Lillie Marshall’s monthly Red Hook West Tenants Association meeting takes place on the second Tuesday of each month, at 428 Columbia Street, room 1C. The meetings cover a host of events of interest to Red Hook Houses residents, and Ms. Marshall always presents a number of speakers, who may include representatives from local politicians, NYCHA, the Justice Center, and the police.
March’s meeting was no exception. On everyone’s seat was a flyer advertising Ms. Marshall’s Mother’s Day extravaganza. For the second year in a row, the TA will host a party for mothers. The event will take place Saturday, May 9th, at the Miccio Center from 7 pm until midnight. Admission is $7, with all proceeds going to a fund to support Back to School Supplies and Family Day.
Another flyer publicized the Justice Center’s Peacemaking program. Graduates of the program become qualified to mediate cases brought to the Center. Training sessions take place throughout April. For information email Coleta at cwalker1@nycourts.gov or call (718) 923-8293.
A third flyer promoted the NYCHA Summer Youth Employment Program for residents between the ages of 14 and 24. The application deadline is April 10th. Applications are accepted online at www.nyc.gov/.dycd or call 1-800-246-4646.
After approving the February minutes, Ms. Marshall began by assuring everyone that enhanced NYPD patrols, which were successful last summer in keeping the neighborhood peaceful,would be continued this summer, with 18 officers patrolling the grounds. Joseph Scacco, from the PSA 1 Community Affairs department, spoke next.
A heated discussion ensued about the state of the surveillance camera set up to deter crime. There were complaints about non-functioning cameras, there not being enough cameras, and the fact that often there was nobody assigned to monitor them. Officer Scacco fielded all the questions, in many cases stating that these were not all police problems – that NYCHA itself is responsible for the maintenance of the cameras, and that continual money shortages were in the end responsible.
Ms. Marshall informed us that NYCHA has received money specifically for improving the camera situation. Red Hook will benefit from the extra funds.
PSA 1, the division of the police department responsible for housing patrols, is headquartered in Coney Island. There is a satellite office at 80 Dwight Street, whose men are responsible for patrols in Red Hook and Gowanus. Just like the 76th Precinct, PSA 1 hosts monthly Community Council meetings. These meetings take place at 2860 West 23rd Street in Coney Island, and are held the third Thursday of each month.
Sandy Serrano, representing the Red Hook Initiative, spoke next. She stressed the availability of after-school and employment programs for middle school and high school students. These programs include a City Council initiative called Stronger Together, as well as GED and college prep programs. For more information simply walk over to their office at the corner of Hicks and West 9th Streets.
Next up was Julian Morales. He is the community organizer for Councilman Menchaca. He reminded everyone that Participatory Budgeting voting is scheduled to take place during the week of April 11 – 19. There will be pop-up locations at the Rec Center, RHI, the library and the Miccio Center. As of press time, announced times are as follows: Miccio Center , Apr. 13 – 17, 3 pm – 8 pm; Red Hook Initiative, Apr. 13 – 17, 3 pm – 8 pm Red Hook Library; April 14 – 15, 3 pm – 6 pm Red Hook Library; April 18, 3 pm – 6 pm Red Hook Rec Center – to be announced.
Participatory Budgeting devotes a portion of the City Council budget to be voted on by the public. Red Hook projects this year include enhancements to local public schools and the library. The specific proposals will be on display at the polling sites. Anyone age 14 and up is eligible to vote – all you have to show is proof of your address.
Josh Levin from the City Comptroller’s came up to address the audience. He mentioned an April 1 date for the reopening of Coffee Park, a remark that was met with snickers of disbelief. The Comptroller audits city agencies and handles pension fund investments. It was suggested that the office look into the Parks Department.
The next meeting of the Red Hook West Tenants Association will be on Tuesday, April 14th. Yearly dues of $3 allows one to vote in the TA elections, as well as running for office.
3 Comments
my name is Pastor Dwayne Barnes and I’m new to the redhook community. I would like to meet with the community leaders such as Lilie Marshall and see how I can be an asset to the community. thank you
Lillie Marshall is the president of the Red Hook West Tenant’s Association and is often in her office at 428 Columbia Street, Apt 3A (I think – it’s the first door on the left).
You could also go to the Miccio Center in the afternoon and introduce yourself to Treyquan Bekka in the office upstairs. He is with Good Shepherd Services.
And call the Councilman’s Office (that’s Menchaca – his number is on page two of every issue of the Red Hook Star-Revue) and ask for Julian, the community Coordinator. You could also call Felix Ortiz’s office, he’s the Assemblyman, and ask for Karen Broughton. These are just some ideas – another place to stop into is the Red Hook Initiative, on Hicks and West 9th Streets.
so much now