Summer is here- first shooting of the season — Brooklynian
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Summer is here- first shooting of the season

homeownerhomeowner
edited May 2014 in Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
About 6:45 this morning  on Park Place and Nostrand in front of the women's entrance to the mosque. The victim was shot in the leg and the police showed up after about 10 minutes. A couple of good samaritans came by and tied a tourniquet on his leg to stop the bleeding until the police and ambulance came.

I heard he was approached in front of the store by a guy, but its not clear how they got across the street or why he was shot. There was an after hours party at Secrets, so these might have been folks who started something in there, then brought it out on the street. The ambulance carted him off by 7:30.

Be safe people. 

Comments

  • newguy88newguy88
    I'm out of town so I missed this. However, secrets seems to attract a rought crowd. I also suspect they stay open past 4 am. I've seen people getting into fights in front of it around 6:30.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Despite a decrease in frequency, an uptick in shootings does seem to mean that summer has arrived.

    I wonder if there will be few enough to maintain just one thread, that we update as the season goes on.

    I hope so.
  • newguy88newguy88
    I suspect at least in Western Crown Heights this will be a better summer.
  • homeownerhomeowner
    Detectives are canvassing the neighborhood and said that the reason the bus was on the corner was because two other boys (one of whom was only 16) were shot on Nostrand near the front of the mosque a few weeks ago. I wonder if there is yet another minor turf battle underway?
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    In my mind, "turf worth being fought over" usually (but not always) means that the turf is income producing.

    In my view, the drug trade on Nostrand meets that criteria; It is still pretty vibrant.

    It is a little more discreet than it was in prior years, but a trained eye can still see it going on during the daylight hours.
  • prospectnostrandprospectnostrand
    I can confirm that Secrets is open that late, at least 6AM most weekend nights.

    They serve "breakfast" so they are open for the breakfast crowd.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    The North Bronx seems to having a surge in violence, along with speculation regarding the causes:

    http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/nyregion/killings-surge-in-north-bronx-testing-new-police-tactics.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0&referrer=

    It seems like all of the regular factors are present, complete with commenters who want to blame the reduction in Stop and Frisk.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited May 2014
    Via NYPD:

    "Police are looking for the gunman who shot a 34-year-old man in the leg early Sunday morning in Crown Heights.

    According to police, the victim was shot once in the left leg in front of 837 Park Place between Nostrand and New York avenues at around 6:24am.

    The victim was taken to Kings County Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

    The shooter’s identity is unknown, and he remains at large. Detectives are investigating.

    Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the person responsible for the shooting, please contact the 77th Pct Detective Squad at 718-735-0662, or call CRIME STOPPERS at 800-577-TIPS for a reward up to $2,000 for an anonymous tip that can lead to the arrest and indictment of a violent felon."
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    From reading these posts, it sounds like it is an open "secret" that Secrets causes some problems. Is there anything we can do to get more of a police presence on that corner? A few afternoons in the past week, I have noticed that there is a beat cop hanging out on the corner of Park and Nostrand, but that does not address the early morning issues. Can the Community Board be helpful, or is it solely to the Precinct that you must complain about your unhappiness with the summer violence?
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    One does not have to utilize solely the 77th Pct to complain.

    CB8 will receive such complaints and could bring them to the Pct, or the SLA: http://www.brooklyncb8.org/contactus.php

    One could also contact the SLA directly: http://www.sla.ny.gov/register-a-complaint

    Note, summer violence in NYC is not always driven by a bar breaking the SLA rules. Therefore, the above entities aren't going to necessarily put a lot of attention on Secrets. A pattern needs to be established.
  • homeownerhomeowner
    Also, Secrects doesn't seem to be open on any particular schedule. There are weekends that it is shuttered and then it will be open only Friday and Saturday nights for a week or two. Over the years I've thought they were out of business several times only to have them operating again on the next big holiday weekend.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    Yes, it strikes me as mostly being a special events venue.    One of those pop up clubs that markets itself via glossy postcards that I am never handed, and via media that I do not frequent.

    (note, music autoplays when you click)

    ....one of those places that open up on Friday night about the same time I am going to bed.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014 
    It looks like the area around Nostrand had a shooting tonight as well:


    6/2/2014 10:14 p.m.|-73.9471364,40.6759616| Shooting |POLICE| 1120 Bergen St & New York Ave <br> Brooklyn, NY|BROOKLYN * SHOOTING* (77 PCT) 1120 BERGEN ST & NEW YORK AVE. PD O/S WITH A MALE SHOT, NOT LIKELY. REQ EMS. MNS493   (c) [MNS225]|1401761641|MNS
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    BTW, I've decided to compile all of the shootings in the 77th Pct that I become aware of on this thread:   http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/comment/548604#Comment_548604

    I'll list them there regardless of where they happen within the pct.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    @homeowner

    It looks like you were spot on with your suspicion that the May 18th shooting was linked to Secrets.

    A bouncer is under arrest. The police are going to try to close it as a result of this incident, and many other complaints:

    http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140613/crown-heights/police-seek-close-nightclub-after-bouncer-is-arrested-for-shooting
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    I'm always sorry to see a business go under, but I admit, I will be happy when Secrets finally closes its doors. If this is how your bouncer behaves...
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    When it first opened in 2007, it served meals and readers really seemed to like it:

    http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/39465/secrets-restaurant-opens-at-last-on-nostrand-park-plprosp-/p1

    Over time, it seems to have become exclusively a nightclub - private events space.
  • newguy88newguy88
    Did anyone else hear the fireworks or gunshots followed by shouting somewhere around Park and New York around midnight tonight? I heard a couple sirens and an ambulance just flew by my window. So I'm inclined to believe gunshots. Anyone else hear or see anything?
  • greggreg
    Yep, pretty sure those were gun shots. I saw one man (seemingly innocent bystander) taking cover behind a van, another individual running towards the shooting, and then one or two other people walking towards that direction.
  • newguy88newguy88
    Summer is truly hear isn't? 
  • tateinbktateinbk
    I just heard them quite clearly, but the sirens seemed much further off.  
  • tateinbktateinbk
    Here's a different one I'm assuming.  
    500 St Johns Place Crime scene being established in regards to a male shot, EMS requested on a rush.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Summer is truly hear isn't? 
    There is some sad irony in spelling it "hear".
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    @newguy88
    @greg
    @tateinbk

    You likely heard the shots that killed this guy, around midnight last night:

    http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140616/crown-heights/man-shot-death-crown-heights-fdny-says

    926 Prospect Place

    The police probably were called by several people, but weren't able to determine the source last night....

    I have added it to the shooting compilation thread: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/38855/let039s-talk-about-the-violence-in-eastern-crown-heights#Item_65
  • tateinbktateinbk
    It would have helped if the downstairs tenants had called since they could categorically determine where the shots were coming from.  It seems unlikely that I would have heard gun shots that happened in a kitchen blocks away though.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    It seems like greg and newguy may live closer to the location than you.

    The neighbors not calling to police may be due to:

    A. People thinking that others called.

    B. People not wanting the police indiscreetly knock on their door, and say "you reported gunshots, we found a guy shot. Did you see anyone run away?"

    C. Lots of other reasons.
  • greggreg
    What I heard sounded much closer to me (on Park Place) than something inside a house on the opposite side of the block. It could certainly be related, for example a retaliation for earlier shootings.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    I won't try to tell you what you heard.

    ...but will say that gunshots are very loud, and (given that it was a nice summer night) the deceased and you may both have had your windows open.
  • nothinlikeabklyngirlnothinlikeabklyngirl
    I'm assuming that was also the cause of the chopper that was hovering this morning around 9am.
  • newguy88newguy88
    @whynot31 thats possible. 

    The real question becomes why didn't the neighbors who must have heard it not call 911? I don't get not wanting to get involved. It happened in your building your already involved!
  • tateinbktateinbk
    I get why not wanting be become involved, but a call could have been made anonymously.
  • sunnyfridaysunnyfriday
    edited June 2014
    Unfortunately, when everyone thinks someone else will call the police, no one actually calls. This is such a common phenomenon that it has been studied and labeled by psychologists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

    People usually don't want to get involved in legal business if they don't have to. Also, @whynot_31 makes a good point by saying "The neighbors not calling the police may be due to...people not wanting the police indiscreetly knock on their door, and say 'you reported gunshots, we found a guy shot. Did you see anyone run away?'"

    Do you really know what you're getting into when you report something to the police?

    @tateinbk says that a call could have been made anonymously. Can someone post how one can go about making an anonymous call? Is there a tip line or something?

    Thank you
  • homeownerhomeowner
    edited June 2014
    I think I can clear some of this up. There was a gun discharged on the Park Place block nearer to the corner of New York just after midnight. No cops ever showed up, so my assumption was that no one was injured. This followed an earlier incident on the corner near Nostrand where someone brandished a weapon, causing a bunch of people to flee up the block. No shots were fired, and again I'm guessing no one called the cops.

    I'm a little surprised that 1) the Imam at the mosque allows drug dealing to take place directly outside of their doors, especially since its right near the woman's entrance; 2) even though there have been a number of shootings at that corner as well as fights on the block between Nostrand and Rogers - that corner is not constantly patroled by cops on foot patrol; 3) a block which houses a sitting member of the state legislature gets so little attention from the police.

    There are signs hanging on the block about a block association meeting this week (I think it's Thursday night) at the day care center in the next block. The cops sometimes show up to those (as well as the drug dealers). May be worthwhile to go hear what folks are talking about.

    As for the Prospect Place shooting, that seems to follow a developing pattern of older guys (30-60's) getting into dustups in their homes and being killed. I've heard of three or four cases of this in the last couple of years.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    "There was a gun discharged on the Park Place block nearer to the corner of New York just after midnight"

    By assuming only one instance of gunfire (the one that killed the guy in his apartment) on a given night, it seems I was very optimistic.
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    How can we get more beat cops assigned to the problematic corners, such as nostrand and park and nostrand and prospect place? I'm surprised that the imam at the mosque AND the key foods owner allow so much open drug activity and loitering around their establishments. I've called the precinct and left messages with a request for more patrols, but I doubt I have been listened to.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    I have found that the best way to get the police to allocate resources is to convince them that the drug dealers they move elsewhere won't merely be replaced by other drug dealers.

    This makes the NYPD avoid a sense of futility.

    Perhaps local landlords and neighborhood do gooders could make the requests and assure the NYPD that they would help them in their efforts.

    It worked on Franklin Avenue.
  • greggreg
    > "Can someone post how one can go about making an anonymous call? Is there a tip line or something?"

    @sunnyfriday You can call 911 to report the emergency, then when they ask you for your contact information just say that you would like to remain anonymous. They won't ask anything further.
  • prospectnostrandprospectnostrand
    How long would a closing of Secrets take?
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    The answer depends on how much the NYPD has its act together.

    The owners of Secrets will get a variety of hearings at the SLA to argue their case that they should not be held responsible for the actions of the bouncer, and that the noise complaints were made by people who want a silent city.

    I think a pet supplies store would work there.
  • mike dunlapmike dunlap
    I have found that the best way to get the police to allocate resources is to convince them that the drug dealers they move elsewhere won't merely be replaced by other drug dealers.

    This makes the NYPD avoid a sense of futility.

    Perhaps local landlords and neighborhood do gooders could make the requests and assure the NYPD that they would help them in their efforts.

    It worked on Franklin Avenue.
    My landlord went to the police precinct a few blocks away so many times one of the officers there gave him his personal cell phone # and told him to give it out to the building residents.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Readers: I believe the above poster stated previously that he lives near Union and Franklin, an area that now has lots of police presence.

    Does your landlord feel the police are acting in response to his requests, and those of other people with same interests?
  • bklyn50bklyn50
    I thought that 800.577.TIPS(8477) was the acknowledged way to make an anonymous report of a crime.
    Information provided through "e-tips" is secured
    over the internet through an encrypted system. After submitting their
    tip, users of the email form will receive a tip identification number.
    Users should save the tip ID and call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-800-577-TIPS
    (1-800-577-8477) for a status on the tip.



    If the tip provided by a caller leads to an arrest and indictment of an
    individual responsible for that crime, the user is then eligible for a
    reward up to $2,000. The award is paid through the New York City Police
    Foundation, an independent organization dedicated to promoting public
    safety in New York City.



    Individuals calling, emailing or texting to CRIMESTOPPERS do not reveal
    their identities and cash rewards distributed by the Police Foundation
    are always received anonymously.
  • bklyn50bklyn50
    The cynicism and snark of naming this thread is deplorable and hints at a spirit of hopelessness.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    I've always considered the tip line and website as resources for after the fact. ...For use once the police, the ambulance or medical examiner have left the scene.
  • homeownerhomeowner
    Actually, what's deplorable is the fact that a group of healthy young men choose to shoot at each other whenever they have a dispute rather than find some other way to manage their disagreements.

    What's deplorable is that the people that love them turn a blind eye to these activities as well as their selling illegal drugs to others in the community and yet are the first to show up in greek chorus when one of these men is struck down.

    What's deplorable is all the fine upstanding citizens that participate in precinct council, community board, block association meetings and the like, but don't seem to be able to affect any change on these corners where open and notorious drug activities occur.

    What's deplorable is that the police whose job it is to stop illegal activity can't seem to figure out that the same guys who hang out on the same corner every day for years, and for whom neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds might actually be involved in something illegal.

    Yeah, all that is deplorable.
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    Actually, what's deplorable is the fact that a group of healthy young men choose to shoot at each other whenever they have a dispute rather than find some other way to manage their disagreements.

    What's deplorable is that the people that love them turn a blind eye to these activities as well as their selling illegal drugs to others in the community and yet are the first to show up in greek chorus when one of these men is struck down.

    What's deplorable is all the fine upstanding citizens that participate in precinct council, community board, block association meetings and the like, but don't seem to be able to affect any change on these corners where open and notorious drug activities occur.

    What's deplorable is that the police whose job it is to stop illegal activity can't seem to figure out that the same guys who hang out on the same corner every day for years, and for whom neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds might actually be involved in something illegal.

    Yeah, all that is deplorable.
    Yes, all of this. Especially the last paragraph on the police. How hard is it for them to send clear troublemakers on their way?

  • newguy88newguy88
    @crownheighster I've only had a few interactions with the NYPD over the years. Only in one can I remember think the officer was both polite and professional. It's my opinion a lot of the NYPD's officers are doing everything possible to reach retirement while doing the least amount of work possible. I once watched a couple officers tell a group of people who hang out in front of a building a little west of me to disperse. They dispersed to in front of my building. Apparently the cops were cool with this and drove off. I, however, wasn't happy with this compromise. 

    @bklyn50 Some of us use snark, sarcasm and humor to help us handle and process painful situations. Situations such as repeated shootings. Plus this is the internet and, as you know, no one is ever sarcastic ever snarky on it. ;) 

    Trust me we take these things very seriously. I have called 911 to report shootings or a couple situations that I thought could end in gunfire. I have the precinct's number saved and have called on a couple of occasions. I keep a constant eye on my block especially during the summer. Short of going to CB meetings, which I really should do, I'm doing everything I can. Many people here are doing the same. Yet, I believe given the current situation and the NYPD's lackadaisical approach to urban policing a healthy sense of cynicism is warranted. So let us have our snark and cynicism. 
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I am not ready to blame the police for people not turning around their own lives.

    I think one of the best times to reach them is when they are about be sentenced. At that moment, we can offer them addictions treatment, mental health services, job training and education AND they might be willing to give it a shot to avoid incarceration.

    The Fortune Society pursues such strategies.

    https://www.facebook.com/fortunesociety?ref=stream
  • newguy88newguy88
    @whynot_31 I don't blame them for others not changing their ways. I do blame the NYPD for their continual and staggering incompetence. 
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Whether we like it or not, competence of a police force seems to be largely measured by a declining crime rate + high profile arrests.

    C = dcr + hpa

    They are excelling.
  • mike dunlapmike dunlap
    Readers: I believe the above poster stated previously that he lives near Union and Franklin, an area that now has lots of police presence.

    Does your landlord feel the police are acting in response to his requests, and those of other people with same interests?
    He just recently started doing this. Our building had clearly become the place that was going to be the main hangout for this summer... so the all-night partying and dealing in our lobby was getting out of control. I'm on the ground floor so it is right outside my door.

    He just started handing out the police officer's personal number this week. Not sure if it is related but the party has suddenly disappeared. We'll see if that lasts.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I wish him luck.

    He may want to sign up for the "clean halls" program that allows the police to enter the building common areas without a tenant based complaint.
  • bklyn50bklyn50
    homeowner said:
    Actually, what's deplorable is the fact that a group of healthy young men choose to shoot at each other whenever they have a dispute rather than find some other way to manage their disagreements.

    What's deplorable is that the people that love them turn a blind eye to these activities as well as their selling illegal drugs to others in the community and yet are the first to show up in greek chorus when one of these men is struck down.

    What's deplorable is all the fine upstanding citizens that participate in precinct council, community board, block association meetings and the like, but don't seem to be able to affect any change on these corners where open and notorious drug activities occur.

    What's deplorable is that the police whose job it is to stop illegal activity can't seem to figure out that the same guys who hang out on the same corner every day for years, and for whom neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds might actually be involved in something illegal.

    Yeah, all that is deplorable.


    end quote

    I'm a homeowner, also. I attend precinct council meetings and am a member of CB8. I have raised three children in this community, and they are all leading successful adult lives. I constantly try to affect change by lobbying my local politicians. I have been fortunate enough to see changes by using the process of "law & order"; the creation of legislation, the application of the law by the police force, and the adjudication in the courts. Unfortunately, people are in charge of that process, and never are we all perfect or expedient. And "I" realize that change can only occur when WE all work together.

    If you want to see a change in people who are gripped in poverty, who don't realize that they CAN be part of a viable society, look to the root cause - Money. The love of money is the root of all evil (or so the bible says). The disenfranchisement of the poor by removing funding from education, health (including mental health) and decent housing are major root causes of the madness that is evident on our streets. The recent article by Ta-Nehisi Coates in the June 2014 issue of "The Atlantic" deals with many of the root causes.

    A few months ago I posted on NYNOW the following, in response to our mayor's request for funding for Universal Pre-K:

    Whose universal pre-K funding plan do you prefer?
    Newly elected mayor deBlasio's plan to fund
    NYC "universal pre-K" (UPK) is in the best interests of the
    citizenry of the city and state. It has been proven that early
    stimulation of children leads to better educational results
    later in their lives. These better results are then translated
    into a better workforce, which obviously increases the state
    fisc. The population of NYC is in excess of 8.1M, and that of
    NYS 19.6M making NYC at least 41% of the state’s population. The
    meme of local government being the best government would apply
    here . DeBlasio was elected by more than 73% of the voting
    population. The financial benefits of catalyzing early
    development are striking in view of the fact that 80% of
    incarcerated felons lack a high school diploma.
    Nationally, states are trying to find ways to reduce the cost of
    their penal institutions. This applies to NYS. The average
    annual cost of incarcerating one person in NYS (in 2010) was
    more than $60K. The cost in 2011 to incarcerate 59,237 persons
    statewide was almost $3.6 billion. 22% These costs come from
    expenditures outside of just the corrections budget. That cost
    of jailing one person is easily the annual cost of an ivy league
    education. With globalization rapidly challenging the US
    workforce, we need to stimulate our human capital to its highest
    level of productivity. That would start with having the best
    educated workforce, and reducing the waste of human potential
    lost to a “crime university”. NY state is already on record as
    having underfunded NYC. The "Campaign for Fiscal Equity" (CFE)
    case that was initiated in 1993, and wound its way through state
    courts for thirteen years. In 2006, the Court of Appeals final
    ruling was that the state must provide essential resources for
    public school children. This occurred after (then) Gov. Pataki
    said after the appellate court struck down the initial finding
    of the case ruled for the plaintiffs, that the state had no more
    responsibility than to educate students to an 8th grade level,
    which would be sufficient for an entry level job, and sufficient
    for the citizen to pull a voting lever. When the ruling, on
    re-appeal, was re-instated, Gov. Pataki turned on his words and
    said that the state of NY has always sought the highest levels
    of education for all of its citizenry. Currently, much of the
    sentiments of Pataki's original statement still linger in the
    legislature. State Sen. Greg Ball's bio, on his official state
    website lists him as "fighting for the elimination of unfunded
    mandates". That could include the tragically unfunded mandate of
    educating students in all (urban) areas, not just NYC.     -Desmond


    A., Brooklyn  (the part of my statement
    that is underlined was what was chosen for broadcast)

    The dysfunction that is evident in our community, our city, and other parts of the country could be blamed on the roll of government and legislation that systematically "strangled government until it could fit in a bathtub". People who are being pushed onto train tracks or stabbed in public housing can look back to Gov. Rockefeller(R)  and later Gov. Mario Cuomo(D)  closing down mental health centers.

    Until people realize that the taxes that WE pay should be used for the benefit of ALL society, WE will unfortunately continue to have the types of madness we see on the streets. WE will probably also see more of the madness that the banking system criminally perpetrated on the city, state, country, and the world. (that thing about the love of money being....)

    The fact that I or my progeny aren't part of that dysfunctional group comes from being fortunate enough to have been born into a poor but loving home, where God, education, and respect for law was revered. Basically, structure. Oddly enough, people tend to become more structured when they aren't fighting the stifling, drowning effects of poverty. A wise friend of mine told me once that " you can't fight for yourself and fight for your balance at the same time". As long as poor people are constantly kept in a perennial state of disenfranchisement, with no visible means of uplifting themselves, and no instruction about how to achieve upward mobility, we will continue to have the results that we see on our streets.

    The problems that are being discussed in this thread started 15-40 years ago. They can't be fixed overnight. That doesn't mean to stop working in that direction.
  • bklyn50bklyn50
    EMERGENCY TOWN HALL MEETING

    MONDAY, June 30, 2014
    at
    Concern for Independent Living
    151 Rochester Avenue
    (btw. St. Marks Ave. & Prospect Place)
    Brooklyn, NY 11213
    6:00 - 8:00 PM

    Invited Guests

    77th Precinct, Police Service Area 2,
    City Council Members Robert Cornegy,
    Laurie Cumbo, Darlene Mealy
    Borough President Eric Adams,
    Assemblyman Karim Camara
    & Parks Department

    COME OUT AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!!

    For more information contact CB8 @ 718.467.5574
This discussion has been closed.