Notes From The CB14 Monthly Meeting

Community Board 14 held its April meeting Monday night. Here’s what happened this month:

• District Manager Shawn Campbell touched upon CB14’s collaboration with the 70th Precinct and Department of Transportation. The groups are working together to examine and fix some of the most dangerous intersections in our area, including the intersection of Flatbush and Avenue H, where increased lighting has recently been installed.

• Shawn also said that Parsons students are working on a project to better coordinate local 311 requests with budgeting needs, and she will continue to update meeting-goers on that.

• Members of the Transportation Committee attended a Vision Zero meeting last week along with District Manager Campbell.  There will be a meeting on traffic safety Tuesday, April 29 at the Brooklyn College Student Center from 6:30-8:30pm.

• The 70th Precinct‘s Lieutenant Jackie Bourne thanked CB14 for her Everyday Shero award nomination, and welcomed new Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Richard DiBlasio (who was at a prior engagement) while the wishing best to former Commanding Officer and now NYPD Applicant Processing head Inspector Eric Rodriguez.

• Lieutenant Bourne also explained that extra police coverage will be out for Passover, especially at local religious institutions. Harkening back to Shawn’s note on traffic safety, Bourne encouraged residents to let the 70th know of any dangerous strips or intersections. As a part of the Vision Zero effort, she says, the 70th will conduct a survey of the area causing concern.

• The Community Environment Committee said that while a recent review of local playgrounds turned up mostly positive ratings, neighbors wanting improvements should contact their City Council representatives (in this area, likely Jumaane Williams or Mathieu Eugene) to ask that more funding go to that cause.

• The Parks Department hopes to prune about 1,000 trees in our area this spring and summer, including trees in Prospect Park South, Beverley Square West, and north of Beverley Road between Flatbush and Bedford Avenues.

• Youth Services is getting awfully close to their annual conference, which will be held on Wednesday, May 7 from 4-7pm at the Brooklyn College Student Center. Over 50 organizations will be participating, and will have information on jobs, internships, workshops, and more. Volunteers are needed anytime from 2-7pm on May 7, and those interested should contact CB14’s District Office at 718-859-6357. Board Chairman Alvin Berk, “at the risk of editorializing,” said that seeing hundreds of kids benefit from youth conference makes him realize just how CB14 can have direct impact on the community. He encouraged neighbors to volunteer if possible for this very important event.

• Lauren Elvers Collins of the Church and Flatbush Avenue BIDs–who as it turns out was recognized at the same Borough Hall ceremony for Women’s History Month as Lieutenant Bourne, stopped by to discuss the Flatbush Avenue Annual Meeting, which will be held at 9:30am on Tuesday, May 13 at 123 Linden Boulevard (between Bedford and Rogers Avenues). Breakfast will be served, Small Business Services will be in attendance, and the BID will conduct a tribute to late Executive Director Jack Katz, as well as Reverend Dan Ramm of the Flatbush Reformed Church, who plans to retire in May.

• Councilmember Williams’ representative Jake Gold said any District 45 residents in need of immigration or mortgage counseling should call their office (718-629-2900), as these events are ongoing.

• Judith Destin of District Attorney Kenneth Thompson‘s office said any residents of Community District 14 with a public safety or quality of life concern are welcome to walk into their 350 Jay Street location from 9am-4pm Monday through Friday. The office is also happy to help with information on bullying, teen dating violence, and Internet safety, and will send an educator out to any school or religious groups that might need their services.