Tenants at city housing project apartment in Bed-Stuy wonder who'll stop rain?

BY Jake Pearson - NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

When Joseph Jones looks at his ceiling in his city housing project apartment, he can see the sky.
That's because there is a gaping, 3-by-4-foot hole in his top-floor apartment in the Weeksville Gardens Houses in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

"It makes me go crazy at times," said Jones, 30, a security guard who lives in the three-bedroom apartment with two siblings. "I can't believe this; I know we need to get out of here."
Jones is one of at least a dozen tenants who live in fourth-floor Weeksville apartments with leaky ceilings at the 256-unit public housing project on Dean St. between Troy and Schenectady Aves.
The tenants said they have repeatedly complained for years as the cracks have grown larger, but it took until October before the city Housing Authority sent workers who put tarps up to cover the holes.

Tenants said the tarps don't catch all the rain water, which has damaged floors, beds and other furniture.

"It's dangerous, all that water, because you never know if one day the ceiling will just come down," said Mildred Ponder, 62, who said she complained 20 times before workers came.
After the Daily News asked about the holes in Weeksville's roofs, NYCHA spokeswoman Heidi Morales said that despite its tight budget the agency is looking to find the $3.5 million to repair the roof.

Morales also said Friday that inspectors were sent out to Weeksville to offer temporary transfers to residents who need them.

But resident Phelisa Benjamin said there's no way she would move her family - especially during the holidays.

"They should've fixed this years ago .... I don't think I need to move around at all," said Benjamin, who lives in a top-floor apartment where NYCHA workers plastered a piece of cardboard over a hole in her bedroom in October - a hole that continues to leaks.

"The plasterer who came was upset and he said, 'Why are they sending a plasterer when you need to send a contractor here to fix the roof?'" Benjamin said.

For Jones, the white tarp NYCHA workers put over the hole hasn't done much good. He said on days when it rains heavily he has filled a 30-gallon jug full of rain water at least three times.
"This is really wild," he said. "It wakes me up in the morning: The sound, the water splashing on my face, the debris."

"It's horrible," added Ponder, who said she's getting sick of repeatedly calling about her cracked ceiling. "They always say, 'Somebody will come and take care of it,' but they never do."
The tenants use pots and garbage cans to catch the dripping water.

Tenant advocate Reginald Bowman said a lack of funding was no excuse to let dangerous conditions continue at Weeksville.

"I think the Housing Authority needs to find the money to fix the problem immediately," said Bowman.

"In a situation like this where there's actually life-threatening damage to the building itself," said Bowman, "the Housing Authority should immediately find a way to get permanent repairs."

After-School program in Bedford Stuyvesant provides care and counseling to kids whose parents are in prison

By Josie Raymond - Tonic

Almost 2.5 million kids in the US have a parent who is in prison. So who steps in to fill the void? With any luck, it's you.

"For children who experience other kinds of separation from their parents, there's some level of sympathy. The children of incarcerated parents don't get that. They're also serving time," said Sharon Content, the founder of Children of Promise, NYC, a three-year-old organization committed to doing everything it can to make sure that the children of incarcerated parents don't end up behind bars themselves.

An after-school program and summer day camp in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn are focused on developing the children's social, academic and leadership skills to ensure that they've got opportunities for success. It's the first program of its kind in New York City and it currently serves 135 kids from ages 6 to 18, including the cute ones in the photo above.

Group of Bed-Stuy men, We Make Us Better, escorts pedestrians in wake of robberies

BY Jake Pearson - THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

They're not part of a political club, they don't come from any one church and they've never been particularly active in the community - until now.

After a spate of recent muggings and robberies, a group of 20 Bedford-Stuyvesant men started escorting people home as they got off the train and are walking through the neighborhood reaching out to young men.

More Officers Getting Sick Of Quotas, Threaten Boycott

It’s the end of the year and for those of us who live in Bedford Stuyvesant and other large minority populated communities, we are quite aware that the end of the year means police quota season. Every year police take to the street taxing the poor by writing up bogus summons in an effort to meet their annual quota. Although law suits have been filed and police officers have come forward, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Mayor Bloomberg continually deny that such a system exists. A recent article in Gothamlist.com quotes police in the 79th Precinct planning a possible boycott.

"Boro teens vie for poetry crown,"
By Jake Pearson - New York Daily News

They've rhymed their way to the finals.

Some talented Brooklyn teens will perform their spoken-word poetry for a shot at a $10,000 scholarship during the final round of the annual Knicks Poetry Slam competition at Manhattan's New Amsterdam Theater on Thursday.

"The theater is enormously huge and majestic looking," said Bedford-Stuyvesant poet Ishmael Islam, 18, a college freshman at the Pratt Institute. "It's a lot of stage and a lot of history to respect."

The four Brooklyn wordsmiths beat out 500 young people, ages 13 to 19, from the tristate area who auditioned last November for a shot at the college scholarship.

Last month, they were among 75 poets in the semifinal round who performed for the final 10 slots.

Their poems range from social commentary about the gentrification of Clinton Hill to deeply personal insights about saying goodbye to a beloved and deceased relative.

"It hasn't hit me yet," said Dominique Briggs, 18, of Bushwick, who is putting the finishing touches on a poem called "Dad," a cautionary tale about the evil powers of money, that he'll perform.

"We're on Broadway, which is every performance artist's dream."

Flatbush native Kedene McLeod, 17, a junior at the Secondary School for Research in Park Slope, is the youngest of the four Brooklyn finalists - and the only girl.

"My friends say I am good with words because . . . when they have a paper, they ask me for synonyms," said McLeod, who never wrote poetry before taking a class in school last fall.

"I auditioned a piece . . . and I didn't think anything of it, but they called me back and I was on top of the world."

The untitled piece is full of advice one girl gives to another before she learns important life lessons - like how to maintain a high self-esteem - the hard way.

"So when you realize that you are healed and made in His image, then you can show your beautiful you," wrote McLeod.

Islam's poem "Clifton" is an ode to the Clinton Hill he remembers growing up in, on Clifton Place - one without Manhattan transplants and luxury condos.

"The new modernism is hitting Brooklyn hard, but it hit home even harder," wrote Islam. ". . . [H]alf the block turned into high estate condos and more to come. It's become a ghost town with gold mines of new-age buildings."

Those three and Julian Pena, 19, of Park Slope, a freshman at Kingsborough Community College, will vie for the top prize - a $10,000 scholarship. Second place takes $7,500, third $5,000, and the remaining seven will get $1,000 apiece.

"They're all extremely talented," said Mike Cirelli, 34, executive director of Urban Word, a nonprofit that teaches poetry to young people and co-sponsors the competition.

"At this point, the level of poetry and performance is so high you can literally pick winners out of a hat," he said.

MTA ON TRACK TO INSTALL ELEVATOR AT UTICA AVENUE
Community outraged by plans That Calls for Ramps to Individual Platform
By Keith L. Forest

After 20 years of negotiating, Community Board 3 is finally on track to having an elevator installed at the Utica Avenue A&C train station. Representatives from Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) attended CB3’s monthly meeting to share the good news. However, they were in for a surprise when their plan, which calls for an elevator to be installed on the North East side of the station and ramp access leading to the individual platforms, was not well received.

Attending members were outraged and felt the MTA once again short-changed them. The installation of ramps, members expressed, jeopardizes the health of the elderly and physically challenged by forcing them to navigate inclined slopes. Members demanded that the plans be revised to include elevator access from the street to the individual platforms. frustrated MTA members agreed to take suggestions back to the drawing board. Construction is set to begin spring 2011.

Community Board 3 also conducted a public hearing to address the 2011 City Budget. Although the board presented over 10 capital budget items and 9 expense items, due to recent citywide budget cuts the city only green lighted two (2) of its capital budget items. They are: installation of the elevator on Utica Ave and reconstruction of Nostrand Ave from Flushing to Atlantic. Board members took the opportunity to educate the public on the process and encourage the community to fight for alternative ways to support other projects such as Von King’s Cultural Art Center and the rehabilitation of Sumner Avenue Armory for community use.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Bed Stuy Resident Carmin Colon Donates doughnuts to troops,"
By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — Very few of the sailors aboard the USS Shiloh knew who paid for the 408 doughnuts that showed up in their mess hall on Friday.
But judging by all the jelly-glazed smiles and sugar-dusted fingers, a Brooklyn woman’s gift to a ship she’s never even seen was greatly enjoyed.
"This probably just made everybody’s Friday," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Nagel.
With help from United Service Organizations, Carmen Colon purchased $240 worth of doughnuts for the sailors — something she says made her feel so good, it was like buying a Christmas present for herself.
"Wherever they’re serving … I want to say that we appreciate you, we miss you, and we can’t wait for you to come home," Colon said last week from her home in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.
One year ago, Colon reconnected on Facebook with a friend she graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School with nearly 30 years ago.
Colon’s friend is now a master chief petty officer aboard the Shiloh. She asked if there was anything she could send him, but he always declined.
She kept up with her friend’s descriptions of life aboard the Shiloh through the summer, when tragedy struck. On July 8, Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Geathers died while on duty.
Colon heard how devastating the loss was to the crew and resolved to do something for the sailors. When the Shiloh returned from sea last month, Colon’s opportunity came.
However, Colon’s focus isn’t just on the Shiloh. She plans to spread the word and would love to see every command "adopted" like the Shiloh.
"I love them, but I love the entire base, too," Colon said.
Shiloh sailors said they were sure other ships would happily accept the support.
"Some people here go straight to work in the morning, and to be able to take a break and enjoy free doughnuts — it really makes me feel like somebody cares," Seaman Amber Cage said.

COMMUNITY BOARD 3 KICKS OFF THE NEW DECADE WITH PUBLIC HEARING
Neighbors Voice Their Concerns Regarding Oversaturation of Public Programs
By Keith L. Forest

Community Board 3 opened its 2010 meeting with a public hearing that addressed the growing concern for the oversaturation of Public Programs in the area. For the past 10 years, residents have been constantly on edge about the abundance of programs being allowed into community.

As a resident and home owner in Bedford Stuyvesant I can certainly attest to this growing concern. On our block of Bainbridge Street between Malcolm X Blvd and Patchen Avenue there are 4 Single Room Occupancy residents, 2 half way homes and several other social service programs in operation. Unfortunately, our concern for the quality of life for our neighbors and safety for our children is shared by numerous other blocks. Yet, our cries are going unanswered.

Demetrius Mills who resides on the Northern tip of Bedford Stuyvesant was one of the first to speak. Since 2000 Mr. Mills has been fighting an unending battle to have some of the numerous programs infiltrating the community designated to other areas. Currently his area alone houses a women’s shelter, domestic violence facilities, a methadone clinic and numerous other. According to Mr. Mills there were over 1 thousand agencies listed in Bed Stuy in CB3 alone; today that number is estimated to have doubled.

As a father and home owner, Mr. Mills has witnessed drug usage and sexual acts performed right under his window. On more than one occasion he as well as his teenage son has been propositioned. In addition to the prostitution, Mr. Mills fears for the safety of his family and had an alarming encounter when a mentally ill patient wandered into his home and confronted his wife and son.

Nancy Russell, a former manager at NYC Department of Homeless Service, and current President of The Tri Block Association, argued that the concern of most residents is not “rejection of the homeless, needy or poor, but equality and fairness.” She suggested that CB3 identify alternative sites where these programs can be housed.

Linda Simmons, Vice President of Jefferson Avenue Block Association lives in fear. Within a 2 block radius, she share residence with 2 schools, 3 daycare centers and several level 3 sex offenders. This fear has created an unhealthy lifestyle for her children who are forbidden to go out and spend most of their time in the house.

Ms. C. Doris Pinn, who co chairs The Housing Land/Use Committee, assured those in attendance that their complaints have been heard and that Community Board 3 has been and will continue to utilize all of its resources to combat and resolve the issue.

Other concerns addressed included the renaming of The Bradford Apartments which is schedule to undergo construction this year. The site, which is located on the corner of Fulton Street and Albany Avenue, is currently scheduled to be named after the unsavory “Bradford” pear tree that produces an inedible nut and large white flowers with a pungent odor. CB3 is currently holding a contest to rename the block in honor of something, or someone with significance.

Pradine Content, a representative from the Census Bureau ended the evening by asking everyone to encourage others to fill out their census form. According to Ms. Content, Bedford Stuyvesant is considered a “hard to count” community with less than 60% of its residents participating in the 2000 census.

There are many events, activities and initiatives that are taking place the month of January. However, one in particular merits mentioning. On Saturday, January 16, Voices of Action Against Violence, Parents United to Rally for Gun-Violence Elimination (PURGE) and Calvary Fellowship AME Church are joining forces for Step Up and Take a Stand. The special forum will address the issue of the growing concern of gun violence in our community and will include special guest speaker Graham Weatherspoon of Black Law Enforcement Alliance.


Other event and activities taken place in the community include:

Saturday, January 9, 2010
Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA “Saturday Morning Story Time Featuring Rob Walker”
Monthly story book reading featuring a new artist each month. Event also includes arts and crafts, refreshments and more.
Time: 11:00 – 12:00 PM
Location: Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA @ Airel Mathis Membership Concierge
Contact: (718) 78-1497- Ext. 4016

Saturday, January 16, 2010
YMCA Family Night at the Movies
Enjoy a family night at the movies compliments of Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA
Location: Bedford Stuyvesant YMCA @ Airel Mathis Membership Concierge
Contact: (718) 78-1497- Ext. 4016

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Bridge Street Development Corp. & HSBC Present: Understanding Your Mortgage Documents
A review workshop for homeowners that go over the various mortgage forms and documents
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: HSBC, 2 Hanson Place, Room 13F
Contact Info: Call (718) 6367596 Ext. 14 to confirm (Seating is limited)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
NY State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries “State of the District Address”
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Pratt Institute Higgins Hall, 61 St. James Place (corner of Lafayette Avenue)
Contact Info: Refreshment will be served, space is limited, call (718) 596-0100 to RSVP

Tuesday, February 10 – March 3, 2009
Bridge Street Development Corporation First Time Buyers Series
A four week courses helping potential homeowners develop a better understanding of the home buying process. Course includes information on understanding ones credit; getting a mortgage; shopping for a home and more
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: 456D Nostrand Avenue (entrance on Jefferson)

BAINBRIDGE ST/MALCOLM X BLVD BLOCK ASSOCIATION HOST HOLIDAY PARTY!
Block Devastated by Tragedy Join Forces in Unity to Serve as Instrument of Change
By Keith L. Forest

Although the weather outside was frightful, the love and unity inside New Destiny Housing was warm and neighborly as members of Bainbridge Street/Malcolm X Blvd Block Association faced one of the city’s worst storms to attend its inaugural Christmas party. Inside the sprawling basement recreational hall, block member Chiquina Richardson, a talented and creatively gifted event planner, decked the halls with holiday splendor magically capturing a “Winter White Christmas” theme complete with snow caps, a frosty, glittering tree and candle lit motifs.

The affair was truly a collaborative effort and everyone enthusiastically pitched in. Whether it was shopping for food, assisting with decorations or cleaning up, all hands joyfully came together for a day of reflection and celebration. During the get together all attending children kept busy playing numerous board games, while adults mixed and mingle. Young resident Erica Smith - a shining member of the prestigious Noel Pointer School of Music - led the crowd in a solo violin performance of “Jingle Bells” while her father, Block President Eric Smith honored all with a holiday toast. In addition to the delicious food and festive treats, all attending children received a complimentary gift from City Councilwoman Darlene Mealy.

Earlier this year Bainbridge Street/Malcolm X Boulevard Block Association made headlines when three (3) of its youth were gunned down in broad daylight in what was classified as a gang-related shooting. In honor of such tragic lost neighbors joined forces demanding stronger police presence and a complete investigation.

Bainbridge St/Malcolm X Blvd Block Association, which just elected all new officers, was recently rewarded a Love Your Block grant. In addition to cash funding, the grant includes expedited support from various city agencies for block improvement which includes cleaning up vacant lots, replacing worn out litter baskets, removing graffiti and replacing worn out street signs. The block association plans to use the funding to continue its beautification efforts in making Bainbridge Street a safe and respectful place to call home.

MEALY MISSING WHEN SHE'S NEEDED MOST

By Keith L. Forest

So I wrote this long glowing article in support of Council Woman Darlene Mealy winning the 41st Council seat the other day and was about to post it to my blog (mybedstuy.blogspot.com) when reality smacked me in the face.

My outrage originated from the fact that voters in our community would rather waist their vote re-electing Tracy Boyland, who in the 8 years she held office, did very little for us and continues to run on her family legacy.

My argument was that Ms. Mealy deserved another chance.

In the past month alone our community has been under siege by gang violence which has claimed the lives of 4 young men, killed in 2 separate gang related shootings. Both tragedies took place in broad daylight with the last young man 18 year old Jahlil Lee, life cut short only 4 days after the 81st Precinct removed the watch tower.

In the midst of these grave tragedies one significant voice has been missing – Council Woman Darlene Mealy. For the last few weeks concerned citizens, civic and community leaders have been working feverishly arranging a meeting with residents, shop owners and elected official with Deputy Inspector, Steven M. Mauriello of the 81st Precinct. All area elected officials were sent updates and agendas requesting their presence including Ms. Mealy whose office forward a response stating that she is on vacation and will be sending a representative in her absence.

During the primaries, candidates seeking the 41st Council seat common complaint was that Darlene Mealy lacked visibility in the community. Her flip flop on term limit; constant hiring and firing of chiefs of staff; and awarding her sister $25,000 were also key points. Needless to say these recent tragic killings were a golden opportunity for Mealy to seize the moment and show true leadership. Yet, she opts to send a representative and take vacation.

After a long election, I am sure Ms. Mealy deserve a much needed rest. However, she owes the families forced to cancel their plans, tap into their savings and life insurance plans to bury a child to put her personal life on hold and do the job she was elected and that our tax dollars pay her to do. She owes it to the traumatized children in our area to negotiate strong, skilled police presence in our community and provide them and their parents with a safe environment to call home.

Ms. Mealy we’re watching.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Vacant Lot in Bed-Stuy Revitalized with Affordable Housing," - Real Estate Rama

Albany, NY - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen recently joined elected officials and community leaders at 1825 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood to celebrate the opening of Atlantic Avenue Apartments. The once blighted block is being revitalized thanks to the seven story building with 149 units of ENERGY STAR-rated affordable housing.

DHCR provided $3 million for the development, which will have gross rents ranging from $196 to $1,430 a month. The 30 three-bedroom, 74 two-bedroom, 34 one-bedroom, and 12 studio apartments reserved for mentally disabled tenants, will help alleviate the housing needs of this neighborhood.

BAINBRIDGE/MALCOLM X BLOCK ASSOCIATION RECLAIMING TERRITORY
Neighbors & Friends Join Forces for Monthly Block Clean Up
By Keith L. Forest

Armed with shovels, rakes, and brooms, members, family and friends of the Bainbridge/Malcolm X Block Association took to the street in a collective force to beautify their block. In their effort to combat the neglect and foster community pride, neighbors’ young and old spent a sunny Saturday morning pulling up weeds, picking up trash and cleaning each other stoops. “I was so excited to see so many people come out to support the cleanup day,” said resident Alexia Biliart. “It especially warmed my heart to see the younger kids.”
Bainbridge Street between Malcolm X Blvd and Patchen Avenue which is nick- named “Bum” bridge has suffered from years of neglect and mistreatment. During the summer months it has an uncanny reputation as being a haven for loitering, loud parties and frequent front-stoop cook outs causing constant clashing with long-time residents. The block, which has 14, four-story apartment buildings and five vacant lots, also has its share of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) dwellings and currently is the home to 3 residential social service agencies. Pet owners also frequent the block leaving trail and often mounds of their pets remains behind.

Unlike most residential blocks throughout the city, the block, which has easy access to the Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue strips, lacks a much needed speed hump. This makes it a major magnet for joy riders who speed down the corridor, music blaring, all hours of the night. This reckless behavior is a growing concern for many parents most of which have young children. During the warmer months, drivers compete with motorcyclist who chose the route to test their dexterity and agility by displaying various speed defying stunts.

Members of the Bainbridge/Malcolm X Block Association plan on holding block clean up every first Saturday. A special family fun day is being planned for October where local politician and community organizations will be invited. Petitions have already been sent to State and city officials requesting tree guards to protect the numerous new saplings along the corridor and signatures were gathered in an effort to having a much needed speed hump installed.

“I have a great deal of respect for my neighbors who have invested their lives to changing the minds of those who can't see the beauty of Bainbridge Street,” stated Rev. DeVanie Jackson, who runs a food pantry and the Malcolm X Farmers Market. “I hope Saturday was the first step in shedding the street’s negative image,” added resident Sandra Stevenson.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Boys & Girls High School Principal Demoted," - New York Post

New York Post is reporting that Boys & Girls High School Principal Spencer Holder has been demoted to Assistant Principal. Mr. Holder succeeded his mentor Frank Mickens who passed away last month.

"Steppers Marching Band strapped for cash,"
BY Elizabeth Lazarowitz - NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

The band is broke.

The famed Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band is in danger of falling silent for good, left scrambling for cash months after its founder stepped down amid a student sex scandal.

"Don't call him 'Little Chris'," - New York Observer

BY ED CONDRAN, Correspondent

Bed Stuy's own Tony Rock, brother of Chris Rock is paving his own laugh track. Although the comedic actor followed in his older brother's foot step, Tony shares with the New & Observer his own special blend of comedy.

'Little Chris" was how New York comics referred to Tony Rock when he watched his older, famous brother Chris Rock kill at Manhattan comedy clubs more than 15 years ago.

Yet that didn't bother him. Tony Rock says it was much harder living in Bedford-Stuyvesant, one of the toughest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. "I was a world away when I watched my brother and the other comics," he says. "I learned the art of comedy."

"Brooklyn Rescue Mission could lose half of it's Bed-Stuy Farm property to developmment," - NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

They turned a vacant lot into an edible Eden that provides freshly grown food to thousands of needy Brooklynites.

But the Brooklyn Rescue Mission, an emergency food pantry in Bedford-Stuyvesant, could lose half of Bed-Stuy Farm - its 5,000-square-foot facility on a long-neglected lot - if plans go through to build on it.

BLACK IN AMERICA: COPS IN THE HOOD
By Keith L. Forest

Back in early 2000, a young woman on her way home from work was killed in my neighborhood of Prospect Heights Brooklyn. That woman was white.

Since the crime was committed along a route I traveled daily to and from work, without any hesitation or much thought, and regardless of the fact that this path shaved 10 minutes off of my commute, the next day I immediately changed my route.

Why?

Cause I am an African American male and at that time I was living in an area that was in its final stages of gentrification. The constant and consistent arrival of our new-found neighbors may have improved the police presence. However; it forced longtime residents like me into a minority category which automatically made me a suspect for the detectives infiltrating the neighborhood in an attempt to solve the case.

As racial profiling begins to once again take center stage in mainstream media as a result of Dr. Louis Henry Gates, Jr. recent run-in with Cambridge, MA police, I am reminded of the above mentioned scenario and unfortunately countless other unbalanced stories that hard working, law abiding African American men like myself unfortunately are subjected to daily.

There is the story a co-worker shared with me of how he and his son were pulled over while traveling through Florida. Although he broke no law, did nothing illegal, and by all accounts is a law abiding citizen, he felt this immense, overwhelming sense of fear.

He feared not knowing what his physical appearance (he is 6ft 3) would trigger inside the cop and how a jerked motion or spontaneous move could warrant a life or death scenario for not only him but also his son.

This is a fear unfortunately; countless African American men live with daily. It is a fear of being pulled over by a state trooper because our hard work and determination permitted us to award ourselves with a luxury automobile. A fear of being picked up for questioning because a crime took place in our transformed neighborhood. Or a fear of being brought in for questioning because a disgruntled white house wife fabricated a fantasy of being abducted, kidnapped or mugged by a “black man.”

These tales from the hood and justified fears unfortunately happen daily and are shared in countless neighborhoods throughout our nation. They are topics of discussion that are heavily debated inside barbershops and lounges frequented by brothers. The same comfort zones Henry Louis Gates, Jr. spoke of having his site “theroot.com” emulate. However, what is also talked about and strategized over weekly shaves and trims are the rules of engagement.

We are all aware that a double standard exists. The news self-consciously reminds us every day the price one could pay for not knowing. A lesson that a 32 year old off duty New York City police officer Omar Edwards unfortunately may have momentarily forgotten when he chased a “lighter-hue” criminal he caught vandalizing his car. It may have also slipped Oscar Grant’s mind when Bay Area Transit Cop ejected him from a train and though handcuffed and defenseless, shot him in the back of the head.

These rules and code-of-conduct of existing-in-America-while-being-black-and-male came in handy for me when an over-zealous rooky-cop charged up my front steps one morning after my ghettoized, solvent tenant called demanding I be arrested for cleaning my front stoop.

Realizing what I had at stake – a home, a job, a respected name in my community, how I would be viewed – as another black man, and who lodged the complaint - a loud, boisterous, dramatic, low-life with nothing to lose - I had to be practical. Yes I had a right to clean my front stoop. However, the fact that I had a pending Landlord Tenant Court case could be an issue.

So when the 5 foot 5 armed white, police officer from the 81st precinct confronted me by heralding insults and degrading, curse words demanded I step out my house, I ignored him. When he requested that I show him some ID, I gave him my license.

After running my name through central booking and discovering that I was in fact a law abiding citizen, in his effort to be cast as the “hero” before the growing crowd of spectators anxious to catch the latest episode starring the neighborhood-drama queen (my former tenant), the officer issued me a ticket. After totally humiliating and embarrassing me in front of my neighbors, I took the ticket and closed the front door.

I then consulted a friend that works at the District Attorney’s office. Although it would call for taking yet another day off from work, I took their advice and challenged the ticket’s legitimacy in court where it was thrown out.

To further right this humiliating wrong, I filed a complaint with New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board. An associate contacted me to make arrangements for an intervention to take place between me and the officer. However, the meeting would be based on the officer’s cooperation and availability and would be mediated by 2 civilian volunteers.

At the meeting, I was given the opportunity to express my concerns and challenge the cop on his choice of words and the lack of respect he showed me.

The Officer of course denied any wrong doing and use of profanity. He resented being labeled a racist, which I never called him, and wanted an opportunity to clear his name. However, when cross examined by the mediators, he did admit that he “may have” used inappropriate language and apologized for being “unruly”.

Sounds like a happy ending. However, it isn’t.

Long before this scenario with Dr. Louis Gates, Jr. played out in a tony Cambridge, MA neighborhood and unfortunately after it has finally died down, there will still be rouge cops patrolling urban neighborhoods. These police officers, many from outside our communities, will sadly use their badge as a legal right to intimidate and harass our brothers, fathers, sons and uncles forcing men of color to raise up yet another generation to be cautious of existing while being black and male.

Keith L. Forest is a freelance publicist, writer and proud Bedford-Stuyvesant home owner who lives and works in the beloved community. His current blog space mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.

"Greenpoint, Williamsburg residents irritated by neighbors' loud noiseBY Ben Chapman and Lisa L. Colangelo," - New York Daily News

Community Board 3, which represents the Bedford Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant Heights and Ocean Hill neighborhoods, logged in over 3,882 calls so far this year. Most of the calls were of gun shots and loud music.

"Brevoort Playground is July’s Park of the Month," - Brooklyn Eagle

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Brevoort Playground has been named July’s Park of the Month. Located on Ralph Avenue and Chauncey Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the playground features a spray shower area, a glass rock wall, a fully landscaped
central garden and an exciting performance space.

“With more than $2.5 million in funding from Council Member Darlene
Mealy and Mayor Bloomberg, Brevoort has become a neighborhood oasis. We have
made many additions to this park during the past year, including new basketball
courts, a spray shower and a glass rock wall.”

"NYPD Sergeant Dexter Brown, shot by fellow police officer, settles suit with city for $3.25 million," BY Scott Shifrel - New York Daily News

Retired NYPD Sgt. Dexter Brown, a former undercover cop supervising a buy and bust operation in Bedford Stuyvesant over 11 years ago, recently was rewarded $3.25 million damage for being shot in the back by one of his men. The detective, Luis Lopez, who fatally shot another suspect, denied any wrong doing.