BUYING A CHRISTMAS TREE? PART OF THE COST CAN BE DONATED TO AREA SCHOOLS

When buying a Christmas tree, give an area school a financial boost by purchasing it from Tom Foley and telling him the name of one of the schools that he donates money to. Tom will donate $10 to that school's PTA. 

A running tally will be kept on Tom's website of the amount that he'll donate to each school. Last year, Tom donated $11,000 to PTAs.

The participating schools are

• P.S. 10,
• P.S. 39,
• P.S. 107,
• P.S. 124,
• P.S. 133,
• P.S. 154,
• P.S. 295,
• P.S. 321,
• P.S. 372,
• M.S. 51,
• M.S. 88,
• M.S. 443,
• M.S. 447,
• Brooklyn Prospect Charter School,
• Millennium Brooklyn High School, and
• St. Saviour Catholic Academy. 

Fraser firs that are five feet tall or taller are Tom Foley's specialty. He also sells Fraser firs that are over eight feet tall and small balsam firs that are two feet to four feet, known as "Charlie Browns," and three feet to five feet. The Frasers are cut just a week before Tom receives them, not months in advance.

Tom has posted tips on the best location in your home for your tree, keeping your tree watered, and what to do with your tree after the holiday.

To order trees online, go to http://www.foleyfirs.com/purchase. Wreaths, pine roping (garland), and tree stands can also be ordered online.

Trees can be delivered for free and set up for free. Take a look at the map of the delivery area.

Tom's stand is open during these hours:

• Mondays through Thursdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and
• Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Foley Firs

724 8th Avenue, at the corner of 8th Street

Park Slope, Brooklyn

(718) 290-3546

foleyfirs @ gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/FoleyFirs

http://www.foleyfirs.com

MISSING PERSON: MICHAEL JACKSON

The NYPD has issued a Silver Alert for Brooklyn resident Michael Jackson, who has dementia.

Mr. Jackson is 72 years old, male, and black. He stands 6'3" tall, weighs 170 pounds, and, when last seen, was wearing a black coat, red hat, blue jeans, and beige work boots.

He is from the area of 2nd Avenue and 9th Street in Brooklyn. He was last seen on Saturday, November 29th, at 3:00 p.m. in the area of Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn.  If you see Mr. Jackson, call 9-1-1.

DOG ADOPTION FEE SLASHED BY 50% TOMORROW

Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month is almost over. Sean Casey Animal Rescue (SCAR) is offering 50% off the usual adoption fee in its eagerness to find loving homes for its senior dogs and for its longtime residents. "Senior dogs" are 5 or more years old. "Longtime residents" are those who have been living in the shelter for 1 or more years--not because anything is "wrong" with them but because the right match hasn't come along yet.

This adoption event will be held tomorrow (Saturday, November 29th) at Sean Casey's Sunset Park facility from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Enhance your life by having a dog as a companion.

SCAR Sunset Park
551 39th Street
between 5th and 6th avenues
Brooklyn NY 11232
(347) 599-1500
info @ nyanimalrescue.org
http://nyanimalrescue.org/

NO CANDLE LIGHTING AT DECEMBER 1ST VIGIL FOR CHILD

Lit candles were going to be used at the memorial vigil for Mohammad Naiem Uddin on Monday, but they won't be, as they are inappropriate to Naiem's family's faith.

The vigil will take place on Monday, December 1st, at 6:00 p.m., in the P.S. 130 schoolyard (Fort Hamilton Parkway at E. 5th Street).

"MUSICAL STORYTIME" FREE TRIAL CLASS NEXT MONDAY

You're invited to Free Musical Storytime Class In this class we will play, sing, dance and listen to a variety of music, introduce the Ukulele to little fingers, use role playing and arts and crafts to bring kids into the magical world of music as well as read lots of fun and exciting stories!!!  This class is appropriate for kids age Birth to 4 yrs old with their Parents or Caregivers. When MONDAY DEC. 1, 201410:30am Where EZRAGUITAR 785 CONEY ISLAND AVENUEBrooklyn, NY 11218 Register

                                    "Musical Storytime" Free Trial Class
                                    Monday, December 1st, 10:30 a.m.

Before they start their winter session (December 8th through February 10th), the folks at EzraGuitar are offering a free "Musical Storytime" trial class for toddlers. In the class, kids will play, sing, dance, listen to a variety of music, get introduced to the ukulele, and read stories. Role-playing and arts and crafts are some of the tools used.

The class is for children from birth to age 4 who are accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

EzraGuitar
785 Coney Island Avenue
between Cortelyou Road and Dorchester Road
Brooklyn, NY 11218
phone: (718) 434-2103
e-mail: info @ ezraguitar.com
website: www.EzraGuitar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EzraGuitars

MEMORIAL VIGIL FOR COLLISION VICTIM NAIEM UDDIN ON DECEMBER 1ST

UPDATE:
There will be no lit candles, as it is inappropriate to the family's faith.

-----------------------------------------------

People will have an opportunity to join together to mourn the loss of Mohammad Naiem Uddin and honor his memory at a candlelight vigil next Monday, December 1st, at 6:00 p.m. The vigil will take place in the P.S. 130 schoolyard on Fort Hamilton Parkway at E. 5th Street.

The 72nd Precinct and the 66th Precinct will escort the memorial procession as it walks from P.S. 130, down Caton Avenue, and then to E. 7th Street. The mourners will then pause in front of the home of Naiem's family for a brief moment of silence.

Please do not wonder if it is appropriate for you to attend; you are all welcome to join the vigil, regardless of whether or not you knew Naiem, know his family, or have anything else in common with them besides our common humanity.

FOOD COOP REACHES MINIMUM NUMBER OF MEMBERS NEEDED

The newly-forming Windsor Terrace Food Coop has reached--and exceeded--its target of 100 dues-paying members in a matter of just a few days. Way before the December 1st deadline arrived, 135 people joined. The new target is 175 members!

With the original goal of 100 members met, negotiations with the owner of the building at Caton and E. 8th Street can continue, and the coop will file incorporation papers today.

A meeting of all members will be scheduled soon. Most likely, meetings will continue to be held on Tuesday evenings at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 1511 10th Avenue, between Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street, in Windsor Terrace. Information about the meeting will be posted here as soon as it is announced.

The Windsor Terrace Food Coop is run by and for the community. Congratulations to our neighbors on reaching and surpassing their goal.

To join the food coop, you can

1. join by mail by sending your membership application and a $100 check to

Windsor Terrace Food Coop, 147 Seeley Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218 and make the check payable to Windsor Terrace Food Coop,

OR

2. join in person at Juice Box Wine Shop at 1289 Prospect Avenue and give them the completed membership application and a check,

OR

3. join online on the food coop's website at www.WindsorTerraceFoodCoop.com and follow the instructions to become a member.

"VENDORS SALE" FOR HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPPING, DECEMBER 7TH

St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy
will host its

3rd Annual Vendors Sale

on

Sunday, December 7th, from 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

in

Shepherds Hall
241 Prospect Park West

between Windsor Place and Prospect Avenue

Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn 

featuring
jewelry, handbags, accessories, candles, chocolates, and more

Vendors are wanted. Contact St. Joseph the Worker at (718) 768-7629.

KIDS' CLOTHING AND TOY DRIVE AT COMMUNITY BOARD 7

Community Board 7 is asking for donations of new clothing and new toys for girls and boys up to age 12. For the 27th year, the board is collecting new clothing and new toys that will be donated during the holiday season to children in need.

Last year, individuals, community board members, and local businesses donated about 1,000 toys to nearly 300 children. Local not-for-profits--Women's Survival Space, Project Reach Youth, Turning Point and Holy Name Church--distributed the toys. 

Bring your donations to the Community Board 7 office Mondays through Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., until Wednesday, December 17th. If it isn't possible for you to get to the office during those hours, CB 7 can make alternate arrangements.

The office is at 4201 4th Avenue; the entrance is on 43rd Street. For more information, contact Natasha Cordero at Community Board 7 at natashacordero.cb7 @ gmail.com.

NO ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING REQUIRED ON THANKSGIVING

Alternate side of the street parking regulations that are normally in effect for street cleaning will be suspended on Thursday, November 27th, for Thanksgiving. Parking meter regulations will also be suspended.

The day after Thanksgiving--Friday, November 28th, is NOT a holiday. Alternate side parking regulations, parking meter regulations, and all other parking regulations WILL be in effect.

IN THE WAKE OF ANOTHER DEATH, A STREET SAFETY GROUP FOR KWT HAS FORMED

Another pedestrian death in our community--young Mohammad Naiem Uddin, this time--has led neighbors to form a grassroots safety group that covers Kensington and Windsor Terrace. The goal of KWT Safe Streets is to make our many dangerous streets safer for all of us, whether we're pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists. And many of us fall into more than one of those categories. You can become part of KWT Safe Streets by joining the group on Facebook.

KWT Safe Streets joins Windsor Terrace Safe Streets in its goal of improving the traffic conditions in this area that have led to physical injuries or death for far too many residents.

MISSING PERSON: GERALD KINNISON

The NYPD has issued a Silver Alert for Gerald Kinnison, a 60-year-old black male with dementia. Mr. Kinnison is 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has a thin build, brown eyes, black hair, and a beard.

Mr. Kinnison was last seen in the area of 23-16 Surf Avenue in Brooklyn on Friday, November 21st, at 8:00 a.m. At the time, he was wearing a black jacket, a black shirt, blue pants, and large black sneakers. He may be walking in the direction of Manhattan.

If you see Mr. Kinnison, call 9-1-1.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR CHILD WHO WAS KILLED BY DRIVER

The body of Mohammad Naiem Uddin, the child who died after he was struck down by a driver on a street in Kensington, can be viewed in front of his family's home at 818 Friel Place from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday, November 23rd). The street will be closed to traffic. Members of the community are welcome to attend.

Naiem will then be transported to the Bangladesh Muslim Center and Masjid at 105 Cortelyou Road, near McDonald Avenue for the funeral prayer at 5:00 p.m. Members of the community are welcome to attend this as well.

He will be laid to rest on Monday at 11:30 a.m. in Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn. 

One Nation US, a non-profit organization that helps people in all walks of life, provided this information to KARMABrooklyn. One Nation US is "on the ground" helping this family in any way, shape, or form needed.

--------------------------- 

Related posts:
Child Struck by Car
Child Dies after Being Struck by Car
Donation Fund for Family of Child Killed by Driver

DONATION FUND FOR FAMILY OF CHILD KILLED BY DRIVER

The P.S. 130 PTA is accepting financial contributions on behalf of the family of Mohammad Naiem Uddin, the fourteen-year-old boy who a driver struck and killed yesterday as Naiem was crossing E. 7th Street near Caton Avenue.

Please make your check payable to P.S. 130 PTA and write "Family of Mohammad Uddin" on it. Mail it to

P.S. 130 PTA

70 Ocean Parkway

Brooklyn, NY 11218

If you would rather donate online, go to the PTA website at http://www.ps130pta.org. Donate via PayPal or Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. If the donation button is not working when you click it, please try again later.

The PTA will deliver all of the donated money to Mohammad's family.

Naiem attended P.S. 130, graduating from it in 2011. Thank you to the P.S. 130 PTA for its quick response to the family's loss and for providing the community with a way to express its sorrow and support.

The police charged the driver--78-year-old Lynn Reynolds--with felony leaving the scene of an accident causing serious injury, along with failure to exercise due care, a right of way violation and another violation of highway law, according to DNAinfo. [The charge was upgraded to leaving the scene of a fatal accident.]

CHILD DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY CAR

Fourteen-year-old Mohammad Naiem Uddin died tonight, just a few hours after a motorist struck him. The driver reportedly drove off without stopping. An ambulance had transported Mohammad to Maimonides Hospital from the scene of the accident on East 7th Street at Caton Avenue, but the boy was in traumatic cardiac arrest.

The driver, 78-year-old Lynn Reynolds, is in police custody. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad will investigate. She has been charged with a felony: leaving the scene of an accident with a serious injury.

"Police said a Chevrolet Impala was headed west on Caton Avenue and its driver made a left turn onto East 7th Street, where it struck the boy as he crossed the street." (CBS New York)

Naiem, as he was known, was on his way home from an after-school program. He was a ninth-grade student at Brooklyn Tech. He lived on Friel Place.

Our sincere condolences to Mohammad's family and friends on their loss.

ONLINE AUCTION AND ROYAL WINTER FAIRE AT P.S. 154

P.S. 154 Royal Winter Faire

Saturday, December 6th, noon to 4:00 p.m.

The P.S. 154 PTA will be running an online auction and an in-school auction. The online auction will open for bidding on Saturday, November 29th, at 8:00 a.m. and will close at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6th, the night of the Royal Winter Faire.

Auction items range from a Disneyland family adventure for four, including air fare and a hotel to Memorial Day weekend at a Hamptons cottage to an aerial tour of New York to a family membership to MOMA to a gift card for Park Slope's Talde Restaurant and much more.

The Royal Winter Faire will feature performances, lunch, a bake sale, crafts, raffles, and a silent auction. The Faire will run from noon to 4:00 p.m.

All proceeds will be used for the benefit of the school's 100% PTA-funded programs, such as music, chess, and dance.

CHILD STRUCK BY CAR

A fourteen-year-old pedestrian is in critical condition--in traumatic cardiac arrest--after a car struck him in a possible hit-and-run. The boy was crossing E. 7th Street at the intersection of Caton Avenue at about 5:00 p.m. today. Three ambulances responded. He was taken to Maimonides Medical Center. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad will investigate.

CRIME IS THE SUBJECT AT TONIGHT'S TOWN HALL MEETING AT P.S. 139

Town Hall Meeting on Crime

Thursday, November 20th, 7:30 p.m.

Borough President Eric Adams will host a town hall meeting on crime tonight because of the recent increase in crimes--specifically, armed robberies--against small businesses, their customers, and their employees in the Kensington-Ditmas Park community.

Also participating will be New York City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (District 40), Councilmember Jumaane Williams (District 45), New York State Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs (District 42), other local elected officials, and officers from the NYPD 70th Precinct. Residents will be given a chance to express their concerns.

Lauren Elvers Collins, Executive Director of the Church Avenue BID, and Robin Redmond, Executive Director of the Flatbush Development Corporation, will moderate the meeting.
 
The meeting will be held in the P.S. 139 auditorium at 330 Rugby Road. The school is located between Cortelyou Road and Beverley roads, closer to Cortelyou.

If you would like to have more information, call Steve Zeltser, Brooklyn South Community Affairs at the office of Borough President Adams, at (718) 802-3901.

HATE CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEMBER IN 72ND PRECINCT

Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson filed multiple hate crime charges yesterday against two of the three people who assaulted a Hasidic Jewish Community Board 12 board member on Friday evening. The victim, 38-year-old Ruben Werczberger, had been waiting to file a police report after a car accident in Sunset Park in the 72nd Precinct; his car had been hit from behind as he waited at a red light at 4th Avenue and 52nd Street.

The trio of 32-year-olds--Linda Gonzalez, Cindy Colletti, and Vischal Budhram--called Werczberger a "dirty Jew" after they broke his car's windshield and beat him with a wooden stick. The Hate Crime Bureau, recently created by District Attorney Thompson, will investigate the case.

Click here for more details, including the specific charges, from "Vos Iz Neias?"

STORES NEED SECURITY CAMERAS; PEOPLE'S PERSONAL PROPERTY NEEDS ID NUMBERS

In the aftermath of several recent armed robberies of restaurants and other small businesses on or within a few blocks of Church Avenue, area police precincts are advising store owners to improve their security systems. Criminals have walked into the stores and stolen cash, laptops, and an iPad from customers and/or cash belonging to the businesses.

Police have honed in on the area with additional foot patrols (in the shopping areas of Church Avenue, Cortelyou Road, and Newkirk Plaza, according to DNAinfo), undercover police, and impact forces (for high-crime areas) in order to catch the criminals. Recent crimes include

• a home invasion in October that resulted in Leonard Phillips' murder in his home at 379 Rugby Road, between Cortelyou and Dorchester roads,
• armed robberies in October and November in
• Mimi's Hummus, 1209 Cortelyou Road, between Westminster and Argyle roads,
• Ox Cart Tavern, 583 Argyle Road, near Newkirk Avenue,
• Stratford Deli, 1105 Church Avenue, between E. 10th Street and Stratford Road,
• Lark Cafe, 1007 Church Avenue, also between E. 10th Street and Stratford Road,
• the burglary and criminal trespassing on Friday at Am Thai Bistro, 1003 Church Avenue, also between E. 10th Street and Stratford Road, and
• the January armed robbery and assault of a livery cab driver on E. 8th Street near Cortelyou Road.

The video cameras in one of the stores are helping to establish descriptions of the criminals. Police recommend that all homes, schools, houses of worship, businesses, and other places where people gather either install cameras or update their existing cameras to models that provide higher definition resolution. So many images that appear online, in print, and on fliers are of such poor quality that identifying someone becomes next to impossible.

In addition, the police recommend that people register their possessions--cell phones, laptops, iPods, and all other electronics. A week ago, the 70th Precinct set up a table outside of the Flatbush Reformed Church and did this, engraving precinct serial numbers on the items. Owners are advised to store the serial numbers in a separate location, away from the engraved items.

Neighborhood associations, BIDs, civic organizations, community board, house of worship, etc. can contact their local precincts to sponsor an event where a police officer will engrave and record the serial numbers of residents' electronics to make them less appealing to steal and, in theory, easier to track down.

FOOD COOP SPACE IN WINDSOR TERRACE IS IN NEGOTIATIONS

The Board of Directors of the Windsor Terrace Food Coop wants residents of Windsor Terrace, Kensington, and surrounding communities to know that after two years of organizing, it has begun negotiations on a potential site for the coop.

Board members are meeting with the owner of a space at Caton Avenue at E.8th Street, just west of Coney Island Avenue. On-street parking is available.

In order to continue negotiations and to finalize them, at least 100 people have to join the coop by December 1st. Join by filling out and submitting the membership application, along with $100 for the 2015 membership fee. These membership funds will permit the board to sign a lease, purchase equipment necessary for store operation, and undertake the modest renovations that are necessary to begin operations in early 2015.

The board has to receive these commitments by 6:00 p.m. on Monday,  December 1st. If that doesn't happen, the board will have to stop negotiations and return people's membership fee.

Founding Members of the coop will be entitled to shop at the coop. Only members will be permitted to shop there. They will have the right to participate in discussions and vote on decisions. And they will be required to share the work load with other coop members by working a few hours per month (e.g., two or three hours per month).

As the shopper base expands and business necessitates it, the coop board and the members may vote to revise or refine the terms of membership.

Initially, the board expects to offer fresh produce and some dry goods. They will want to increase the variety of products over time.

If you want to become a food coop member, either

** send your membership application and a $100 check to

Windsor Terrace Food Coop

147 Seeley Street
Brooklyn, NY 11218
and make the check payable to Windsor Terrace Food Coop

OR

** go to Juice Box Wine Shop at 1289 Prospect Avenue and give them the membership application and your check

OR

** go to the food coop's website at www.WindsorTerraceFoodCoop.com and follow the instructions to pay online to become a member. 

No checks will be cashed until 100 people sign up.

Application for Membership

Windsor Terrace Food Coop

Name____________________________

Address___________________________

Phone_____________________________

Email Address__________________________

Number and ages (under 21) of family members__________________________

CRIME UPDATE AT 66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER MEETING

66th Precinct Community Council Meeting 

Thursday, November 20th, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Deputy Inspector Michael Deddo, the Commanding Officer of the 66th Precinct, will give an update at the next meeting of the 66th Precinct Community Council on the latest crimes within the precinct's boundaries and what the precinct is doing about crime. 

It will be an opportunity to ask the inspector questions and bring crime issues to the precinct's attention. You can also learn about the many programs available through the NYPD. 

The meeting is open to the public.

The 66th Precinct Community Council meets from September through June on the third Thursday of the month from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Meeting place:
Community Board 12 office
5910 13th Avenue

between 59th and 60th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn
(718) 851-5601 (66th Precinct Community Affairs)

To get there, take the B16 bus to 13th Avenue and 57th Street and then walk two blocks to the building. To get home, catch the bus on 14th Avenue.

VENDORS WANTED FOR P.S. 130 HOLIDAY BAZAAR

The P.S. 130 PTA is looking for vendors for its Holiday Bazaar, to be held at the school on Saturday, December 13th, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Among the items for sale will be handmade items. Photos will be taken with Santa Claus. The P.S. 130 3rd grade chorus will perform.

The vendor contract and table reservation form are online here. Submit the signed contract and the completed form by Friday, December 5th. Get additional information by sending an e-mail to info @ ps130pta.com.

P.S.130, The Parkside School
70 Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn
The entrance is in the school yard at Fort Hamilton Parkway and E. 5th Street.

CRIME Q&A AT 70TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

70th Precinct Community Council Meeting

Wednesday, November 19th, 7:30 p.m.

Hear updates from the 70th Precinct and speak directly with its officers about the crimes that are on your mind. You might want to ask questions about the armed home invasion and armed robberies that have been committed in the past few weeks and what the precinct is doing to crack down on crime.

70th Precinct Community Council meetings are open to the public. They are held on the last Wednesday of each month at 175 Lawrence Avenue at 7:30 p.m. Edward Powell is the council's president. 

CompStat's crime statistics for the 70th Precinct are online here.

Meeting location:
United Cerebral Palsy building
between Ocean Parkway and Seton Place

SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY IN CO-OPS AND CONDOS WITH SOLAR TECHNOLOGY

Kensington/Windsor Terrace:

Solar and Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Co-Operatives;

Increasing Long-Term Financial Security and Comfort

 with Smart Investments Today

Wednesday, November 19th, 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Solar One, the public outreach organization hired by NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) to teach people about the state's energy efficiency efforts, is currently concentrating on co-ops and condos in the Windsor Terrace area. Buildings in Kensington can also participate.

At Wednesday's meeting, Solar One will be discussing the different programs available. Learn about city, state, and federal programs to cut your energy costs as well as tax breaks, incentives, and financing options to upgrade older infrastructure. 

Representatives from a co-op that has been through the process will be there and a whole new financing option offered by the city. The Hamilton Co-op (243 McDonald Avenue, between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Greenwood Avenue) will be presented as an example of the possible savings for buildings in this area.

Board members are especially welcome to attend, but everyone who is interested in saving money for their co-op or condo building is invited. Seating is limited to 40 participants; some seats are still available. Reserve yours in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/solar-and-energy-efficiency-opportunities-for-windsor-terrace-co-operatives-increasing-long-term-tickets-13925107371.

Meeting location:
The Prospect Range
1226 Prospect Avenue
between Vanderbilt Street and Reeve Place
Windsor Terrace
(917) 776-6834
info @ prospectrange.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/prospectrange/
https://twitter.com/prospectrange
http://www.prospectrange.com

CRIME REPORT BY 70TH PRECINCT COMMANDER AT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING, COMMUNITY BOARD 14

Community Board 14 Public Safety Committee Meeting
Monday, November 17th, 7:00 p.m.

Deputy Inspector Richard DiBlasio, the Commanding Officer of the 70th Police Precinct, will be the featured speaker at the Community Board 14 Public Safety Committee meeting. He will

• give a report on the state of the precinct,
• provide an update on issues of concern to the community, and
• offer holiday crime prevention tips.

Those issues of concern include 

• a home invasion in October that led to Leonard Phillips' murder in his home on Rugby Road at Cortelyou Road,
• the armed robberies in October and November of
• Stratford Deli on Church Avenue near Stratford Road,
• Mimi's Hummus on Cortelyou Road near Westminster Road,
• Ox Cart Tavern on Argyle Road at Newkirk Avenue, and
• Lark Cafe on Church Avenue at E. 10th Street), and
• the January armed robbery and assault of a livery cab driver on E. 8th Street near Cortelyou Road.

In another note, the precinct's ticketing of pedestrians and cyclists who are passing through the Parade Grounds after dusk is not sitting well with a number of neighborhood residents. An online petition addressed to Prospect Park Alliance and the city's Parks and Transportation commissioners is requesting that they "Make it legal to walk and bike through the Parade Grounds" after dusk. However, a November 10th update on the petition site reports that "The 70th Precinct has vetoed any changes to the hours."

Deputy Inspector DiBlasio took over the command of the 70th Precinct in April of this year. He has been on the NYPD for 27 years, first patrolling the 61st Precinct and then being promoted to sergeant in 1994, lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2006, and deputy inspector last year. He's served in the 63rd, 84th, 61st, and 68th precincts and Patrol Borough Brooklyn South.
 
Committee meetings are open to the public. The current co-chairs of the Public Safety Committee are Gary Schultze and Joseph Dweck.

Community Board 14 serves Flatbush, Midwood, and parts of Kensington.

Meeting location:
Brooklyn Community Board 14 District Office
810 East 16th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11230
phone: (718) 859-6357
fax: (718) 421-6077
e-mail: info @ cb14brooklyn.com
http://www.cb14brooklyn.com

HAMILTON'S REZONING FOR OUTDOOR CAFE APPROVED BY COMMUNITY BOARD 7 COMMITTEE

"Community board land use meeting adjourned - Unanimous vote in our favor! Now on to the full community board meeting next week. Please send written testimony to communityboard7 @ yahoo.com. Be sure to put your full name and address and cc hamiltonbkny @ gmail.com."

-- from the Facebook page of Hamilton's

For information about the rezoning request, please see our blog post here.

REZONING FOR KWT SCHOOLS APPROVED

"A unanimous vote was entered at 8:02pm in favor of the zoning line proposal presented by the Office of District Planning(ODP) for PS 154, PS 130, PS 230 and PS 131 in District 15."

-- from the Facebook page of the Community Education Council District 15

For details about the proposal, please see our blog post here.

TEMPORARILY OUT OF COMMISSION

Dear readers,
A few days ago, I had hand surgery and I can't type much. I'll be back in action as soon as I can!

Joy