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.

Friday, July 14, 2017

Don't Mess With Bicycle Riders

Shooting on Parkside near Parade Grounds.

2 Men in Car Shot by Cyclists Near Prospect Park, NYPD Says

Were these "cyclists" part of the alleged broader left-wing conspiracy to shut down our roadways like the recent closing of Prospect Park to ALL motorists? Read about that here.

Next time I see a pack of wanna-be Lance Armstrongs barrelling down the loop road in the Park I'll be sure to remember it's not all bike lanes and traffic calming for these guys. Sometimes these Testosterone-ays are packin', and I'm not talking about GORP in their panniers!

Actually, there's a website called AltRider that sells - bicycle panniers with holsters for your guns. I shit you not.  http://www.altrider.com/altrider-hemisphere-waterproof-soft-panniers/pid/1527

Here on my block a young man riding a bike shot and missed his target by a longshot, killing a bystander in front of her young son. There are so many things messed up about that and it still haunts me. On a bike, like it was a Western on a horse, or something like that. Easy getaway? Effing nuts.




8 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://nypost.com/2017/07/15/new-yorkers-dont-know-who-their-heroes-are-anymore/

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. Looks like the honor students were caught.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/cops-nab-brooklyn-suspect-fatal-shooting-man-suv-article-1.3329635

Anonymous said...

Wow Q, pretty flip about a very fucked up act of violence.

Anonymous said...

Oh, it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood...

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/arrested-sex-trafficking-teens-brooklyn-apartment-article-1.3333756

Anonymous said...

Reading those three articles was utterly depressing. Am I living in a bubble? I cannot wrap my arms around any of these activities/crimes.

Clarkson FlatBed said...

Each story is different, brought to you (most likely) by a neighbor who likes to post racist garbage on my blog. I mostly tolerate it because it's a reminder of the Trump "id" and unfortunately needs to be reckoned with.

The first comes from the right wing NY Post and follows their typical "woe is us" society is crumbling narrative. In fact, most cops are decent. Most citizens are decent. Neither "story" is worthy of clicks. In other words, nothing new, and nothing to be particularly concerned about. Even the bitching about homelessness is largely the result of the City's "success," as rents rise as a result of the economic and development boom. We need more public housing, period. Until we build it the "quality of life" crime of being poor will continue to force those living in a bubble to confront the fact of income inequality.

The second is an example of the sort of "broad nightlight" crime that's been a part of gang life for decades. Nothing new, and the Parade Ground setting is hardly unique. The car could have been parked anywhere. Over the years gunshots have rung out along avenues and streets throughout the neighborhood - if you've lived here long enough you can probably recall a shooting right outside your house or apartment. It's nowhere near as bad as it was even 15 years ago when I first moved here. So yes, maybe you're living in a bubble, and it's depressing to live near occasional senseless violence. You're in dense neighborhood full of every sort of person, even a few gang banger drug dealers and desperate ex-cons. They have rights, until they're caught of course. This is big city crime, not that different than small city crime where violence happens. The common thread is often poverty.

The third is abhorrent and thankfully aberrant. At least the fuckers got caught.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Q. Poverty is tough. I'm not "poverty stricken" so in a sense I live outside the poverty bubble. It's really sad though!

On the bright side, did you see that Citi Bike was expanding to PLG?

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170630/crown-heights/citi-bike-dock-locations-crown-heights-prospect-heights-prospect-lefferts-gardens

You should write a blurb on Citi Bike and seek comments whether they are pro or con. I am definitely on the pro side. Here is exhibit A:

https://www.villagevoice.com/2017/07/10/hop-on-a-citi-bike-doctors-orders/

Anonymous said...

Wow. This was a pleasant surprise from Jeff Toobin...

https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/should-o-j-simpson-get-parole?mbid=nl_TNY%20Template%20-%20With%20Photo%20(192)&CNDID=30204458&spMailingID=11519173&spUserID=MTMzMTgzMDg5MTgzS0&spJobID=1201834548&spReportId=MTIwMTgzNDU0OAS2