DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT
Community Board No. 8 would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. We would like to remind you to be aware of your surroundings and protect your belongings. This is the time of year when robberies, muggings, and burglaries increase.
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The St. John’s Post Office, located 1234 St. John’s Place, will remain open during the holiday season until 3 PM on Saturdays for parcel pick up only. You will not be able to handle any other postal business after the normal closing hour of 1 PM except parcel pick-up.
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The following is a summary of the year-to-date CompStat Crime report covering the week of 11/26/11 through 12/04/11.
Year-to-Date
2011 / 2010 / %Chg
Murder 9 / 17 / -47
Rape 26 / 23 / 13
Robbery 325 / 257 / 26.4
Felony Assault 315 / 282 / 11.7
Burglary 339 / 269 / 14.5
Grand Larceny 358 / 279 / 28.3
Gr. Larceny Auto 100 / 120 /-16.6
The overall change year to date is 15.73%.
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The following is a summary of the year-to-date F.D.N.Y Emergency Statistics through November 2011.
Month / YTD
Structural Fires 35 / 338
Non-Structural 18 / 159
Total Fires 53 / 497
Suspicious Fires 4 / 37
Non-Medical Emergencies 232 / 2511
Medical Emergencies 244 / 2753
Total Incidents 558 / 6046
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The mid-month Scorecard rating for the month of November for clean streets in District 8 was 89.9 and for clean sidewalks 92.5.
We continue to encourage you to maintain the cleanliness of the sidewalk area adjoining your property and sweep 18 inches from the curb into the street. All sweepings must be bagged and disposed of properly.
The Department of Sanitation is enforcing daily routing times between 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM and Noon to 1:00 PM. Remember to Sweep!!
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DEPT. OF SANITATION’S NEW SNOW PLANS
In response to the December 2010 blizzard fiasco, the NYC Dept. of Sanitation has unveiled new plans to avoid another such disaster. For the first time, the Sanitation Department has rolled out detailed winter preparation action plans for each borough in hopes of averting the disasters that crippled the city during last year’s blizzard.
Under the new plan, the Departments of Transportation, Environment Protection, and Parks, along with the NYPD, FDNY, MTA, City Hall, and the city’s Office of Emergency Management will be working together after a snow alert declaration is made.
The plan is set in six stages, from monitoring the potential threat of upcoming snowfall to cleaning roads near sidewalk edges to resume street cleaning.
Each of the city’s 17,000 roadway lane miles are now categorized into primary, secondary, and tertiary streets, and will be served in that order.
The Sanitation Department has increased training for its workers and will monitor potential storm threats on three weather services. GPS systems are now installed in every truck to allow seamless communication between workers in the field and their supervisors. The agency will also dig into its pool of emergency day laborers as needed to increase manpower on the streets.
For more information and to find your street’s priority, visit www.nyc.gov/severeweather.
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ASSEMBLYMAN CAMARA JOINS THE FIGHT AGAINST INSURANCE FRAUD
New York State Assembly Member Karim Camara (D-Brooklyn), who is part of the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection, urges fellow Albany law-makers to address the State’s rampant auto insurance fraud at the start of the new legislative session. Drivers in New York State on average pay 53% more for their auto insurance than drivers in other states. This is due significantly to fraudulent practices by auto insurance related enterprises.
No-fault insurance fraud cost New Yorkers more than $200 million in 2010 alone, according to a study and nearly $1 billion over the last five years. Every New York City District Attorney has pledged support for state legislation to stop the so-called “Fraud Tax” in New York.
For more information, please call Assemblyman Camara’s office at 718-771-3105.
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NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD OFFICE IN BROOKLYN
The Environmental Control Board (ECB) is the division of the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) that holds hearings on quality of life violations. As part of OATH, ECB is an independent administrative court. It provides a neutral forum for hearings on Notices of Violation issued by 12 different city agencies.
Beginning December 19, 2011, hearings in Brooklyn will no longer be held at 233 Schermerhorn Street. Instead, hearings will be taking place in a brand new facility located at 9 Bond Street, 7th Floor, Brooklyn.
The new Brooklyn ECB office has state-of-the-art systems, more hearing rooms, and a larger waiting room to better accommodate the constituents who choose to contest tickets in front of an ECB judge. The new hearing facility will increase the Brooklyn office’s efficiency and will provide more comfort.
Please be advised that a majority of tickets do not require you to go to ECB in person for a hearing with a judge. You can dispute tickets via telephone at 212-487-3434; online at www.nyc.gov/ecb; or by mail at ECB Mail Unit, 66 John Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10038.
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NYC LADDERS FOR LEADERS PROGRAM
The Department of Youth and Community Development is now taking applications for their NYC Ladders for Leaders program. NYC Ladders for Leaders is an innovative program that offers high school and college students the opportunity to participate in summer internships with some of the most dynamic corporations and businesses in New York City. NYC Ladders for Leaders is a partnership between DYCD and the Commission on Women’s Issues.
The program offers:
• Professional paid summer internships
• Pre-employment training
• College scholarship opportunities
• Free college preparatory and SAT courses, career guidance, and leadership development workshops.
Who can apply?
• Anyone with prior work experience (paid or volunteer)
• Permanent resident of one of the five boroughs of New York City
• At least 16 years of age but not over 21 years of age
• Current High School Junior/Senior or College Freshman/Sophomore
• Legally allowed to work in New York
The deadline for submissions is Thursday December 15th, 2011. To find more information and submit an application, visit NYC Ladders for Leaders: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/nycladders_for_leaders.shtml. To download an application, visit https://www.nyc.gov/html/dycd/html/jobs/ladders_for_leaders.shtml.
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MURAL CONTEST AT WEEKSVILLE HERITAGE CENTER
Celebrate the history of Brooklyn with art! Weeksville Heritage Center is gearing up to move into their new Education and Cultural Arts building and would like to invite the community in beautifying the new classroom and think tank with a mural contest.
The only guideline for the design is that it is celebration your idea of Brooklyn! The contest is open to all artists ages 6 and up. There are 3 age groups: 6-12; 13-17; and 18+. One design will be chose from each age group. One design entry allowed per person. Hard copy submissions should not be larger than 11”x17”. Each submission must include the artist’s name, age, and telephone number.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, December 16, 2011. The winners will be notified by Friday, December 30, 2011.
You can submit your design either by emailing it to lashaya@weeksvillesociety.org (please send as jpeg attachment); hand delivered to 1698 Bergen Street, Brooklyn; or mail it to Weeksville Heritage Center, PO Box 130120, Brooklyn, NY 11213.
If you have any questions or to sign up, contact LaShaya Howie at 718.756.5250 ext. 306 or via email at lashaya@weeksvillesociety.org.
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HONORING THE LEGACY OF JOAN MAYNARD
Joan Maynard dedicated her life to preserving the history of Weeksville. Her passion galvanized the community to save the historic Hunterfly Road Houses from demolition and helped found the institution we now know as Weeksville Heritage Center.
The Joan Maynard Circle of Giving enlists supporters from every sector of the community to raise $1million by the time the new Gold LEED Education & Cultural Arts building opens in 2013. With the opening of the building, Weeksville will quadruple the number of visitors, expand arts, environment and education activities for young people, and increase their efforts to serve as a beacon of community development and empowerment in a neighborhood that desperately needs it.
Your membership in the Joan Maynard Circle of Giving keep the spirit of self-sufficiency, civic engagement, and commitment to community to built the free and intentional African American Community of Weeksille alive.
Please become a member of the Joan Maynard Circle of Giving to support the work that Weeksville does on an ongoing basis. To donate, visit www.weeksvillesociety.org (click the “Donate Now” tab) or make checks payable to Weeksville Heritage Center, 1698 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213. For more information, call 718-756-5250 or email development@weeksvillesociety.org.
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NAACP GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
The NAACP will hold its General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at Restoration Plaza, located at 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn from 7 PM-8:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served.
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HOLIDAY PARTY
Congressman Ed Towns invites you to his Holiday Party on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Brooklyn Job Corps Academy located at 585 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205 from 6:30-10:00 PM.
For more information, please call 718-363-2972.
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OPEN HOUSE
NYS Senator Eric Adams cordially invites you to attend their annual Open House on Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 4-9 PM at his district office located at 572 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. (Bet. Beekman Place and Midwood Street).
For more information, please call 718-287-4700.
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KINGSTON AVENUE WINTER WINDOW PROJECT
The Kingston Avenue Merchants Association and YoSOS (Youth of Save Our Streets) are proud to announce Kingston Winter Windows: Peace in Crown Heights in time for this year’s holiday season.
“Kingston Winter Windows” is an opportunity to add some seasonal spirit to the neighborhood, engage our merchant community and youth, and spread the message of “Peace in Crown Heights”.
Please join the Kingston Avenue Merchants Association and YoSOS on Monday, December 19th for a review of their work. They will meet at 4:30 PM in front of the Crown Heights Mediation Center at 256 Kingston where they will distribute maps of all the participating businesses.
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MENORAH LIGHTING
You are cordially invited to join Borough President Marty Markowitz for the annual Menorah Lighting on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 5 PM at Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza located at 209 Joralemon Street.
The ceremony will be led by Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin. There will be holiday refreshments and musical performances. RSVP by calling 718-802-3531.
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CHANUKA 5772
Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes cordially invites you to a Chanukah celebration on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 5:15 PM at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office located at 350 Jay Street, 19th Floor, Brooklyn, NY.
RSVP by calling 718-250-2045 or via email at whiteh@brooklynda.org.
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SOCIAL MEDIA FOR KIDS
Social Media for Kids invites you to attend their Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from 7-9 PM at The Candy Rush, located at 733 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn. Bring your loved ones and friends to enjoy hoers d’ oeuvres, drinks, and holiday cheer.
RSVP to info@socialmediaforkids.com or call 718-598-7753.
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WEDDING EXPO
Brooklyn Community Pride Center will present Brooklyn’s first LGBTQ Wedding Expo on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 11 AM to 6 PM. Borough President Marty Markowitz will host the event at Borough Hall, located at 209 Joralemon Street. Attendance is free and open to the general public.
For detailed information about the event and vendor registration, visit www.lgbtbrooklyn.org or email Daniel Brooks, Event Director, at weddingexpo@lgbtbrooklyn.org.
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CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR NYC
Citizens Committee for NYC has a number of grant opportunities for Community Improvement Projects.
Citizens Committee for NYC awards grants of $500 to $3,000 to volunteer-led groups to work on community improvement projects addressing a range of issues that they identify as important to them. They also support public school based initiatives focused on the environment and beautification.
Citizens Committee for NYC believes that people can make important change happen on their streets and in their communities by working together. They support New Yorkers across the city in their efforts to build stronger communities. In addition to small grants, they offer project planning assistance and skills-building workshops.
The application deadline for grants is January 31, 2012. For more information, visit www.citizensnyc.org/grants or call 212-822-9580/9568.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
MTA NYC TRANSIT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MAINTAINERS
MTA New York City Transit has Provisional (Temporary) positions for Electronic Equipment Maintainers available.
Salary: $32.91 per hour. They offer comprehensive benefits plans in addition to paid holidays, vacation, sick leave and more.
Job Description: Electronic Equipment Maintainers maintain, install, inspect, test, alter and repair electronic wireless and wired communication systems and digital and analog control equipment and systems in the shop and field including clocks, radio transmitters and receivers, public address equipment, closed circuit TV systems, automatic train control and indication systems, and other electronic equipment. They perform circuit testing, analysis, and fault identification, and drive motor vehicles.
Minimum Requirements: Three years of full-time experience as a journey-level technician maintaining, testing, troubleshooting, calibrating and repairing complex electronic equipment employing analog and digital circuitry.
To apply send a detailed resume, including dates of employment and duties performed with a cover letter to: HRS@NYCT.com
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DEPT. OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
The NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs Tobacco Enforcement Division is seeking Compliance Aides. Compliance Aides are crucial in helping DCA crack down on the sale of cigarettes to minors.
Interested Youth must be 15 to 17 years of age and will be paid $8.50 per hour on a weekly basis. Once selected for the Youth Program, minors must provide original documentation such as social security card, certified birth certificate, working papers, non-driver’s ID or valid student ID card, written parental consent, and as school verification letter.
For more information or to download an application, visit www.nyc.gov/dca.
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NYC CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
The 2012 Exam schedule has been released for various positions within NYC employment. For a complete listing of job opportunities, job requirements, qualifications, and to apply for any of the exams, visit www.nyc.gov/dcas.
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We wish the happiest of birthdays to Ms. Nizjoni Granville, who will be celebrating her birthday on December 29th.
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The next 77th Precinct Community Council Meeting will be held on Monday, December 12, 2011 at St. Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church, located at 224 Brooklyn Avenue at 7 PM.
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The next meeting of Community Board No. 8 will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Calvary Community Church, located at 1575 St. John’s Place, Brooklyn, NY at 7 PM.
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ACROSS THE BOARD is a monthly publication:
Nizjoni Granville, Chairperson
Michelle George, District Mgr/Editor
Julia Neale, Comm. Assoc.
Valerie Hodges-Mitchell, Comm. Service Aide
Community Board No. 8
1291 St. Marks Avenue
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213
718-467-5574
718-467-5586
718-467-5620
www.brooklyncb8.org