ATTENTION: LDCCH Hosts Home Buyer Workshop; 1/25; 7PM

The Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights (LDCCH)- in collaboration with Project Brooklyn Homeowners- will host a Free Interactive Home Buyer Workshop on January 25th, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 25th 2012
7:00PM to 9:00PM
WHERE: First Baptist Church of Crown Heights
450 Eastern Parkway, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11225

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU????
• Learn How to buy a home
• Learn what to look for in a home and the right questions to ask
• Learn how to qualify for a mortgage. We make sure all attendee’s fully understand the mortgage process from start to finish
• Learn what to do if they have credit challenges and the steps to repair their credit
• ON THE SPOT MORTGAGE PRE-QUALIFICATION
• FREE CREDIT REPORT AND CREDIT CONSULTATION
• Opportunity to preview homes from our inventory of 130 HOMES throughout the Brooklyn and Queens areas and speak to our team of Realtors that will be present at the work shop

To register, email Evantz Saint-Gerard at Evantz@yahoo.com or Yinery Martinez at LDCCH752@aol.com, or call 718-467-8800.

Elected Officials Speak Out Against Hateful Language By NYPD Officers Exposed On Facebook

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
December 6, 2011

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081

Elected Officials Speak Out Against Hateful Language By NYPD Officers Exposed On Facebook
Outrage Follows Police Officers Found Making Disparaging Comments Concerning West Indian American Day Parade, Community

New York, NY— Individuals affiliated with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) have been found making offensive and disrespectful comments on the social networking website Facebook regarding the West Indian American Day Parade in Central Brooklyn, an annual multiday event that unfolds over the Labor Day weekend.

In the Facebook group, entitled “No More West Indian Day Detail”, posters were found referring to parade participants as “animals”, “savages”, and “filth”, and the parade overall as a “scheduled riot”. In fact, the language was so inflammatory that some posters sent out the warning that it could be exposed to the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau.

In early November 2011, Council Member Letitia James joined State Senator Eric Adams, Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries, and Council Member Jumaane Williams to urge Mayor Bloomberg to appoint an independent commission to investigate corruption within the NYPD. This request followed a number of recent well-publicized scandals involving New York City police officers including ticket-fixing, evidence tampering, and drug-planting; as well as overall policies such as unlawful surveillance activity and discriminatory stop and frisk tactics.

“These comments are deeply bigoted, and suggest that these officers view their duty as some kind of war against the communities they have sworn to protect,” said Council Member Letitia James. “This attitude mars the integrity of the department and is reminiscent of a time before community policing was established as NYPD policy. When officers suggest ‘dropping a bomb’ on a community, I have to question not only their commitment to their duties, but the degree to which they value basic human life.”

“Such deeply offensive remarks don’t belong anywhere, anytime in our City,” said Comptroller John C. Liu. “The Officers who were responsible for these comments don’t represent the NYPD, but do reinforce concerns about biased policing. The NYPD needs to get the bottom of this.”

“The comments made by these police officers are disgraceful and need to be investigated immediately,” said Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I know that these views do not represent the entirety of the police force, but unfortunately, this only serves to reinforce distrust of the police among communities of color.”

“I cannot say that today's report surprises me, based on the growing avalanche of these stories coming from every corner of New York City,” said Council Member Jumaane Williams. “Yet, Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly have maintained their deafening silence towards this issue. These comments come out in the wake of other concerning statements from NYPD officers, including a racially motivated arrest on Staten Island in April where an officer said he ‘fried another n-----’, as well as racist language captured in wiretaps during the ticket-fixing investigation in the Bronx.”

The 2011 West Indian American Day Parade saw a total of nine shooting victims, with four of those victims shot along the parade’s route. Those who lost their life include Denise Gay, 56, who was shot while sitting on a stoop with her daughter. Mayor Michael Bloomberg blamed the violence on gun-accessibility.

WHO: Council Member Letitia James
NYC Comptroller John Liu
Public Advocate Bill De Blasio (Representative Kirsten Foy)
Representative Yvette Clarke (Representative Latrice Walker)
Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito
Council Member Jumaane Williams
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
Council Member Robert Jackson
Council Member Brad Lander


WHEN: December 7, 2011
1:00 PM

WHERE: steps of City Hall

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ATTENTION: 2nd Annual Franklin Avenue Halloween Parade; 10/30

The 2nd Annual Franklin Avenue Halloween Parade welcomes the community!

WHEN: Sunday, October 30, 2011
3:00PM
WHERE: Walt Shamel Dean North Community Garden
1096-1099 Dean Street
Brooklyn, NY
(parade ends at Crow Hill Community Garden)

Pumpkin painting will be available following the parade. Please contact (917) 838-2421 for more information.

ATTENTION: CrH North House Tour; 10/1

The Crown Heights North Association is hosting their 5th Annual House Tour on Saturday, October 1, 2011.

The tour is self-guided and takes place rain or shine. This year's highlights include the homes of two gifted fine artists, three of Brooklyn's finest 19th century architects, and much more.

WHEN: Saturday, October 1, 2011
11:00AM- 4:00PM
(the kickoff ceremony and continental breakfast begins at 10:45AM)

The tour begins at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, on the corner of Brooklyn Avenue and St. John's Place. Tickets are available for only $20 (online) here, or $25 at the door. They can also be purchased at Barbara's Flowers (at 615 Nostrand Avenue) or Yanatiba (714 Washington Avenue). Please contact akavanagh@crownheightsnorth.org for more information.

Job Opportunity- Restaurant Positions Available in District

A few restaurant positions available in the district:

Romans Restaurant
Romans on DeKalb Avenue is seeking a server. Candidates much possess 2-3 years of serving experience, and have weekend availability. Benefits are available after three months of employment. Please see the following link for more information: [LINK]

Cellars Restaurant
Cellars restaurant is seeking an experienced cook. Candidates may drop their resume off at the 250 DeKalb Avenue location. [LINK]

Crown Heights Pizza Restaurant
A new pizza shop opening on Crown Heights seeks experienced pizza makers, pizzaiolos (?), line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers for full and part-time positions. Interested candidates should attend open-house/interviews from Monday-Friday (12noon -2PM). Location is at 781 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. [LINK]



Sharing of employment opportunities is not an endorsement of any business.

CM James Sponsors "Beautify and Unify" To Encourage CrH/PH Revitalization; 8/20

Council Member Letitia James invites the Crown Heights and Prospect Heights communities to "Beautify and Unify", sponsored by Council Member Letitia James, NYC Community Cleanup, the Crown Heights Mediation Center, The Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force, and the Executive Director of IKOKO!



The event is Saturday August 20th, beginning 10:00am (participants are encouraged to meet at 9:45am) on the corner of Sterling Place and Nostrand Avenue.



The clean-up day will encourage and assist in the ongoing North Crown Heights revitalization, and include graffiti removal, store front cleaning, garbage removal and street tree care. NYC Community Clean Up will provide these services (with the exception of street tree care) at no cost to the merchants and residents. Prospect Heights Street Tree Task Force will handle tree care which will include soil aeration, mulching, and pruning. The Crown Heights Mediation Center conceived of the clean-up day as a way to support new and existing businesses along Nostrand Avenue.



Council Member James encourages store owners along Nostrand to contact the Brooklyn Solution Center Branch of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, which provide alternate sources of capital and business solutions. Also, we encourage new store owners to access NBAT, New York City business acceleration initiative.



If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jonathan Perez at the Office of Council Member Letitia James at 718-260-9191.

CM James, AM Camara Support Retention of NYPD Impact Zone CH-North

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
July 12, 2011

Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191 - aloomis@council.nyc.gov, and
Odellia Lucius at (718) 771-3105 - luciuso@assembly.state.ny.us

JOINT STATEMENT BY ASSEMBLYMAN KARIM CAMARA AND COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ABOUT RETAINING THE NYPD IMPACT ZONE IN CROWN HEIGHTS NORTH:

“For the past year Crown Heights North has benefited greatly from being designated a NYPD Impact Zone. The law enforcement officers of the 77th precinct that patrol the neighborhood have done a stellar job in monitoring crime activity. As a result, criminal acts have noticeably decreased. The Impact Zone initiative is to be credited in part for helping to make Crown Heights a safer place to live and work.

Recently, the City's Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) approved the creation of a new historic district in Brooklyn called the Crown Heights North II Historic District. Borders of the new district include Brooklyn Avenue to the east and Bergen Street to the north, Nostrand Avenue to the west and Eastern Parkway to the south. The new district is adjacent to the 472-building historic district that the LPC designated in 2007 as well. In light of these historic districts now in place, the presence of an NYPD Impact Zone is more important than ever.

Also, as violent activity seems to decrease during the summer, now is not the time to reduce the number of cops on-duty in the area. We fear that it will lead to an up-tick in negligent behavior. With schools out for summer and fewer opportunities for our youth, we are concerned that the loss of the Impact Zone will precipitate a sharp decline back to former dangerous conditions. Please join the Crow Hill Community Association, the 77th Precinct, and other community stakeholders in preserving the NYPD Impact Zone initiative to keep our streets thriving.”

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ATTENTION: DOT To Install "No Standing Anytime" Signs in CrH

The Department of Transportation will install "No Standing Anytime" signs at Schenectady Avenue and Lincoln Place in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, following a department analysis.

ATTENTION: Crown Heights Parking Meter Installation

The Office of Council Member Letitia James has recently learned that in accordance with the New York City administrative code, an upcoming installation of parking meters will affect the 35th Council District.

Beginning May 2011, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC-DOT) will install single-space parking meters on both the east and west sides of Troy Avenue from Empire Boulevard to Crown Street, The meter rate will be $.25 per 20 minutes.

The NYC-DOT expects that inconvenience to motorists will be minimal; however, should you have any further questions, you are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn Borough Commissioner’s office at (718) 222-7259.

Crown Heights Shooting

On Sunday, January 9th, 2011 at 12:15AM, 3 men were shot in front of 801 Dean Street.

(1) Victim- Male, Black, 19 years old was shot one time and was taken to Kings County Hospital for his injuries.
(2) Victim- Male, Black, 22 years old was shot one time and was taken to Kings County Hospital for his injuries.
(3)Victim- Male, Black, 18 years old was shot one time and was taken to Kings County Hospital for his injuries.

The perpetrator for each of these victims is unknown at this time. The case is under investigation with the 77th Precinct Detective Squad. If you have information, the detective squad can be contacted at (718)-735-0662, and Community Affairs can be contacted at (718)-735-0634. Additionally, you may always report information to the NYPD anonymously at Crimestoppers.

Crown Heights Community Mediation Center 2011 Save Our Streets Multimedia Contest

CHMC is seeking talented youth and adult artists to contribute to our antigun violence public education campaign. The goal is to convey the strong message that shooting and killing are not acceptable in Crown Heights.

Your Creativity Could Save a Life- Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, 256 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11213, http://crownheightsmediationcenter.blogspot.com/

For questions or to receive the S.O.S. logo for your submission, contact Micah Weiss at mweiss@crownheights.org, or Phone: 718-773-6886 - Fax: 718-773-5349
E-mail: mweiss@crownheights.org http://soscrownheights.blogspot.com/Register and download the full contest guidelines on our blog: soscrownheights.blogspot.com/

The 2011 Save Our Streets Multimedia Contest
• Accepting submissions for Public Service Announcement, Video or Radio Short, and Poster Design categories.  • Winners will have their work appear all over Crown Heights
and receive a monetary reward.  • Deadline for first review round in January 28th, 2011.

CMs James and Williams Join Community Advocates To Speak Out On Snow Sanitation

Council Members Letitia James and Jumaane Williams join Isaac Tamir of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC) to discuss conditions in Crown Heights on December 28, 2010.

Anger Over City's Blizzard Response: MyFoxNY.com

ATTENTION: Suspect Wanted for Sexual Assault In Crown Heights

This is an NYPD sketch of a suspect wanted for a rape that occurred on December 12, 2010 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The suspect has been described to police as a black/African-American male between the ages of 25-30, around six feet, with a medium build and a dark complexion.

Anyone with information about this crime should call the 71st Precinct at
(718) 230-4416. Additionally, you may always report information to the NYPD anonymously at Crimestoppers.

Achievement First Charter School Parents Demand Disciplinary Reform

Press Release
Contact: Amelia Adams - (646) 250-5797
aadams@nycommunities.org

Achievement First Charter School Parents Demand Disciplinary Reform

Parents Cite Several Incidents in Schools and Detrimental Discipline Policies

Thirty parents rallied and attended the Achievement First Board meeting to call for a change to the charter school network’s discipline policies.

Parents were angered at the disciplinary actions taken against their children in Achievement First schools. Many students in the schools have had detention almost every day of the year and been suspended for infractions such as dropping a pencil, not making eye contact and “slouching.”

“These rules have to change. My son was called a “low-level criminal” because he initialed his name in the wrong location on a form. He was suspended and they made him wear a different color shirt for the rest of the day,” said Jasmine Crawford parent of an Achievement First student.

Parents felt that the disciplinary policies have had a very detrimental effect on students’ emotional states, even to the point where students talk about suicide.

“My son has threatened to walk out in the street and be run over by a car, instead of going to school,” said one Achievement First parent who did not want to be named publicly for fear of retribution on her son.

Parents were also very disturbed that Chi Tschang, who has a history of emotionally and physically abusing children, was brought in as Superintendent of their schools. Mr. Tschang had been reported in California to have put his hands on students and using harsh punishments like sitting out in extreme cold/sun for hours. Parents at Achievement First called for the removal of Mr. Tschang and requested to work with administration to implement a fair and transparent code of conduct.

Several parents delivered a letter (attached) to the Crown Heights AF principal and requested a meeting in regards to disciplinary policies on October 27th, but have yet to hear back.

Council Member Letitia James added her support for the parents, “When a large group of parents gather to voice their dissatisfaction with their children’s school policies, I listen. The parents of Achievement First Schools are my constituents, and therefore my first priority. Apparently, students are also sharing experiences of harsh punishments with others, specifically under the direction of the Superintendent of their schools. Today, I am calling for an immediate meeting to be held with the Crown Heights Achievement First principal to discuss disciplinary policies and make necessary adjustments that are agreed upon by all parties.”

When: Monday, November 22nd at 5:30pm
Where: Achievement First Endeavor - 510 Waverly Ave. in Brooklyn
Who: Achievement First Parents, NYCC, elected officials and community members

Medgar Evers College Preparatory School Marching Band Seeks Donations for Competition

The Medgar Evers College Preparatory School marching band is among the bands that have been invited to the 2010 National High School Stepping Marching Band Championship in Atlanta, Georgia taking place November 12th-13th. The school unfortunately has not been able to raise the $35,000 needed to transport and board the 126-member band.



If you'd like to help the band compete in Atlanta, please call Dr. Jean Adilifu, Assistant Principal of Medgar Evers College Preparatory School, at 718-703-5400 at extension 1226.

Read more from WPIX (video borrowed from their coverage), here, and here.

Crow Hill Protest In Opposition to Opening of Pawn Shop at 649 Park Place

Press Rally/Protest In Opposition to Opening of Pawn Shop at 649 Park Place

Crow Hill Community Association and Council Member Letitia James hold rally on October 16, at 12 Noon on corner of Park Place and Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn in protest of proposed pawn shop

(Brooklyn, NY) – The Crow Hill community is gathering to protest a proposed pawn shop in their community. Crow Hill is a residential community that is working hard to bring renewed life and vitality to their commercial corridor: Franklin Avenue.

Crow Hill is situated in the west section of the 77th Precinct, which is currently experiencing a rise in burglaries, and the Crow Hill Community Association believes an establishment that specializes in buying and selling goods will not be beneficial for its neighborhood. Crow Hill is committed to the revitalization of Franklin Avenue, and will use all of its resources towards the goal of improving quality of life and public safety issues. The Crow Hill Community Association is united in opposing any landlord or developer who wishes to bring inappropriate projects to the community.

---------------------

What: Protest of Inappropriate Development in Community – Park Place & Franklin Avenue Pawn Shop
When: Saturday, October 16
Where: Corner of Park Place and Franklin Avenue, Crown Heights
Time: 12 PM

Crown Heights Community Group Organize To Address Gun Violence; 9/23; 6PM; Crown Heights

In reaction to two shootings that have took place in Crown Heights on Sunday, September 19th, and Monday, September 20th, S.O.S., a grassroots community organization will be holding a community rally on Thursday, September 23rd at 6PM at Hebron Seventh Day Adventist Church on the corner of Dean and New York Avenues.

For more information, contact ljones@crownheights.org.

ATTENTION: CHMC Seeking Paid Volunteers for NY Juvenile Justice Corps Positions

The Crown Heights Mediation Center is looking for candidates for paid volunteer positions that will start in October 2010. The positions will be offered through a new AmeriCorps program called the New York Juvenile Justice Corps. The program will serve young people currently involved or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. Corps members receive a living stipend of $11,100 and an educational award of $5,350. The application deadline is August 30th, 2010.

CM James, BK BP Markowitz, and AM Camara Host Premier of Hip-Hop Music Video Entitled "Harmony"

Twenty Years After the Crown Heights Riots, Black and Jewish Community Leaders Endorse DeScribe’s “Harmony” Hip Hop Music Video as a Groundbreaking Tool for Unity and Racial Harmony in Brooklyn

DeScribe (born Shneur HaSofer), Crown Heights’ Hasidic Hip Hop and R&B artist, held a press conference at Borough Hall on August 2nd, 2010 at 1:00 pm with NYS Senator Eric Adams and Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Letitia James and Assembly Member Karim Camara to premier his revolutionary “Harmony” music video, which celebrates diversity, understanding and harmony amongst the Crown Heights’ Black and Jewish communities.

This event was presented in collaboration with heads of the Crown Heights community and Shemspeed, an independent recording label and artists’ promotional agency based in Crown Heights. The event was sponsored by COLlive.com, one of the most prominent Chabad Hasidic media outlets, and Marley Coffee, owned by Bob Marley’s son Rohan Marley. Marley Coffee helps promote and support environmental and social justice causes, including aiding Jamaica’s poor communities and “going green.”

Things We May Have Neglected To Mention

NYC Department of Education Tries to Close 19 Schools, Gets Sued, Fails

The Teachers Union and the NAACP filed a lawsuit on February 1st in an attempt to stop the DOE's 19 school closings (none of the proposed closings were in the 35th district). On March 26th, a Manhattan judge sided with parents, advocates, and leaders, by voiding the City's decision to close the schools, citing a failure to follow proper processes.

Progressive Caucus

What happens when a dozen progressive City Council members get together? This.

Free Trees In Clinton Hill

Green Fort Greene & Clinton Hill and the FAB Alliance are giving away 200 free trees on Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18. Make your way to the Putnam Triangle in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn (Fulton St and Grand Ave) and leave with a tree to plant on your private property. Planting a tree contributes to neighborhood beautification, lowers air pollution, slows street traffic, and is a fun springtime activity for kids, school classes, church groups, families and friends. Any questions- contact tree@greenfgch.org.

Immigration Application Assistance

The Crown Heights Community Mediation Center is offering free immigration assistance to eligible individuals to complete the application forms. If you are eligible to apply for citizenship, you will be scheduled to meet with a trained volunteer to fill out the N-400/N-600 forms and receive information about the additional requirements to complete your application.
The dates are:
April 7- 9:30am- 12:30pm
April 29- 4pm- 8pm

May 15- 10am - 3pm