WRBA Fights Vandalism In Woodhaven
Woodhaven’s fight against graffiti was captured by Woodhaven Residents Block Assocation (WRBA) cameras as part of a plea to get neighbors on the phone to 311 at the civic group’s Wednesday, May 23 meeting at Emaunel United Church of Christ.
WRBA President Ed Wendell presented a video of the WRBA’s May 20 cleanup of graffiti in the area, set to Bill Conti’s “Theme From Rocky (Gonna Fly Now).” The video displayed cleaning and painting efforts from WRBA volunteers as well as properties that were called in to 311 which were cleaned up by the city.
Wendell explained his “winning formula” to fighting graffiti in the area, which includes cleanups, 311 calls, working with local lawmakers and civic groups, and pushing the Queens District Attorney’s office to punish vandals.
“We’re asking people to pledge one call per week,” said Wendell. “If we get 10 people to buy into this, that’s 10 requests for cleanups per week, 40 per month, 480 per year. But I think we can do better than that.”
Wendell then showed a second video, this one with audio of his callin to 311 to report a vandalized property, in an attempt to show residents how quick a 311 call could be. With the knowledge of correct terminology, Wendell was able to complete the call in about three minutes.
DSNY update
Iggy Terranova of the Department of Sanitation-there to address various audience concerns-told the crowd that the agency has hired 350 workers, and more may be hired.
Terranova promised to look into school pickup issues by P.S. 98, with one resident claiming that garbage gets piled up on the weekends. He also claimed that the DSNY will step up its enforcement of dumping along Jamaica Avenue, after complaints from the WRBA and the Richmond Hill Block Association.
Terranova also noted that the DSNY is working with local banks to ensure that foreclosed homes are kept in good condition. “Most have been responsive,” he noted.
Speed humps
The WRBA’s Alex Blenkinsopp noted that Community Board 9 will vote on three speed humps at its June meeting. The civic group supports the humps, according to Blenkinsopp, due to the large number of “long, uninterrupted streets” in Woodhaven.
The WRBA will work with area streets whose residents want a speed hump on their block to obtain petitions that are required by the advisory body. After that, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will look at the street to determine if it fits the criteria for speed humps.
“We’re not willing to do all of the work but if you need help with petitioning, if you need to know who to contact to try to move the process along, let us know,” he stated.
Blenkinsopp also noted that the DOT’s study of Woodhaven Boulevard has been delayed.
Lawmaker visits
City Council Member Erik Martin Dilan, who is running for the new Seventh Congressional District seat, introduced himself to the crowd.
The lawmaker, who represents Bushwick and Cypress Hills, told the crowd of his experience in dealing with issues such as illegal conversions.
“I am concerned about the direction that this country is headed in,” he said. “We don’t see much results on behalf of the American people, so I want to put the people’s business first in Washington.”
The new Seventh District, which includes Woodhaven and parts of Ridgewood, spans neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan currently represented by Rep. Nydia Velázquez, whom Dilan is challenging in the June 26 primary.
Other updates
The 102nd Precinct is cracking down on establishments that sell alcohol to minors and that sell loose cigarettes, Sgt. Joseph DeMarco of the 102nd Precinct reported.
He added that the precinct has secured the use of a “noise auto” to crack down on speeding drivers.
New York Carousel representatives gave out coupons for the Forest Park and Flushing Meadow carousels, which recently reopened. The Forest Park Carousel will be open for weekends in June and then daily until Labor Day.
“It doesn’t look good for the firehouses again,” Kate Mooney, representing City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, noting that area FDNY facilities are endangered by budget cuts.
“The budget this year is very, very tight,” she added, with day care and afterschool programs in jeopardy. “We really have to get the priorities right.”
Wendell announced that the rezoning plan for Woodhaven and Richmond Hill has been approved by the Department of City Planning. The plan will next go to the City Council, which will hold a June 19 hearing on the plan.
Instead of a meeting, the WRBA will hold a June 23 party at Forest Park.
