I recently received this email from a reader:
I’m a regular reader of your blog, but not a frequent commenter. However, I did want to reach out to you to see if we can do something about the needless vandalism that continues to happen on Stuyvesant and Chauncy (particularly close to the Utica subway stop and Fulton Park).
I cannot claim to be a long-time resident of Bed Stuy, but it is the only neighborhood I’ve lived in since transplanting from Washington D.C. over 5 years ago. I love the neighborhood vibe, people, kids, burgeoning restaurant scene and architecture. I know my Bed Stuy isn’t the Bed Stuy the life-long residents have known, but it’s now my home and I want to help it continue to grow.
I will also consider myself quite lucky to a) own a car, and b) not have experienced any significant vandalism until recently. In the past 3 months my car windows have been smashed 3 times. (Unfortunately two of these incidents occured on my block, so I don’t feel there is a huge connection with the third incident.) The third incident occurent on Stuyvesant (btwn Chauncy and Fulton Streets) on the park side. Every night I now walk along this strip looking for glass. I’m sad to report… it’s ALWAYS there. This block (and the adjoining park block on Chauncy btwn Lewis and Stuyvesant) are definitely being targeted. It’s a shame. Many of the residents (including myself) do not keep valuables in their cars and cannot afford to be continually replacing the windows.
Yes, I know. It’s NYC. You don’t necessarily need a car. However, I do. For both my job, my husband’s job, and the need to drive to D.C. frequently to visit family members with failing health.
I’m sure I’m not alone in my need for car ownership.
I’m also sure we cannot completely prevent the vandalism (and let’s be honest, the patroling NYPD glorified “golf cart” does nothing for the cause). However, I do think the residents on these blocks might be able to help out in some way. I wonder if anyone would be interested in starting some sort of “block watch”. I’d be willing to bet many of their cars have fallen victim to the same vandalism.
Another reason for writing this email is to get the word out to residents. Avoid parking here, if you can.
Have any of you had your car vandalized on these blocks? What about those of you who have dealt with vandalism in your own area of the neighborhood–were you able to put an end to it? If so, how?
That’s a real shame and senseless. I strongly suggest you and your neighbors go to the Community Board meeting and voice your concerns to the board, police officers and the elected officals who attend.
It’s not happening around the park. About three months ago, I saw 5/6 cars in a row that had there windows smashed on Lewis Ave across from the library.
Oops, that was supposed to read “It’s not JUST happening around the park….”
My brother lives over by Bainbridge and Lewis. He was car-sitting for a friend last year and they broke a window of the car while it was parked on Bainbridge.
In addition to community board meetings, each precinct does have monthly community meetings where you can air concerns and speak to police offers privately if you wish.
Teanickeldime is right about the precinct council. The president is always at the board meetings.
They should put those mobile sky units in the area they are doing it in crown heights around Carrol St they have 7-8 cameras that record activity.Plus it a matter of economics i hate to say because there was not as many broken windows before this got to this point
Um, this is Bed Stuy, not the Upper East Side. This neighborhood is terrible for many of us, not just you. Please follow my lead and move to another, more civilized neighborhood and you will feel much safer. Not to mention the amenities that you have obviously gone 5 years without — a variety of dining options, banks, grocery stores with fresh produce and other healthy foods, pharmacies, movie theaters, bars, and oh, did I mention less crime and noise and pollution and litter and ignorance?
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i second that wow!
The police? Community board? Elected officials?? LMAO! It’s obvious that NONE of those folks are concerned with our blighted neighborhood.
Time to give “Amazed” a time out from this blog! I lived in Fort Greene before moving to Bed Stuy, and our car was broken into so many times on South Portland right by the park that it was laughable. Not once in the 5 years that we’ve lived in Bed Stuy has this happened. So there.
Yes I too have had my car broken into and damaged many times in and around that area as well as on Malcolm X Blvd. Don’t leave a loose dime in sight or your car will be broken into. I changed a small window in the rear of my car so often I got fed up and instead decided put a razor blade on the inside door handle. One day I went and noticed once again the glass was broken and car broken into– but the blood I saw on the car seat brought a smile to my face….
GOOD FOR YOU THOSE WINDOWS GET COSTLY