Open Thread Wednesday

I think these are all noble notions that have merit but do not address the challenges the park creates for this community. If i lived on Joralemon, I’d lose my mind. It is unfair to the residents of that narrow block to be subjected to the ridiculous foot traffic to the park. That should not be the main thoroughfare and there should be options through more commercial parts of the area that minimize impact on ppl who invested substantially to live in a bedroom community. We all know how real estate works, and we pay a premium for the safety and comfort of BK Heights. That is not a small or unimportant point nor should we be shamed for it. Most of us had little input into planning for this park but that doesn’t mean that we can’t speak on the realities it has created now that it’s here. Our rights as residents are no less important than anyone who is visiting here and it is not our job to fix ourselves. When I go to other communities, I respect them and all I am asking is that people do the same for ours so that we can preserve what makes it special. Personally, I would happily have forgone this park, but that’s a moot point. The park is here and we have to find a way to make it work for all and that is not to shrug our shoulders to crime and flagellate ourselves for wanting to live in peace and safety. The problem with our society is that we are afraid to hold ppl accountable and instead shift accountability where it doesn’t belong.

The people of Brownsville and ENY are well-aware that a neighborhood’s quality is dependent upon its residents and don’t need anyone to tell them. I used to live near Brownsville, before the first waves of gentrification came in, and got a good sense of this fact first-hand.

But what would you (and redlola) have them do about THEIR crime problem? Re-route it to another neighborhood (ours perhaps?) by closing through-ways and rigging every utility pole with cameras? Flooding their streets with police officers who seem to have a hard time keeping their weapons from discharging (into black bodies)?

I have no idea how to solve the crime problem in B-ville and ENY. I think solving any crime problem around here is very simple. A couple more cops in the neighborhood during the summertime should do the trick.
But it’s more than just crime, it’s quality of life. Brooklyn Heights is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the USA. Now, Joralemon looks like a parking lot to a county fair/rap concert/nfl game. Send all the traffic to the already major thruways like Atlantic. Why is this such a problem for you and others!?! Keep the neighborhood peaceful and clean and with less crime.

Yes. It’s hyperbole. You got me. But am I that far off? I’ll tell you what, if you want to investigate this summer, head down to Hicks and Joralemon for an afternoon and watch the crowd go by. See how unruly they are. Instead of walking there, drive a pick-up truck and park it in front of one of those beautiful brownstones. And don’t wear one of outfits you usually wear; wear a jersey, maybe say, one of your favorite football players. Then play some loud rap music. Finally, set-up a grill and start barbecuing. Then look around and tell me it doesn’t look like a parking lot to a county fair/rap concert/nfl game.
REDLOLA FOR MAYOR!!!

“if you want to make crime go away, it’s more effective to close the income gap than to wag your finger at the perps as if they’re children in a parochial classroom.” – SB
SB, this argument is so ridiculous and unrealistic!!! So you want Brooklyn Heights to solve several of America’s largest problems before we can patrol our own neighborhood!?! Seriously, that is crazy. It’s like asking a village in Guam to not take cover against a large impending storm caused by climate change. Instead, you’re asking the small village to take the hit and instead put their efforts into fighting Ford, Chevy, Dodge and the U.S. Govt to lower greenhouse emissions over the next 15 years.

“rap music” Stuck in the 80’s are we?

That’s not a beret, it’s a pakol. And shh! Anonymity, remember?

I’m not making the argument that it’s our neighborhood’s responsibility to fix these problems. Of course that’s ridiculous. I’m saying that there is something wrong with us only being willing to address the symptoms that affect us in order to create some kind of bubble around the neighborhood. It seems selfish to me. That’s all.

Great stuff, the Old School Rap… It kind of died in my book when it got formulaic and became Hip Hop

I agree with you that some episodes are better than others. But, you have to listen with the right frame of mind. There is a light chemistry between the two hosts that when properly balanced forms a pleasant tango. It is not NYT or NPR, but as a resident team flaneur of digital and real Heights, they are a welcome weekly distraction.