MINUTES OF COMMUNITY BOARD #16 – MARCH 23, 2021 Attendance David Alexander Rose O’Neill Lorenzo Andrews Deidre Olivera-Douglas Cynthia Bannister Busayo Olupano (A) Margaret Brewer Ariel Perry-DeCamp (A) Dr. Cleopatra Brown Anita Pierce Kaseem Clark-Edwards (A) Marie Pierre Adrainer Coleman Linda Rivera Norman Frazier (A) Shaneek Samuel (A) Danny Goodine (A) JoAnn Sexton Chanel Haliburton Dr. Sonia Smith (A) Sarah Hall Keturah Suggs Balinda Harris Beverly Tatham Zalika Headey Rev. Eric Thompson (A) Michael Howard Brenda Thompson-Duchene Gabriel Jamison Christopher Toomer Carl Joseph (A) Rev. Miran Ukaegbu Leticia Knowles Deborah Williams Dr. Bettie Kollock-Wallace (E) Pat Winston Charles Ladson, Sr. (A) Viola D. Walker, District Manager Digna Layne Jimmi Brevil, Community Assistant Kelly Lee-McVay Ronald Baez for Hon. Zellnor Myrie Albion Liburd (A) Hon. Inez Barron Deborah Mack Hon. Darma Diaz Yolanda Matthews (A) Malcolm McDaniel for Hon. Eric Adams John McCadney, Jr. Frieda Menos for Hon. Hakeem Jeffries Andrew McCoy Nicholas Perry for Hon. Scott Stringer Melanie Mendonca Christina Serrano for Hon. A. Ampry-Samuel Shemene Minter (A) Darryl White for Attorney General Letitia James Genese Morgan PUBLIC MEETING HELD VIA WEBEX Chairperson Genese Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., and an invocation was said by Ms. Cynthia Bannister. Chairperson Morgan requested a moment of silence in memory of those who passed away during the pandemic. Chairperson Morgan recognized Mr. Darryl White, Outreach Coordinator from the Office of NYS Attorney General Letitia James Brooklyn/Queens Office located at 55 Hanson Pl. Mr. White encouraged everyone to adhere to the City COVID-19 protocols of washing your hands, social distancing, wearing a mask, and staying home if you are sick. He stated that the Attorney General and her team created a Smart Seniors program booklet to focus on common scams and frauds that target older adults which highlight the warning signs, how to avoid becoming a victim, and where to seek help if you think you’re a victim. There is special emphasis on COVID-related scams, as well as on common telephone scams such as the grandparent scam, the Internal Revenue Service scam, and the foreign lottery scam. The Smart Senior booklet also cover issues such as identity theft, romance scams and Internet safety. Participants will be provided with do’s and don’ts to stay safe in their daily lives. They also offer Internet Safety Presentation, Deed Fraud Presentation, and Publicizing of OAG Enforcement, Litigation and Settlements. One in 25 fraud and abuse cases against the elderly are reported. If you know a senior that is being frauded, abused and neglected, please visit www.ag.ny.gov or call (718) 560-2040. They also offer Tenant’s Right during COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please call 800-771-7755 or (718) 560-2040. Chairperson Morgan opened the floor for questions to be directed to Mr. Darryl White. Minutes of Community Board #16 – 3/23/2021– Page 2 of 6 Chairperson Morgan asked how do we report price gouging which seems to be occurring since the release of the stimulus payments? Mr. White stated you can file a complaint on their website at www.ag.ny.ogv or call (800) 771-7755. Ms. Patricia Winston stated that there are senior centers in Brownsville that will benefit from this information. She asked if Mr. White is available to do a virtual presentation for the senior centers in Brownsville? Mr. White stated that he is open to do a presentation. Ms. Pierce asked if there is a way for the Smart Senior booklet to be mailed to the Board? Mr. White stated that he will email the pfd format of the information to the Community Board Office where it can be reprinted. He stated that Wednesday, March 24, 2021 is Equal Pay Day. If you know of any unemployment benefit scam occurring, please contact the Department of Labor. Chairperson Morgan recognized Councilmember Darma Diaz. Councilmember Diaz stated that from her understanding, she’s aware that there is a dumping issue in the district. Is there a dumping site that she needs to look at? Ms. Morgan sated that there is an illegal dumping on a vacant lot located at East New York and Rockaway Avenues. Ms. Balinda Harris stated that the person that is accumulating the garbage at East New York and Rockway Avenues is a homeless man living in the lot and it’s privately owned. District Manager Greene-Walker and the Department of Sanitation are aware of the issue. Chairperson Morgan requested that Secretary Zalika Headley call the roll. A quorum was present. Chairperson Morgan recognized Officer Angel Rodriguez, Community Affairs of the 73rd Precinct. Officer Rodriguez stated that there is an increase in felony assaults such as domestic violence and burglaries. They have placed officers in the burglaries site to patrol the area. There was a shooting on Pitkin Avenue and Bristol Street. The two victims are in stable condition and expected to recover. They are currently under investigation and they sent out the crime prevention team to the area. They are hosting the Brownsville Safety Alliance on Monday April 26, 2021 – Saturday May 1, 2021 from 12:00 pm. – 10:00 p.m. on Mother Gaston Boulevard between Sutter and Pitkin Avenues. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3diOc7k. Chairperson Morgan opened the floor for questions to be directed to Officer Rodriguez. Dr. Cleopatra Brown stated that on March 11, 2021 at 8:07 p.m. she was driving north bound on Thomas S. Boyland Street and Livonia Avenue when she saw 3 officers in uniform frisking a young man while checking his pocket and the scarf around his neck. One of the officers noticed that she was looking at them and signaled the officer who was frisking. Then the officers let the young man leave. She remembered when the officer first turned around to notice her, his camera was black. When they were returning to their unmarked vehicle, the camera was red. When she asked the officer if they are still allowed to frisk, he responded sometimes. Also, when she tried to follow the car, one of the officers yelled at her by asking her who she think she is and sped off. This is not the first time she witnessed a young man being frisked. Officer Rodriguez stated that he will report her concern to Deputy Inspector Anderson who will follow up with Dr. Brown to identify which officers fit the description and who were patrolling the area on March 11th to see what transpired that night. Minutes of Community Board #16 – 3/23/2021– Page 3 of 6 Someone asked what type of burglaries are happening in Brownsville? Officer Rodriguez state that it’s commercial burglaries. Mr. Christopher Toomer asked if there is a plan to combat groups of motorcyclists who drive around making noise when the weather gets warm? Officer Rodriguez stated that he is aware that the New York Police Department (NYPD) is trying to combat road rage incidents and bikes, however, he doesn’t know the exact plan. Ms. Balinda Harris asked what is the Precinct’s plan to curtail delivery persons driving their mopeds on the sidewalk? Officer Rodriquez stated that if they are driving on the sidewalk and being reckless, they are subjected to summonses. If there is a specific block or a business whose delivery driver is frequently driving on the sidewalk, let them know. Ms. Balinda Harris stated that it’s several businesses on Prospect Place between Saratoga Avenue and Thomas S. Boyland Street. Chairperson Morgan stated that as we approach the July 4th holiday, last year we had a terrible time with fireworks. She thinks it’s a good time to start educating the community on how to report incidents of fireworks across the neighborhood. Office Rodriquez stated that he will let Deputy Inspector Anderson know about the complaints. District Manager Viola Greene-Walker highlighted the following from her report: COVID-19 vaccines are available at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center by appointment only. Please call (718) 604-5300 on Wednesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 25 from 7:30 a.m. through 6:15 p.m. Kingsbrook is located at 585 Schenectady Avenue between Winthrop Street and Rutland Road. Please use the Outpatient entry door. Eligibility has been expanded to include those 50 and older, those with eligible comorbidities (with signed attestation), New Yorkers age 65 and older, frontline healthcare worker or public facing employees. Everyone must provide at time of vaccination. NYS resident ID & documentation for whatever category you fall under. Check www.ny.gov for new eligibility requirement. The Atlantic Avenue Bridge, which spans between Eastern Parkway and Georgia Avenue, reopened today, March 23, 2021 to vehicular traffic. The project began in January 2018 and has been completed on schedule, allowing traffic to return to its original pattern. The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is the nation’s largest youth employment program, connecting NYC youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer. To apply, visit https://application.nycsyep.com. Applications are currently being accepted for 55 affordable apartments at the Harry T. Nance Apartments, located at 1860 Eastern Parkway. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, and 60 percent of the area median income can apply for the units, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms priced between $457/month and $1,485/month. The deadline to apply is May 3, 2021. To apply online, please go to www.nyc.gov/housingconnect BCDL Real Estate Development LLC, is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for 17 newly constructed 2 & 3 family homes for sale - MOTHER GASTON HINSDALE HOMES in the Ocean Hill-Brownsville and New Lots neighborhoods.