|
This Friday is D-Day in Gerritsen Beach: Halloween! Halloween is trouble for any car, bus, city worker or delivery driver, and of course, any store front on Gerritsen Avenue. Gerrtisen Beach is so notoriously hazardous on Halloween that the MTA refuses to allow the b31 bus to continue past Ave U through the line of fire.
It was interesting to post about last year’s Halloween Mischief and how the 61st precinct responded. The precinct responded by sending patrol cars down Gerritsen Avenue, which were of course pelted with eggs and shaving cream like any other moving object. Not many were arrested last Halloween for the vandalism, and there was significant upset in the community at how little was done by the police to protect property. The former captain of the 61st precinct, Vincent Stella, tried but not hard enough to stop the rambunctious teens.
The new captain of the 61st precinct, Georgios Mastrokostas, took an unusually proactive approach to 4th of July celebrations this year by putting Sky Watch in the middle of Gerritsen Avenue to monitor illegal fireworks. Although I have no official knowledge of how the 61st will deal with Halloween in Gerrtisen beach under the new captian, I’m going to guess they will be equally proactive. If they aren’t agressive in preventing the “mishchief”, then Gerrtisen Avenue will continue to be a mess on Halloween.
Is this typical of Brooklyn or NYC neighborhoods? If not, why Gerritsen Beach?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Why not have the Vollies out on Gerritsen Avenue with a water cannon and hose down the litter brats?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
the vollies will have full crews on call for any emergency if you need us call us no matter what 332-3333
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is ridiculous that we are captives in our own neighborhood, these punks need to be arrested. They have to stop the buses and people have to walk home because of these assholes. I don’t blame the MTA, why should the drivers and buses be moving targets for a gang of out of control mongrels.
The cops need to have the support of the community and stop enabling such bad behavior as many of the parents of these idiots, there is no culpability on the part of these kids. They can do whatever they want with no consequence and when there is a consequence the poor excuse for parents are up in arms. Someone is going to get hurt, they are going to mess with the wrong person and they are going to either get beat or killed, no loss there.
We need to enforce the law and not let these thugs destroy our neighbor and encroach on our rights, how does anyone defend these actions is beyond me.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
you know the cops are not going be able to protect most people and their property,its once a year,,,their kids ,they like it,,,,,they plan for it,,,we all did it,,,now that we are old farts,,its just another thing to complain about,,,,,,use your brain,, and plan ahead to stay off the avenue after dark, the rest is mostly luck and a lot of soap and water……
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Agreeing with GG…
There is way too much “Aww they are just having fun” or “Not my kid.” Halloween night, people will have to walk from Avenue U while dodging eggs & shaving cream because the busses won’t go down Gerritsen. That’s not fun or funny. It is plain pathetic.
Parents, say, “No!” to your kids! Nobody wants to be the bad guy. I use to work in a grocery store. I couldn’t tell you how many times per day a kid would cry that they wanted candy or a treat or a kid was just generally misbehaving and the parent would tell them, “You better stop. The police will come.” My other favorite was always, “The lady said you can’t have it.” And then the parent would look to me for back-up…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This was typical in the 1980s and early 1990s in poorer neighborhoods
(see “The Crow”). The Irish, German and Italians parents I grew up around would not stand for this crap. I’m sorry to say that in Gerritsen, many parents don’t care enough to realize that their kids are acting like degenerate trailer trash. We’re always shaking about the ‘character’ of the neighborhood possibly changing. Maybe other types of Americans should move into the neighborhood to teach the meaning of the words PARENTING and CITIZEN… pathetic. Those who are capable of vandalism are more likely to commit other types of crime. No business or property owner should live in fear of thugs on any day of the year in the USA. I hope the 61 goes to town on this garbage.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
do you really think when kids go out on halloween nite they say ,,,see you later mom,,me and johnny are going to buy 10 dozen eggs and some shaving cream ,,,then go up the avenue and nail anything that moves,,,OK KIDS <<<HAVE A GOOD TIME,,,,
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When we were young we egged & shaving creamed each other – we didn’t destroy the whole neighborhood and make people afraid to go out after dark or inconvenience the entire community by blocking off the avenue so that busses and cars couldn’t pass. Little kids & parents who were trick or treating late (because the parents had to work) were able to do so. What happens now is ridiculous & shameful.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My son is 15 and he will be home this year. This was decided weeks ago. He is not happy with me but he will get over it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I believe parents CAN take precautions – like say “you’re not going anywhere tonight” or “if I CATCH you or even HEAR about you buying, possessing, or even eating, eggs, shaving cream, potatoes (which can injure or even kill an elderly person) or whateverthef*** was thrown that night, your ass is getting an old school BEAT-DOWN.” “If you get arrested, or a summons, I will have the cops beat you in front of me before I beat you in front of them.” Use whatever words you can to let them know you are watching and you care about what happens in your neighborhood. Instill responsibility through fear, tough love, and some common sense for the one or two days out of the year when they act like dangerous buffoons.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
What some kids don’t understand is that even if they are not doing anything dangerous, they are judged by the company they keep.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Somethings never change, I haven’t been in the Beach in over 14 years, and reading some of these comments put me right back into the time when I lived there. The only difference was that the kids use to egg each other and shave cream each other, it was the occasional bigger kids that started the egging of the buses which apparently is now out of control. But like I said, some things will never change and tradition will just keep going on. We tell our grandchildren of these stories, and now living out in the West I ask the kids here what they do on Halloween night, I ask them if they go egging, and they look at me dumbfounded and say…EGGING? what is egging? Anyway it’s fun as long as someone doesn’t get hurt, kids will be kids and do what they want, until mommy or daddy gets the phone call…then it ends. To all you people in Gerritsen…HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!!!! CALL IN THE NATIONAL GUARD!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I will be around taking pictures of both the good and bad.
Just remember that if you have to call 911 for whatever reason, explaining what happened slowly, give a description of the person, where it happen with at least a cross streets, and how long ago they left if they left.
Hopefully nothing serious happens.
police can only do so much…how about the parents keep an eye on there freaking kids and not by them eggs to throw..all thats going to happen is there parents are going to have to come and pick them up from the pct if there under 16…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
yes we all did do it…but we were never this bad i dont remember the buses having to make people walk from 277 to get home…police should be down here on the ave …keeping an eye on things…and its true if you see something call 911 and try to give a description and maybe a direction of flight so it will be easier to grab the kid….but the parents need to do there part also..kids have to much freedom these days and its not fare for the little kids and there parents trick or treating and having to worry about themselves or there child getting hit..the day is for the kids and its not fare for the hard working people having to walk home because these kids are out of control
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes, when we were young we did egg each other. WE WOULDN’T DARE HIT AN ADULT BECAUSE WE’D GET OUR ASS KICKED TWICE! Now there is no fear by the “children” so they do what they want.
I worked in a store in the 80′s & 90′s & for 1 week before halloween NO ONE under the age of 21 could by eggs or shaving cream. Didn’t stop them just slowed them down.
If the parents keep there children home there will be no problem (oh that’s right no fear, kids don’ty listen when parents tell them to stay home)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes this has been happening for years and I think it is pathetic that the MTA can get away with stopping service to the beach because of flying eggs. Are you serious??? The cops had no problem setting up posts and ghetto towers for the fourth of July- if it is sooo dangerous that the MTA is justified in leave people stranded over a mile away from their houses on Halloween why not do the same. The only message being sent to any young person is that it’s ok to do what ever the hell they want. I was on the ave last year at night and while the cops would do an occasional drive by, there was no stationary presence. And as for controlling the kids,.. unless the parents also roam the streets at night that’s just not going to happen. The kids have been stockpiling eggs for a week already because most stores will not sell them on halloween- yea.. been there done that. The difference is we would save our eggs for throwing at people we know. The ones who throw them at cars/busses or people they don’t know should be prepared for the consequences, whether it be a summons, jail stay, or a baseball bat to the head.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
You may be joking about a bat to the head but ONE OF THESE DAYS it just may happen. Piss off the wrong person (someone who doesn’t care about hitting a kid) and see what will happen.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
HEY DEBBIE….ARE YOU KIDDING???? THIS IS A MATTER OF SAFETY; THEY NOT ONLY EGG THE BUSES BUT THE DRIVER WHEN HE OPENS THE DOOR!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I agree with most who say that this is a parental matter, not a police matter.
I remember tossing a few eggs during my youth in Brooklyn. Fortunately it wasn’t that frequent, cause of the fear of my parents kicking the “bejesus” out of me if I got into this sort of trouble. I guess many parents are afraid of the kids calling the NYC Youth services if they gave the kids the whipping that they deserve (Child abuse). But that is a whole different topic for another day.
It was fun playing target practice with cars and busses. It was like fall training for snowball season. Let me offer a suggestion. Provide Free balloons, and a bar of soap. Water balloons filled with soapy water are almost as much fun to throw as eggs, and the soap and water will help to clean things up. Win-Win solution.
No, wait a minute, Hold the Soap; I am sure that there must be some NYC environmental rule against putting soapy water into the storm drain system.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I believe Debbie said that, if it is so dangerous that busses can’t go down the avenue, the police should set up the tower like they did on July 4th.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Bring in the PADDY WAGON……Lock the little and big kids up…Might be a wake up call for the parents…….Having to go bail out your kid may end up making you a better parent……KIDS MIGHT LEARN ,WHEN IN CELL WITH BIG MAN WHO LIKES LIL WHITE BOYS
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
that is not true kids r just having on Halloween but they r right bout da teens they go crazy well all i noe i am goin 2 be good
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
really? That is your comment? REALLY?! No one has any idea what your saying.
Thanks Kate,.. that’s exactly what I am saying. I agree with tc about the paddy wagon too. I just feel it is insane that the city is making good people suffer by giving in to the neighborhood jerk offs. Actually now that I think about it next year who ever is really against all this can join me and we will organize our own neighborhood watch. We can police our own Avenue. Bombing is a part of Halloween.. and yes.. it is fun. Just lay off the busses and cars. It is dangerous and people can get hurt. And I really don’t care if someone unleashes and beats the hell out of some “kid” who hits their car with eggs Anonymous. They will think twice before doing it again.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I agree with caitlin : i noe i am goin 2 be good. BrrrRaaaaahaaaahaaaaaa.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I totally agree that the kids down here are out of control when it comes to Halloween and some thing should be done why not bring back the tower seems it worked on the fourth.
BUT I was just wondering I have been on buses in the years past being bombarded with eggs on holloween, snow and Ice in the winter time only difference it was NOT in
gerritsen Beach but down in other areas of
Brooklyn (I would bet a few bullets have been lodged in those buses also )and do you really think that the Transit
Authority would stop buses in those neighborhoods and make those people walk.. Of course NOT, and why because the people in those neighborhoods would cry racism and everyone would cringe, so WHY do we allow this to happen to our neighborhood.
These kids have been hurling eggs,rocks and snowballs for years, but I never remember that stopping the buses from taking there riders where they have the right to go. They should stop the nonsense and do there job .
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m torn between all these comments, I’ve seen first hand and heard of the things that go on and it’s true, “not my kid” thing, and their is alot of out of control things going on here. But, there are alot of good kids also, they’re not all bad. And if they want to shaving cream their friends, that’s fine with me, I do not agree with bombing buses and innocent people in the street. And yes, I do have children, and if someone told me one of them was doing something that was destructive or hurting someone, they know that they would be in big trouble! So don’t make it seem like all the kids are bad, because they are not, their are alot of good kids around gb, and they should not all be put in one grouped together.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Let me see if I have this right. You think the MTA should just keep the buses running and stop complaining when kids are throwing eggs, potatoes, rocks, and whatever else directly at the bus drivers when they open their doors to let passengers on and off the bus. I think not. Bottom line. “Kids” exhibiting this type of behavior are not just having a little fun, they should be arrested and charges with assault with intent to cause bodily harm. End of story. Stop making excuses to somehow justify “kids” acting like lawless animals.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
PADDY WAGON…..JAIL CELL….LEARNING EXPERIENCE….LESSON LEARNED ….OBEY THE LAW
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
LITTLE TOUGH GUYS [WILL CRAP THERE PANTS] AND LEARN LESSON IN JAIL WITH THE REAL TOUGH GUYS
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
To Anonymous 10/30 11:21pm: I don’t think anyone said that every kid was bad. It’s the groups of delinquents that are a problem & make all the kids look bad. I say, “I hate kids” on a regular basis but that’s a general statement towards kids who suck. There are a lot of great kids in the Beach and I feel bad that things get ruined for them because of a few bad eggs. (Excuse the pun.) It would be phenomenal if the good kids united & stood up against the bad – I bet the good outnumber the bad and could completely overwhelm them.
Now if they just started teaching phonics again…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
these kids do cry like little bitches when there placed in cuffs..trust i know they an’t so tough anymore…i know where i work police are keeping a close eye on the neighborhood today..kids are getting stopped..summons for spitting smoking in the park for anything that just lets them know that police are watches..plus having to watch for other stuff like rumors of the bloods having initiation day today were there targeting women and threats of slashings…so i guess we can be glad we are on this side of brooklyn…but if police start grabbing these kids and writting summones for bull shit and checking them for eggs…it def makes them think twice….
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am a former NYC bus driver and now a supervisor in Brooklyn buses. Parents here in the community are very, very protective of their children (as they should be, of course). Most parents I speak to barely even acknowledge that there is a problem. Instead, they place the blame on outsiders…yes, OUTSIDERS. Could you imagine? We KNOW that the kids throwing the eggs at the buses and vandalizing the brand new bus shelters are not outsiders, they are our own children. I am glad to see that not all of us are burying our heads in the creek (so to speak). Now, that being said, could you imagine the outrage that would present itself if the 61 precinct actually started arresting these kids for throwing eggs at cars and buses. I do not blame the police for not taking action because the fallout against them would be worse. So until we start policing our own kids, we will have to learn to walk home from Ave U, step around the glass at the vandalized bus shelters and roll up our windows while driving down the avenue.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The last couple of years I have been forced to walk home from work because the B31 will not go down Gerritsen Avenue after school lets out.This year I was forced to take 1/2 a day in order to get home before the buses stop running. The bus driver said “A crowd of kids were gathering & getting larger in front of the pizza place which means the buses were going to stop running soon.” As we were driving there was a double parked car in front of the pizza place so the bus driver had to go into on-coming traffic to go around it, then out of the large group of kids ONE kid stepped out to the curb & “THREW A BOTTLE OF SODA” into the windshield of the moving bus which exploded & sounded like a bomb went off. Thank God the bus driver remained in control & didnt crash or YOU —> ******** would be responsible for the murder of all of the innocent hard working Gerritsen Beach residents on that bus that were just trying to get home.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thats disgusting. Hold old is he?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
old enough to know better
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Maybe someone should call the parents of ************ and let them know what he did today after school.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Little ****** is an outsider. Blame them. Actually he should get his head busted open for being such a dumbass. GB you have my permission as ********* dad to bust his head open. Hit him in the head with a 3 litre Coke bottle. While you are at it, bash is trash friends too, they won’t be missed.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hey! anonymous read it again! I did NOT stick up for the kids, I said the MTA should not make senior citizens, or anyone else have to walk a mile to get home after they paid there fare. Let the MTA call the police and complain about the kids but after paying my fare I don’t expect to be told to get off the bus and walk… OK !!!!~
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Im sure that is the reason little **** has his attitude. Maybe his dad if that was his dad should take a different approach. Punish his azz till the cows come home instead of offering him to a linch mob and his friends. Ride him from his friends/ phone etc etc etc.
This year was not to bad but for the most part i see the same faces doing the same crap year after year. I hope these kids and i use kids loosly because 1/2 of them are actually young men. anyway i hope these kids gore up soon.
There are other young men and women the same age fighting a war while you all act like a bunch of idiots.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“paddy wagon” an ethnic slur. If someone called it a Juan wagon or a Leroy wagon people would be up in arms. Call it something else.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Although I agree with avoiding ethic slurs, many folks on this forum however are the first to dish it out. Wake up people, it was an ignorant mick (as it usually is here) that threw a bottle at a moving bus that likely had good hard working Irish passengers in it. Anyone who was there (“kid†or otherwise) and knows who this idiot is should bring this info to the police and whoever claims to be his “parents” – if for any other reason than to defend the culture. LOL
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Since parents don’t have any luck parenting… I say, arrest the little punks… MAYBE that will help the kids get the hint that this behavior is not fun or funny… it is dangerous and unacceptable… that being said, I don’t agree with the stopped bus service because that just makes the kids feel powerful – they’ve WON the battle if the service is stopped…
Throw them all in the pokey and call it a night fellas!
I don’t spend Halloween in GB – I go to Marine Park… it’s safer there, sorry…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
All I can do is applaud this community for the great great great day my wife and daughter had trick and treating. They went to both the old section and new section and came home with about a half of kitchen garbage bag full of candy. She said the neighbors were all out helping kids, giving out candy. There was nothing but smiles.
I’d like to thank anyone and everyone for making the day extra special for my 2 year old, who had the time of her life. I hope the kindness you blessed my family with yesterday comes back to you in spades. I thank you.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
A WAGON IS A WAGON ….YOU MUST OF WENT TO EEO SCHOOL…LOCK THE LITTLE BASTARDS UP IF THEY BREAK THE LAW …..RUN THEM THROUGH THE SYSTEM
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Does this kind of thing happen in neighborhoods like Madison or Midwood? They’re all white, too. I think the term paddy wagon would be appropriate if the police rounded up those kids since I think most of them would be of Irish descent….maybe a smattering of German, Italian or Polish but, mostly Irish.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
NO…I DONT THINK SO…..KIDS HAVE A SAFER LOCATION IN THE BEACH,,,,,,SO PARENTS GIVE THEM MORE LIBERTIES ….WHICH IN TURN MEANS LESS SUPERVISION….THERE ARE MANY WELL BEHAVED KIDS EVEN WITH THE EXTRA LIBERTIES ……BUT LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE THE UNRULY GIVE EVERYBODY A BAD NAME… LOCK UP THE EVIL SO THE PARENTS NEED TO TAKE RESPONABILTY
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
tc, reading all your comments, you seem to be a very angry person. Do you have children of your own? If so, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, you never know what a child will do. If not, you have no idea. No matter how good a parent you are, they have minds of their own. Could any parent truthfully say that every action their child has taken made them proud or every action you have taken while you were a kid made your parents proud? I thing not, its all part of growing up, unfortunately. (Especially the teen years, if you are not yet the parent of a teen, wait and see…)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
marine park is just as bad
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
No anger here ,have a few children…..i try to keep them in activities that consume there time in a positive way……need to build them the proper foundation, so its easier to make the right choices as they get older….[even doing this they can get into mischief]…..got to be a parent first and for most ……its not easy, but HAPPY PARENTING
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don’t think Marine Park is just as bad though, we do have our share of losers. Marine park is more diversified. We have the Orthodox Jews who have decided to move in and I think that’s a good thing. You won’t see their kids spray painting graffiti on people’s private property, breaking bottles, hanging out on street corners or in school yards after dark, defying the police, terrorizing store owners or throwing eggs.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Amen! And we won’t waste the Police Department’s police force either. There still are some more important things going on that may require a police car, but forget about it because all the police cars are in GB. Halloween in Marine Park was great and we didn’t need police cars all over the place.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The people of this neighborhood pay there fair share of taxes…..dam right there should be police patrols…….
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am *********** sister and in response to Dianne’s e-mail, if you did see him throw a bottle at bus his family would appriciate it if you told us in person instead of writing it on the gerritsen beach gossip web site. I am sick of getting phone calls telling me about my brother being blamed for things on a web site. We know he is not an angel and would like to be informed if he is doing these things but this is not the way. Oh and just for the record, the comment from *********** dad is not my father. Just goes to show you you can’t believe everything you read here.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
tc… FYI …..not many people in GB pay taxes, and police “patrol” not babysit.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
FYI….The beach is full of blue coller/city workers who build and maintain this city…..and police patrols are part of all law enforcing programs in the country…..unless u have something to hide, there is not any reason a police car should not be patrolling…ITS THERE JOB…MAYBE U DONT PAY TAXES BUT EVERYONE I KNOW WORKS AND PAYS TAXES
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
tc:
Not many people in GB pay taxes???????????????????? WHAT???
all the GB property owners I know pay taxes if
we did’nt we would’nt be property owners!
The majority of us except for some retirees work everyday and PAY TAXES … WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??
You must be from a neighborhood that gets welfare they are the only people I know that don’t pay taxes!!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
tc…patrol is “one” car…..not four, five or six..for a bunch of losers holding eggs waiting to pelt you or your neighbor…FYI the blue collar city workers don’t make that much money anmore, therefore they don’t pay enough taxes to hog the police patrols.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
PC…..you have no clue about many subjects…..you should not comment on issues you are unfamiliar with…..Again this area pays there fair share of taxes and most are hard workers….and are entitled to public service provided by the city….. FYI…..BLUE COLLAR PEOPLE BUILT AND MAINTAIN THIS CITY…….With out the blue collar workers, you soft white collar workers could not survive in this city.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0