Prospective Park Place Pawnshop! - Near Franklin Avenue.
There is ongoing illegal construction occurring at 641-711 Franklin Avenue (on Park Place near Franklin Avenue) within the same building where the laundromat currently resides. On top of the building is a sign indicating that there will be a pawn shop in the same building. The sign states that pawn shop will buy jewelry, as well as electronics.
The Crow Hill Community Association has issued a petition to stop the construction, as there is fear that the pawn shop will foment even more criminal behavior in the community, and be seen as a space where those who steal can bring the products of their crimes to be redeemed. As I write this, there is a protest at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Park Place occurring.
The men doing the construction were asked about the work and they initially told people that they were building a lawyer's office, but after being asked about the pawn shop sign located on top of the laundromat, they feigned that they did not understand what was being said, as they do not speak English. Also, there are no signs indicating that they have the right to do construction.
The Crow Hill Community Association has issued a petition to stop the construction, as there is fear that the pawn shop will foment even more criminal behavior in the community, and be seen as a space where those who steal can bring the products of their crimes to be redeemed. As I write this, there is a protest at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Park Place occurring.
The men doing the construction were asked about the work and they initially told people that they were building a lawyer's office, but after being asked about the pawn shop sign located on top of the laundromat, they feigned that they did not understand what was being said, as they do not speak English. Also, there are no signs indicating that they have the right to do construction.
Comments
There was an impromptu demonstration in front of the prospective site which was quickly quelled by police officers on patrol. The demonstrators had no permit, and though sympathetic to their cause, the police stated that there could be no demonstration without the appropriate permit. In conversation with them, they made explicit references to pawn shops that exist somewhere on Nostrand Avenue, and the criminal element it attracts. One officer made reference to growing up with a pawnshop near his own home, and essentially seeing the neighborhood thieves steal from people, then send in their lackeys to make the exchange for cash in the pawnshop.
I am no unbiased party here. I do not think the prospect of such an establishment will increase the quality of life in this community. I see this type of business as a subtle incentive for some thieves to break into homes, steal merchandise and sell it conveniently. I used to live near a pawnshop, and it always attracted a questionable element. In addition, the pawnshop will be literally feet away from a methadone clinic, where alcoholics and drug addicts come for counseling and medication. It seems to me the addition of a pawnshop is a variable that will be more a catalyst for crime rather than to mitigate it.
There are certain criteria a pawnshop owner must follow -- insurance obligations, as well as distance requirements from churches and schools. It is my understanding that the Crow Hill Community Association is looking into whether the proprietor satisfies those criteria.
Widespread awareness of the pawnshop became known at yesterday's CHCA meeting held at Launch Pad on Franklin Avenue. The actions taken today were made in response.
It is my understanding that there will be an online petition available at the Crow Hill Community Association website. A paper petition was just made today. In the interim, those who are concerned can call 311 and protest the fact that there is illegal construction occurring; they have no permission to do the construction. Also, we can all alert Leticia James' office. I don't have her contact number handy, but I do believe it is on the 'tree branch breaker' thread.
KWAC, I agree with you, but as of yet, there are no 'We buy gold' signs on that side of Franklin Avenue. I share your sentiment about the difficulty of closing a legal business. I don't think that there is much a protest can do to stop that. It is my hope however, that a petition raises public scrutiny to ensure that the proprietor is following the protocol necessary to open such a business. If our elected and appointed officials are made aware of the community's distaste for such an enterprise, maybe they will ensure to regulate it more closely than they normally would.
Regarding boycotting bodegas, I for one do not go to certain bodegas because of what occurs in them, so yes, why don't we boycott any business establishment that we believe diminishes the quality of our lives?
A liquor store in of itself is nothing to worry about per se, but if its a liquor store, or a bodega, or any local establishment that may or may not cater to patrons who participate in illegal activity, your point seems indicate that it should be protested, permits shouldn't be issued, etc.
I do actually agree that a pawn shop is likely not the best fit for this area, but really, where is the line drawn? Do we protest the 24-hour chicken place, because corner dealers may decide to get some wings at 3:am? Subways run 24/7 in this town, I bet certain types of miscreants make use of it. Let's boycott subways as well.
I started the thread to alert individuals about the plans to build a pawnshop, and we have gone way off topic to bodegas, liquor stores and now fried chicken! LOL. Unlike so many people here I don't just talk the talk. If you have no qualms about the pawn shop, if you don't want to do anything about it, then fine, that is your right.
In many ways, the establishment of yet another pawn shop in Brooklyn is no different than the attempt at establishing the Islamic center at the WTC site. Both parties have the inalienable right to do it. As a resident of THIS community, I am very concerned about the collateral affect of such an establishment. The question remains, how will this affect the area in which it will exist?
But hey, I see your point about how a pawn shop is not a good fit for this neighborhood, respect that opinion, and even (as previously stated) agree with you. We only seem to disagree on an idea I mentioned - that I don't believe someone, anyone, should be prevented from opening a completely legal business just because some local residents don't like the idea of said business in their neighborhood. Which makes protesting its opening not only a-okay in my book but a completely legitimate response.
The thread just lost me on the idea of getting local council people to somehow prevent permits from being issued. Seems like dirty pool.
A liquor store in of itself is nothing to worry about per se, but if its a liquor store, or a bodega, or any local establishment that may or may not cater to patrons who participate in illegal activity, your point seems indicate that it should be protested, permits shouldn't be issued, etc.
MHA could be talking about the bodegas that engage in illegal activity, which several on Franklin do. It's not really about catering to patrons who engage in illegal activity. They have just as much right to use services, just as owners have a right to sell to them.
The reason public policy has determined that these prerequisites are met is to ensure that the integrity (and marketability) of a neighborhood is maintained. I do not own property in this neighborhood. If I did, I would be extremely concerned about the prospect of a 24 hour chicken shack, a bar, or even a grocery store that sells it's wares on the sidewalk. I hold my concern because I know what element pawn shops attract. It isn't pleasant.
Countering an argument that Whynot_31 established in another thread, I am confident that there is a market for what a pawn shop will sell, and buy; however, just because there is a market for ANY good, that alone does not deem it a social good; and ergo my argument against the legalization of drugs. What has to be taken into our consideration is that there are collateral effects associated with all private enterprise, some negative, and some positive. What are the collateral effects of bars? Of garages? Of pawn shops? Of 24 hour chicken shacks?
Where this thread is devolving is to an argument that 'MHA wants to stop private enterprise', and again, that is not what I am arguing here. I ask all who are concerned about the potential negative collateral effects of this pawn shop being on Park Place to please send Ms. James an email, or contact the CHCA for more information.
I urge everyone to stop by launchpad and sign the petition, I think it's well worth it if only to voice your displeasure with the addition of something like this to our neighborhood.
The obvious, of course - Money Laundry.
But also:
Pawned 'n Laun'd
Fold 'n Sold
Gold 'n Fold
Ring Around the Dollar
Pay Dirt
Agitate Le$$
Skid Mark$
Clean Cash
Perspiration & desperation
Mean Clean
Sticky Fingers
Tide and Tickets
Gilt-be-Gone
Worth for Dirt
Thankfully I paid attention in college marketing class, where I learned that no business name is complete without a good tag line..... Here are some ideas for this new enterprise:
"We help with unpleasant stains and ill gotten gains"
"we got all the Gain you need"
"For the Jonesing Domestic"
"Clean and Fiend in One Location!"
"We'll make your brown skid marks AND gold rings disappear"
"Got Crack Damage? We can help with both kinds"
"Bring us your dirty socks and dirty hawks"
And, finally, pawn shop jokes:
Did you hear about the pig who opened a pawn shop? He called it "Ham Hocks".
I will write further about this on the other thread, as it seems appropriate to put it there. I am wondering, however, if others agree with me about the similarity ( or disagree), and I wonder if they can state why (or why not).
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=pawn+shop+11238&fb=1&gl=us&hq=pawn+shop&hnear=Brooklyn,+Kings,+New+York+11238&ei=j_OgTMblMcKB8gbKnNF1&ved=0CCEQtgMwAA&sll=40.685612,-73.960724&sspn=0.085044,0.083381&start=30&t=h&z=11
I will, however, admit that my favorite name and tagline:
Perspiration & Desperation
"Got Crack Damage? We can help with both kinds"
may offend some.
We will be holding a protest/press rally and are working with Councilmember James & the 77th Precinct to set this up. Please do let Councilmember James know how you feel.
We are in the process of fact finding about what possible legal recourse the community might have in opposing the pawn shop and will be developing a strategy accordingly.
It is our understanding, based on information from the pawn shop owner (who has repeatedly lied to the community so take it with a grain of salt), that nothing will be for sale at this location. goods are taken in, cash is dispensed, interest is charged. unclaimed items go up on ebay except for gold which is melted down and sold.
@MHA
It is poor taste and potentially dangerous to put a pawn shop in any residential area (not only a brownstone tree lined block).
it is also a slap in the face to a community that is struggling with criminal street activity, burglaries have been on the rise in the 77th Precinct, especially the west end.
The landlord also tried to put a liquor store where the Chinese restaurant used to be, right next to the alcohol/drug rehab center!!! A pawn shop is not much of a better choice
With respect to the comparison to the Islamic Cultural Center, while in both instances the opposition might be fear based, in the case of the pawn shop the fear is grounded in the direct effect its activities will have on the community as opposed to xenophobia.
While there are clearly things that the Islamic Center might bring to lower Manhattan, we are hard pressed to find ANY advantages in bringing a pawn shop to Franklin Avenue.
We will update you all further as things develop, please email us if you would like to help organize or get petitions signed chca@crowhillcommunity.org