start forming an e-posse, why don’t we try to use the power of the blog to organize a unified response so the local officials can see that this isn’t just a few random complaints lodged from time to time or the obsession of a few crazed bloggers. Because I bet that’s how they see it at this point.

  • Hesitant- I have to ask because I am feeling a bit offended. Is there something wrong with being a homeowner? If so, can you explain please? Thank you.

    Of course the panhanlders arrived with the influx of residents and “cash” into the neighborhood. I’m not sure that is ironic. It’s only natural they would be attracted to this area. That does not mean we have to encourage them to stay.

    Dawson- referring to your last two paragraghs (and the Dumbowatch organizer can correct me if I am wrong), but I think that is exactly the point of Dumbowatch- to address these issues/questions and to organize a unified response. I have called 311 myself and it actually does nothing. The cop comes over, talks to the panhandlers for a few minutes and then they go right back to their spots.

  • Hesitant- I have to ask because I am feeling a bit offended. Is there something wrong with being a homeowner? If so, can you explain please? Thank you.

    Of course the panhanlders arrived with the influx of residents and “cash” into the neighborhood. I’m not sure that is ironic. It’s only natural they would be attracted to this area. That does not mean we have to encourage them to stay.

    Dawson- referring to your last two paragraghs (and the Dumbowatch organizer can correct me if I am wrong), but I think that is exactly the point of Dumbowatch- to address these issues/questions and to organize a unified response. I have called 311 myself and it actually does nothing. The cop comes over, talks to the panhandlers for a few minutes and then they go right back to their spots.

  • I just want to say (if I didn’t make this clear before) I do agree that posting photos online may be taking things a bit too far, but I don’t object to people taking photos in a public place for their own use. (There is always the chance they may come in handy at some point)

  • I just want to say (if I didn’t make this clear before) I do agree that posting photos online may be taking things a bit too far, but I don’t object to people taking photos in a public place for their own use. (There is always the chance they may come in handy at some point)

  • What I don’t get is that cops are in DUMBO all day and walk right past the panhandlers and do nothing… what do they get paid to do???

  • What I don’t get is that cops are in DUMBO all day and walk right past the panhandlers and do nothing… what do they get paid to do???

  • Tbone – do you know what “ad hominem” means?

  • Tbone – do you know what “ad hominem” means?

  • What I don’t get is… what do any of you get paid to do??? Someone should forward this thread to Gawker.

  • What I don’t get is… what do any of you get paid to do??? Someone should forward this thread to Gawker.

  • Oh, somebody please do!

  • Oh, somebody please do!

  • What do you get paid to do? What does that matter? I think people are having a legitimate conversation here. How does that warrant sarcastic comments?

  • What do you get paid to do? What does that matter? I think people are having a legitimate conversation here. How does that warrant sarcastic comments?

  • We’re having a conversation about legitimate and illegitimate ways to make money. I think it would be both relevant and interesting to find out who does what on this thread. We might even be surprised— perhaps Publius is an investment banker and Tbone does pro bono work for the ACLU.

  • We’re having a conversation about legitimate and illegitimate ways to make money. I think it would be both relevant and interesting to find out who does what on this thread. We might even be surprised— perhaps Publius is an investment banker and Tbone does pro bono work for the ACLU.

  • Adam- what constitues ad hominem is largely up for debate, so I am not quite sure what you are getting at. I could assume what you are trying to say, but I don’t want to bore everyone else with arguing with you about it.

    Which actually brings me to something- I think I basically called someone “stupid” in an earlier post and I feel really bad about it. I’m not usually one to insult someone like that. Sorry, I was just upset because I know from experience panhandlers can be dangerous.

    It is interesting, and very saddening, that a comment I made about how wonderful this neighborbood is was met with an insult by one of my neighbors. I wouldn’t assume to know a person (and therefore dislike them) simply because they are a “homeowner” (or some other basic generalization), but I guess that is just me.

    This is really beside the point and I am very sorry to have gotten off of it. The real reason I am following this thread is that there are drug addicts begging for money across from my home every day, day in and day out. They have never harassed me personally (I am perfectly polite to them, but don’t give them money), but I have seen them be aggressive towards others for no reason. I have also read the accounts of other posters who have been harassed. In addition, I was personally attacked by a seemingly innocuous panhandler many years ago. I see a potentially dangerous situation for myself and my neighbors and if there is anything I can do about it (without committing a crime or trampling on anyone’s civil liberties) then I am all for it. I am much more interested in hearing about any other incidents that happen and ways to keep our streets safe, then to argue whether or not I have a right to feel intimidated or vulnerable when I walk out the front door.

  • Adam- what constitues ad hominem is largely up for debate, so I am not quite sure what you are getting at. I could assume what you are trying to say, but I don’t want to bore everyone else with arguing with you about it.

    Which actually brings me to something- I think I basically called someone “stupid” in an earlier post and I feel really bad about it. I’m not usually one to insult someone like that. Sorry, I was just upset because I know from experience panhandlers can be dangerous.

    It is interesting, and very saddening, that a comment I made about how wonderful this neighborbood is was met with an insult by one of my neighbors. I wouldn’t assume to know a person (and therefore dislike them) simply because they are a “homeowner” (or some other basic generalization), but I guess that is just me.

    This is really beside the point and I am very sorry to have gotten off of it. The real reason I am following this thread is that there are drug addicts begging for money across from my home every day, day in and day out. They have never harassed me personally (I am perfectly polite to them, but don’t give them money), but I have seen them be aggressive towards others for no reason. I have also read the accounts of other posters who have been harassed. In addition, I was personally attacked by a seemingly innocuous panhandler many years ago. I see a potentially dangerous situation for myself and my neighbors and if there is anything I can do about it (without committing a crime or trampling on anyone’s civil liberties) then I am all for it. I am much more interested in hearing about any other incidents that happen and ways to keep our streets safe, then to argue whether or not I have a right to feel intimidated or vulnerable when I walk out the front door.

  • T-Bone…don’t worry about it. There is nothing wrong with your concerns and the person who made the snide remark about homeowners is likely jealous that he isn’t one.

  • T-Bone…don’t worry about it. There is nothing wrong with your concerns and the person who made the snide remark about homeowners is likely jealous that he isn’t one.

  • Thank you, PC. 🙂

  • Thank you, PC. 🙂

  • adam, thanks for the explanation. i’m glad to see your viewpoint on this as well as everyone else who is serious about this issue.

    i am not sure of what your affiliation is with dumbo but i encourage you to try putting yourself in the shoes of a homeowner, storeowner, or parent in this neighbor. if you are neither of the above, i can relate with you. i’d probably wouldn’t mind too much either if this happened in midtown where i work.

    but i don’t think anyone is trying to convolute the panhandlers with the mugging situations. its actually rather simple. they are both blights to the neighborhood.

    the panhandlers are healthy people that can get jobs but instead annoy by asking for money by purchasing drugs. the drugs are compromising our safety and serves as a detriment to our neighborhood.

    the muggings endanger people’s lives for money.

    i guess that is as clear and simple as i can put it without trying to complicate things.

    if it were graffiti, prostitutes, squeegee washers on the street, garbage on the floor, drug dealers, etc. i would want them out too. i am not being a panhandler hater.

  • adam, thanks for the explanation. i’m glad to see your viewpoint on this as well as everyone else who is serious about this issue.

    i am not sure of what your affiliation is with dumbo but i encourage you to try putting yourself in the shoes of a homeowner, storeowner, or parent in this neighbor. if you are neither of the above, i can relate with you. i’d probably wouldn’t mind too much either if this happened in midtown where i work.

    but i don’t think anyone is trying to convolute the panhandlers with the mugging situations. its actually rather simple. they are both blights to the neighborhood.

    the panhandlers are healthy people that can get jobs but instead annoy by asking for money by purchasing drugs. the drugs are compromising our safety and serves as a detriment to our neighborhood.

    the muggings endanger people’s lives for money.

    i guess that is as clear and simple as i can put it without trying to complicate things.

    if it were graffiti, prostitutes, squeegee washers on the street, garbage on the floor, drug dealers, etc. i would want them out too. i am not being a panhandler hater.

  • Indeed, homeowners do contribute to safety, upkeep and care in a neighborhood. Because they have invested and see a longterm future in any area, homeowners do in fact lead to stability.

    I speak with authority on the issue, because I am a homeowner in another city, and will be one here in the near future.

    Before I decide to invest in a community in this city (I relocated to Dumbo this summer), I will look for the traditional things; safety included. To that extent, dealing with the P&P panhandlers is worthwhile IF they ARE actually criminals.

    I will, however, also look to what kind of neighbors I have. The neighbors I will not want are folks that suggest taking pictures of people, and then posting them online. Even if you do not post online, having them “handy” is approaching a poor excuse.

    Today it may be Cracky and Smokey, next month it could be me or any other minority that looks “suspicious” in your minds.

    Those that suggested this effort should move to N. Korea, Iran, or any other totalitarian state. Those of you that allow this to happen by saying or doing nothing, should be ashamed of yourselves.

    Dumbo is a great neighborhood for many reasons, but I am not sure that it is a welcoming “community” worth calling home long term. From what I have read here, walking down the block in sweats and flip flops, or just looking a bit rough in the morning going for a cup of coffee will mean suspicious looks and showing up on Dumbo Watch as a potential perp for me.

  • Indeed, homeowners do contribute to safety, upkeep and care in a neighborhood. Because they have invested and see a longterm future in any area, homeowners do in fact lead to stability.

    I speak with authority on the issue, because I am a homeowner in another city, and will be one here in the near future.

    Before I decide to invest in a community in this city (I relocated to Dumbo this summer), I will look for the traditional things; safety included. To that extent, dealing with the P&P panhandlers is worthwhile IF they ARE actually criminals.

    I will, however, also look to what kind of neighbors I have. The neighbors I will not want are folks that suggest taking pictures of people, and then posting them online. Even if you do not post online, having them “handy” is approaching a poor excuse.

    Today it may be Cracky and Smokey, next month it could be me or any other minority that looks “suspicious” in your minds.

    Those that suggested this effort should move to N. Korea, Iran, or any other totalitarian state. Those of you that allow this to happen by saying or doing nothing, should be ashamed of yourselves.

    Dumbo is a great neighborhood for many reasons, but I am not sure that it is a welcoming “community” worth calling home long term. From what I have read here, walking down the block in sweats and flip flops, or just looking a bit rough in the morning going for a cup of coffee will mean suspicious looks and showing up on Dumbo Watch as a potential perp for me.

  • cheers to you, renter, if you can’t decipher who is a panhandler and who is your neighbor. i certainly can. i think after a few years living in this city, you will become more astute with the differences. not being sarcastic, but its a natural awareness that you build up, almost a sixth sense. as to finding a “community” feel somewhere in nyc, good luck with the search, let me tell you that in every neighborhood, you are going to run into people that you won’t agree with, its an inevitable outcome of all our different backgrounds and cultures. to have a community that thinks and acts the same way is in my opinion more scary, that’s why i embrace the views on this blog, even adams (j/k).

    although i also don’t agree in the picture posting approach, i think some of the panhandlers are more obvious than you think. try the ones who ask you for money a few times a week for starters.

  • cheers to you, renter, if you can’t decipher who is a panhandler and who is your neighbor. i certainly can. i think after a few years living in this city, you will become more astute with the differences. not being sarcastic, but its a natural awareness that you build up, almost a sixth sense. as to finding a “community” feel somewhere in nyc, good luck with the search, let me tell you that in every neighborhood, you are going to run into people that you won’t agree with, its an inevitable outcome of all our different backgrounds and cultures. to have a community that thinks and acts the same way is in my opinion more scary, that’s why i embrace the views on this blog, even adams (j/k).

    although i also don’t agree in the picture posting approach, i think some of the panhandlers are more obvious than you think. try the ones who ask you for money a few times a week for starters.

  • Resident,

    I know who the panhandlers are; I walk by and ignore them rather than dream of the unlikely. I also appreciate your views and “lesson” on the socio-economic diversity/realities of NYC. You make valid points, but they are obvious.

    I have been around the block/the world a few times, and fully understand living around different people. You cannot help but gain that “understanding” when you are not a member of the majority.

    I also am not expecting nirvana in a neighborhood. But, I suspect you and other posters may not have a lens pointed in your direction, because of how you look or the skin you wear.

    The point is a belief in a slippery slope. What starts with noble intentions can quickly turn into something more harmful.

  • Resident,

    I know who the panhandlers are; I walk by and ignore them rather than dream of the unlikely. I also appreciate your views and “lesson” on the socio-economic diversity/realities of NYC. You make valid points, but they are obvious.

    I have been around the block/the world a few times, and fully understand living around different people. You cannot help but gain that “understanding” when you are not a member of the majority.

    I also am not expecting nirvana in a neighborhood. But, I suspect you and other posters may not have a lens pointed in your direction, because of how you look or the skin you wear.

    The point is a belief in a slippery slope. What starts with noble intentions can quickly turn into something more harmful.

  • i’m not concerned about violating any minority or majority person 1st amendment rights that’s aggressive towards me just for walking down the street. f*ck that. i’m might not go to extremes getting into a fight but sure i’ll film and take pictures. fine i’ll run the risk of dealing with cracky’s high power attorney suing me over an anonymous internet posting. maybe i’ll lose my apt in court but i dislike being cursed at and having rocks thrown at me.

  • i’m not concerned about violating any minority or majority person 1st amendment rights that’s aggressive towards me just for walking down the street. f*ck that. i’m might not go to extremes getting into a fight but sure i’ll film and take pictures. fine i’ll run the risk of dealing with cracky’s high power attorney suing me over an anonymous internet posting. maybe i’ll lose my apt in court but i dislike being cursed at and having rocks thrown at me.

  • understood, “proceed with caution”, i don’t think anyone’s intent is to create a gestapo, as mentioned earlier. and to do so is not that easy in our modern society, remember we still have a police.

    i think the photo idea left a bitter taste with many people, considering things are preliminary, we should just put it behind us and move on. i’d prefer to see action taken.

  • understood, “proceed with caution”, i don’t think anyone’s intent is to create a gestapo, as mentioned earlier. and to do so is not that easy in our modern society, remember we still have a police.

    i think the photo idea left a bitter taste with many people, considering things are preliminary, we should just put it behind us and move on. i’d prefer to see action taken.

  • I agree with Resident. I think the photo thing left a bad taste with people. I can totally see why people disagree with this point and they should make their opinion known to the organizer of Dumbowatch. The point of Dumbowatch is to create a unified voice (as much as possible) so everyone’s input is important. I never suggested this idea myself, nor did I plan on taking photos myself (although I think it is pretty obvious who the panhanlders are as they are the ones standing on the corner for hours asking for money and not just someone walking to Starbucks in their sweats). My point was simply that if people want to take photos in a public place for their own use, so be it. As a photography student, the right to photograph in public places happens to be particularly important to me and it is a right that continues to get trampled on in the name of homeland security. But that is another discussion for another day. Dumbowatch’s “heart is in the right place” and I certainly don’t think the organizer had any intention of starting a “gestapo” or of stalking every suspicious looking person in Dumbo. I can totally understand why this idea bothered people, but I think it has gotten a little out of control. As resident said, we need to put this behind us and move forward so action can be taken.

    Renter- I’ve lived in many neighborhoods in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Dumbo is the first place I’ve lived where I am friendly with many of my neighbors. The people in my building and the neighbors I meet on the street (especially the fellow dog owners) are some of the kindest and nicest people I’ve ever met. There is a community feel in Dumbo that I have not found in any other place I’ve lived in this city. I’m sorry that one person’s suggestion of taking photos of the “regular” panhandlers caused you to think we are not a welcoming community. With the exception of the person who doesn’t like “homeowners”, my experience is that Dumbo is a very wonderful, welcoming neighborhood.

  • I agree with Resident. I think the photo thing left a bad taste with people. I can totally see why people disagree with this point and they should make their opinion known to the organizer of Dumbowatch. The point of Dumbowatch is to create a unified voice (as much as possible) so everyone’s input is important. I never suggested this idea myself, nor did I plan on taking photos myself (although I think it is pretty obvious who the panhanlders are as they are the ones standing on the corner for hours asking for money and not just someone walking to Starbucks in their sweats). My point was simply that if people want to take photos in a public place for their own use, so be it. As a photography student, the right to photograph in public places happens to be particularly important to me and it is a right that continues to get trampled on in the name of homeland security. But that is another discussion for another day. Dumbowatch’s “heart is in the right place” and I certainly don’t think the organizer had any intention of starting a “gestapo” or of stalking every suspicious looking person in Dumbo. I can totally understand why this idea bothered people, but I think it has gotten a little out of control. As resident said, we need to put this behind us and move forward so action can be taken.

    Renter- I’ve lived in many neighborhoods in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Dumbo is the first place I’ve lived where I am friendly with many of my neighbors. The people in my building and the neighbors I meet on the street (especially the fellow dog owners) are some of the kindest and nicest people I’ve ever met. There is a community feel in Dumbo that I have not found in any other place I’ve lived in this city. I’m sorry that one person’s suggestion of taking photos of the “regular” panhandlers caused you to think we are not a welcoming community. With the exception of the person who doesn’t like “homeowners”, my experience is that Dumbo is a very wonderful, welcoming neighborhood.

  • Damnit T-Bone, I agree with you again. DUMBO people are friendly for the most part and this is the only neighborhood in NYC that I’ve ever lived in where that was so.

    Funny that you mention dogs – I just met a dog named T-Bone in the park.

  • Damnit T-Bone, I agree with you again. DUMBO people are friendly for the most part and this is the only neighborhood in NYC that I’ve ever lived in where that was so.

    Funny that you mention dogs – I just met a dog named T-Bone in the park.

  • PC- that is too funny. T-bone is not my dog, although that is a great name for a dog! And a not so bad nickname for a human. 🙂

  • PC- that is too funny. T-bone is not my dog, although that is a great name for a dog! And a not so bad nickname for a human. 🙂

  • reppoc,

    Did you press charges against the person that threw a rock?, If so, what was the police response, when is the court date, when will we all go through voir dire for jury duty?

    And, its not the cracky’s rights you should worry about, its when the misguided (looks like you fall into that camp) film someone else that is the concern.

    TBone and others here may know the obvious panhandlers, and I sincerely applaud her/him on the genuine effort to find a reasonable solution to rid the neighborhood of panhandlers.

    But what if some idiot, I won’t use the term hysterical, decides to film other folks they mistakenly deem as “suspicious”.

    Perhaps that minority you don’t give a S*&T about happens to be an attorney themselves, and you truly run a risk of loosing your ass…oops your apt.

    Or worse, maybe they don’t have to worry about being disbarred, and perhaps you will invite the very thing you worry about the most.

    The point is that the whole idea of filming has many consequences. Since we all seem to know who cracky, smokey, et al are, and I am sure the cops know as well, does the potential efficacy of filming outweigh any other tangential risks?

    By the way, you may not like being cursed at, and perhaps you find that aggressive, but as you mentioned free speech has that covered.

  • reppoc,

    Did you press charges against the person that threw a rock?, If so, what was the police response, when is the court date, when will we all go through voir dire for jury duty?

    And, its not the cracky’s rights you should worry about, its when the misguided (looks like you fall into that camp) film someone else that is the concern.

    TBone and others here may know the obvious panhandlers, and I sincerely applaud her/him on the genuine effort to find a reasonable solution to rid the neighborhood of panhandlers.

    But what if some idiot, I won’t use the term hysterical, decides to film other folks they mistakenly deem as “suspicious”.

    Perhaps that minority you don’t give a S*&T about happens to be an attorney themselves, and you truly run a risk of loosing your ass…oops your apt.

    Or worse, maybe they don’t have to worry about being disbarred, and perhaps you will invite the very thing you worry about the most.

    The point is that the whole idea of filming has many consequences. Since we all seem to know who cracky, smokey, et al are, and I am sure the cops know as well, does the potential efficacy of filming outweigh any other tangential risks?

    By the way, you may not like being cursed at, and perhaps you find that aggressive, but as you mentioned free speech has that covered.

  • Renter, if you live in this neighborhood and you feel like you dress like a panhandler or could get mistaken for one then I would say please leave this neighborhood. This well respected community does not need to look at people like you who can’t even muster the self respect to dress like a normal human being.
    Also what does tangential mean? Is that a secret code word that the panhandlers use? If you only rent here you should look to live elsewhere.

  • Renter, if you live in this neighborhood and you feel like you dress like a panhandler or could get mistaken for one then I would say please leave this neighborhood. This well respected community does not need to look at people like you who can’t even muster the self respect to dress like a normal human being.
    Also what does tangential mean? Is that a secret code word that the panhandlers use? If you only rent here you should look to live elsewhere.

  • misguided people such as myself have the right to film

  • misguided people such as myself have the right to film

  • anon,

    I am sure I dress better than you, and I am not really worried that I would be mistaken for a panhandler because of the way I dress.

    It simply is Dumbo Watch and its other stated goal of keeping an eye out for other “suspicious” people that is alarming. In many respects and in many communities across this country that is a “code” for non-white.

    It is also apparent that I understand the English language better than you as well. You should run down to Powerhouse Arena to see if they have a thesaurus and a dictionary among all of the other interesting books to find out what tangential means.

    I do, however, thank you for voicing what is apparent in a few, certainly not all, of the postings: A belief that this community is reserved for only “certain” people…your approach is even more extreme.

    Your approach seems to be: If you are a relocated executive (me) that moved here at moments notice before you found something to buy, “you are not welcome”; if you come here for a temporary assignment and need to rent an apartment, “go home”; if you are young in your career and a year or two away from hopping on the bonus train, you say “get out”.

    Finally, maybe someone plans to make NYC their home and wants to give a neighborhood try before they spend a $1M, you say “no way”.

    Congratulations, you wear your pomposity (aloofness just in case you forgot your thesaurus) and ignorance well.

  • anon,

    I am sure I dress better than you, and I am not really worried that I would be mistaken for a panhandler because of the way I dress.

    It simply is Dumbo Watch and its other stated goal of keeping an eye out for other “suspicious” people that is alarming. In many respects and in many communities across this country that is a “code” for non-white.

    It is also apparent that I understand the English language better than you as well. You should run down to Powerhouse Arena to see if they have a thesaurus and a dictionary among all of the other interesting books to find out what tangential means.

    I do, however, thank you for voicing what is apparent in a few, certainly not all, of the postings: A belief that this community is reserved for only “certain” people…your approach is even more extreme.

    Your approach seems to be: If you are a relocated executive (me) that moved here at moments notice before you found something to buy, “you are not welcome”; if you come here for a temporary assignment and need to rent an apartment, “go home”; if you are young in your career and a year or two away from hopping on the bonus train, you say “get out”.

    Finally, maybe someone plans to make NYC their home and wants to give a neighborhood try before they spend a $1M, you say “no way”.

    Congratulations, you wear your pomposity (aloofness just in case you forgot your thesaurus) and ignorance well.

  • Thanks everyone for your contributions to this thread. But there’s no reason to judge anyone for the way they dress, for their hair color, or whether or not they rent or own an apartment. I’m sure you don’t care whether your friends lease vs buy their car or buy clothing using credit cards vs paying cash. Renters, property owners, business owners, and visitors are all part of the Dumbo community, which is what makes this debate a healthy one (as long as we don’t start criticizing eachother).

    DUMBOwatch has the right intentions; so whether or not they plan on taking photos are irrelevant to their overall goals. People post photos on sites such as Flickr anyway. See:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/marielleleenen/941994378/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/gogo_nyc/279957804/

    My question is, why don’t I ever see panhandlers at Foragers or Front Street Pizza? Is it b/c Peas & Pickles is 24 hours? And since the Dumbo BID helps businesses, maybe they might be able to help P&P?

  • Thanks everyone for your contributions to this thread. But there’s no reason to judge anyone for the way they dress, for their hair color, or whether or not they rent or own an apartment. I’m sure you don’t care whether your friends lease vs buy their car or buy clothing using credit cards vs paying cash. Renters, property owners, business owners, and visitors are all part of the Dumbo community, which is what makes this debate a healthy one (as long as we don’t start criticizing eachother).

    DUMBOwatch has the right intentions; so whether or not they plan on taking photos are irrelevant to their overall goals. People post photos on sites such as Flickr anyway. See:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/marielleleenen/941994378/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/gogo_nyc/279957804/

    My question is, why don’t I ever see panhandlers at Foragers or Front Street Pizza? Is it b/c Peas & Pickles is 24 hours? And since the Dumbo BID helps businesses, maybe they might be able to help P&P?

  • VARIOUS THOUGHTS:
    1. T-Bone, I didn’t say I dislike homeowners. And I didn’t say anything about YOU. I only said I choose to ignore the new homeowners in my particular neighborhood the same way I ignore the new panhandlers. I actually wasn’t even responding directly to your post. I was reacting to the entire string. The fact that you took that as a personal attack directly on YOU and only you is very telling. Why would I attack YOU? I don’t even know who you are and know nothing about you (other than what you’ve posted here)! I wouldn’t presume to know enough to attack or dislike you, specifically. A little credit, please?

    2. On a separate note: Renters = instability? I can understand where that notion comes from, but let’s not generalize, particularly in the case of DUMBO. I’ve been here for 10 years. The person I RENT with has been here for over 25. And I know many others in the same boat. But we make the neighborhood unstable because we’re so ‘transient?’ I see. And I’m jealous of your owned homes? You can assume that all you want if it makes you feel better for paying a million dollars for your condo.

    3. Someone actually doesn’t know the meaning of the word tangential? (ok, that was a direct attack, I couldn’t resist…I’m sorry.)

    4. “My question is, why don’t I ever see panhandlers at Foragers or Front Street Pizza? Is it b/c Peas & Pickles is 24 hours?” Interesting question actually, but I don’t think it has anything to do with it being open 24 hrs. I don’t usually see them standing out there consistantly in the middle of the night. It’s always in the afternoons. They are (allegedly) crackheads after all. Maybe it’s just out of habit? Or because no one said “NO!”

  • VARIOUS THOUGHTS:
    1. T-Bone, I didn’t say I dislike homeowners. And I didn’t say anything about YOU. I only said I choose to ignore the new homeowners in my particular neighborhood the same way I ignore the new panhandlers. I actually wasn’t even responding directly to your post. I was reacting to the entire string. The fact that you took that as a personal attack directly on YOU and only you is very telling. Why would I attack YOU? I don’t even know who you are and know nothing about you (other than what you’ve posted here)! I wouldn’t presume to know enough to attack or dislike you, specifically. A little credit, please?

    2. On a separate note: Renters = instability? I can understand where that notion comes from, but let’s not generalize, particularly in the case of DUMBO. I’ve been here for 10 years. The person I RENT with has been here for over 25. And I know many others in the same boat. But we make the neighborhood unstable because we’re so ‘transient?’ I see. And I’m jealous of your owned homes? You can assume that all you want if it makes you feel better for paying a million dollars for your condo.

    3. Someone actually doesn’t know the meaning of the word tangential? (ok, that was a direct attack, I couldn’t resist…I’m sorry.)

    4. “My question is, why don’t I ever see panhandlers at Foragers or Front Street Pizza? Is it b/c Peas & Pickles is 24 hours?” Interesting question actually, but I don’t think it has anything to do with it being open 24 hrs. I don’t usually see them standing out there consistantly in the middle of the night. It’s always in the afternoons. They are (allegedly) crackheads after all. Maybe it’s just out of habit? Or because no one said “NO!”

  • Hesitant — It’s true that renters can create instability and a community, but that’s when they’re moving in for a year or two and then going elsewhere only to be replaced by someone who will stay for a short period of time as well. (For instance, 99 Gold could turn easily into an expensive yet shabby new building in a few years time if it’s not well managed as the units flip and flip and flip.) In my old Manhattan rental Manhattan the apartment across the hall turned over four or five times during the three years I lived there. This kind of turnover and the resulting wear and tear can be hard on a building especially because these tenants are sometimes not especially concerned about the maintenance of their building or their block. Our best neighbors were people who were rent stabilized and had been in the building for years, unfortunately it’s these kinds of renters who are treated like scum by landlords because they don’t may market rent. Butt is this group of renters and owners who make a neighborhood what it is over time.

    There is a fair amount of homeowner bashing in many of these threads and a tedious generalization that the people who can own in Dumbo are floated by their enormous Wall Street bonuses and sporting significant coke habits. My husband and I are artists and we own our own business. We saved for years and bought our apartment. This is a significant investment for us. We love the neighborhood and we hope to stay here for a long time which is why we’re concerned that Dumbo is a well cared for neighborhood with a community of people who are responsible and watching out for each other.

    Renter — you have made some excellent points in this thread, but you have also bought right into the notion that Dumbo is an exclusive community of people who on the ‘bonus track’. This is not true at all. Most of my neighbors are young, first time home buyers and there is tremendous professional diversity in this community.

    It’s true that many of the local panhandlers are not white, but that doesn’t make me suspicious of anyone just because of their ethnicity. The people I and others have mentioned on this thread are a generally disruptive presence, daily. Mr. Green Hat who I’ve mentioned before has a right to walk and bike along Front street, but I grow wary after several months of seeing him force his way into conversations time and time again to ask for money and brag about his criminal past. The same cast of characters gets brought up in here time and time again for a reason, and it’s not due to their skin color bur rather their behaviour.

  • Hesitant — It’s true that renters can create instability and a community, but that’s when they’re moving in for a year or two and then going elsewhere only to be replaced by someone who will stay for a short period of time as well. (For instance, 99 Gold could turn easily into an expensive yet shabby new building in a few years time if it’s not well managed as the units flip and flip and flip.) In my old Manhattan rental Manhattan the apartment across the hall turned over four or five times during the three years I lived there. This kind of turnover and the resulting wear and tear can be hard on a building especially because these tenants are sometimes not especially concerned about the maintenance of their building or their block. Our best neighbors were people who were rent stabilized and had been in the building for years, unfortunately it’s these kinds of renters who are treated like scum by landlords because they don’t may market rent. Butt is this group of renters and owners who make a neighborhood what it is over time.

    There is a fair amount of homeowner bashing in many of these threads and a tedious generalization that the people who can own in Dumbo are floated by their enormous Wall Street bonuses and sporting significant coke habits. My husband and I are artists and we own our own business. We saved for years and bought our apartment. This is a significant investment for us. We love the neighborhood and we hope to stay here for a long time which is why we’re concerned that Dumbo is a well cared for neighborhood with a community of people who are responsible and watching out for each other.

    Renter — you have made some excellent points in this thread, but you have also bought right into the notion that Dumbo is an exclusive community of people who on the ‘bonus track’. This is not true at all. Most of my neighbors are young, first time home buyers and there is tremendous professional diversity in this community.

    It’s true that many of the local panhandlers are not white, but that doesn’t make me suspicious of anyone just because of their ethnicity. The people I and others have mentioned on this thread are a generally disruptive presence, daily. Mr. Green Hat who I’ve mentioned before has a right to walk and bike along Front street, but I grow wary after several months of seeing him force his way into conversations time and time again to ask for money and brag about his criminal past. The same cast of characters gets brought up in here time and time again for a reason, and it’s not due to their skin color bur rather their behaviour.

  • So ironic that the photo of one the infamous panhandlers on flickr is categorized under “The Best Darned People on Earth”…

  • So ironic that the photo of one the infamous panhandlers on flickr is categorized under “The Best Darned People on Earth”…

  • Hesitant- I guess the fact that you openly choose to “ignore” homeowners leads me to believe that you don’t like us. I think that is a pretty reasonable assumption. You gave no other reason for “ignoring” us (and you still haven’t). Also- I actually did not take it as a personal attack on JUST ME (not sure where you got that idea), but as an unnecessary and rude comment about the neighbors I know and like. It’s too bad that you choose to ignore me (and my neighbors)- we are actually really nice people. But as you said, you know nothing about me because you choose to ignore me. Your loss. On the other hand, I would never “choose to ignore” you because you are a renter. In my opinion, a person’s kindness says a lot more about them than their status as a homeowner or renter.

    The big question is- how do you know who to “ignore”- can you tell a homeowner just by looking at them? That is an amazing skill- they should consider it for a character on Heroes.

    My point was not that homeowners are better than renters, my point was that Dumbo residents stay for years, renters and homeowners alike.

  • Hesitant- I guess the fact that you openly choose to “ignore” homeowners leads me to believe that you don’t like us. I think that is a pretty reasonable assumption. You gave no other reason for “ignoring” us (and you still haven’t). Also- I actually did not take it as a personal attack on JUST ME (not sure where you got that idea), but as an unnecessary and rude comment about the neighbors I know and like. It’s too bad that you choose to ignore me (and my neighbors)- we are actually really nice people. But as you said, you know nothing about me because you choose to ignore me. Your loss. On the other hand, I would never “choose to ignore” you because you are a renter. In my opinion, a person’s kindness says a lot more about them than their status as a homeowner or renter.

    The big question is- how do you know who to “ignore”- can you tell a homeowner just by looking at them? That is an amazing skill- they should consider it for a character on Heroes.

    My point was not that homeowners are better than renters, my point was that Dumbo residents stay for years, renters and homeowners alike.

  • Renter – I agree with your point of view in general and do not mean this as a personal attack, but have to point out that “pompous” and “aloof” mean two very different things so that statement made no sense.

  • Renter – I agree with your point of view in general and do not mean this as a personal attack, but have to point out that “pompous” and “aloof” mean two very different things so that statement made no sense.

  • PC – ummmm… actually pompous and aloof are in fact synonyms for “one with ego”. See for yourself…

    http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/pompous

  • PC – ummmm… actually pompous and aloof are in fact synonyms for “one with ego”. See for yourself…

    http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/pompous

  • You can be aloof without being pompous and vice versa. So although they could both be used as synonyms for “arrogant” in certain contexts, they certainly don’t mean the same thing. In fact, aloof is not even listed as a synonym for pompous.

  • You can be aloof without being pompous and vice versa. So although they could both be used as synonyms for “arrogant” in certain contexts, they certainly don’t mean the same thing. In fact, aloof is not even listed as a synonym for pompous.

  • Looking at the Flickr photo of Cracky or Smokey I would love to be on his dental plan.

  • Looking at the Flickr photo of Cracky or Smokey I would love to be on his dental plan.

  • my two cents… not that I want to get into a debate about a word, but by nature I can’t help it…

    pompous = arrogant = aloof therefore
    pompous = aloof

    http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/arrogant

    I agree that someone can be arrogant without being aloof, but the point is that arrogance does often come with aloofness and a person who is both arrogant and aloof would be considered pompous. I rest my case 😉

    Anyway, I agree with a lot of what was said about the Dumbo Watch group and the good intentions of the founder(s). It’s a great idea, but I agree there’s a fuzzy line with the photo’s (the pictures posted on flickr weren’t posted with any mal-intent so I don’t think the situations can be compared). In any case, kudos to the person(s) who decided to stop complaining and just do something by forming the group.

  • my two cents… not that I want to get into a debate about a word, but by nature I can’t help it…

    pompous = arrogant = aloof therefore
    pompous = aloof

    http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/arrogant

    I agree that someone can be arrogant without being aloof, but the point is that arrogance does often come with aloofness and a person who is both arrogant and aloof would be considered pompous. I rest my case 😉

    Anyway, I agree with a lot of what was said about the Dumbo Watch group and the good intentions of the founder(s). It’s a great idea, but I agree there’s a fuzzy line with the photo’s (the pictures posted on flickr weren’t posted with any mal-intent so I don’t think the situations can be compared). In any case, kudos to the person(s) who decided to stop complaining and just do something by forming the group.

  • I’ll admit there is no fail-safe way to tell a homeowner, but I’d wager that in DUMBO at least 75% of the time I could guess pretty accurately. Oooo…maybe that should be a game! Let’s take photos of anyone we suspect is a homeowner and post them online. Maybe we’re right and maybe we’re wrong, but that doesn’t matter. Again, I digress.

    My reason(s) to ignore are purely personal and, yeah, in that case, probably pretty selfish. But these reasons don’t keep me from enjoying life here in DUMBO and they don’t keep you from enjoying it either. So let’s just leave it at that and move along. I’m just stating observations and I’m gonna keep doing that. DUMBO has changed more dramatically than I had ever imagined it would/could (bravo, dumbo) and most of it in about, oh, less than 2 years? Forgive me for observing that and drawing into myself (aka, ignoring) as a result. Perhaps when I can redefine for myself my neighborhood’s true identity I’ll come out of that shell again. Or I’ll just be transient and move out. Either way, you probably won’t notice.

  • I’ll admit there is no fail-safe way to tell a homeowner, but I’d wager that in DUMBO at least 75% of the time I could guess pretty accurately. Oooo…maybe that should be a game! Let’s take photos of anyone we suspect is a homeowner and post them online. Maybe we’re right and maybe we’re wrong, but that doesn’t matter. Again, I digress.

    My reason(s) to ignore are purely personal and, yeah, in that case, probably pretty selfish. But these reasons don’t keep me from enjoying life here in DUMBO and they don’t keep you from enjoying it either. So let’s just leave it at that and move along. I’m just stating observations and I’m gonna keep doing that. DUMBO has changed more dramatically than I had ever imagined it would/could (bravo, dumbo) and most of it in about, oh, less than 2 years? Forgive me for observing that and drawing into myself (aka, ignoring) as a result. Perhaps when I can redefine for myself my neighborhood’s true identity I’ll come out of that shell again. Or I’ll just be transient and move out. Either way, you probably won’t notice.

  • Actually, if pompous and aloof meant the same thing then they would be synonyms, which they are not. They can be used in different CONTEXTS to describe someone who is arrogant. In this case, I think what Renter meant was really “pompous”. If Anon were actually “aloof”, he/she would not be commenting on this thread, but simply ignoring all of us out of “disinterest”(the actual definition of aloof)…. I rest MY case! 🙂

    Regardless, I agree. Kudos to Dumbowatch for doing something.

  • Actually, if pompous and aloof meant the same thing then they would be synonyms, which they are not. They can be used in different CONTEXTS to describe someone who is arrogant. In this case, I think what Renter meant was really “pompous”. If Anon were actually “aloof”, he/she would not be commenting on this thread, but simply ignoring all of us out of “disinterest”(the actual definition of aloof)…. I rest MY case! 🙂

    Regardless, I agree. Kudos to Dumbowatch for doing something.

  • Oooo…maybe I’M being aloof. Oh wait, then I’d have to be ignoring this thread. Which I’m obviously not. Which thereby renders the whole “ignoring” issue completely moot. I’m contradicting myself. I’m gonna stop now.

  • Oooo…maybe I’M being aloof. Oh wait, then I’d have to be ignoring this thread. Which I’m obviously not. Which thereby renders the whole “ignoring” issue completely moot. I’m contradicting myself. I’m gonna stop now.

  • When did this thread turn into an English class. Let’s talk about how we can rid of these disgusting cracked out panhandlers ruining our quality of life. Actually green hat isn’t such a bad guy after all. He gave me a ride home on his stolen bike. I sat on his handlebars and he took me home for a dollar. See his manacing cracked out stare isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. No pun intended.

  • When did this thread turn into an English class. Let’s talk about how we can rid of these disgusting cracked out panhandlers ruining our quality of life. Actually green hat isn’t such a bad guy after all. He gave me a ride home on his stolen bike. I sat on his handlebars and he took me home for a dollar. See his manacing cracked out stare isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. No pun intended.

  • Did you mean MENACING?

  • Did you mean MENACING?

  • anon is a dumbo. no pun intended.

  • anon is a dumbo. no pun intended.

  • Hesitant- Can you guess our occupations and salaries too while you are at it? Now that I would like to see.

    But hey- if you do decide to come out of your shell (or move, for that matter), please let me know- I would love to throw a going away party for your old self. Until then, I will gladly ignore you if that is your wish (at least except on this blog). Kisses and hugs!

  • Hesitant- Can you guess our occupations and salaries too while you are at it? Now that I would like to see.

    But hey- if you do decide to come out of your shell (or move, for that matter), please let me know- I would love to throw a going away party for your old self. Until then, I will gladly ignore you if that is your wish (at least except on this blog). Kisses and hugs!

  • I hope Hesitant leaves Dumbo with every panhandler carrying him/her out never to return.

  • I hope Hesitant leaves Dumbo with every panhandler carrying him/her out never to return.

  • My fellow posters: Out of genuine curiousity, what do you do for a living? I’ll start: I am presently in nursing school. I am a renter in a stabilized building. I work part-time at a Manhattan bookstore. I think a lot of people are bringing assumptions about class etc. to this dialogue. No judgement, just curious.

  • My fellow posters: Out of genuine curiousity, what do you do for a living? I’ll start: I am presently in nursing school. I am a renter in a stabilized building. I work part-time at a Manhattan bookstore. I think a lot of people are bringing assumptions about class etc. to this dialogue. No judgement, just curious.

  • Jo, before we go down that tangential road, maybe I can write up a post asking that question. It can potentially get ugly with ad hominem criticism, but if everyone wants to hear what we all (anonymously) do for a living, it may be an interesting thread, since many new residents are not in the creative field. I’m glad everyone here sounds intelligent and posters here have a good grasp of the English language. 🙂

    A question for DUMBOwatch: How is the membership going for your committee? It seems like there are many supporters on this thread.

  • Jo, before we go down that tangential road, maybe I can write up a post asking that question. It can potentially get ugly with ad hominem criticism, but if everyone wants to hear what we all (anonymously) do for a living, it may be an interesting thread, since many new residents are not in the creative field. I’m glad everyone here sounds intelligent and posters here have a good grasp of the English language. 🙂

    A question for DUMBOwatch: How is the membership going for your committee? It seems like there are many supporters on this thread.

  • I always ignore the panhandlers and really don’t pay attention to them. I think they’ve figured out that they cannot have my spare change. I am all for removing them from our neighborhood since it’s a concern for the majority of people that live in Dumbo.

  • I always ignore the panhandlers and really don’t pay attention to them. I think they’ve figured out that they cannot have my spare change. I am all for removing them from our neighborhood since it’s a concern for the majority of people that live in Dumbo.

  • The DUMBOwatch group sounds like a great idea. I have been harassed so many times that I have to plan my walking route accordingly to get where I need to go without having to be confronted by panhandlers. It’s super frustrating to have to cross the street various times back and forth to avoid them. I am glad Peas&Pickles finally opened up the second door. The fact that we all know who each other is talking about by their nicknames (smoky, cracky or limpy) shows there is a larger issue.

  • The DUMBOwatch group sounds like a great idea. I have been harassed so many times that I have to plan my walking route accordingly to get where I need to go without having to be confronted by panhandlers. It’s super frustrating to have to cross the street various times back and forth to avoid them. I am glad Peas&Pickles finally opened up the second door. The fact that we all know who each other is talking about by their nicknames (smoky, cracky or limpy) shows there is a larger issue.

  • I know T-Bone the dog and he rules. he also doesn’t like the cracky or his crew.

  • I know T-Bone the dog and he rules. he also doesn’t like the cracky or his crew.

  • I’ve got to meet this T-bone the dog! Bet my dog would love him. She’s not particularly fond of Smokey & Cracky either. Although I think she’s gotten used to them as she can’t be bothered barking at them anymore. She has been known to bark up a storm at green hat dude. She does not like him at all!

  • I’ve got to meet this T-bone the dog! Bet my dog would love him. She’s not particularly fond of Smokey & Cracky either. Although I think she’s gotten used to them as she can’t be bothered barking at them anymore. She has been known to bark up a storm at green hat dude. She does not like him at all!

  • I’ve been meaning to thank Dumbonyc for giving those of us who are so passionate about Dumbo the forum to bitch and moan, joke around and generally voice our thoughts and opinions. You rock.

  • I’ve been meaning to thank Dumbonyc for giving those of us who are so passionate about Dumbo the forum to bitch and moan, joke around and generally voice our thoughts and opinions. You rock.

  • T-Bone the dog has one eye and he can see these people need to go.

  • T-Bone the dog has one eye and he can see these people need to go.

  • Any update on DUMBOwatch? Hopefully a few of the panhandlers will start leaving as the weather turns colder. Although they probably all have North Face jackets and thermal underwear.

  • Any update on DUMBOwatch? Hopefully a few of the panhandlers will start leaving as the weather turns colder. Although they probably all have North Face jackets and thermal underwear.

  • Green hat guy will be rockin “the red and black lumberjack with the hat to match” -r.i.p biggie

  • Green hat guy will be rockin “the red and black lumberjack with the hat to match” -r.i.p biggie

  • We might need to give “green hat guy” a new name. I saw him wearing a camouflage head wrap the other day.

  • We might need to give “green hat guy” a new name. I saw him wearing a camouflage head wrap the other day.

  • Has anyone seen the buddhist crack/smack head on the corner of Gold/Front? He is one funky looking bastard. I think he is a heroin attic givin his general dirtyness and his apparent lack of self awarness(I have seen him sitting on the curb mumbling). Crackheads I find seem to have a little more get up and go – also they have that crazy shakey thing going on. Just curious if anyone has observed the same?

  • Has anyone seen the buddhist crack/smack head on the corner of Gold/Front? He is one funky looking bastard. I think he is a heroin attic givin his general dirtyness and his apparent lack of self awarness(I have seen him sitting on the curb mumbling). Crackheads I find seem to have a little more get up and go – also they have that crazy shakey thing going on. Just curious if anyone has observed the same?

  • zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

  • zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

  • I haven’t seen Smokey or Cracky for days. And I’ve noticed an even greater police presence around P&P this week. Anyone else notice this?

  • I haven’t seen Smokey or Cracky for days. And I’ve noticed an even greater police presence around P&P this week. Anyone else notice this?

  • On Monday or Tuesday Smokey was in front of the bagel store/deli.

  • On Monday or Tuesday Smokey was in front of the bagel store/deli.

  • Yo Johnny V.H.! The guy you are talking about lives at the truck lot on Gold Street and keeps an eye on the property. He sweeps up the litter and tends to the plants.
    He has a mental illness, he is NOT on drugs. He holds himself out as a monk.
    Anyone else you guys see who you want to label as a druggie/problem?

  • Yo Johnny V.H.! The guy you are talking about lives at the truck lot on Gold Street and keeps an eye on the property. He sweeps up the litter and tends to the plants.
    He has a mental illness, he is NOT on drugs. He holds himself out as a monk.
    Anyone else you guys see who you want to label as a druggie/problem?

  • You can understand how I could easily be confused. Given the general atmosphere of the neighborhood – you could see how I mistook him for a troubled (with drugs at least) individual.

    Now I feel bad and will befriend him.

  • You can understand how I could easily be confused. Given the general atmosphere of the neighborhood – you could see how I mistook him for a troubled (with drugs at least) individual.

    Now I feel bad and will befriend him.

  • i think the fact that cracky lives in a parking lot leads me to think he does smoke crack.

  • i think the fact that cracky lives in a parking lot leads me to think he does smoke crack.

  • Now that you all have killed this thread, let’s go to the drugstore one and dream about the possibility of generic beauty aids at not one but two new drugstores! I virtually wet my pants at the thought.

  • Now that you all have killed this thread, let’s go to the drugstore one and dream about the possibility of generic beauty aids at not one but two new drugstores! I virtually wet my pants at the thought.

  • Peter – when are we going to launch the campaign and start calling 311?

  • Peter – when are we going to launch the campaign and start calling 311?

  • This is a great idea. Those panhandlers have hopefully harassed me and my child for the last time.

  • This is a great idea. Those panhandlers have hopefully harassed me and my child for the last time.