Lock Your Car, Don't Let Your Kids Play in the Car

Yesterday, on my way back from a neighbor's house, I spotted a child of about 8 years enter a car and slam the door behind him. The windows were tinted, but I saw that he was alone in the car, and kind of just exploring the seats and playing with the steering wheel.

I turned to the woman next to me, and basically said that if I didn't check it out I'd be worried that the nightly news would have some tragic story about a little boy who suffocated in a car on 6th Avenue.

So, I went back to the car and asked the boy if he was okay. Nods head. Can you open the door? Shakes head. (Smart, considering I am unknown to him.) I tried the door, and it was locked. He had keys in his hand. I stopped a man who had come out of the house next door to the car and asked him if he knew the car or the boy inside. He started talking to the boy by name and asked him to open up. Nope. So he knocked on a house and talked to the kids that came out, asking them to get their parent. I thanked him and left.

Hopefully, I did enough. It was Noon, and the windows were all closed tight. The stories about kids who are left in cars or fall asleep after playing in cars are too, too sad.

So, lock your car and don't let your kids play in it. (Apparently, hide your keys, too.)

Look Both Ways on a One-Way Street

The irony, of course, is that I do look both ways on one-way streets. It's just habit, and good sense, really. And don't worry, I feel an immense amount of guilt about what happened yesterday. No one needs to lecture me about being more careful. Go ahead, if you must, I'm a traumatized mother right now.

Here's the short version:

Yesterday afternoon, I and my two cherubic imps were crossing 44th Street at 6th Avenue to enter Sunset Park at its main entrance. As we must because of the steep incline, I poked my head around the parked cars to look for on-coming traffic. Thanks to a double parked car loading items and another car backing up into a parking space down the street, it looked even more safe than usual. Phew. Then I looked up the street and saw an Elegante car service car backing up at 6th Avenue.

They often idle by the fire hydrant or the entrance of the park, so I figured this guy was backing up to the hydrant. I waited. He stopped, took it out of reverse, and sat there. Okay, so he's staying at the entrance. I looked back down 44th - all clear - and I started across the street.

When we were almost across the street, the Elegante car started backing up again. Into my stroller-bound kid. The handle of the stroller was pushed into my other kid (who was strapped to me), and the bumper of the car and the wheel were pushing my stroller and my son's legs along.

Now, I promised my husband a while ago that I would watch my language in front of my children. Sorry, honey. As I was tried to pull the stroller out from under the bumper, I started screaming about the car hitting my kid. (That was probably the most terrifying second and a half of my life. You can imagine what flashed through my head.) Then the palabrotas began.

With a crying baby strapped to me and a stunned toddler sitting in the stroller, I yelled in a colorful manner various versions of: car service cars are always backing up down the street, what does he think he's doing backing up on a one-way street, I was crossing at the crosswalk, my kids had better not be hurt, car service guys don't care about the residents they serve, blah blah blah.

I don't think the car service man was malicious. I don't even think he was particularly negligent. He explained he has children as well. He was so sorry. Are they alright. (In his nervousness he was smiling and trying to stop the baby's crying. Don't do that.) He was doing what the car culture of this block does. Yeah, I'm pissed off at him. Yeah, I think he was being careless. However, as angry as I am (maybe was) at this guy, I realized that mini-versions of this happen all the time. It's not a unique situation, and it's not something we cannot change.

That brought me back to the traffic calming issues we've been dealing with forever. A stop sign would not have changed this particular situation, but perhaps a painted crosswalk would have been a visual reminder to the driver that people cross into the park here. Look again.

So this morning, while my baby girl napped, I wrote to my friend Marty Markowitz to remind him about the traffic calming we have desired for so long. Perhaps a brush with injury will be enough to get something for our street here. Let's hope that it's not something more serious that draws attention to the need for traffic calming around the park.

So anyway, is anyone up for painting a few crosswalks ourselves?

Enjoy the weather, enjoy the park. Cross with extreme caution.

And, for good measure, here's the link for the traffic calming petition.

Even Sidewalks are NOT Safe - Longing for More Sunday Drivers

I mean, come on. How many of these insane stories do we need to hear before people take responsibility for driving a two ton machine around town? (And yes, I drive a two ton vehicle around town on occasion.) Even if you have the "right of way," even if you MUST make the turn with the yellow light, even if you bumped the car behind you while parking and you want to get away real fast - you are wielding an instrument that can cause serious and deadly damage.

Yesterday, a Brooklyn eight-year-old lost his leg while sitting on a stoop with his mom; a person attempting to parallel park forgot which pedal was the brake and which was the gas. This morning, another accident occurred when an apparent heart attack rendered the driver incapable of controlling his vehicle. It also hopped the curb and slammed into a building.

Add these very recent Brooklyn stories to tales of police chases ending in pile-ups, but not before killing a pedestrian, children on a library outing being killed, inebriated men driving into women who ignored their advances. Then consider older tales of drunk and exhausted off-duty cops killing families and trucks making turns with no disregard for the WALK sign, and we're living in the midst of a cycle of violence that is routinely down-played (it was an accident, he was drunk, the brakes failed) and excused. Cars don't kill people - unless they are wielded by people who don't respect the power of thousands of pounds of metal and rubber.

That's not to say that there aren't accidents. We can't help when heart attacks happen. Pedestrians are also insane at times. Brakes fail (although I seriously doubt the brakes fail as much as people claim.). Nevertheless, sitting on a stoop or waiting on a sidewalk ought to be safer than crossing against traffic. Take responsibility for driving a car before something happens, so you don't have to regret what might happen later.

Stay safe out there.

Frogs Lose their Heads, Reveal Webless Hands in Playground

It's shocking imagery, I know. These poor frogs, all sitting in a circle around the sprinkler in the playground on 3rd Avenue and 40th Street. (Playground Three-Forty, if you want a name.) I don't usually frequent this playground, but it was totally empty...perhaps because of the exhaust coming from the BQE/Gowanus just feet away.

I can't imagine that hacked off concrete is a particularly safe situation for kids running and shrieking during the warmer months when water sprays from the center of the frogs' circle. Sharp concrete frog necks versus soft, squishy child flesh and limbs = no good outcome. Since this area is maintained by both the BOE and NYC Parks, hopefully someone will get around to replacing or fixing up these amphibians.

Another shocking discovery was that these frogs do not have webbed feet. Even frogs that live most of their time on land have SOME webbing, don't they? Are these actually Sphinx-like creatures? Perhaps the missing heads are actually human and that's what ticked off the vandals enough to destroy the tiny statues.

"Deceptive" Burglary in Neighboring Areas

While Sunset Park is not named, our friendly neighbors to the south and south-east are. The Brooklyn Eagle (and thanks to Brownstoner for doing the linking) reports that there have been at least four home burglaries involving thieves posing as Con-Ed or Water Department employees.

Always ask to see ID prior to letting someone in to check meters. It's also a good idea to take a look for an official vehicle. When in doubt, call the company to check on the employee. If they say they can't wait, take a name and ask them to come back another time. That's what would have happened had you not been home, right?

Read the article from this link.

Joseph Gray is Up for Parole

The ex-72nd Precinct Police Officer who killed four people (including a pre-term baby who died several hours after being delivered by emergency c-section) is up for parole after seven years behind bars. The Staten Island Advance has the article.

from the article:

His [Gray's] kin maintain he has paid his debt.

"Joseph's family needs him home again to once again become a productive member of society, support his three children and wife, and be reunited with all of his family who miss him and love him," Gray's relatives said in an e-mail to the Advance. "He is extremely remorseful and takes full accountability of his crime."

But a relative of the victims contends Gray should stay exactly where he is.

"I'm not a vindictive man, but forgiveness is hard to find when someone has taken your entire family," said Victor Herrera, who issued a statement through his lawyer, Mark Manus of the Manhattan firm of Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman.

"I hate to think of this man behind the wheel of a car again," said Herrera, who lost his wife and two sons.

Dirt Pile Becomes Kids' Joy

It's been sitting there, in the center of the last few feet of the promenade, for over a week. What began as a fairly loose pile of dirt has morphed into a kiddie biker's dream. What this dirt pile has lost in height, it has gained in width. It also has several adrenalin inducing humps that send bikes sailing.

It looks like the young people who have centered the trail managed to center it between two of the poles that keep motorized vehicles from racing through the promenade area. There's quite a rut there in the center, although it's difficult to see from this photo.

I've seen kids biking, attempting to skateboard, climbing, and even some digging in this pile. What I'd like to know, however, is where is it supposed to go? And why was it dropped off more than a full week before anyone had solid plans for it? I mean, I'm a fan of dirt as much as the next mom, but didn't "they" figure it would immediately become a bike ramp? That was the first thing I thought of last weekend!

Bizarre and Disturbing Tales from Sunset Park

Domestic disputes are among the least favorite for police officers (and neighbors) because after the firestorm of adrenalin and aggression, they sometimes end up with denials from all concerned that anything serious was happening. Here's a story from this Friday morning that could have ended very badly. Let's hope that the end result is peace and a lesson learned for those involved.

At approximately 5:45 AM on Friday morning, a woman's screaming was heard coming from Sunset Park by residents who live on the 44th Street side of the park. A second woman's voice soon joined in screaming, "Leave her alone! Leave her alone! Somebody help!" 911 was called by several residents, and about a half a dozen people left their homes armed with bats (and one cane) to confront whoever the attacker was.

Thanks to the vandalized lamps along the walkways, very little could be seen by the responsible neighbors who arrived to the park at about the same time. From what they could gather, the dispute was between a woman and her ex-boyfriend (both seemed to be middle-aged); both were dressed professionally, and the other woman screamed at the approaching good Samaritans that he wasn't hurting the other woman, they were just arguing. It turns out that the screaming was about getting keys back from an ex-boyfriend.

The group of residents told the threesome off, and they pointed out that the man could have been seriously hurt (or worse!) because people thought that someone was being attacked and/or raped. That could have been one very bad ending to the situation. Another could have occured if the police had shown up (which they did, soon after) and seen a group of bat-wielding men surrounding a professional-looking group of three.

Thankfully, no-one was hurt, and hopefully the screaming women learned not to cry wolf. It would be especially depressing if a serious situation were not addressed due to cynicism from residents who have heard too many "play fights" from teens or screams from middle-aged women about keys.

Next time, change your locks and let him keep the keys.

Half a Block Car Chase and Mash-Up

The New York Post has Sunset featured in its police blotter today. The gist of it is that an officer asked a double-parked driver to move, the driver ignored it, the cop went to write a summons, the driver took off, the cops chased, the driver stopped short, the cops ran into him and eventually took him in. Read the details here.

What's surprising is that a double-parked car on 5th Avenue was actually dealt with. What's frightening is that the mini-chase and crash occurred on 5th and 44th at about 4:30 PM, a very busy corner at a very busy time. Thankfully, no pedestrians or by-standers were hurt, according to the blotter.

Borough Park Molester: Old news, but Not Yet Solved

The news about a child molester on the loose is an on-going story for neighboring Borough Park. The Daily News article implies that there was a Borough Park abduction and assault (they use "rape" and then "sexual assault" - legally, they have different definitions) of a four-year old on July 16 of THIS year. It seems that it actually happened in July of 2007. However, on August 3rd, of THIS year, a 14 year old girl was abducted for three hours and assaulted before being released. NY1 has the run-down here.

According to NY1, the suspect is described as:

Police describe the suspect as a man in his early 20s, with a thin build and short, black hair that is spiked up. He was seen wearing a black t-shirt and white sneakers. The suspect was described as driving a black four-door sedan with tinted windows and a beige cloth interior.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES, then enter TIP577.

What they don't include in this instance is that he is also described as White. (I think it's the silliest "rule" that news agencies can't/won't mention physical descriptions that touch on race. Like that's not part of your physical being? How about was he pale or tanned? Medium-toned skin or sallow? Did he have a clean-shaven face or stubble? Pimples or scars? Don't these all go together?)

Since Sunset Park is so close to this area of Borough Park, keep your eyes peeled for a car that looks like a car service with tinted windows. Some local businesses have been posting recent news about the assault in windows.

The Borough Park area has been no stranger to people who decide to abuse children. Here are a couple of links to other, relatively recent, stories.

Man exposes himself to girls.

Man abuses children in parks.

2nd Update, less speculation, About Monday

Apparently, police are now interviewing people who have first-hand information about Monday night's shooting. According to a Sunset Park resident who lives on the park, her neighbor, a witness to the incident, said detectives were coming by tonight to gather information. She also shared that a 13 year old girl was the shooting victim, and that the person who fired the shots was also very young.

If the ages are correct, it's an even more pathetic and sad incident.

Update (sort of, including speculation) on the Shots Fired Monday Night

I've had several emails asking me if anything new has been found out about the "alleged" shots fired on Monday night. The short answer is: Nothing official. As of yesterday (there was no answer this morning), the 72nd Precinct asserts that there was no shooting - and no shots fired - on Monday evening in or around 6th Avenue and 44th Street (near the entrance of Sunset Park). According to a 72nd Precinct Community Council Member, there was a domestic disturbance in the area, but nothing that included shots or weapons.

There have been two main versions of what people saw/heard/believe happened. And while human beings are notoriously poor at being eye witnesses, it seems that SOME incident did, in fact, occur. Here's a run-down of what has come my way by way of comments, emails, and neighbors:

1. I was swimming laps in the pool when two shots rang out; cops and EMS came and one of the lifeguards reported that the someone had been shot but by he (or she) had run off.

2. We heard the shots and ran to the window to see what happened. It seems that someone got shot but ran away...there were lots of people screaming and running in all directions; the police got there pretty fast though.

3. Neighbors say that the car drove on 44th Street and shot into the park from the street just past 6th Avenue.

4. It's a fact, unfortunately. I live...right at that corner and a woman in our building was walking by when it happened and saw the whole thing. It was right outside the playground...apparently there was an argument and then he pulled out a gun and shot into the air...everyone was afraid to tell the police anything b/c the rumor was that it was gang related.


Obviously, the police and an ambulance responded to something within minutes of two shots being fired. Could both described versions (one with shots from a car into the park, one with someone shooting into the air near the playground) have occurred? Well, two shots seems to be the consistent number, and it's possible, considering the proximity of the 6th Avenue entrance to the playground, that one person near the playground argued with another person in a car and shots were fired as a warning. However, several people have mentioned someone running away with a wound of some kind. Since hospitals are required to report all gun shots, it's likely that no one showed up to a hospital.

While it's understandable that someone would be nervous about reporting information if gangs were involved, it seems that shots were fired within feet of the playground...and the playground was busy and full at the time. Even shots that go into the air need to adhere to gravity at some point. If we shrug and say "Well, no one got hurt" or "It was only shots fired" this time, it shows these thugs that they are safe from repercussions and from a watchful community. NYC in 2008 has already had far too many incidents where children were hurt or killed by stray bullets. Do a google search for 2008 NYC Children Stay Bullet and see what comes up.

Again, according the precinct, no 911 or precinct calls were made regarding the incident (although I wonder how they arrived so quickly). If anyone saw anything regarding this incident, call the precinct to report it: 718 965 6311. And if there is no answer (like this morning), call the Community Affairs office at 718 965 6326; they have an answering machine. Otherwise, as a last resort since this is not an immediate incident, you can call 911.

Sunset Park Shootings?

Last night, just around 8 PM, we heard two pops that sounded like they were just up the street. I always say it's just fireworks; my husband always says it's gunfire. A few minutes later a police car or two sped by followed by an ambulance. I had a meeting to attend, so I walked by the park at about 8:20 PM to see the swings full of kids, the ice cream vendors doing good business, and lots of people standing around chatting. There was also a police car stationed at the park entrance on 6th Avenue and 44th Street. Still, I suppose because of the happily swinging kids, I figured it had been some park silliness or the drunks throwing bricks at the ice cream vendors again, and went on my way.

Upon returning home, I had an email from a neighbor that said a drive by had occurred at the 6th Ave and 44th entrance. A drive by shooting into the park. So far, I haven't found any evidence of it (other than the previously mentioned police car and pops), but I also found out there had been "shots fired" at 66th and 4th (technically Bay Ridge?) just about 8 PM. Related? Speculation is that the drive by, at least, is a gang related issue.

More than anything, I'm angry that some machismo scheisskopf has the chutzpah (yes, I'm mixing languages) to shoot into a park filled with children and families. Get over yourself. It shows cowardice and a total lack of self-respect. Shooting into a busy park from a moving car? Someone has seen too many slow-motion movie scenes. Obviously, and thankfully, no one was hurt.

Hopefully, this will turn out to be just rumor and not fact. Somehow, my head tells me it's not.

Amalgamated Opted Out of Fencing

Apparently, the fencing was nixed after yesterday's major Ooops. It's been totally removed and cleaned up. It looks a lot more pleasant now anyway. There is still a lot of work to be done; the doors still even have the old Pollo Campero stickers on them. This will only be the second location for Amalgamated in Brooklyn. The other Brooklyn location is on Fulton Street. The Sunset Park location (5th Avenue and 45th Street) is slated to open in mid-August, September at the latest.

Lend Me Wire Cutters, Please.

The photos show today's condition of the fence outside the Sunset Park Playground entrance. The photos don't do it justice. You can't make out the spiky ends and sharp, curled tentacles waiting for an eager child to pass by.

Just about two weeks ago I made my first complaint about the "fence" at the back entrance to the playground in Sunset Park. I was met with concern and creased brows and frowns about the situation. "Oh yes, that's a problem. Yeah, that's a safety issue." Sadly, not enough of one to prompt action.

Another concerned caretaker joined me in speaking to a Parks worker today about the hazard. She said that we should report it to 311 because they have to call in outside people to take care of it. Now, I know what City agencies can be like. Really, I do. I know that some people have to do some jobs and other people have to do other jobs. It's not just the City; it's all sorts of systems that are set up to "protect jobs and workers." It one person fixes the fence, that means that someone else doesn't get to have that on his "to do" list and maybe now he's not necessary anymore. You know what? I don't care! I want some action! (And not the kind that Lady Saw was talking about.)

Anyway, that's what I was hoping for this morning when I called 311 to report (again) about the destroyed but dangerous fence outside the Sunset Park playground entrance. It used to be a fence to help grass grow - a less than successful endeavor. However, it has been very successful as a safety hazard. The operator told me that it takes up to 14 days for service requests to go through. Anyone have wire cutters that I can borrow?