HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 Best wishes for a Happy New Year, folks!

PROMOTIONS FOR COMMANDING OFFICERS OF 66TH AND 72ND PRECINCTS

Deputy Inspector Kenneth Quick, 66th Pct.

Deputy Inspector Emmanuel Gonzalez, 72nd Pct.

Captain Kenneth Quick, Commanding Officer of the 66th Precinct since March 2015, and Captain Emmanuel Gonzalez, Commanding Officer of the 72nd Precinct since March 2016, were promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector in a ceremony at 1 Police Plaza on December 21st.

The 66th Precinct serves Kensington, Borough Park, and part of Midwood. The 72nd serves Windsor Terrace and Sunset Park.

Prior to commanding the 66th Precinct, Deputy Inspector Quick served in the Patrol Boro Brooklyn South Specialized Units, which manages thirteen precincts, including the 66th. 

He was appointed to the New York City Police Department in July 1999. He began his career by patrolling the 70th Precinct. In February 2005, he was promoted to Sergeant. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant in December 2009 and to Captain in February 2012.

Captain Quick also served in the 72nd and 83rd precincts.

Deputy Inspector Gonzalez, prior to commanding the 72nd Precinct, was Executive Officer at the 66th Precinct. He was appointed to that position in March 2015.

Ten years ago, when he was a lieutenant, Captain Gonzalez was the commander of the first platoon in the 70th Precinct, covering Prospect Park South, Flatbush-Ditmas Park, and part of Midwood.

CRIME DOWN IN 2016 IN KENSINGTON'S AND POSSIBLY WINDSOR TERRACE'S POLICE PRECINCTS

Crimes and crime statistics for Kensington and Windsor Terrace in 2016 are discussed in two articles published this week in Windsor Terrace Patch:

In Kensington's NYPD Precinct, Major Crimes Collectively Down in 2015 (This headline should say "2016.")

Major Crime, Once Up in Windsor Terrace's Police Precinct, Could Finish Year Down

PARKING RULES SUSPENSION FOR NEW YEAR'S

Alternate side of the street parking regulations--normally in effect on weekdays and Saturdays so that streets can be cleaned--will be suspended on Sunday, January 1st, for New Year's Day and on Monday, January 2nd, for New Year's Day Observed.

Parking meter regulations will also be suspended.

COMMUNITY POLICING MEETING AT IHM CHURCH

Meeting with Neighborhood Coordination Officers

Friday, December 30th, 7:00 p.m.

The two Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCO) who patrol Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Windsor Terrace (Sector A within the 72nd Precinct) have scheduled their fourth meeting with residents and business owners.

The meeting will be held this Friday, December 30th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Marian Center at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, located in the rectory basement (next to the church). The address is 2805 Fort Hamilton Parkway, between E. 4th and E. 5th streets, in Windsor Terrace.

The NCOs, Police Officers Daniel McGrath and Francis Ghanney, are interested in hearing about the concerns of residents and business owners. Concerns might include

• violent street crimes,
• home burglaries,
• theft of packages from front porches,
• street safety, and
• whatever else is important to you.

They will also update the community about crime and other aspects of their job.

The meeting is solely for residents and business owners in Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Windsor Terrace.

The 72nd Precinct was divided into four sectors in April as part of a new policing model ("community policing"). Before that, the precinct had eight sectors. As a result of the reapportionment, additional officers were assigned to the precinct.

An article in Brooklyn Reporter explains the significance of this new way of policing.

Phone numbers and e-mail addresses for the two officers are

• Danny McGrath: (917) 853-2601, daniel.mcgrath @ nypd.org
• Francis Ghanney: (929) 343-7645, francis.ghanney @ nypd.org

MENORAH LIGHTING OUTDOORS IN WINDSOR TERRACE

Community Menorah Lighting

Thursday, December 29th, 3:30 p.m.

The annual community menorah lighting sponsored by Chabad of Windsor Terrace is scheduled for tomorrow--Thursday, December 29th--at 3:30 p.m.

Have some hot latkes as you listen to live music. Entertainment and gifts for the children will round out the fun.

The event will take place in the parking lot of Key Food/Walgreens at 589 Prospect Avenue, near 11th Avenue, in Windsor Terrace.

AGENDA FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 7 JANUARY MEETING

Community Board 7 Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, January 18th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The regular monthly Board Meeting of Community Board 7 will be held on Wednesday, January 18th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Board Office, located at 4201 4th Avenue. The entrance is on 43rd Street.

Following is the proposed agenda. Items marked "Tabled" appeared on a previous agenda but were held over for a subsequent meeting. They will be discussed at the January 18th meeting.

1. The Pledge of Allegiance
 
2. Opening of the meeting
 
3. Adoption of the agenda
 
4. Adoption of the Minutes of the Board Meeting of December 21, 2017
 
5. Adoption of the Minutes of the Public Hearing of January 11, 2017
 
6. Public Comment
 
7. Committee Reports:
 
   A) Public Safety & Economic Development Committee (Tabled)
      1) Liquor License request for Nautical Empress located at 140 58th Street at the Brooklyn Army Terminal
      2) Liquor License application for El Tahur Bar and Restaurant Corp. located at 4402-4404 3rd Avenue
      3) Alteration – liquor license application for Los Tres Potrillos Restaurant Bar Inc. located at 1004 4th Avenue (39th Street between 3rd & 4th Avenues)

   B) Education Committee (Tabled)
      1) Advocacy for the new surrounding overcrowding and school construction
      2) Response to School Construction Authority’s letter regarding potential sites
      3) Role of local administration in advocacy work

    C) Immigration Committee (Tabled)
      1) Summary of the FAC/Brooklyn Public Library expansion project
      2) Discussion on a resolution on sanctuary cities and immigration issues

    D) Transportation Committee
      1) Update on BQX Project (street car) (Tabled)
      2) Speed hump request for 41st Street between 4th & 5th Avenues (Tabled)
      3) Prospect Avenue station and 53rd Street station rehabilitation
      4) 59th Street station ADA project
      5) 4th Avenue tunnel rehabilitation

    E) Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness Issues
      1) Structure of committee
      2) Discussion with Human Resources Administration/Department of Homeless Services on issues in CB7

    F) Land Use/Landmarks Committee
      1) Board of Standards & Appeals App. #2016-4354-BZ for a special permit for a physical culture establishment (Blink Gym) at 5109 4th Avenue
      2) Board of Standards & Appeals App. #182-85-BZ for an extension of a term of variance for 209-11 20th Street
      3) Board of Standards & Appeals App. #183-85-BZ for an extension of a term of variance for 206-08 20th Street

8. Elected Officials and Representatives
 
9. District Manager’s Report
 
10. Chairperson’s Report
 
11. Old Business
 
12. New Business
 
13. Public Comment
 
14. Adjournment

OUTDOOR MENORAH LIGHTING IN KENSINGTON

Lighting of the Sixth Hanukkah Candle

Thursday, December 29th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Light the sixth Hanukkah candle together outdoors on the landing at Flatbush Jewish Center. Take part in the mitzvah of publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah. The candle-lighting is a no-fee event.

Then head indoors for a pizza dinner, billiards tournament, and board games. The cost is $5 per person for this portion of the night's events.

Flatbush Jewish Center
327 E. 5th Street, at the corner of Church Avenue

Kensington, Brooklyn

FACEBOOK PAGE FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 12

The long-awaited Facebook page for Community Board 12 has been created. Use it to share your questions, concerns, needs, problems, suggestions, and solutions with your board and your community (Kensington, Borough Park, and part of Midwood).

At last night's board meeting, the board said they might hold their January public meeting in Kensington. Here's an opportunity to use their new Facebook page to encourage them to meet in our neighborhood.

Every neighborhood in New York City is represented by an all-volunteer community board, which serves as the neighborhood's liaison to city agencies. Board members are appointed by the neighborhood's city councilperson and the borough president.

The goal of a community board is to help resolve issues involving pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, housing, land use and zoning, outdoor lighting, potholes, sanitation, libraries, crime, police presence, social services, rodents, trash collection, public litter baskets, street and sidewalk conditions, etc.

Community Board 12's committees are

• Planning, Zoning Variances and City Map
• Education, Library, Cultural Affairs
• Sanitation & Environmental Protection
• Fire, Safety & Police
• Health & Social Services
• Housing & Buildings
• Legislation
• Parks, Capital Projects & Site Selection
• Transportation & Franchises
• Youth & Community Development

The chairperson of Community Board 12 is Yidel Perlstein. The district manager is Barry Spitzer. 

Community Board 12
5910 13th Avenue
corner of 59th Street
Borough Park, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 851-0800
fax: (718) 851-4140
bk12 @ cb.nyc.gov
http://www.brooklyncb12.org
https://www.facebook.com/BkCB12

The general meetings of Community Board 12 are usually held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from September through June, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Amico Senior Center, 5901 13th Avenue, 3rd floor, at the corner of 59th Street, in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

PARKING RULES AND GARBAGE COLLECTION CHANGES FOR CHRISTMAS

The day after Christmas--called "Christmas Observed"--is a federal, state, and city holiday. It falls on Monday, December 26th, this year.

Alternate side parking rules will be suspended that day. Parking meter rules will also be suspended. Stopping, standing, and parking will be allowed, except in areas where those rules are in effect seven days a week (for example, "No Standing Anytime").

Garbage, organics, and recycling won't be collected, and streets won't be cleaned.

Residents who normally have their garbage and organics collected on Mondays should place them curbside after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 26th, for pick-up.

Residents who normally have their recycling collected on Mondays should place them curbside after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 26th, for pick-up.

Note: When a Monday recycling pick-up is skipped, the material is normally picked up the following Monday. The above schedule change is necessary because the following Monday is also a holiday (January 2nd, New Year's Day Observed).

RECYCLING YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE AFTER CHRISTMAS

Curbside Collection

Tuesday, January 3rd, through Saturday, January 14th

Discarded Christmas trees will be picked up for mulching and recycling during the Department of Sanitation's annual Christmas tree curbside collection program. Collection will begin on Tuesday, January 3rd, and end on Saturday, January 14th.

Before putting a tree at the curb, remove the tree stand and all netting, tinsel, lights, and all other ornaments and decorations that are on it. Don't put the tree into a plastic bag.

Clean, non-bagged trees will be ground into wood chips, mixed with leaves, and recycled into mulch that will be used in city parks, playing fields, and community gardens.

Mulchfest

Saturday, January 7th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 8th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

At its 21st annual Christmas tree recycling event, the Department of Parks and Recreation will turn trees into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on city streets, in city parks and ball fields, and in community gardens.

Bring your tree to any chipping location throughout the five boroughs on Saturday, January 7th, or Sunday, January 8th, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and all other ornaments and decorations before bringing the tree to Mulchfest.

Brooklyn will have nine chipping locations, including two at Prospect Park--one at Park Circle at Parkside Avenue and the other at Third Street at Prospect Park West.

At the Prospect Park locations, the Parks Department will hand out a free bag of mulch to anyone who wants one, to be used on your own trees or street trees. The department will provide the bag.

All of the city's chipping locations are listed on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down to choose a borough.

Drop-off
Saturday, January 2nd, through Sunday, January 10th

During Mulchfest, some of the Parks Department's locations won't have chipping equipment on-site; those locations (twelve in Brooklyn) are for tree drop-off only. Sometime after being dropped off, the Parks Department will recycle it.

Drop-off sites will accept Christmas trees every day from Saturday, December 31st, through Sunday, January 8th.

Before bringing your tree to a drop-off site, remove the tree stand, netting, tinsel, lights, and other ornaments and decorations.

All of the city's drop-off locations are listed on the Parks Department's website. Scroll down to choose a borough.
 

A LITTLE MORE FOOD IS NEEDED FOR THE SHELTER'S CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL

Only five more entrees, three more side dishes, and two more salads are needed to make the Christmas Eve feast at our neighborhood shelter complete!

Local residents have already generously volunteered to prepare sixty-two dishes to provide a special night for the homeless families living in the shelter.

Please sign up on SignUpGenius to make or buy a dish to contribute to the dinner. It would be ideal for the dish to feed six people or more.

Put the food in a container that you don't need returned to you. Include a card identifying the item and any instructions for reheating it. 

Bring non-perishables to the shelter on December 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.

Bring food needing refrigeration to the shelter on December 24th, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The shelter is at 385 McDonald Avenue, across the street from Foodtown.

Thank you for helping.

                           -- Kensington Shelter Welcome Committee 

AGENDA FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 12'S DECEMBER GENERAL MEETING

UPDATE: The Windsor Terrace-Kensington Patch published an article about last night's Community Board 12 meeting.

The board might hold its public meeting in Kensington in January. Let's encourage them to come to our neighborhood by posting on CB 12's Facebook page.

                   

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Community Board 12 General Meeting

             Tuesday, December 20th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Community Board 12's monthly general meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 20th, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

Do you have any concerns, questions, solutions, needs, or problems that you'd like the community board to address? Arrive at the meeting before 7:00 p.m. so that you can sign up to speak during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting. You'll have three minutes to present your topic.

General meetings of Community Board 12 are normally held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from September through June, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Amico Senior Center.

Every neighborhood in New York City is represented by an all-volunteer community board, which serves as the neighborhood's liaison to city agencies. Board members are appointed by the neighborhood's city councilperson and the borough president.

The goal of a community board is to help resolve issues involving pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, housing, land use and zoning, outdoor lighting, potholes, sanitation, libraries, crime, police presence, social services, rodents, trash collection, public litter baskets, street and sidewalk conditions, etc.

Community Board 12's committees are

    Planning, Zoning Variances and City Map
    Education, Library, Cultural Affairs
    Sanitation & Environmental Protection
    Fire, Safety & Police
    Health & Social Services
    Housing & Buildings
    Legislation
    Parks, Capital Projects & Site Selection
    Transportation & Franchises
    Youth & Community Development

Meeting location
Amico Senior Center
5901 13th Avenue, 3rd floor
at the corner of 59th Street
Borough Park, Brooklyn

Community Board 12
phone: (718) 851-0800
fax: (718) 851-4140
e-mail: bk12 @ cb.nyc.gov
website: http://www.brooklyncb12.org
Chairperson: Yidel Perlstein
District Manager: Barry Spitzer

SING-ALONG WITH MISS KATIE

Sing-along with Miss Katie

Tuesday, December 20th, 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Sing along with Miss Katie at Lark Cafe, where she will sing a mix of classic children's favorites and rare folk gems. Everyone is welcome. The cost of attending the sing-along is $10 per family.

Location
Lark Cafe
1007 Church Avenue
between E. 10th Street and Stratford Road
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
(718) 469-0140
e-mail: info @ larkcafe . com
website:  http://www.larkcafe.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LARK/280529368626056

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING SUSPENDED TOMORROW

Alternate side of the street parking regulations--normally in effect on weekdays and Saturdays so that streets can be cleaned--will be suspended on Saturday, December 17th, for snow operations.

Parking meter regulations and all other parking regulations will be in effect. 

FOOD NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS EVE FEAST AT THE FAMILY SHELTER

Some of the families in Kensington's family shelter will not be spending Christmas with family or friends. The Kensington and Windsor Terrace community is providing Christmas Eve dinner for them for the second year in a row.

Please make or buy a dish to contribute to the dinner by signing up on SignUpGenius. Entrees, side dishes, salads, bread, rolls, or biscuits and butter, beverages, and desserts are all needed.

Ideally, a dish should feed six people or more.

Non-perishables can be dropped off at the shelter on December 22nd, 23rd, or 24th.

Food that needs to be refrigerated can be dropped off at the shelter between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on December 24th.

Please put the food in a container that you do not need returned to you.

Please include a card identifying the item and any instructions for reheating.

Thank you in advance for getting into the holiday spirit and making this time special for our neighbors.

The shelter is at 385 McDonald Avenue, across the street from Foodtown.
                                -- Kensington Shelter Welcome Committee

CELEBRATE WINTER SOLSTICE AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN

Winter Solstice Celebration
Wednesday, December 21st, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice at the East 4th Street Community Garden. Gather around a Yule log to greet the new season with warmth and light, stories, stargazing, and seasonal treats.

Stargaze, weather permitting, with local astronomers Irene Pease and Helen Avery, who will be on hand with their telescopes to point out the constellations and explain what the solstice is about.

Everyone is welcome at this family-friendly event. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early for a better chance to see Venus.

Location
The East Fourth Street Community Garden 
179 E. 4th Street 
between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway 
Windsor Terrace - Kensington, Brooklyn
http://eastfourthstreetgarden.tumblr.com 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/246036418909475

66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING AND HOLIDAY PARTY

66th Precinct Community Council Monthly Meeting
Monday, December 19th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At the next meeting of the 66th Precinct Community Council, residents of Kensington and Borough Park are invited to meet with the precinct's Commanding Officer, Captain Kenneth Quick.

Captain Quick will update residents on recent crimes in the two neighborhoods and what the police are doing to deter crime and arrest criminals. This is also an opportunity for residents to bring crime-related issues to Captain Quick's attention.

In addition, you can find out about various programs that are available through the precinct.

The Community Council provides the critical interface between citizens and police through these regular monthly meetings. The meetings are held on the third Monday of the month, from September through June. The Community Council does not meet in July or August.

Meeting location
Community Board 12 Office
5910 13th Avenue
between 59th and 60th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn

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The 66th Precinct station house is located at 5822 16th Avenue, between 58th and 59th streets, in Borough Park.
(718) 851-5611 
e-mail: 66precinctcc @ gmail.com
website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_066.shtml 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYPD66Pct

LOCATION CHANGE FOR COMMUNITY BOARD 7 MEETING

UPDATE: The location of Community Board 7's December meeting has been changed to Sims Municipal Recycling - Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, 472 2nd Avenue, between 29th and 30th streets. The vehicle entrance is on 2nd Avenue and 29th Street.

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

Community Board 7 Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, December 21st, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The regular monthly board meeting of Community Board 7 will be held on Wednesday, December 21st, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

The proposed agenda:
1. The Pledge of Allegiance
2. Opening of the meeting
3. Adoption of the agenda
4. Adoption of the Minutes of the Board Meeting of November 16, 2016
5. Public Comment
6. Committee Reports:
    A) Public Safety & Economic Development  Committee (Tabled)
       1) Liquor License request for Nautical Empress located at 140 58th Street at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
       2) Liquor License application for El Tahur Bar and Restaurant Corp. located at 4402-4404 3rd Avenue
       3) Alteration – liquor license application for Los Tres Potrillos Restaurant Bar Inc., located at 1004 4th Avenue (39th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues)
    B) Education Committee
       1) Advocacy for the new surrounding overcrowding and school construction
       2) Response to School Construction Authority’s letter regarding potential sites
       3) Role of local administration in advocacy work
    C) Immigration Committee
       1) Summary of the FAC/Brooklyn Public Library expansion project
       2) Discussion on a resolution on sanctuary cities and immigration issues
    D) Transportation Committee
       1) Update on BQX Project (street car)
       2) Speed hump request for 41st Street between 4th and 5th avenues
7. Elected Officials Representatives
8. District Manager’s Report
9. Chairperson’s Report
10. Old Business
11. New Business
12. Public Comment
13. Adjournment

Community Board 7
phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
e-mail: communityboard7 @ yahoo.com
website: http://www.brooklyncb7.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Community-Board-7/195263140637225

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: A TOWN HALL MEETING

            Town Hall Meeting with Congressmember Jerrold Nadler
                Monday, December 19th, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

What to expect from the Trump Administration and the new Congress in the coming years will be discussed at a Town Hall Meeting hosted by Congressmember Jerrold Nadler.

Attend, participate in the discussion, and hear from a slate of guest speakers, including Burt Neuborne, NYU Law Norman Dorsen Professor of Civil Liberties and Founding Legal Director of the Brennan Center for Justice.

Nadler has been an active critic of President-elect Trump. For background information on Nadler's view of him, read "How We Resist Trump and His Extreme Agenda." 

The meeting will be held on Monday, December 19th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. RSVP here. 

Nadler represents the 10th Congressional District, which includes several neighborhoods in Brooklyn, including parts of Kensington, Borough Park, Sunset Park, and several others. (map) 

Location
NYU Kimmel Center
Eisner and Lubin Auditorium
60 Washington Square South
between Thompson Street and LaGuardia Place
New York, NY 10012

UPDATE FOR GATHER TOGETHER TO STAND UP AGAINST HATE IN KENSINGTON/WINDSOR TERRACE

UPDATE: People will also gather at the Fort Hamilton Parkway entrance (the entrance near E. 5th Street and Greenwood Playground) at 7:30 a.m.                       

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

                          A Gathering to Stand up Against Hate
                            Monday, December 12th, 7:30 a.m.

A commuter spotted Islamophobic graffiti in the Fort Hamilton Parkway F/G subway station this past Monday at about 4:00 p.m. The anti-Muslim slur was written in marker on a wooden bench located on the Manhattan-bound platform. The NYPD is investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Unfortunately, this isn't the first instance of anti-Muslim sentiment in this neighborhood. In October 2010, Masjid Nur Al-Islam Mosque on Church Avenue received a hate letter in the mail.

In February 2012, Islamophobic graffiti was spray-painted on a building housing a Muslim-owned business on Beverley Road. In May, graffiti was written in marker on newspaper boxes on McDonald Avenue.

In November 2013, graffiti was found on a mailbox and on several Muni Meters on E. 2nd Street.

In July 2014, it was spray-painted on two USPS storage boxes on Ocean Parkway. In September, it was spray-painted on two more USPS storage boxes on Ocean Parkway.

Just a month ago, on November 14th, 2016, a man tore a hijab off a woman at the corner of Avenue C and Ocean Parkway. He was arrested and charged with a hate crime.

Let's gather together as neighbors to stand up against hate and make it clear that everyone is welcome in this neighborhood.

Meet at the corner of Prospect Avenue and Reeve Place--the entrance to the Fort Hamilton Parkway subway station--on Monday, December 12th, at 7:30 a.m. Bring signs, if possible, that will assure our neighbors that hate is not welcome here.