Sunday, January 29, 2023

NEW COMMANDING OFFICER FOR 72ND PRECINCT (WINDSOR TERRACE, SOUTH SLOPE, GREENWOOD HEIGHTS, SUNSET PARK)

The 72nd Precinct (Windsor Terrace, South Slope, Greenwood Heights, Sunset Park) announced today that its new Commanding Officer is Captain Krystin N. Suarez.

Prior to this appointment, she served as the Commanding Officer of the 70th Precinct, starting in December 2020. Before that, she was the Executive Officer of the 61st Precinct. Captain Suarez has been serving with the NYPD since 2007.

The captain will be present at the 72nd Precinct Community Council's next meeting with the public on February 14th in Windsor Terrace. There, you'll be able to talk with the precinct's new Commanding Officer, the Community Affairs Officers, and the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) for each of the sectors in the precinct.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

THE IMPACT OF THE BROOKLYN BUS NETWORK REDESIGN ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD'S BUS SERVICE


"BROOKLYN BUS NETWORK REDESIGN" (DRAFT PLAN)

Zoom meeting dates for Community Board 6, 7, 12, and 14:
CB6 - THURSDAY, JAN. 26TH
CB7 - TUESDAY, JAN. 31ST
CB12 - THURSDAY, FEB. 16TH
CB14 - THURSDAY, FEB. 23RD

The MTA recently released its proposal to revamp and improve bus routes in Brooklyn.  This follows the recent implementation of a redesigned Bronx Bus Network and approaching closure on the Queens Bus Network component.  The full "BROOKLYN BUS NETWORK REDESIGN" (DRAFT PLAN) can be seen and reviewed with these links...



There are many ways to comment, to protest or applaud the proposed changes (and to make suggestions of your own!).  An array of upcoming MTA 'listening sessions" via ZOOM is underway, arranged in numerical order of the Community Boards served by MTA / NYC Transit.  (*See list below for the schedule and how to participate*)

In addition to eliminating hundreds of bus stops throughout Brooklyn (details under the individual bus route), many route adjustments have been proposed under the MTA's Draft Plan...including significant route modifications, truncations AND eliminations.  A handful of NEW routes are also in the "Draft Plan."  Some key examples follow:

*The B16 - Would turn at the busy Church and McDonald Avenue intersection, eliminating service on 12th Avenue/Dahill Road (See which northbound and southbound stops would be added, kept, or removed at https://new.mta.info/document/101241);

*The B69 - This route would no longer be available in KENSINGTON and most of WINDSOR TERRACE on McDonald Avenue, terminating instead at Prospect Park West and 19th/20th Streets;

*The B103 - This Limited Stops, "one-seat-ride" (via the Prospect Expressway and 3rd/4th Avenues) - between KENSINGTON, Midwood and points east in Brooklyn and DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN /Civic Center/Courthouses/Borough Hall, etc. - would be ELIMINATED between the Flatbush/Nostrand "Junction" and Downtown.  (Since the B103 is a fully-accessible, equitable and swift ride, serving many diverse neighborhoods, it is the opinion of many that this would be a shortsighted MTA proposal);

*The BM1,BM2, BM3, BM4 Express Buses - They would no longer operate on Weekends...and with reduced frequency on Weekdays;

NOTES:  

(1)  There is a proposed NEW "B81" route - This line would partially replace the "B69" - on McDonald Avenue - then turn west on 9th Street towards RedHook, essentially reducing service to the heart of Park Slope and the Grand Army Plaza area by half, leaving only the B67 on 7th Avenue (every 30 minutes most hours);  On the plus side, the "B81" would restore service and bus stops on Cortelyou Road between McDonald Avenue and the Flatbush "Junction" - once served by the "B23" (also discontinued in June 2010), now by the "B103";

(2)  A NEW ROUTE (replacing and extending the B35/Church Avenue LIMITED bus) would be the "B55XT," a "Crosstown", similar "Limited" line - with service between Church & McDonald and J.F.K. AIRPORT.  This represents MTA innovation at its best, and should be enthusiastically applauded!

(3) There was no consideration given to resurrecting the B71 / Union Street bus, a victim of the massive MTA service cuts in June 2010.

Residents, Community Organizations, Elected Officials, Community Boards and other interested parties in KENSINGTON, WINDSOR TERRACE and other neighborhoods are invited (and encouraged!) to participate...Here are the dates for the MTA's upcoming "virtual" / ZOOM meetings...MTA officials and staff are available to answer questions, and will note suggestions placed in the Zoom "CHAT" feature...

CB6 - THURSDAY, JAN. 26TH
CB7 - TUESDAY, JAN. 31ST
CB12 - THURSDAY, FEB. 16TH
CB14 - THURSDAY, FEB. 23RD

To join the meetings, use the ZOOM link and details below...

Public workshops

We're planning a better bus network for Brooklyn, and we want 

to hear from you. Please join us for your community 

event! 

 
All workshops will happen from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sessions will 

begin at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., though you can join at any time. 


Please use this link to register for your community 

workshop. 


If you can’t make the workshop for your 

neighborhood, you can sign up for a different one. 

 

Each workshop will be conducted in English. Additional 

language interpreters as well as ASL and CART can be made 

available upon advance request via the registration form. 

Requests must be received no fewer than five business days 

before the workshop you want to attend. 


Please join Virtual Workshop on the date for your community 

via Zoom: 

https://mta.zoom.us/j/87221443989?pwd=L014cXlGQittY2p

ML3pSNlk1UTVjdz09 

Meeting ID: 872 2144 3989 

One tap mobile 

+19294362866,,87221443989#,,,,*5795343238# US (New 

York) 

+16465189805,,87221443989#,,,,*5795343238# US (New 

York) 

Date

Community district

Neighborhoods covered

Wednesday, January 11

Community District 1

East Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Northside, Southside, Williamsburg

Thursday, January 12

Community District 2

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Clinton Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Fort Greene, Fulton Ferry, Navy Yard, Vinegar Hill

Tuesday, January 17

Community District 3

Bedford-Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant Heights, Tompkins Park North

Thursday, January 19

Community District 4

Bushwick

Tuesday, January 24

Community District 5

Broadway Junction, City Line, Cypress Hills, East New York, Highland Park, New Lots, Spring Creek, Starrett City

Thursday, January 26

Community District 6

Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Columbia St, Gowanus, Park Slope, Red Hook

Tuesday, January 31 

Community District 7

Sunset Park, Windsor Terrace

Thursday, February 2 

Community District 8

Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Weeksville

Tuesday, February 7

Community District 9

Crown Heights South, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Wingate

Thursday, February 9

Community District 10

Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton

Monday, February 13

Community District 11

Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Mapleton 

Thursday, February 16

Community District 12

Borough Park, Kensington, Ocean Parkway

Tuesday, February 21

Community District 13

Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Gravesend, Homecrest, Sea Gate, West Brighton

Thursday, February 23

Community District 14

Ditmas Park, Flatbush, Manhattan Terrace, Midwood, Ocean Parkway, Prospect Park South

Wednesday, March 1

Community District 15

Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, Homecrest, Kings Highway, Manhattan Beach, Plumb Beach, Sheepshead Bay

Thursday, March 2

Community District 16

Broadway Junction, Brownsville, Ocean Hill

Tuesday, March 7

Community District 17

East Flatbush, Farragut, Flatbush, Northeast Flatbush, Remsen Village, Rugby, Erasmus

Thursday, March 9

Community District 18

Bergen Beach, Canarsie, Flatlands, Georgetown, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Mill Island, Paerdegat Basin



The information was submitted to the KARMABrooklyn blog by Mike Rosenbluth.

FREE SUPPORT GROUP FOR LGBTQIA+ AND QUESTIONING YOUTH

Rainbow Connection
Sunday, January 29th, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rainbow Connection is a free support group that offers LGBTQIA+ and questioning youth a safe and accepting environment for engaging in lively conversation.

The group is open to ages 6 to 18+.  Ages 7 and up are encouraged to attend on their own, but ages 6 and under should be accompanied by a caregiver.

In addition to chatting with each other, participants will be able to work on a craft. 

Dari Litchman--The Craft Salon Studio's owner--and her "queer co-captain" Austin Tabor are the group's adult facilitators. Discussions and rules are child-led. 

The next meeting of Rainbow Connection will take place on Sunday, January 29th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. The capacity of the group is 12 people.

The Craft Salon Studio follows the DOE's COVID protocols. Masks are optional.

Location
The Craft Salon Studio
625 Church Avenue
between Ocean Parkway and E. 7th Street
Kensington, Brooklyn
(917) 324-8290
dari@thecraftsalonstudio.com

Saturday, January 21, 2023

COMMUNITY BOARD 12 MEETING ONLINE AND IN PERSON


 Community Board 12 Public Meeting
Tuesday, January 24th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

From Community Board 12:
Our January board meeting (first meeting of the year!) is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, at 7:00 p.m. 

In-person location is at Amico Senior Center, 5901 13th Ave (entrance on 59th St), 3rd Floor. 

To join on Zoom. please click the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89185505599.

To speak at the public hearing, please click on the following link and fill out the form: https://forms.gle/5gqKkiyET4j5588H7.

If you are calling in by phone (for the public only), please dial the following number and then enter the Webinar ID: 

Phone #: (646) 558-8656
Webinar ID: 891 8550 5599

You can also access all this and other information by visiting our website at the following link: https://nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb12/index.page.

You can attend the meeting on Zoom via computer (PC or Mac), iPad, iPhone, or Android device. You can also attend by calling in from either a wired or cordless phone.

If you have any concerns, questions, needs, problems, suggestions, or solutions that you'd like to talk to the community board about, you can raise them during the "Public Hearing" (formerly called "Public Session") for up to three minutes. 

Public meetings of Community Board 12 are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from September through June, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. That schedule is subject to change.

Every neighborhood in New York City is represented by an all-volunteer community board that serves as the liaison between neighborhood residents and city agencies. Board members are appointed by the borough president.
 
If you'd like to serve on a committee without joining the board, contact Community Board 12's office at (718) 851-0800 or bk12@cb.nyc.gov. 
 
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
------------------------------------------------------------

Community Board 12
phone: (718) 851-0800
fax: (718) 851-4140
bk12 @ cb.nyc.gov
Chairperson: Yidel Perlstein
District Manager: Barry Spitzer

Friday, January 20, 2023

SPEND VALENTINE'S DAY WITH THE POLICE: 72ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING (FREE, INDOORS)

72nd Precinct Community Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 14th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The 72nd Precinct Community Council's next meeting with the public will be held in person on Tuesday, February 14th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Talk with the precinct's Commanding Officer, its Community Affairs Officers, and the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) for each sector in the precinct.

Everyone who lives or works in Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park is invited to the meeting to discuss past crimes and how the precinct is working to prevent future crimes. Learn about the types of crime that have been taking place, their frequency, any enabling factors, and how to prevent them.

Members of the public are invited to voice their concerns about criminal activity, including armed robberies, rape and other forms of sexual assaults, home break-ins, burglaries in local stores, bank robberies, speeding drivers, stolen bicycles, package theft, and any other crimes.

To receive e-mail announcements about future meetings, send an e-mail to Council President Tina Ponce at tinaponce76@gmail.com or call her at (570) 540-5016.

Location
Holy Name Church
245 Prospect Park West
between Prospect Avenue and Windsor Place
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

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

72nd Precinct contact informationPhone number: (718) 965-6311
Facebook, 72nd Precinct:  https://www.facebook.com/NYPD72pct

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING SUSPENDED THIS WEEKEND


 
Alternate side of the street parking regulations for street cleaning will be suspended on Saturday, January 21st, and Sunday, January 22nd, for Lunar New Year's Eve and Lunar New Year.

Rules for parking meters will remain in effect; they are suspended only on these major legal holidays: New Years’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

When alternate side parking is suspended, you still have to follow any other posted parking time limits and rules.

Alternate side parking suspension applies from midnight the day before until midnight the day of the suspension.

Click here to see the Alternate Side Parking Rules 2023 Suspension Calendar.


Friday, January 13, 2023

66TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING (KENSINGTON, BOROUGH PARK, MIDWOOD)

 

66th Precinct Community Council Meeting
Thursday, January 19th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The public will meet with the 66th Precinct and the 66th Precinct Community Council in person on Thursday, January 19th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

The Community Council serves as the liaison between the public and the NYPD. 

These meetings are intended to give residents and business owners a chance to talk face-to-face with the precinct's Commanding Officer and officers. Your input, perspectives, and insights about crime, quality of life issues, and other policing matters are invaluable at these meetings. 
 
Tell Deputy Inspector Jason Hagestad, the Commanding Officer of the 66th Precinct, what your concerns are.
 
The 66th Precinct covers Kensington, Borough Park, and part of Midwood.

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

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

66th Precinct Community Council
President: Mark Katz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/66precinctcc or @66precinctcc
e-mail: 66precinctcc@gmail.com

66th Precinct
5822 16th Avenue
between 58th and 59th streets
Borough Park, Brooklyn 
phone: (718) 851-5611

COMMUNITY BOARD 7 PUBLIC MEETING (WINDSOR TERRACE, SOUTH SLOPE, GREENWOOD HEIGHTS, SUNSET PARK)


Community Board 7 Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 18th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Community Board 7 will hold its monthly public meeting remotely on Wednesday, January 18th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

CB 7 is the liaison between city agencies and the residents, business owners, and employees of Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park.

Attendees will have two opportunities to address the board (items 6 and 14 on the agenda below). If you have any concerns, questions, needs, problems, suggestions, or solutions that you'd like to share with CB 7 board members, you can raise them at that time.

Register to join the Zoom webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android device, or landline at http://bit.ly/3X7iLCFOr view the meeting on CB 7's YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/2Rl39PO.


After you register, you'll receive an e-mail confirming that you registered. It will also give instructions on joining the webinar from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android phone, or landline/wired phone.


From the website: 
The Board's boundaries are the waterfront on the west, the Long Island Railroad cut to the South (approximately 65th Street); Our boundary extends north on 8th Avenue from 62nd Street to Greenwood Cemetery. We include all of the cemetery and the land between it and Prospect Park to Caton Avenue on the east. Our northern border is on 15th Street from Park Circle to Hamilton Avenue and continues on Hamilton Avenue to the Gowanus Canal.
Every neighborhood in New York City is represented by an all-volunteer community board that serves as the liaison between neighborhood residents and city agencies. Board members are appointed by the borough president.
 
Members of the public are welcome to serve on a committee without being a board member. Descriptions of the committees are posted at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/committees/committees.page. Contact the Community Board 7 office to learn more.


Proposed agenda: 


1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Roll Call

3. Opening of the meeting

4. Adoption of the agenda

5. Adoption of the minutes of the December 21, 2022 board meeting

6. Public Comment (3 minutes to speak on topics covered in the committee reports)

7. Committee Reports: 

    A) Executive Committee

        1. Presentation by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection on free tax preparation and financial counseling

8. Roll Call

9. Elected Officials and Representatives

10. Chairperson’s Report

11. District Manager’s Report

12. Old Business

13. New Business

14. Public Comment (3 minutes to speak on any topic)

15. Adjournment

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

Community Board 7
4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street) (map)
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
bk07 @ cb.nyc.gov



Monday, January 9, 2023

INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL FINANCE (FREE, INDOORS)


Introduction to Personal Finance
Tuesday, January 17th, 24th, and 31st, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Kensington Stewards will host three free classes on personal finance in the meeting room of the Windsor Terrace Library this month.

"Introduction to Personal Finance" will be a series of discussions on a variety of topics that we all face in modern-day life, which are often considered "personal" and "financial." 

Topics may include banking, various forms of indebtedness (e.g., credit cards, car loans, mortgages), investment (e.g., bonds, stocks, real estate), individual taxation, various forms of insurance, retirement planning, and estate planning.

The classes will be led by Pete Gomori, who taught courses in Finance at St. Francis College for thirty-five years. He taught Principles of Finance, Advanced Finance, Personal Finance, Managerial Finance, Security Analysis, Portfolio Management, Introduction to Financial Derivatives, International Finance, and Financial Institutions. 

Guest speakers may also be invited to speak on special topics. Questions from participants will be encouraged.

The classes will be held at the Windsor Terrace Library on Tuesday, January 17th, 24th, and 31st, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If participants wish, the course may be extended into February.

If you're interested in attending, pre-register is required, since the library has a limited amount of seating.

To pre-register or to ask Pete questions, contact him at peter.gomori@gmail.com.


Location

Windsor Terrace Library
160 E. 5th Street
corner of Fort Hamilton Parkway
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn

Sunday, January 8, 2023

FREE COVID-19 TESTING AND TREATMENT VAN IN KENSINGTON


A Mobile Test to Treat Site is a mobile van with clinical personnel who screen and prescribe COVID-19 antiviral treatment to people (age 12+) who test positive (+) onsite.

New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (NYC H + H) COVID-19 Test to Treat van is at 472 McDonald Avenue daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except on major holidays. 

Free PCR and rapid antigen testing will be available for ages four years old and above. No money is charged, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Look around for the van if you don't see it parked at 472 McDonald; it may have to move around to find a parking space. Last January, the van was supposed to be parked by Walgreens, but one day it had to park near Korner Pizza, and another day it had to park by Yummy Taco.

Testing at NYC H+H sites is walk-in only; no appointment is needed.


Sunday, January 1, 2023

72ND PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING (FREE, INDOORS)


 72nd Precinct Community Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 10th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The 72nd Precinct Community Council's next meeting with the public will be held in person on Tuesday, January 10th, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Talk with the precinct's Commanding Officer (Deputy Inspector Ernesto Castro Jr.), its Community Affairs Officers, and the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) for each sector in the precinct.

Everyone who lives or works in Windsor Terrace, Greenwood Heights, South Slope, and Sunset Park is invited to the meeting to discuss past crimes and how the precinct is working to prevent future crimes. Learn about the types of crime that have been taking place, their frequency, any enabling factors, and how to prevent them.

Members of the public are invited to voice their concerns about criminal activity, including armed robberies, rape and other forms of sexual assaults, home break-ins, burglaries in local stores, bank robberies, speeding drivers, stolen bicycles, package theft, and any other crimes.

To receive e-mail announcements about future meetings, send an e-mail to Council President Tina Ponce at tinaponce76@gmail.com or call her at (570) 540-5016.

Location
P.S. 503/506
330 59th Street
between 3rd and 4th avenues
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
The entrance to the auditorium is on 60th Street.

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

72nd Precinct contact information
Phone number: (718) 965-6311

Facebook, 72nd Precinct:  https://www.facebook.com/NYPD72pct


HAPPY NEW YEAR!