Dedicated to Gerritsen Beach Offering Current News, Links & Reviews with some Memories
There have been numerous reports floating around the comments here and Facebook about an incident yesterday in Seba Avenue Park.
The incident was that either one or multiple kids from out of the beach tried to intimidate a Beach kid out of his cell phone and there may or may not have been a weapon flashed.
That’s all the information we have at this time. We welcome you to update us all in the comment below. We will update you as we try and get more information.
Parks chasing down Paintballers - Nov 07
I think it is safe to say Gerritsen Beach has an interesting relationship with NYC Parks Department. You would know this if you ever walked your dog, flown an R/C airplane, volunteered for GBCares, went for a walk or even more heavy handed like: built/dug a fort, had a keg/jungle juice party, played paintball, lit a bon fire, rode a quad or dirtbike, or did any other unscrupulous behavior.
The community and the community groups biggest issue is with the Dirtbikes and Quads. They say they dangerous for other motorists, property and pedestrians because the ATV’s (quads and dirtbikes) are usually speeding up and down the courts and avenue uninsured and unlicensed without helmets. While the community kicks and screams to the police department and parks the community usually take an unofficial position of out of site out of mind, meaning stay back weeds, where they would become a Parks Enforcement problem.
In a bit of irony, There was a recent article in the NYTimes highlighting how the Parks Department is training some employees on proper ATV handling. It described how they were kinda-sorta were putting birds in danger in the process. A Parks worker mentioned they saw a killdeer plover nest in the area. He said, “Two of her eggs are broken. I hope we didn’t do it.” Killdeer plovers are ground-nesting birds!
Let’s say this and please pay attention! The community groups are calling for more enforcement for these ATV’s, Councilman Lew Fidler wants more enforcement everyone wants to see more enforcement because of the money being pumped into Seba Avenue Park. More importantly, There is a new Parks Enforcement Captain and there is a new Parks Manager, they both have power they need to flex and they both have a renewed interest in our area specifically enforcement. They will be meeting with the 63rd Precinct to see how they can better step up enforcement and both parks and the NYPD will stepping up their enforcement with the nicer weather. The nicer weather is more or less here and people – maybe you – will be using the back weeds more often. You need to be aware that parks will be looking to summons you, then when you hit the street the police will be waiting for you.
Maybe taking cue from the HEATED and long debates going on here at GerritsenBeach.net, Lew Fidler our city councilman is echoing calls for hearings to investigate alligations of misconduct, even asking for a audit by the comptroller’s office.
“People can misinterpret or misuse statistics all the time,†City Councilmember Lew Fidler told Courier Life. “It just strikes me that the crime statistics we hear are too good to be true.â€
Ladies and gentlemen and boys and girls of Gerritsen Beach,
All of theSeba Avenue Park vandalism has touched a nerve with our community and especially our councilman who is responsible for the funding to build our park.
On Monday, there was a major meeting convined at Lew Fidler request at his office with: Brooklyn South, the 61st and 63rd Precinct’s, the GB Property Owners and GBCares. During that meeting battle plans were drawn up discussed on what kind of enforcement by the police would be taken.
In short, there will be arrests with possible jail sentences, and criminal court summonses for anyone caught in the park after dusk, vandalizing, dealing, etc. More importantly, the police may be bringing in kids for interrogations, to lead to an arrest for the fires, vandalism, etc.
Here is what was read at the last property owners meeting a letter from Lew Fidler:
On Monday, together with your President, John Douglas as President of GB Cares, and with representatives of all our elected officials (Assemblyman Maisel, Senator Golden,. Congressman Weiner), and our Community Board (Terri Scavo) I convened a meeting with the NYPD Both the 61st and 63rd Precincts were represented by their Commanding officers, DI Cangiarella and Captain Mastrokostas. Brooklyn South was represented by Lt. Jimmy Woods. The Parks Department was represented by both outgoing Parks District Manager Alex Mezzatesta, and incoming District Manager Larry Major.
We made it crystal clear to the police officials present that the culture that allows vandalism to this community’s packs must be changed, and changed measurably before
more of our tax dollars are poured into improving our park. Clearly, the mere fact that we had asked for this meeting rattled a few cages. Both precincts reported stepped up efforts and patrols along Gerritsen, including the issuance of 4 summonses by the 63rd for people being in the park when they shouldn’t have been. George confirmed this, having spoken to two of the youngsters who got the summonses.I indicated that the proof will be in the pudding…that we as a community expect results. And let me be clear; by results I mean arrests and possible jail sentences…. or a long term period when there is no vandalism. No park benches destroyed. No fires in our skate packs. No arson in the weeds. No bus shelters being smashed in for sport.
All agreed that a cooperative short must be launched with the community and the police. NYPD agreed to send Community Affairs officers to the schools, and to GB’s faternal organizations like the Knights and the Cort Club to get the message out and to increase presence. All agreed to cooperate in that effort
As always, time will tell. Results will or will not speak for themselves. I do have the assurance from Chief Fox that if this doesn’t work and more needs to be done, it will be
done. I remind each and ecery one of you: whether or not you personally use this park or not, it IS your tax money.I think Gerritsen Beach is entitled to a first class park for use by and for the Gerritsen Beach community For the past 8 years, I have dedicated time and resources to get this accomplished. I know that together we can make this happen.
The Gerritsen Beach Property Owners, took the position of  ”in no way are you going to arrest our kids”. Which was sorta echoed by the police at the meeting who said something to the effect of “Gerritsen Beach is a tight knit community and there is no way they are going to give up there own”. (I don’t know if I should be proud or embarrassed by that statement.)
The position that the GBPOA is taking is the right one, and they are taking action instead of sitting back. They are going to spread the word that the shenagians at the park are no longer tolerated and to at least warn our kids. At the same time, they are organizing kids events at Kiddie Beach, and talking with local businesses to arrange other kids nights, to “start getting them off the streets”.
Lew Fidler is also in the right. It’s his job responsibility to make sure the police are doing their jobs in his communities and to make sure the money he is brining in to build Seba Park isn’t going to literally “burn up“. The threat of arrest’s, if they happen, are also just. That park has had a bad year, and when you couple that with bus shelters – those two are our community’s major quality of life issues and it’s been that way for years and it needs to end.
Spread the word, use the park as it’s intended, and don’t be in there at night.
Listen up and Listen good.
Gerritsen Beach is seriously angry and residents are not going to take it any more. In the works is what I am calling an “all out offensive” against the vandals who are dismantling in OUR park.
To stop this vandalism “once and for all”, Councilman Lew Fidler is bringing together the 61st, the 63rd and Brooklyn South to combat the vandalism at Seba Avenue Park.
The Councilman is calling upon residents of Gerritsen Beach to be as angry and upset at “local children” as he is and take action. He is asking residents to figure out a way to stop the vandalism at Seba Avenue Park. Which will all be discussed ASAP.
He cited that one of the major problems is the dividing line of the 61st and 63rd precincts.
Here is the thing (vandals should take close note of what is saying). We are a small community and people with positions within the community ALREADY KNOW WHO YOU ARE. Now a city councilman is bringing together three precincts because of the fires, broken trees, benches, carved swastikas that YOU caused. At this point it may already be too late for some of you the rest can head this warning: NO MORE DESTROYING THE PARK and make sure no one else is going to.
There are going to be no more warnings, it sounds like lots of summonses and arrests with a massive show of force.
Although we pointed out that the Seba Avenue is just senseless vandalism and not some bias incident.
After a bit of research it turns out that Etching, painting, drawing or placing a swastika on public or private property without permission, along with cross-burning, are considered felonies punishable by up to four years in prison. Really? Yes really!
On top of that, the police have been issuing “a few” summonses to people in the park after “closing”.
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!
The Plumb Beach Belt Parkway Rest Stop is no longer being locked on a regular 7 day a week basis. More often than not the Plumb Beach Rest Stop isn’t locked up at closing allowing it to be populated at the early morning hours.
It only took 2 and a half years for the police to start forgetting why they need to lock up the Plumb Beach rest stop.
The rest stop is infamous for the October 2006, Michael J. Sandy hate crime death. Where local teens Anthony Fortunato, 20, John Fox, 19, Ilya Shurov, 20, and Gary Timmons, 17, robbed and then caused Sandy’s death when he was struck by a car. They were all charged with Manslaughter, Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, and Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, all counts were hate crimes. Three of the four were sentenced Anthony Fortunato (21), 7 to 21 years, John Fox (20), 13 to 21 years, Ilya Shurov (21), 17 1/2 years
The 61st precinct had assumed responsibility for the nightly lockup since that crime. Technically, they didn’t have to since the rest stop is the Parks Department responsibility. Parks either due to lack of man power or stupidity never locks up this rest stop.
Now, the 61st is no longer guaranteeing a constant nightly lockup.
Amazing.
The Background:
After exchanging emails about having sex, Fortunato arranged to meet Sandy at Plumb Beach, a rest stop and popular cruising location on Belt Parkway in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn.
Shortly after Sandy arrived, witnesses saw two young white men approaching his car. At that time, Sandy was confronted by two of the young men, who began looking through his vehicle. Shurov pulled Sandy from the car and began punching him.
Attempting to escape, Sandy ran toward the highway. He appeared to be calling for help on his cell phone Two of his attackers caught up with him in the right lane of the highway. Shurov pursued Sandy across the guard rail, caught up with him in the right lane, and punched him. Sandy backpedaled into the middle lane, and was struck. One of the attackers dragged Sandy back to the side of the road. Shurov was seen rifling through Sandy’s pockets after he was struck.
Thanks for everyone who sent this in!
For a good amount of time (1-2 hours) one of the nypd aviation unit helicopters, were chasing multiple dirtbikes up and down back weeds. As well as multiple police cars flying up and down gerritsen avenue.
This afternoon happened to be crowded on the Avenue and there were about three baseball games who were constantly being buzzed by the chopper
all three of the games gerritsen avenue also had a good amount of police cars.
No word on arrest, but some or all of the dirtbikes were seen being taken away, by police.
Tools being used by Gerritsen Beach Cares volunteers and staff have been stolen from their containers.
The equipment stolen includes: Weed Wackers, a speaker system, other maintenance tools..etc. Totaling a few thousand dollars.
If anyone knows where these tools are or who actually perpetuated the crime please call the 63rd Precinct as soon as possible.
If you can volunteer or can donate new ones, call GBCares at 718-648-3745.
You could always call GBCares if you know who stole these items, so they could be beaten talked to.
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Property Owners Meeting Roundup:
Gerritsen Beach has had a rough past few weeks, and who knows if it’s over yet. As a community we’ve had 4 arsons in the past couple of weeks! Usually you don’t get that in a month. All of the fires including: Seba Avenue Park, all of the Weed Fires, and the House on Gerritsen Avenue are all being investigated as arson.
Seba Avenue Park has been a tipping point of in all of this fire related crime. Everyone is mad as hell and demanding heads (arrests).
The police are investigating, fire marshals are investigating, and our councilman Lew Filder is “pissed off” demanding swift arrests for the fire at the park. He wants more fire marshals to come in and to investigate Seba Avenue Park. He compared what’s going on now to Bushwick in the 60′s and 70′s.
Councilmen Filder should be “pissed” after all it was his money that built our park. He will hopefully keep the pressure on for arrests and pressure a swift repair.
Lew Fidler who didn’t actually see the damage to the park said it could cost as much as a million dollars to fix. I hope that number is wrong, but if that’s the case, we will not get our park fixed. Even if we did that money will be coming out of somewhere, maybe the “Phase 2″ money which was supposed to give us bathrooms at the park.
The 61st Precinct said that the fires are completely out of line and that they are only hurting the community. They continued, that if they know Gerritsen Beach, someone knows who did it, someone saw who did it, someone knows something. They have faith that someone will SOON come forward with information. It sounds like if this person is caught, the culprit will be coining the term “to the fullest extent of the law”.
Paintballers:
Well not to be overshadowed, by the fires, or the ATV’s from last month, this month 7 paintballers showed up to the most recent property owners meeting to say their peace and to see what could be done to help them. Apparently, they were very polite, well spoken, quiet, didn’t threaten anyone, and impressed a lot of people. It will be looked into what can be done to help them.
Lew Filder, said that he did not know enough about paintball, the parkland use, and would have to look into it. The paintballers are holding onto hope that they may have a chance to get something done.
If you know something say something, call the 61st, tell a parent, enough is enough with all of this crap.
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Via The Bay News
Recently released crime statistics show that over the past month burglaries in the 61st Precinct jumped by 68 percent. Officials said that in November 2007, residents in Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Homecrest and parts of Midwood told police that 25 residential and commercial break-ins occurred in their neighborhoods. This last month, 42 burglaries were reported, officials said.
Most of the burglaries involved apartments or homes, officials said.
Yet, while burglaries are on the rise, the number of robberies in the command, which had grown steadily since the beginning of the year, fell over the last month, by nearly 12 percent.
Police said that 15 robberies took place in the 61st Precinct this past November, two less than the 17 that took place in November 2007.
Officials said that a good portion of those robberies were teen-on-teen thefts and usually involved a cell phone being taken by force.
Jumps in teen-on-teen theft have been seen by many of the NYPD commands surrounding the 61st Precinct, including the 62nd Precinct in Bensonhurst and the 63rd Precinct in Marine Park, officials said.
To combat the situation, Captain George Mastrokostas, the commanding officer of the 61st Precinct, started an initiative to encourage teens to always be aware of their surroundings when they are either using their phones or texting their friends.
Cops are also encouraging residents, particularly teens, to get their iPods and cell phones registered with the NYPD — a move that will make the electronic devices less desirable to thieves.
The plan worked and robberies in October and November began to wane.
Mastrokostas told members of the 61st Precinct Community Council Wednesday that he was re-doubling their efforts to combat burglaries in the neighborhoods under his protection.
He also explained that sometimes the simplest precautions, such as making sure that your windows were not only closed but locked, could go a long way to prevent one from becoming a burglary victim.
The 61st Precinct has seen a nearly six percent rise in burglary this year.
Overall felony crime was also up, by just over seven percent, officials said.
Anyone wishing more tips on how to burglar-proof their home can contact the (718) 627-6611.
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Seba Avenue skate park has been fixed up, but for how long?
It looks as though on or around Thursday, July 24th, Seba Avenue Park was cleaned up by the Parks Department. Litter was removed and the graffiti was covered. That’s it. Thanks.
According to local skaters the park is falling apart. They absolutely hate the broken glass everywhere and usually clean it up themselves. The park has other problems, like major flooding and the “quarter bowl” (showed above) is slowly chipping away. The skaters also said they did everything they could possibly do with tricks in a month.
They also seem pretty annoyed that they only got half a skate park.
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The 63rd precinct Night Out Against Crime!
All of the area’s local civic groups were there including: Bergen Beach Civic, Fraser Civic, Mill Basin Civic, and Flatlands Civic.
There were rides from advark amusements, a huge spread of food, as well as pizza from La Villa, and Lenny and Johns.
There was supposed to be a parade around the block with all of the groups involved led by the Gerritsen Beach Marching Band, but the band was waiting for the groups to line up. Since no one did, they left without the 6 groups.
The “25th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).
Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 35 million people participated in National Night Out 2007.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
As the 4th approaches, cops are arresting against anyone found selling and possessing illegal fireworks.
Since May, cops have been encouraging residents to report on anyone dabbling in illegal fireworks.
Currently, cops have the authority to close businesses and confiscate cars if fireworks are found inside them, officials said.
Last year, the NYPD were seizing the cars of people who travel out of state to get their Fourth of July fireworks by staking out Pennsylvania vendors.
A $1,000 reward is being posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone found possessing or distributing fireworks.
Anyone who knows someone storing or selling fireworks can contact 311. Those witnessing fireworks being set off can call 911.
Village Voice Names GBnet as Best Blog
