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Community Board 2 Meets: Community Policing, Housing Dilemmas and More

Brooklyn's Community Board 2, representing the neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO, held its monthly general meeting on Wednesday, December 14.
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Brooklyn's Community Board 2, representing the neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO, held its monthly general meeting on Wednesday, December 14.

Kicking off the evening's agenda was a special presentation by the NYPD of a new initiative, the Neighborhood Coordination Officer Program (NCO). This new program will be brought to the communities of the area courtesy of a joint effort between the NYPD's 88th and 84th Precinct's.

"There Will be two NCO's for each sector in the 88th and 84th Precinct's," said Sgt. Matthew Piezzo of the 88th Precinct. "We are here to connect with the community, and we want people to know we are going to be as available as possible."

People in the community will have access to designated Neighborhood Coordination Officers phone numbers and email addresses in order to report anything they find suspicious. "It's not just about crime or traffic problems" Sgt. Piezzo added. "We have numerous resources available to us, such as access to the Parks Department and Homeless Services. Instead of dialing 311, and waiting forever. we want you to talk to your local NCO."

Next on the agenda, committee member Mr. Jon Quint took the floor to explain New York City Council's latest law, Introduction 1218: " Increasingly, there are a number of homeowners who are building extra units inside their houses to rent, violating their certificate of occupancy and posing a fire hazard. This law will increase penalties for homeowners found guilty of infractions and will involve judicial action as well."

Mr. Jon Quint explaining Introduction 1218 to Community Board 2

The announcement immediately raised several questions by CB2 members. Several people voiced their concerns that Intro 1218 would potentially punish tenants for simply trying to find a place to sleep in New York City's notoriously difficult and expensive housing market, which would be unfair. Quint was quick to point out that this law is not to punish those who need housing, as much as it is to punish homeowners who know better.

He also pointed out the recent Oakland Warehouse tragedy was a cautionary tale of building extra units where they don't belong. Quint made sure to note Community Board 2 concerns and will be addressing them with the New York City Council.

  • U.S. Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is holding his State of The District Address on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Long Island University's Paramount Theater, 1 University Plaza, Brooklyn, NY, 11202. Call 718-237-2211 to RSVP or visit https://jeffries.house.gov/
  • The NYC Housing Lottery deadline for The Hub — a residential development at 333 Schermerhorn Street closes on December 15th, 2016, at 330 pm. Visit https://a806-housingconnect.nyc.gov/nyclottery/lottery.html #home to apply.
  • Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez is holding an immigration forum on Saturday, December 17th at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. More info can be found here
  • The Brooklyn Height's Library is now open at their new interim location at 109 Remsen Street. Stop by!
  • Brooklyn Community Board 2 meets every second Wednesday of the month. Visit here
    for more details.



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