BBC's 2002 Accomplishments

In 2002, we reorganized ourselves into a group that measures our effectiveness in accomplishments, and our efforts in meaningful action directed towards solving neighborhood problems. Here is a brief outline of our accomplishments in 2002:

Reorganization
º We formed a steering committee to become more effective in addressing problems
º We initiated regular distribution of agendas and minutes for every meeting
º We set up and began using e-mail to distribute minutes, agendas, and neighbor alerts
º We appointed a representative to the local Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council (NCPC for police beat 17Y)
º We initiated a program of identifying our top three priorities so as to focus on them

Current top 3 problems:
1-Drug dealing centered on E 23rd St between 10th & 11th Avenues
-Numerous addresses and individuals and problem landlords
2-Saleh’s Market (E11th Ave @ E 24th St), problem liquor store
-Multiple problems, no response to neighborhood concerns
3-Illegal Halfway House at 2134 11th Ave
-Dangerous felons being given lodging by outside church

Previous top 3 problems:
Oakland Housing Property at 1031 E 24th St
Wha Fay Liquors at 2101 8th Ave
Star Market

Neighbors Helping Neighbors
We initiated a program of asking neighbors to drive by the top three problem spots
To keep a log on problem activities
To report problems to police and to call the drug hotline
To forward information to Brooklyn Block Club
We initiated a neighborhood watch so neighbors could watch out for each other
Numerous crimes stopped by neighbors calling in quickly including:
º Assaults, rapes, car thefts, petty thefts, burglaries and drug dealing

Liquor Store Problems
We identified problems at 3 neighborhood liquor stores
We wrote certified letters asking the owners to take corrective action
We wrote letters to City, County & State agencies asking them to investigate:
º Wha Fay Liquors (aka E&R Liquors at 8th Ave & E 21st St):
Very co-operative, most issues resolved
º Star Market (E 21st Street & 11th Ave):
Store closed by health department
Most problems resolved with new owners
º Saleh’s Market (E 24th Street and 11th Ave):
No reply to neighborhood complaints
Some moderate improvement in problems

Drug Dealing
We started to compile a list of known addresses where drug dealing takes place
We began to identify the centers of drug dealing activity:
º E 24th and 11th Ave: Pressure by neighbors and police moved the dealing to ...
º E 23rd between 10th and 11th: Huge problem, getting worse

We have written certified letters to landlords with drug dealing tenants:
Arba Fields: 2248 19th Ave & 1001, 1003, 1007 E. 23rd St.
David Chan: 1016, 1016 1/2, 1018 E 23rd Street
Ken Lowe: 2234, 2236, 2238, 2240 10th Ave

Neighborhood Development
1031 E 22nd Street: Dilapidated property finally torn down after pressure by neighbors (great effort by CEDA's Wing Loo and Robert Merkamp)
2225 9th Ave: Development begun after major modifications by neighbors (great effort by CEDA's Jason Madani)

Neighborhood Crime
We created a database to keep track of crimes and criminals
Initiated a program to keep track of addresses, individuals and license plates
Encouraged neighbors to forward information to police and to us
We identified a gang of individuals on the 2200 block of 11th Ave; wrote letters to the landlord, brought it to the attention of City and County; family forced to move out of area

Litter and Blight
We initiated a monthly Neighborhood Litter Cleanup

In 2003, we would like to invite more of our neighbors to be part of the solution to the problems that plague this neighborhood. Together we can make this a peaceful, safe and secure neighborhood to live, work, play or pray in, to raise our children and care for our partners and parents in.

Please consider coming to our meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, and/or contacting us with information or questions.