If you, Q reader, feel as I do, that the barrels of broken glass are both a menace and a danger, and that the constant "canner" business is disruptive to the community, and to a pleasant walk to the train...
Please tell Hector or any of the managers at Pioneer of your displeasure. Coming from me it would not be helpful (just trust me on that). But from you, to say something just after you've patronized his store, would be VERY cool.
Need further proof that enough is enough? From last night:
17 comments:
Call the dept of sanitation and they should be fined. That should help with the cause.
Walked by the Pioneer with the children one evening this summer. My daughter at some point bends down and begins grabbing at her shoe. Too late, I realize that a curved piece of glass has attached itself to her sandal and she's attempting to pull it off. I shout, grab her, pull the glass off myself, but unbeknownst to me she has already cut her hand. I pick her up, grab my son's arm and race back to the the Duane Reade on Flatbush and Parkside---my daughter bleeding all over my white t-shirt. Rattled I buy every wipe, antiseptic, cream, and bandage I can, and care for the cut right in the middle of an isle. The cut isn't bad, the bleeding stops, but it scared and angered the hell out me. After she'd been bandaged I raced back to Pioneer, go to the manager, show him my daughter's bandaged hand, and tell him the story, pointing to all the loose glass on the sidewalk. He listened disinterestedly, and then stared at me like he could care less. My mind is blown that the neighborhood puts up with that broken glass fiasco.
I've had broken glass spilled on my sandal-clad feet three times over the summer while on my way to the train.and was getting pretty fed up. It also clogs up the sidewalk and makes it difficult for morning commuters to get to the station. The only reason I haven't spoken up is because I feel for the people that depend on the bottle return station for survival.
Can the community board put pressure on Pioneer? It's ridiculous. I can barely get through the sidewalk on the way to the train.
What about starting a petition? I will personally pound the pavement for signatures!
Doug, I know you're a super writer. Mary, I see that you're a librarian.
Any chance I could put you two in touch to write the petition? I think it's an excellent idea. Doug, being a genius at social media, could handle the online. Mary, being a genius at traditional media, could handle the on paper. We could get some volunteers to help get sigs.
It can be made very clear that this is about safety and aesthetics. It's up to Pioneer to decided whether it's worth creating a less obnoxious system for bottle returns. Every other grocery store figures it out; why not them?
Given that the management seems to have tuned out complaints (including a bleeding child), something tells me that a petition or delayed community board action may not be as effective in this case. What about going to the media? News 12 Brooklyn or one of the local vigilante news reporters that specialize in public complaints? At least it would call attention to the matter, and maybe the city would step in faster when it's made clear what a community hazard this is.
I feel for the people who recycle for their livelihood too, but it's a public health and safety issue for everyone who uses that busy street.
Pioneer can enable recycling inside the store just like every other store does. No need t fear for the livelihood of the recyclers.
Zola: I've sent these recent pics to the Community Board and will follow up.
I think the petition comes first, then the media. Then you have something to tell the media.
Fair point! I'm just a bit cynical about the likelihood of getting a response out of Pioneer with the normal community options.
In my experience Pioneer is not a particularly eager community partner. A blunt object is probably the best weapon. As in...can the canning insanity or lose business. The petition should call for a boycott if things don't change.
Q, quick question - How do these barrels end up in front of the sidewalk (and in front of the metal gates as seen in the picture) in the first place? Why are they not secured in the store during hours of operation (unless they are awaiting pickup)?
This situation does seem outrageous.
Disco: I have no idea. I've been writing about it for awhile, but til now no one has suggested doing anything about it.
Y'all, I hope you're serious. Cuz I can't take on another cause, except to publicize. I can guarantee you'll have 500 signatures in a week if you prepare the online petition.
Operation CRUSH : Continue Reclaiming Urban Space Here
Forget the petition. Just keep knocking them over, again and again and again... Those dunces at Pioneer will catch on eventually.
I almost never shop at the Pioneer out of protest for how they treat this public space. NSA on Bedford takes care of their bottle return, keeping it inside the store and as a result prevents the dangerous mess we get outside the Pioneer. I also don't know how people who live on Parkside Court deal with it because there's so much public urination that goes on around that corner--not just the canners but other people.
It would be pretty hilarious if someone had just convinced some random drunk kid to knock them all over for $20 late Saturday night. I like to think something like that might have happened. But I mean, who knows. Could have been anyone though, right? I mean, any random crazy person would have just knocked down every single last barrel of their own accord and completely maximized the mess for Pioneer to clean up? Wouldn't they?
PS--Pioneer makes 3.5 cent profit on each 5 cent can/bottle they redeem, if you were wondering what their incentive was.
"Retailers and redemption centers are reimbursed the deposit plus a 3.5-cent handling fee by the distributor or the deposit initiator for each empty beverage container returned."
http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/57687.html
That "handling fee" is handled in the middle of YOUR public sidewalk for the benefit of a PRIVATE business within steps of one of NYC's public treasures.
Pioneer (and their sister Associated Market on Flatbush) don't like being fined. That's what they respond to and that's all they respond to...
Start contacting the appropriate agencies and start costing the Pioneer money. The instances of broken glass can probably be fined by NYC Sanitation, NYC Health and NY State Dept of Agriculture and Markets.
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