Comments on: A Report Card for the 79th Precinct Police

By: Lockdown13513

Lockdown13513 — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:06:50 +0000

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.

By: IRVING

IRVING — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:29:05 +0000

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

By: unhappy

unhappy — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:10:51 +0000

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?

By: not happy

not happy — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:11:41 +0000

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-

By: J williams

J williams — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:38:24 +0000

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

By: amy

amy — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 22:58:37 +0000

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.

By: malcats

malcats — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:22:25 +0000

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.

By: The Changeling

The Changeling — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:43:23 +0000

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.

By: Newbie2

Newbie2 — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:50:07 +0000

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.

By: maybe moving

maybe moving — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:41:41 +0000

*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?