Although spring is not yet here, Brooklyn’s boardwalk is already teeming with pedestrians. And, despite last Saturday’s frost and wind, more than 300 people came here to take part in the introduction of a new program, which New York State Assemblywoman Adele Cohen coordinated and made public. She disseminated information via social organizations, media sources, and simply hung posters on the walls of buildings, announcing that her primary objective is to make safe and protect the impoverished neighborhood of Coney Island.
“They are hindering you, those who reside in this great little nook of the city, from living and enjoying the beauty of your surroundings,” she said to open the meeting on the boardwalk. “This should not be. We have gathered here today to change this situation.” The Assemblywoman expressed her gratitude to the New York Police Department (NYPD), who have actively responded to her call to take practical steps toward ensuring the safety of Coney Island residents.
The program “Boardwalk Security Initiative” was officially launched on March 13th, when auxiliary police officers began patrolling the boardwalk. The patrol chief, Tony Kristo, spoke at the meeting and announced that already 60 people have registered to join the squad and registrations continue to come in. Moreover, a tenant patrol is already working in several Coney Island high-rise apartment buildings. The police patrols and volunteer squads will be work every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. While the patrols and squads are on duty Saturdays, artists and circus acrobats will entertain and concerts offered in Coney Island. In addition, orators and legal representatives will be giving lectures.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Councilman Domenic Recchia, Democratic leader of the 46th NYS Assembly District Mark Davidovich, 60th precinct Commander Charles Scholl, police captain Thomas Delahanty and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) administrator Gloria Finkelman were at the meeting. They each promised to help and support the program and were optimistic that the current situation in Coney Island will soon improve.
Having attended the meeting myself, I can attest that Finkleman’s plans and promises, as well as the assurances made by the representatives from the NYPD and the city government inspired confidence that peace and order will soon reign in Coney Island.
The announcements were followed by comments from the people who gathered for the meeting:
Polina Falis: “Within the last two years it has become absolutely impossible to walk along the beach with one’s grandchildren, especially in the evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. Teenagers splash water on us and on the dog; they even shove us. And there’s no one to turn to.”
Yuri Tenkin: “My wife is one of the many who has fallen victim to hooliganism. Now she’s very apprehensive when she leaves the apartment. Some say that it hasn’t been this way for a long time. But, just this week they robbed and mercilessly beat up an elderly woman. What’s more, she wasn’t an immigrant but an American.”
David Fainleib: “I imagine that every resident in this area has been victimized — if not physically, then morally. In this neighborhood, teenagers seem to be above the law. It’s impractical to believe that each of us can act as a police officer. Crime prevention must begin with the schools.”
Sophia Dobrovolskaya: “How will the patrol service from 12 to 3 p.m., once a week, help us in our struggle against unrestrained youngsters? What’s more, during those hours no one is even on the boardwalk.”
Basically, those who had gathered to listen did not receive the new program with particular enthusiasm, and when Adele Cohen walked around the boardwalk, very few were eager to follow.
Semyen Roynblat, an activist of the Holocaust Survivors Association, announced that he intends to bring the residents’ grievances to Adele Cohen’s attention and let her help as she has promised.
I spoke to African-American children at a local public school located in Coney Island. Edwin Vargas, Michael Katala, Adam Lukh, and Andrew Klafal said that there is a lot of talk about hooliganism on the beach and in elevators. They themselves have never taken part in such activities and are even prepared to stop the lawbreakers.
Ken Jane and Lepol Grand registered again for the tenant patrol. “Instead of sitting and watching television at night, we’re ready to help guard the neighborhood. It’s upsetting that because of these ruffians all our friends have a bad reputation.”
Time will tell whether the “Safe Coney Island” program will have favorable results for the upcoming elections or if it will simply create more worries for the constituency. For now, hoodlums will at least have to take better note of the day and hour when they choose to be out there.
Those interested in joining the patrol squads can call : (718) 287-3280 or 917-807-7322.
This article was written as part of IPA-New York’s Ethnic Press Fellowship.
