Lucas writes: “Wow! Ms. James is reading her email… She responded in under three hours! Thought DH readers might appreciate this.”
“Dear Ms. James: I’m writing to ask that you take a look at the state of crime in our precinct (the 77th) this summer. Though it appears that overall statistics are down (almost across the board) St. John’s between Underhill and Classon is an area of growing concern…
LETITIA JAMES RESPONDS: You are absolutely correct, there have been a number of shootings in the precinct, and I suspect, an increase of unreported low level crimes being committed in our community…”
Click below for the whole exchange.
“Dear Ms. James: I’m writing to ask that you take a look at the state of crime in our precinct (the 77th) this summer. Though it appears that overall statistics are down (almost across the board) St. John’s between Underhill and Classon is an area of growing concern… Anecdotally, I can say that I avoid the area at all costs. It simply does not feel safe – particularly at night. For a closer look at what other residents are saying, please take a look at this local news site, which lists several complaints from people who have recently been mugged, beaten and robbed in the immediate area. None have anything positive to say about the police dept’s ongoing response:
http://www.dailyheights.com/archives/2005/06/this_week_in_cr.html
The primary issue seems to be one of perception; locals in the area see what appears to be flagrant drug dealing; we hear of beatings and muggings and robberies (especially since the weather has grown warmer). These are things we can see and hear. What we don’t witness is a police response. (Perhaps there has been some reaction… though, again anecdotally, we’re not seeing an increased police presence or any change in the status quo.)
Thanks for your attention. Best of luck fighting the arena.
Sincerely,
Lucas Conley, [email protected]
Vanderbilt Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11238
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 3:46 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Crime in the 77th Precinct
Dear Mr. Conley:
Thank you for writing. I recently met with Commissioner Kelly and urged him to expand the impact zone in the 77th pct. You are absolutely correct, there have been a number of shootings in the precinct, and I suspect, an increase of unreported low level crimes being committed in our community. Accordingly, I will continue to urge the CO and Commissioner Kelly to commit more resources to the Prospect Heights section of the precinct. Thank you.
Letitia James
Is that a classic example of a ‘canned’ response or what? WHEN did she meet with Commissioner Kelly on this issue and what was his response? If I wrote this letter/e-mail I would not accept that and would write back for more detail …..
It’s great that he wrote a letter. Are you sure Lucas doesn’t mind his full name, company and email being published on the site? Just lookin’ out.
Yes, I checked… But I deleted his BEASTly street address so you couldn’t stalk him.
Maybe she could do something about those pesky kids who throw eggs from rooftops. OMC and I almost got nailed. OMC’s bag, I’m afraid to report, wasn’t so lucky.
What’s her email address?
I looked her up on http://www.NYCCOUNCIL.info. Here’s her page.
http://www.nyccouncil.info/constituent/member_details.cfm?con_id=86
I think it’s good to at least have that letter on the record. I would have amended it to the blocks between Underhill & Franklin, since the recent crimes weren’t actually between Classon & Washington. That particular block doesn’t creep me out too much since there is a fire station. I live on St. Johns between Washington & Underhill, and did not like the sound of that mugging at all. What’s more, kids seem to feel like they can just have a block party all night long when the weather gets hot. Some weeeknds I’ve gotten more sleep betwen 6-10 AM, than I could in the preceeding 6 hours!
Has anyone ever heard shots fired at the Dean Street Playground between 6th and Carlton?
I was walking past the park with my husband, and we saw a fight with a large crowd of people gathered to watch. After a loud bang, the crowd dissipated and everyone started to run. It was as if this has happened before. We still can’t decide if it was a firecracker or a gun, but it was only a single bang.
Cops circled the area for the next 20 minutes or so, but didn’t stop or leave their cars.
I’m glad to see discussion about crime in the neighborhood. We live near Underhill and Eastern Parkway and have noticed a big increase in low-level crime, particularly near the corner of Lincoln Place and Underhill. Frequently, we’ve seen large groups of teenagers loiter, party, smash bottles and make noise (at all hours of the night!). Our friends on the block say that most of the disruptions are committed by people who don’t live on Lincoln Place but are drawn to the corner from all over Prospect Heights “because nobody ever does ANYTHING about it!” She says that numerous calls to 911 and 311 have never resulted in police or community response. Neighbors have also observed drug dealing and fights in front of the bodega on Underhill across the street. This hasn’t been a good start to the summer…hope our council person can get some action.