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A Report Card for the 79th Precinct Police
By The Changeling | September 13, 2007
A resident wrote to me about her experience with the 79th precinct police. Apparently she’s had some “unpleasant activities” taking place on her block and she’s turned to the 79th for help. Unfortunately, she feels that they have been ineffective in dealing with the issue.
When I heard her story, I started to wonder what other residents’ experiences were with the 79th. Has the 79th precinct police force been responsive to your needs? Have they addressed what you think are the most important issues in our neighborhood? If not, what would you like to see them do? If you feel that they have been effective, what is it that they’ve been doing right?
If you had to give the 79th precinct police officers a grade, what grade would you give them and why?
September 13th, 2007 at 9:15 am
I just moved into the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood and I will give the 79th Precinct a B. The block I reside on is not the best but it certainly is not the worst. I spoke with a Commander Lyons and a Captain McEvoy at the 79th precinct and requested that they send more foot patrol officers and more police cars to patrol the block. I have noticed an improvement/surge in police officers that now patrol the block. Captain McEvoy and Commander Lyons were very pleasant to speak with and assurred me that they would do everything they could to improve the quality of life in Bedford Stuyvesant.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:55 am
i called the 79th a few weeks ago because we thought that there was a break in at our house (turns out there wasn’t). they were at our door within 2 minutes-about 5 cars, which impressed me greatly. i had heard that the 79th can be unresponsive-not that day. i give them an a+ for response time.
i am, however, frustrated by a certain house on the block which is obviously a dealers/users house-people coming and going making A LOT of noise-ranting on the street til dawn. neighbors have told me about it, but seem apathetic/helpless-when we’ve called the 79th-they say what proof do you have that it’s illegal?
any advice?
September 13th, 2007 at 11:07 am
What type of proof do they want? Do you have to go undercover and buy some drugs yourself and report back? Sheesh.
I’m going to give the 79th precinct a B-. I live near “Project Row” so God knows the police must have their work cut out for them ’round here, but they’ve always been fast responders when I’ve called them (which has been several times), even though each time I’ve called it’s been for a relatively minor event. I think I can honestly say that they’ve always shown up in about 5 minutes, so that alone gets them an above average grade.
But I think they can do a better job taking care of “problem” houses on residential blocks.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
In the 2.5 years we’ve lived here, I haven’t had any contact with the 79th precinct. I haven’t needed to call them. My block is pretty quiet.
September 13th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
The police are actually patrolling this neighborhood too much. They intimidate all young men in the expectation that they will all do something bad eventually.
They don’t respond enthusiastically to minor complaints, car accidents, theft (may write a report but can’t do anything)
September 13th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
ALL young men? Evidently they’re not intimidating some of them enough–we don’t exactly have Mayberry-level crime rates around here.
I would like to see a greater police presence. There are times when I see a lot of them, and that goes on for a few weeks and then a month or so goes by and the police presence is minimal then then it goes back to being a police state. I’m not sure why the fluctuation occurs. Maybe they step it up a notch in a particular area when there are problems and then back off when the situation improves.
September 13th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Interesting poll/topic here!
To The Changeling: Do you believe more police remaining on patrol will lead to sustained reduction in the criminal activity or quality of life concerns described in earlier posts?
It’d be interesting to hear people’s thoughts on how much the community’s own response (in addition to, or beyond, calling police) to the given issue matters as much as having a greater police presence on their streets.
September 13th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Yes, I believe a greater police presence (and a consistent presence) would reduce the issues that plague my area of Bed-Stuy. I’m convinced that the recent cases of (suspected) arson, illegal dumping, and rash of tagging/graffiti would not have occurred if there had been more police on patrol in my area this past month. I’ve never seen/experienced any serious crime in my area, but I’m sure there would be less of it if there were more cops around.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:30 am
9:15 Clinton Hill/Bedstuy Resident
Appox. what date did you speak with the Cmdr & Cpt.? Did you just happen to catch them in (via phone or pct. visit) or did they return a phone call.
September 14th, 2007 at 8:59 am
We live on Monroe Street b/w Marcy and Nostrand and have filed quality of life (excessive noise) complaints with 311 to get the folks at the 79th to respond. Ninety-percent of the time, the 79th has been TOTALLY ineffective. On one occasion I called 311 THREE times because the folks at the 79th took their own sweet time responding. Even the folks at 311 were surprised there was no response to the complaint. The folks at the 79th employ a unique strategy … wait long enough and hopefully the situation will resolve itself then lie and say you responded and nothing was happening. Unfortunately for them, I’m keeping a record of their response time, the squad car number, and the effectiveness of their response.
In the end, it took the 79th precinct almost 3 hours to respond and when they did show up the office didn’t even exit his car to speak to the clowns (who, by the way, doesn’t live on the block). One of the jesters was heard saying “oh yeah, we just talking.” The squad pulled away and noise level went right back to what it was and, this is 2:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning!
What the city needs to do is allow officers to ticket these obnoxious fools during the day so the message is heard loud and clear (no pun intended). I bet if they get tickets during the day they’d think twice about making all that damn noise at night and 311 complaints for noise will decrease. The 79th is good at lip service but unless it involves weapons, is a homicide, burglary, or assault in progress, they’ll just try to pacify you.
What city residents need are precincts that enforces ALL laws.
September 14th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Malcats - I happened to just stopped by during my lunch break and found both individuals sitting at their desks. I didn’t know who they were at first but I introduced myself and they introduced themselves.
September 14th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Thanks Clinton Hill/Bedstuy Res.
This reply helps in understanding what works, when, where & the circumstances.
September 14th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
*Was* thinking about moving to area near Monroe and Franklin, but have two young kids and these comments are starting to worry me. Should I be worried?
September 16th, 2007 at 10:50 am
I find that the mere presense of the police keeps the trouble makers inside or out of the area. I haven’t seen the police engaging the youth of the neighborhood, either in a positive or confrontational way.
The 79th has, for the most part, been highly responsive to my concerns and complaints. I have found that noise complaints rarely get high priority, regardless of the area you live in. It is a low level concern it seems.
To Bed-Stuy Res: I have tried to deal with people directly when they are causing too much noise, throwing garbage on the street or engaging in destructive or dangerous behavior. At first, I tried to reason with them, but that was pointless. I simply called the 79th and that got results. I have banded together with some other residents and shop owners on my block to create an informal network of support to complain to and develop relationships with the police. Please note that none of the people in my network are on the block association, which is a useless organization more concerned about complaining about trouble and how things used to be than doing any outreach to create change.
I am finding, with the natural turnover of the area, disruptive groups are leaving as owners sell troubled buildings and/or rising rents bring in a more well-behaved group.
To maybe moving, I see no reason not to move into the area, as things are getting better.
September 16th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Maybe moving, I agree with what Newbie2 has said. I would add that Bed-Stuy is a neighborhood that, at this point in time, you have to look at on a block-by-block basis, as it is neither a uniformly good neighborhood nor a uniformly bad neighborhood. There are wonderfully beautiful, pleasant blocks and there are lousy, noisy, poorly maintained ones.
No matter where you’re planning on moving, just make sure that you visit the exact block several times before moving in, and visit during different times of the day. I actually visited my current place twice in the middle of the night (once at 3:00 am and another time around 1:00 am) just to see what type of activity was going on around here in the wee hours. I’d give this advice to any person moving to ANY neighborhood in NYC.
September 16th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Maybe Moving:
I agree with the Changeling & Newbie2 on many points. You will find wonderful people here in Bed-Stuy. There are problems and sometimes those situations can overshadow all of the positives. This is a changing (albeit slow) community. The course this community takes and the pace at which the changes occur depend on the needs and determination of those who live here. This is not perfect - but then again, neither was Fort Greene (we lived there for 13yrs and there was nothing more unpleasant than the egos that started to populate the community.)
Come! Remember you live in the CITY and can not escape the usual problems; GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS - don’t make stereotypical judgments - 99.9% of them want the same things that you want for the community; and when you are in the position to help and be an advocate for your community STEP UP and be active! There is a lot of work to be done here, but my family & I believe that it is worth it.
September 16th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I have lived here less than a year and have never called the police, but once when I interacted with them over a biking incident (long story), one of them asked me if i live in the area. I said yes and he said, “I’m sorry.” I know it was only one person, but I don’t like what that says about the attitudes of people who are supposed to be serving the community here.
January 30th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Hey there,
This is a subject near and dear to my heart. The neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn is undergoing a major transition. Real estate is booming in the area, and its a great thing. However with all good things come controversy. I am a 38 year old educated, world traveled African American flight attendant of 13 years, with a sucessfull free lance voice-over career. I grew up in this beautiful neighborhood for the majority of my life due to the proximity to my parents home.
This once completely African American area has become so popular that as of ten years ago no Caucasion would ever consider even driving through the neighborhood. Now I would guess that the Causasion population is now at about 25% and growing. With our new cultural rebirth come increased police protection. As a resident of this area, at first it was a welcomed sight. I never really saw my neighborhood as unsafe, (probably because I grew up here) however having more people around to “protect and serve” seemed like a great plan. I’m not quite sure of that anymore.
Over the last few years I and my friends (one is a Starbucks store manager) been stopped, at times searched, harassed, and even accused of things because we now “fit a description/profile” When I have just arrived home after working a 13-14 hour flight from Tokyo in uniform, I hold my head up high and I’m generally respected by my neighbors and peers. Patrolling officers on foot smile, and sometimes say hello. However, once I take off this “costume” , put on my basketball shorts and a tank top and walk to the corner store or my gym, I seem to become the subject of suspicion. I, the same person who was just in uniform and just got through US customs, am being stopped and questioned as to where am i going by “undercover officers in an obvious unmarked car”. No badges ever shown, just questions.
As to not cause a problem, I comply. I dont have a record and I have been extensively background checked by the FBI because of my job and 911. Why is this happening?… not once not twice but at least 5 times. It is to the point that if I’m outside and the unmarked car slows down and stops, I aggresively proceed to the car and ask what the problem is, and offer to show ID. This usually throws them off balance and I am free to pursue my happiness.
It is to the point that I fear the same people who were sent to protect us. I have to remember to take my drivers licence with me to simply take out my garbage, because in a second, You could find yourself being questioned or in the back of a patrol car in cuffs. My best friend has experienced the same treatment, and has in effect been arrested for smoking marijuana in public, when no one was smoking nor even had possesion of the illegal drug. I’ve been with him when he was stopped for riding his bike on the sidewalk, when he wasn’t. I was there and witnessed the entire event because we were riding together. Now if he were at work those same officers expect a complimentary cup of Starbucks coffee for doing their job. We’ve discussed going to the local precinct, maybe to meet with whoever is in charge, This so they see the faces of two almost 40 year old men, and realize that we are not the enemy.
I thought my rights as an American gave me the liberty to walk down streets, ( the same streets I learned how to ride my bike, play football, and even skate) Without the fear of being stopped and questioned and in my friends case arrested. My gym is on the second floor and i can see everthing that is happening on the street below. I’ve seen others in the neighborhood stopped, searched, and sometimes let go without even an apology for your inconvienience, or a “thank you” for your compliance. I’m not sure if this race issue, because I would like to believe that I am judged by my content/character and not the color of my skin. But I have yet to see any Caucasions stopped in any fashion.
There is a simple solution… just move out of the area. Why should I leave the place that reflected my happy childhood,as I watched my parents struggle to pay the mortgage on their brownstone, because the police don’t know the difference between a hard working citizen and a thug on the streets?
I’m not sure that there is an easy soulution, but I do realize that the subject really needs attention. Any help you can offer in bringing this subject to light would be greatly appreciated.. Let me end this by saying that I’m not bitter, or even angry anymore, but I would love to see the day when myself and peers can be judged for who we are, not our color or even the way we’re dressed. Thanks for listening because either way, I needed to get this off my chest. When the attached document like this is being handed out in a neighborhood… somethings wrong, this is 2007? An African American is ACTUALLY being considered for president in this country, yet many live in fear because we are African Americans.
Jason T Williams
Just Hear Me Out!!
Productions
Justhearme@optonline.net
April 7th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
i hate the 79th pct. they are very rude, disrespectful and raciest! one of the officers referred to me as the lady with the big tittys. i felt so degraded and i hope i never need there help for anything. i give them a big fat FFF-
April 8th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
i live on hancock between marcy and nostrand, and the dogs barking are insane! has anyone else had to deal with this? i’ve called 311 so many times, and they’ve sent out these inspectors from the DP who are Terrible, and never do anything. i basically have to move because of these dogs —nonstop, loud. any advice?
April 10th, 2008 at 3:29 am
The reason you see a spike in officers at certain times of the year is that is the new academy class coming out.
Then it dwindles as they become part of the machine.Transfers to new post new areas ect.,There is a new class out now that is why you see so many officers on the street
April 11th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Ok we all have to know that the majority of the officers hired by the nypd are scared of their shadow and have had no prior interaction with african americans. but to bloggers like J Williams I must say I am sorry for what happens to you however you must know that because you wear black skin in a neighborhood where that is the costume of the thug, criminal, animal whatever is unfortunate that you must be judged as one. The goal is to have anyone understand that there are differences in black people just like there are differences in every other race of people and that we are all not of the criminal element you must be able to yourself understand since you say you grew up around here that yes there are now niggers yes through choice and circumstance they exist and there are black people so don’t just be angry at whites be angry at the self defined niggers.