Dumbo NYC

Some neighbors have emailed about recent car break-ins in the past week. There have been several windows (”three or four”) smashed on York Street near Washington Street and on Jay Street between York and Front Street. Be on the lookout for suspicious activity and call the 84th Precinct (718-875-6811 (store this number in your cell phone)) or 911 if you witness any crimes.

Reminder: Come meet the farmer and learn more about the Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA tonight, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Phoenix House at 7:30pm (50 Jay Street (Between Water and Plymouth)).

{dumbocsa.org}
{Dumbo/Vinegar Hill CSA Meet the Farmer on April 8}

What: PS 8 Annual Spring Auction
When: Thursday, April 10, 7-9pm
Where: Hillis Hall, Plymouth Church, 75 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights

Please join PS8 for live music, wine, hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the school and support their children. Tickets are $50 in advance ($75 at the door) at www.ps8pta.org. Some items on the auction block:

• Baking lessons for six children at Almondine Bakery
• Wine tasting with a noted wine expert
• Be a Principal of the Day with Mr. Phillips
• Vacation home stays
• Artwork from local artists
• Personal sessions with a fitness trainer
• Estate planning sessions with an attorney
• …and much more…

As reported earlier, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is starting this summer for Dumbo and Vinegar Hill residents. This is a way for people to buy vegetables directly from a local farmer. Before the harvest season, members commit and pre-pay to buy fresh, locally grown organic vegetables from June to November. By being a member of the CSA, you’re supporting a local farmer, getting fresh organic produce for you and your family each week, and you’ll eat healthier. The CSA website offer more details on the program:

We offer both full and partial vegetable shares. Each of them are picked up every week, but vary in size. A full share costs approximately $25/week and consists of 8-10 different vegetables every week, enough for 2-4 people. Partial shares cost approximately $15/week and contain fewer items more appropriate for a single person or household that does less cooking.

Please email them at core@dumbocsa.org for more information. To meet the farmer and learn more about the CSA, they are holding an event on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at the Phoenix House at 7:30pm (50 Jay Street (Between Water and Plymouth)).

{dumbocsa.org}
{CSA Planned for Dumbo in June 2008, 04Feb2008}

The previous post on NYPD’s Sky Watch got mostly positive comments on the NYPD’s response to the recent crime in Dumbo. Some took the post as complaining, which is absolutely not the case. I really wanted to convey appreciation to the NYPD for taking action based on the overwhelming concerns that residents and business owners had on neighborhood safety. Thank you to Captain Alan Abel of the 84th Precinct and our officers who heard our concerns! I spoke with three of our officers yesterday who told me that Sky Watch has reduced crime and should be in Dumbo for “maybe several weeks”. If they’re at Front Street Pizza or at J Condo, they’re likely on their break, so before you think they’re wasting time, thank them for looking out for us. (You can call the Precinct at (718) 875-6811 to give positive feedback too).

(Photo courtesy of epc)

The controversial Brooklyn Bridge Park is entering the first phase of development. According to an article in today’s NY Times, the “85-acre stretch of waterfront will be converted into Brooklyn Bridge Park, with meadows, playing fields, marinas and basketball courts. On one side of the park will be magnificent views of skyscrapers. On the other side will be apartment buildings and a hotel whose residents and guests will pay taxes for the maintenance of the park.”

While creating a park is a great idea, there are various opposition groups on the design of the park as well as how the maintenance will be paid for. An urban planner quoted in the article thinks the park designs are a missed opportunity for the waterfront to be a backdrop to markets, museums, and a range of commerce and culture. “If Brooklyn wanted to distinguish itself as a great city, apart from Manhattan, it is the waterfront that could do it…Judi Francis, president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund, who filed the lawsuit, said the plans to build housing at either end of the park sent a not so subtle message about who is expected to enjoy those lawns and water views.” To be fair, park planners have tried to juggle various obligations to find a balance between neighborhood associations, politics, commercial and residential space, and park activities. It will be nice to see parts of the park complete in the next few years, but how will this park ever be enjoyed by the public without its controversies?

Meanwhile, the Sierra Club is preparing to sue the state to stop development that will hurt marine life along the waterfront project.

{New Brooklyn Vistas, and a Fight Over Plans for Them, 24Mar2008, NY Times}
{Sierra Club Makes Waves, 24Mar2008, NY Post}
{Phase I of Brooklyn Bridge Park Demolition Starts, 13Mar2008, DumboNYC}

Our Vinegar Hill correspondent witnessed the arrest of three young men in front of 206 Front Street last night at approximately 9pm. They were not there to see what the men did, but saw a police car with two officers called to the scene to put the three men in custody. Three additional officers who were on duty patrolling the streets were there. Several people have commented on this site that they have noticed an increased presence of police officers and cars patrolling Dumbo and Vinegar Hill after several muggings were reported last week and residents started calling the 84th Precinct and David Yassky’s office (718-875-5200). One of the victims shared his story last week and another comment reported a separate incident in Vinegar Hill by “a group of kids”.

There is a 84th Precinct Council Meeting tonight at 7pm in Dumbo (Phoenix House, 50 Jay Street, between Plymouth and Water) to address and report on the recent crimes. Call the precinct at (718) 875-6811 or their community affairs line for further information at (718) 875-6850.

{Increased Crime in Dumbo at Night, 11Mar2008}
{84 Precinct Council Meeting in Dumbo, 12Mar2008}

Yesterday’s crime post touched a nerve with Dumbo residents (66 comments and counting). Some of the comments have turned into a “yuppie/gentrifier” vs “old-timer” thread. Some fault the new residents for not being street aware (i.e. a real New Yorker) and need to fight back and others say that the thugs don’t care who you are and will target anyone. Whatever your view is, we need to look out for eachother and take steps to make our community a better place for everyone.

The 84 Precinct will hold a community council meeting next Tuesday (Tuesday, March 18, 7pm) in Dumbo and will address the recent crimes in Dumbo and North Brooklyn.

The meeting will be held at Phoenix House, 50 Jay Street, between Plymouth and Water. Refreshments will be served and transportation will be provided. (Call Community Affairs, 718-875-6850, to arrange transportation within the 84th Precinct.)”

As one commenter put it, “if we want increased police presence in this neighborhood then we have to work together to make our safety issues known. As I was told this morning, one call isn’t going to do it. If you have time, please make an effort to contact our municipal officials to let them know that this is an issue that we are all very concerned about.“

{84th Precinct Community Council Meeting Flyer (pdf)}
{Increased Crime in Dumbo at Night, 11Mar2008}

A few residents have emailed saying that there have been a few attacks by “a group of boys” on foot. On Thursday night, there was a robbery on the corner of Front and Washington Street. Another story said that the “same group” jumped a man and tried to “pull his eye socket out”. In another incident, the group pulled a man between cars and mugged him. The Dumbo BID and the Dumbo Neighborhood Association have been notified and are meeting with the 84th Precinct representatives to address the increase of attacks and crime. With the increased number of residents families in the area, we need the full support of the police to help curb violent attacks. Please be careful at night.

{84th Precinct}
{84 Precinct Council Meeting, 19June2007}
{Dumbo BID Crime Prevention and Safety Seminar, 17Oct2007}
{Talking about Safety in Dumbo, 07Sept2007}

How cool is this? Dumbo has its very own pig on You Tube:

From a discussion thread here: dumbonyc.com/2007/12/20/dumbo-veterinarian. The video was first seen on Gowanus Lounge.