Why did the NYC Parks Department, the Post and Parks Manager Alex Mezzatesta exaggerate a non-situation in Gerritsen Beach?
This was going to be a post straight up about how the missing benches that were uprooted were found. GerritsenBeach.net got word early last week that they were located but due to inclimate weather we had not gotten a chance to get up there to confirm and take some pictures. Shortly thereafter Parks manager Alex Mezzatesta located them and spread the word that he found a “3 foot by 3 foot” swastika on a bench. Sparking the NY Post to put up yet another GB bias incident in their blotter. Here is what they said:
Police are investigating a possible bias incident in which a swastika was scrawled on a park bench in Gerritsen Beach.
A city Parks Department supervisor spotted the 3-foot by 3-foot swastika drawn with black marker on the bench at Seba and Gerritsen avenues at about 11:45 a.m. last Tuesday.
Shenanigans! After now two trips to these missing benches and looking at all of the benches in the park it is apparent that there is currently no and never was a 3 foot square swastika is anywhere. Where would you even fit a 3 foot swastika!?
However, to be fair there was a 2-inch swastika on a single plank of one bench. It must of shrunk in the cold (Zing!). If you think about who is taking these benches and what they are being used for. You are talking about an adolescent group. Do you really think that age group has any idea what that symbol means or represents? Of course not. They don’t even really understand 9-11.
What the REAL story is… That the benches were taken from their locations and used as benches for “parties” in clearings in the weeds. The typical jungle juice/keg parties that have been around since the year of the flood.
We are as appalled by the the thought a of a swastika regardless of size but to exaggerate the size for whatever purpose is wrong. Why would the parks department feel its necessary to exaggerate the size. You decide!
Great Job with the story. This is the truth that we all deserve.
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@Juicy Plumb,
What does that mean?
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@Mad Hatter, Read the bench. I was being facetious.
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@Juicy Plumb, it’s redi is gay learn to read
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It MUST be true if it’s written on a bench!
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It says ReDi is gay.
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Looks like a good place to have a drink.
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Redi is a kid from Celeste court. They should look into that. He obviously is pme pf the kids hanging out there.
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is he gay?
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@, Flaming
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@, maybe some one should not give out where people live on the internet
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There are also kids that need to be told to stop vandalizing our community. You will not be ratted on if youre not abusing our neighborhood.
If you are all going in the weeds and having parties like alll the adults did when they were kids then noone would bust your chops. If you want to get messed up then come out of the weeds and abuse oru community then you need to be charged or pics should be posted so everyone can know who you are and what you are about.
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Your adolescence is showing: The benches are city property and the value, removal and damage–according to a Parks Dept. official–is over $ 10,000. That is grand larceny, not a felony. Unfortunately, “kidding around” with friends is against the law, when it is in the form of graffiti on public property.
There is a “Swastika Law” that was enacted in NY under Gov. Pataki, that can be punishable with a jail sentence “up to 4 years”. In the eyes of those who don’t share your sense of humor, two hate crimes were committed. Even the ACLU questions the legality of the swastika law, but it hasn’t been challenged. Do one of you kids want to challenge that law? If so, you might suggest your parents mortgage the house to meet the legal expense.
Two boys were whining about getting a ticket for being “across the avenue” after 10 pm the other night. Like it or not, it is a city park, and there is a law about when you must be out of a park. It’s about time the 63rd Precinct started enforcing that law.
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I know that the kids don’t have anywhere really to hang out. Most parents don’t want a large group in their homes. We all hung out at parks,beaches, etc. when we were kids so I understand why they are there. It was illegal then too. I just don’t understand why they would deface their own neighborhood and put themselves at risk for getting into huge trouble. So not worth it…Not only are they defacing their community they are ruining it for themselves because now they will have nowhere to hang out. Sounds kinda dumb to sabotage yourself.
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The benches should stay where they were intended to be. There are parents who come to that park with their children and as taxpayers, are entiltled to sit on a bench that was put there for them. WIth missing benches, it makes our park look ghetto. I don’t think the cops should bust chops for being in the park at night as long as the kids leave it as they found it but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Writing on the benches makes the park look low life.
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whats good about them if their writing swastikas and other shit all over them, and moving them from where they belong!
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All “hate crime” laws are unconstitutional and unAmerican by definition. You can punish me for assaulting
you how ever you cannot punish me for hating you. My beliefs are protected by the 1st amendment motive may be substituted for belief. You may punish me for writing on the school house wall but what I choose to write is protected by the our constitution. The more unpopular the thought or symbol the more strenuously it should be protected. I find it strange that the ACLU has not challenged hate crime laws since they are ,as I believe, aimed at punishing people for what they think.
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Maybe the benches were moved to the woods because Redi wanted privacy while going through his “Deliverence” routine. The guys waiting their turn needed a place to rest. Chip in and get a room guys!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. – Redi does have a pretty mouth.
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stop bugin i dont chill there but thts were the loosers with no life chill in the freezing cold when there all despret to drink, if thats what they wanna do then so be it leave em alone and redi aint gay lol & maybe the asshole whos giving out where he lives should shutup becuase you got ya info all rong buddy!
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and these keg and jungle juice partys have been going on for fuckin years my friend!!!!! we aint dumb all our parents partied in ap i guess it the beach rat thing to do =]
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[...] benches that were stolenfor keg parties were also FINALLY [...]
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