The Q at Parkside

(for those for whom the Parkside Q is their hometrain)

News and Nonsense from the Brooklyn neighborhood of Lefferts and environs, or more specifically a neighborhood once known as Melrose Park. Sometimes called Lefferts Gardens. Or Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Or PLG. Or North Flatbush. Or Caledonia (west of Ocean). Or West Pigtown. Across From Park Slope. Under Crown Heights. Near Drummer's Grove. The Side of the Park With the McDonalds. Jackie Robinson Town. Home of Lefferts Manor. West Wingate. Near Kings County Hospital. Or if you're coming from the airport in taxi, maybe just Flatbush is best.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

It's Time To Stand Together

This coming Tuesday night at 7PM, in front of 80 Clarkson, please make a point of coming out to share our outrage at what happened on August 30, 2012, and to show the family that we stand united against the senseless violence that frankly, could have struck any of us or our loved ones. There will be a vigil for the victim, then a march through the neighborhood to let everyone know how many we are, that we won't tolerate guns, gangs or drug-dealing on our streets. That's all I know about it right now; more info when I get it from elected officials and the family. But please, put it on your calendar. This is not a meeting, it's not a forum, it's not a petition, and it's not a letter writing campaign. It's a get-off-our-butts-and-show-our-numbers-kinda-thing, black-white-green-rich-poor-old-young-longtimer-newcomer, for the wayward young gang bangers, and the whole City, to see.

Over the last 48 hours, I've spoken to many people about the horrific tragedy that claimed the life of our neighbor, Fatima Gordon, as she was coming back from the corner store. The suffering on the faces of her family and friends is all you need to witness to see that she was beloved. From all accounts, she really was just walking home from the store, with two kids in tow. One, her son of just four years old, witnessed the whole thing. The extended family is trying to come to terms with what happened. The boy is terrified to go into the building, lest the "bad man who took my mommy" is in there. I'm telling you, it's outrageous to even have to write that last line.

The shooter rode his bike past 80 Clarkson on his way to a parked car near 40, around 9PM. He was not "from" the block, but he was not unknown. His appearance was apparently unwelcome to those who saw him. No one would tell ME who he was, but plenty of people want to see him caught. Perhaps he was a rival to the "gang" that hangs out in front of 35, 41, and most recently 40 Clarkson. This group of upper-teen to 20-somethings includes at least three guys who live on the block and a few others who come and go. They're well known to the Captain of the 71st Precinct, Jack Lewis. Jack came by my house last night to share some thoughts, but it was pretty depressing to hear how some of these guys go to jail for awhile only to return right where they got caught, doing the same ol' same ol'. According to Lewis, he has a hard time busting people on parole violations as well, which is often the only leverage he has against the low-level offenses. Seems like the whole NY legal system is jaded and backed up with the thousands of young men it must deal with on a perpetual basis of in for six, out for six, in for two, out for two, etc. etc. etc. Rarely does he see someone who buys into the life ever get out. He seems to understand why a kid would choose the live-fast die-young thing, but it comes at a big price to the neighborhood. Hell, watching the way these guys live, nothing to do all day, can't even safely go to other blocks, talking about not much, getting high, staring into space. Seems to me jail might actually be a sideways career move.

The gang was hanging out Thursday evening in and around its beloved black Cadillac Escalade (who owns it I wonder), which is the car they frequently deal from. Not that they're particularly careful about hiding it. I once saw a dealer throw the stuff onto the pavement, yelling at his customer "go fetch," in earshot of the whole block.The SUV Escalade, for those not in the know, is a favorite of rappers, sports stars and drug dealers. In fact, the folks at Cadillac were shocked to find that their biggest hit in years was also radically changing the company's demographic - younger and blacker - due to some pretty sweet product placement in videos they had nothing to do with, nor had to pay for. The car itself was well known to the 70th and 71st precincts.

I have yet to learn the status of the young men who were wounded, and I hope to find out more soon. Were they intended targets? The craziest thing I learned was that the killer apparently called someone in the family and apologized. For killing the wrong person. The response (this according to the victim's aunt) was "if you're sorry come turn yourself in." The mother said there's a manhunt on in three states to find him. (I'm repeating what I heard, I don't know if a lick of it is true. But this is one case where many people have a pretty clear idea who did it, or at least which posse he was from. The mother kept saying she wants "all three of them" to go down, and I have no idea what that means, but there it is.)

The surviving child may end up in the father's care. I met the father briefly, just before writing this. He seemed bewildered and shocked and was being asked to make decisions about funeral arrangements. I'm told Councilman Eugene has been by to express condolences and to offer to help pay for the funeral. Ditto the NYPD. T-Shirts are being printed with a likeness of Fatima. A vigil and march are happening Tuesday evening. The family hopes that all of you, each and every one of you, who have interest in this part of town, consider setting aside some time to come and join them in this moment of intense grief and sorrow.

But all of that said, what I'd really like to do, if I could muster the courage, is talk to the men who were hanging by the Caddy that night, and say, please, please, let it end here. Just let it go. There is, there always is, while you're above ground, another path to choose.







38 comments:

Anonymous said...

If it is true that the killer called to apologize, what they really need to do is come forward and turn themselves in. How can they keep living with themselves knowing that one of their bullets killed an innocent woman of a young son who happened to be right there. Do the right thing and turn yourself in.

Anonymous said...

i live on the next block - clarkson between bedford and rogers - and although there i frequently (too frequent for comfort, at least, whatever that might mean) hear gunshots in from the surrounding streets. so, yes, anyone that lives in the neighborhood knows it can be rough and that one needs to remain vigilant. but i have a question about this story [ http://gothamist.com/2012/09/01/the_gun_took_my_mommy_police_offer.php ].

according to that piece as resident of your block say that there have been shootings or stabbings every other night for weeks. my question: is this true, at least as far as you know, or is there an understandable exaggeration borne out of frustration at the recent, awful murder?

thanks.

Anonymous said...

Was anyone hurt on Flatbush and Lincoln? I looks like there was a horrible accident at the planted median in front of B Fruitee. Two signs ripped out of the concrete, two trees are down, and a lot of car parts!

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Yes. It's exaggeration, though there's been plenty of police activity in the past year to warrant understandable caution.

Nosy Neighbor said...

It seems so weird that the Times would repeat a figure like that -- a stabbing or shooting every night for two weeks -- without confirming with the precinct that violence is so high.

I might not hear about a stabbing but these were the first gunshots I've heard on the block in over a year. And I have no type of AC so I have the pleasure of hearing everything.

Anonymous said...

So the 71st is saying because the dealers just end up back on the streets after not much time in jail/prison it's not worth busting them. That is f-ing RIDICULOUS. Bust them every day. Cuz it's your job. They get a short jail sentence? Then bust them every time they show back up dealing after they've been out of jail. This is exactly how to get them the heck out of this neighborhood. Right now PLG is the most friendly, tolerant neighborhood around for their drug dealing and gang activities. No patrols. No busts. So as Q describes here they don't fear being seen dealing at all.

ElizabethC said...

I wish I could be there on Tuesday..is there any kind of notice going up around the neighborhood?

Anonymous said...

More PLG NYPD-allowed lawlessness today: I see from our window at least three fire hydrants blocked by illegally parked cars. But no tickets, no towing. So parade goers are extra special people or something?

MadMommaCarmen said...

Dear members of the PLG community,

I am going to apologize in advance for the tone of this message as I tend not to be gentle with words and I am certainly not a "hold your hand and pat your head" type of gal.

I'm pissed off. Why? Well, for the whopping 4 e-mails I've gotten from community members wanting to help take back our community, I've gotten 16 other e-mails that start out with "how great that you're taking this initiative, I want to help but....".

First off, *I* am not taking an initiative, WE are. This is not my community, this is OUR community, and its left me seething that we are obviously not outraged enough to do anything about the situation we're facing. Each one of the 16 e-mails outlined eyewitness accounts of more drug dealing and more violence than even I was aware of. To me, this is even more reason to act in defense of our neighborhood, but to others, this is reason enough not to.

And just to put it all out there, I have kids too and I don't want them to see what's happening in our community as the norm. I'm not brave, just pissed off at how tolerant we seem to be in the face of this disaster that has become the place we call home.

A lot of people talk a good talk on the internet, but can't back it up with the simple action of attending a candlelight vigil for an innocent victim for fear that "they" will see them participating.

Nothing is going to change if I'm the only one at the vigil. Nothing is going to change if only Senator Adams and I are sitting in front of Ray's, silently protesting what's going on there.

And I just got another e-mail, so make that 17.

Rudy on Winthrop said...

Carmen,

I would really encourage you to write back to each of the people who has emailed you and say: "Dear friend, I know you are not inclined to come to the vigil, but this is an occasion that you must rise to, that we all must rise to. We need you to come."

Perhaps anyone who reads this blog, and who attends church locally, can quickly ask their priests and pastors to do some outreach? Perhaps there would be interest in a second event next Sunday? Because if our neighbors need help seeing that this vigil is an occasion that they must rise to, then maybe we can get the local men & women of God to say so.

Rudy on Winthrop

Angry but not stupid said...

Your anger is misplaced, Carmen. This clearly shows that there is a bigger problem out there. People are living in fear in their own nabes. A whole culture of violence and the way it's been going on for years and years is what we are against. Not saying nothing should be done, but it is fully understandable that some people aren't willing to put themselves out there against people who so casually kill other people. How about the cops bust the KNOWN drug activity that takes place out in the open on so many of the streets in PLG? I mean I see it, my neighbors see it. why don't the police who can do something about it? I'm not about to go and make a citizen's arrest. I know Senator Adams, whose office was right there on Flatbush knows all about that activity. What did he really do? Him marching with anyone isn't helping either if nothing gets done. If he as a senator can't do anything, why would anyone else think they can either? I think people would be willing to come out IF they knew something would actually be done. As far as I am concerned, it's the same 'isht every year. The thugs hide like roaches in the winter, but come spring and summer they crawl out of the woodwork and reek their havoc. I'm not saying I have a better idea, but don't take it out on the people who who aren't the ones going around shooting people.

MadMommaCarmen said...

Dear "Angry"

I think my anger is rightly placed. While claiming to be outraged, these same individuals find it perfectly ok to root me on all by myself to take this on, as though I am the only one who lives in this community. I hear the excuse of "but I have kids" well, guess what, I have kids too. Its ridiculous that people have e-mailed me claiming to breathe a sigh of relief that someone is doing something about it...someone who isn't them.

I said it before and I will say it again, this is not MY movement to take back our community, this is OUR movement. If folks have trouble digesting that then I'm better off just focusing on my own block or simply moving away.

The cops have done nothing, our elected officials have done nothing, and now our community members are choosing to do nothing. That's just swell.

Angry but not stupid said...

We get it, it's not YOUR movement. Alright. Again, your anger is misplaced. You and Nicole are the voices that keep popping up on the list and here. But I'm not going to get into a back and forth about this. I understand why people are scared to come out, you don't. That is the real issue. Instead of Ray's everyone should sit outside of the 71 precinct and ask why aren't you doing more with our tax money? There's plenty of activity every single day in the warm weather.

MadMommaCarmen said...

I've asked people to go to the precinct and demand police presence. The overwhelming response is "ok, you do it".

Angry but not stupid said...

I am not trying to tell you or anyone else to not try, I am merely saying that we have REALLY big problems here. Why aren't the community leaders standing up for this? why aren't the police doing more? i have noticed more police presence at the train stations this summer, but how does that help if the thugs don't ever leave their own streets? Ugh. I'm just as frustrated as you are, Carmen, and I have thought of moving out the the nabe many times. The stress has taken it's toll and I just want a safer place to live. There are a lot of great people here, but there are a lot of shitty people here too. That's that.

MadMommaCarmen said...

(last post, I promise!)

I just want to clarify, that only one person has e-mailed me stating their fear to get involved. Everyone else has e-mailed me stating they don't want to get involved and are relieved that someone else is doing it instead of them. This is a problem.

MadMommaCarmen said...

"Angry"- if its cool with you, I'd love to chat more outside of this blog. You can e-mail me at Carmen19b@gmail.com

Angry but not stupid said...

Carmen, I have just been talking with my partner, and we have agreed it's time to leave PLG. As much as we love the people, the park, the proximity to the city, we agreed it's not worth the stress of walking down the street having to constantly look over our shoulders. We wanted to give PLG a try, and we have. But it's time for us to go. I wish all the people who have roots here the best, as it is a great community with a lot of promise. We don't own here so it's easier for us to leave. Right now though we want to live in a neighborhood that we feel safer in. It's going to hurt our budget, but it will give us peace of mind.

MadMommaCarmen said...

I'm probably not far off behind you "Angry". If we could afford to up and move tomorrow, we'd be outta here too. Best of luck to you.

Naomi said...

I'm staying and fighting. Or rather, staying and building. There are a ton more "good" people here than "bad" and much more dangerous areas than this have been reclaimed from dealers by residents who stayed unified. We can do this. See you Tuesday, and later at Ray's.

ElizabethC said...

I wish that I could be there tuesday, but unfortunately I work in the evenings and it's already a short week. I am really disappointed.

But these are the same people who don't come to community board meetings, or block association meetings, or (in the case of my building) even vote. (although having attended these meetings I understand the reluctance).

People need to understand that they have power, that their voice and opinion are meaningful. This neighborhood --in my case Flatbush-- is incredibly disenfranchised.

And yes, there is incredible fear of speaking up, even over the most minor of things.

I am committed to this neighborhood but 10 out of the 14 apartments in my building have turned over in the last three months. The majority of people who moved out listed the crime and fear as the reasons why. It's hard to engage people when there seems no point to staying.

I'm happy to share the information about the vigil with everyone I can.

Anonymous said...

I agree with angry not stupid. My husband forbade me to sit outside Rays. He rightly pointed out I walk past that corner daily with our young child and I am alone with him. I yelled at a guy once for hitting his dog and was glared at by that thug for weeks afterward. A friend was threatened after she confronted some other hooligans. These dealers and thugs are terrorists. They use intimidation. They do beat up a man in front of his child if they are "disrespected". I am really angry that the NYPD forces we tax paying, law abiding citizens to put ourselves at risk to bring attention to drug corners they full well know exist. I am all for occupying the 71st precinct. And we don't need consensus. Occupy both places and people can join the one they agree with the most.

Anonymous said...

YES NAOMI! There are WAY more GOOD people here than bad. The bad are few, but think they have more power. They don't. I have seen this pattern before. I lived in Hell's Kitchen during the demise of the Westies and rise of Disney. It's economics that move out the gangs, guns and drugs. When they no longer have clients in the neighborhood to deal to they are done. The police never make the change. Economic and Social forces make the change. That change is us. Carmen is RIGHT. We have to be the change and we have to stand up. Show no fear. We are bad for their business. And we want them out of business. A place like Ray's enables them. I am sure he gets a cut. We have to be a greater economic and social force then them.

Anonymous said...

To those who want to leave as the result of a senseless homicide in NYC, where did you think you were living? Are you really naive enough to think you can avoid the reality of street life, even in the up-and-coming neighborhoods? They've sold a version of Brooklyn that doesn't exist...safety at all times, no violence, no crime. It's lower than it's ever been, and you're safer here than in most cities, statistically. In Ny, the more expensive the neighborhood, the safer. Nothing is different the day before and the day after the killing, except the fear below the surface that came up. If you must, go to the suburbs, no one will judge you. They were made for you. The rest of us will roll up our sleeves and fight for what's right. Look at the map. Brooklyn is full of shootings and killings. Good luck getting far enough away to avoid all danger. bigger place cheaper rent. dont forget wbat brought you here in the first place. queens and staten island are calling and new jersy and strong island.

Anonymous said...

Like all of you, I have thought long and hard about moving out but I hope to stay and try to make a small difference. The vigil is a wonderful idea and protesting at the 71st is also smart. I think people do need to be cautious about occupying Rays. What we need to do is tell our elected officials that we are prepared to vote them out and back it up if there is no progress. The inertia by elected officials is the result of politicians being very comfortable in a one party political machine system that guarantees them jobs regardless of performance.

Anonymous said...

Which place is Rays?

Ready to GO said...

Anonymous, you are in what I used to be in, denial. You can't really be saying that every other Brooklyn nabe has the same amount of blatant drug dealing that goes on every single day. Sure, there are nabes that might even have more. And yeah, you are judging people who want to leave and live in a safer place. If I could move to the burbs, I would yesterday. The thought of not hearing police and firetruck sirens sounds every day and all night sounds great right about now.

I love this 'hood. I have met some great people, but I am just not THAT attached to it enough to put me and my family's life at risk. I grew up on the Lower East Side and many other 'hoods in my 42 years of life. I have done my share of save the community/take back the streets/crack is whack. But I am tired of it. If this is where you need to be right now, more power to you. But don't judge others for wanting a safer place to live. We all have our reasons for doing what we need to do.

And by the way, that National Night out was a joke. Why was it on Maple II? Why the hell wasn't it on Flatbush Ave? Sure, it was nice for the kiddies to get some snacks,but I could do that myself. What effect did it have? On our tax money, thank you very much. And that Officer Liaison also knows exactly what is going on and who is going it. Why aren't they being arrested? I have seen a lot of cops this summer at the Parkside Ave station. What exactly are they looking for in my bag during rush hour? Bombs? Guns? If they want weapons I can point them the streets where they are more likely to find some. Then in the middle of the day, I see the cops standing around looking at their cell phones on the platform. Maybe they should be walking up and down the streets of PLG making their presence known THERE. At least they'd get some exercise out of their shift.

That said, my heart goes out to the loved ones of that young woman killed with her mother and her son at her side. It's tragic beyond words. Let's remember who the real cowards are though, and they are the little punks who ride by on bikes, shooting innocent people and taking off. A REAL gangster would stay and declare "I am Tony Montana and I am the kind of the world" Oh right, that only happens in movies.

Anonymous said...

Actually, I didn't say that at all. There are plenty of safe neighborhoods, but they come at a cost - either they're dull or they're expensive. Your welcome to speak with your feet if you like. my point is that your wrong to think something funamentally changed last thursday. if you were in denial before then i'm sorry for that. but dont claim the rest of us are. a lot of us have been living here long enough to know evil shit happens, you stay or you run, but theres always a tradeoff. in fact, most don't have a choice anymore with prices what they are. Not a judgment, just a fact. You clearly have, some don't. I seriously hope you find what your looking for.

Your right about the cops though and that Night Out on Maple of all places. A joke. What it should be is what madmommacarmen's talking about.

Anonymous said...

Homicides have undeniably fallen in the last decade, but the point that other neighborhoods in Brooklyn are safer is also undeniable. Take a look at the stats here: http://projects.nytimes.com/crime/homicides/map

According to the chart, between 2003-2011, there were 39 murders in PLG. During that same period in Park Slope there were four.

There are plenty of things to point to as the root causes of this disparity: socioeconomics, a failure of the education system, inadequate policing, a culture of violence, institutionalized racism, a generation of incarcerated men, a lack of economic opportunity. Take your pick. But the ONLY thing that is going to effect political change is for the community to make a united and well-organized stance against violence.

The people who moved to PLG hoping it would be the next Park Slope, many who have paid way over a million dollars to live in the midst of these profoundly entrenched problems, should be taking as strong a stand as the working class families who have lived here for over a generation. Hiding out in The Manor just doesn't cut it. This problem effects ALL of us.

Ready to GO said...

Dull or expensive? Well I'll definitely take dull if it means safe. Excitement is only a train ride away. And the reason we are in PLG is because it was cheap, so no, we don't have bucketloads of money. But it comes time when you make decisions about what is best for your family, and this is best for ours. I'd rather live in a smaller apt in a nabe that's safer. And PLEASE spare me the stats. I SEE with my own eyes the crime that goes on. My personal percentage of what I see everyday on the corner is more than my friends ever see in their nabes.

Anonymous said...

One of you sounds smug; the other dismissive. Actually, you both sound smug AND dismissive. Take your negativity offline. Neither of you seem interested in solutions or unity.

Anonymous said...

I am so tired of the newbies who come from privileged middle-class families that grew up in a small predominantly white suburb out of state, moving into NYC and saying:

"Oh no! Drug dealers, run, run, run! They're going to obliterate us!"

What did you expect? Some dandy city that explodes flamboyant colors among the streets where people greet you? No. This is a city, stop being so oblivious. Every inch of New York City is unsafe. As I have mentioned before, from the richest to poorest of neighborhoods, crime is interspersed everywhere.

Another thing that annoys me? When "they" stick together. Perfect examples: Park Slope, the Upper West Side and now Williamsburg.

I am tired of "them" being so scared of diversity. For crying out loud this is a freaking city! The melting pot of cultures! What did you expect? Pale skin everywhere? Jeez. Don't come here if you're not going to send your kids to public school. Stop being so subtly racist. What's the point in living in NYC, if all you're going to do is moan and complain about the violence, and corruption? Uh, hello? That has been going on for decades.

As for PLG--it's another story, we have so much resources that the possibility of change is very high. If you newbies don't like this neighborhood, LEAVE. No disrespect to Clarkson FlatBed who has clearly expressed true positive sentiment for this nabe. Why don't you go join your little friends in Park Slope, huh? Oh, are the prices too high? Oops, sorry! I forgot that NYC was the most expensive city to live in in the United States. This is why you shouldn't huddle in the same neighborhoods. You do know that city space is extremely limited, right?

If you moved here recently to beautiful PLG, but complain and complain, and do nothing, while threatening to leave, then please do leave. We are only interested in having neighbors who care about this neighborhood and want to improve it, other than to remain huddled in a few good neighborhoods with sky rocketing prices.

PLG has substantially improved over the years, less crime, more shine. If we eradicate (hehe) these thugs who do no good, this neighborhood will turnaround.
Please. We don't want to become the next East New York, Crown Heights (dangerously close), Canarsie or another neighborhood constantly picked at for having a "white flight" and then obtaining the title of a typical "ghetto". PLG is so much better than that.

I'm all for occupying the precinct, we can also improve the neighborhood by using the following alternatives:

- Let's get the word out! Let's go to good, overpriced neighborhoods and preach about PLG. We can tell them the prices are cheap and it's going through slow gentrification, so there's still a lot of culture in place.

- Due to this, we can replace these thugs by ratting them out and replacing them with nice docile people.

- More local events, more art events to attract some hipsters.

- The proximity to the park, train station can be used to heighten PLG's name.

- "Beautification" of the neighborhood by removing ugly bottle stands, strands of graffiti, etc.

Any more ideas? It's never too late to care.

Anonymous said...

I'm starting to think that there is some collaboration between the precinct and the drug dealers. How is this happening every day with nothing being done about it?

Ready to GO said...

Anonymous, who are these newbies you are speaking of? I've been here almost 10 years, so it's not me. I'll admit things are a *little* better, but not much. Not much at all. I don't think anyone comes to this nabe thinking it's crime free or problem free, but I know I for one certainly had NO clue that there was going to be year after year of the same blatant drug activity right on the corners of Flatbush Avenue. And who are you talking to about not wanting diversity? That's a whole other can of worms from what was originally being discussed. Also, your assertion that every inch of NYC is unsafe makes you sound a little crazy. Not every inch of NYC has thugs fighting for some stupid fake battle or drug turf. Your argument for wanting to make PLG sound like it's so GREAT because it's JUST as dangerous as any other part of the city (!!) is also just not really helping anyone who lives here. But whatever. We get that you love it here and want it to be better and will do your part to make it better. That's great, you should. But it's simply not for everyone. That's ok too.

Anonymous said...

Ready to GO, sorry that my neighborhood pride got in the way, but hey, isn't that so much better than being a drug dealer? Hmm.

My statements were not directed towards you, but to others that are like that (and trust me there are plenty of newbies like that in UWS, Park Slope, and other affluent neighborhoods) but by reading your previous posts, you sure seem to hold a grudge against this nabe. Sorry that PLG hasn't been so pleasant for you. I've had some rough times in this neighborhood too in the past, but it's life. If you put it into perspective, it's not the neighborhood to blame. It's the people.

For example: We have your typical high school, you let kids that are academically deficient and misbehave, is the high school building going to be bad? No. Just the KIDS INSIDE of the high school. The student body. The same applies for a neighborhood.

Every year at the West Indian parade in Crown Heights, there's a s shooting or some incident involving some sort of violence, why? Hmm... I'll let you figure that out for yourself. What we're trying to do is push the bad out, it's a stain on PLG's name.

I do agree though. This nabe is not for everyone. Everyone has an inclination, and I guess what you're looking for isn't here which is disappointing, but like I aforementioned, it's not the neighborhoods fault, it's the small percentage of the people. Trust me, bad/evil overshadows good. All. The. Time.

Just look at the positives, it'll work.

P.S. Here's some irony, I have a friend who feared moving into PLG, and when she did, nothing happened. It was just another normal chapter in her life, she liked the proximity to Prospect Park and Manhattan just a train ride away. Then one day she traveled to Arizona to visit some relatives, and guess what happened? She was robbed. Windows shattered, jewelry stolen, and you know the rest.

Former Clarksonite said...

There are so many people against "stop and frisk "....why????? Wouldn't you feel a lot safer if you knew that the police officers were taking preventive measures to protect you and the community?????..... I would love for someone to explain to me why this is being rejected by so many in the same communities that are crying for an end to gun violence.

Anonymous said...

Also, to those who are leaving PLG because they feel it's unsafe:

I'm sorry. We're trying, I'm trying. I'm just a human and my ideas are limited. I can't force you to stay, but I will say that there are FAR worse nabes than PLG. Just know that other nabes don't have as much support and/or pride as PLG does. They just live there for the safety and do nothing productive for their own neighborhood. I wish you the best. This is sad news. We can't let those thugs win, that's literally surrendering. What a waste of a nabe PLG will be if we let them win.

Anonymous said...

We marched last night, we shouted, we cried we share Fatima was my cousin a loving mother a good relative and she wasnt into the streets. This violence has to stop!!!! WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. YES THE GUY CALLED AND APOLOGIZED HE COULDVE TURNED HISSELF IN MAYBE HE CALLED OUTTA GUILT WHO KNOWS. BUT THE FACT THAT PEOPLE SEE THE SHOOTINGS KNOW WHO THESE PPL ARE AND ARENT STANDING FOR JUSTICE IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE. IT COULD BE ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN OR NEICE OR NEPHEW. THESE MEN NEED TO BE OFF THE STREETS OUR CHILDREN CANNOT LIVE AND GROW UP PEACEFULLY BECAUSE OF GUNSHOTS N CRIME AND BACK IN THE DAYS THE COMMUNITY USED TO MEAN EVERYTHING.. EVERYONE LOOKED OUT FOR EVERYONES CHILD AND FAMILY NOW ITS JUST ALL FOR ONESELF.. THANK YOU TO THE PPL WHO CAME OUT LAST NIGHT WHO HELD A Candle who left condolences who participated in the march!!! THANK YOU!!!