A shanty shack grows on South End Ave

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Update: February 3, 2012

By Steven Greer, MD

BatteryPark.TV delivers results once again. The despised shanty shack that had sprung up is now transformed back into a small fruit stand. It is still illegal and stealing business from the tax-paying Hudson Produce and Gristedes, and the red gas canisters are still there, but at least the eyesore is partially gone.

The First Precinct was the cause for the results. In contrast, the property manager of the nearby ex-Gate House porch, LeFrak, did not adequately act on the matter. This is the same property manager that allows the unsanitary dog urine to accumulate on the sidewalk in front of the Chase bank on South End Ave and fails to properly spray down the sidewalk.

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Update: February 2, 2012

A viewer informed us that the First Precinct stopped by the shanty shack and gave them a warning that the fruit stand can be no larger than eight feet. They will return later. Stay tuned.

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Update: January 31, 2012

One day after our report on the 27th, the boxes disappeared. The First Precinct replied to BatteryPark.TV that they were investigating and we spoke with the building owner of the old Gate House, upon which the illegal storage is taking place.

Now, four days later, the shanty shack has returned and the boxes are once again sprawled over the old Gate House porch. Neither the Gateway Plaza building property manager nor any official from the BPCA has responded to out requests for comment.

January 27, 201

Uptown BPC has the Shake Shack. Downtown BPC’ers have the Shanty Shack. BatteryPark.TV has received several emails complaining about the growing unsightly sloppy tent at the intersection of South End Avenue and Albany. A fruit vendor is expanding onto the empty porch of the closed down Gate House. He is now storing numerous boxes of fruit on the ground, and has an ugly makeshift tarpaulin over his stand. The merchants even have a 24-hour source of electricity from a gasoline generator with fuel canisters sitting on the sidewalk. The Gateway Plaza real estate group is the nearest property owner, and is allowing the storage of the boxes on their porch.

Also, across the street is a permanent, never moving, “Mobile” pastry and coffee cart. It is a favorite spot for tour buses and trucks that park illegally for hours on Albany using the food cart as their excuse for stopping. Brookfield Properties is the nearest property owner.

The nearby Hudson Produce, a legal establishment that loses money to both sidewalk vendors, was enthusiastic when BatteryPark.TV informed them that many in the community want the fruit shack to leave.

Where is the City Department of Health when they are needed? Do they only harass restaurants and collect fees? We asked Gayle Horwitz, CEO of the BPCA, whether they or some other agency is in charge of regulating this site, and she did not reply. We are awaiting replies from the property owners, City Hall, and the First Precinct.

What do you think? Should these unauthorized food vendors be shut down and evicted or do you value their services? Please post comments in the section below. They will be helpful to the community board and others.

Take our survey here.

Update: January 28, 2012

The First precinct community affairs replied to our story and they told us that they would investigate. We noticed that already the vendor has removed the numerous boxes, and the Gate House porch is empty. However, the ugly tarpaulin remains, as does the fuel canisters. The BPCA has still not replied to our questions.

(Click images to enlarge to full screen)

The permanent "mobile" pastry and coffee cart on Albany Street and South End Avenue

Update on efforts to rid BPC of illegally parked tour buses

September 29, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

The building manager of the 2 River Terrace called BatteryPark.TV about our tour bus stories. He said that the problem of illegally parked buses on North End Avenue has significantly declined since the stories. Their staff members are calling the Battery Park Enforcement Patrol and receiving assistance now.

In addition, we witnessed an NYPD full officer (as opposed to a traffic officer with no authority to ticket moving violations) issue a ticket to a bus on Murray Street. The bus was initially asked to leave North End Avenue and then promptly illegally parked 50 yards away on Murray Street.

The officer told us that they are now patrolling the area dealing with the tour buses. He explained that the designated areas for the buses are across West Street outside of Battery Park City.

Bus ticketed by NYPD on Murray Street

A tour of the NYC Rescue Mission for the homeless

October 14, 2009

With the closure of the John Hughes shelter, the nearest homeless shelter to Battery Park City is now in Tribeca. Joe Little of the New York City Rescue Mission gives a tour of the city’s oldest homeless shelter. With the bad economy and closure of other shelters nearby, demand for meals at the Mission have increased 20%.

To volunteer or donate money, contact (212) 226-6214 or go to http://www.nycrescue.org/

Ed Koch discusses homeless and politics

October 29, 2009

In the second part of our interview with Ed Koch, he discussed the growing homeless problem in Battery Park and how it is similar to New York City in the late 70’s when he was Mayor and the City was near bankruptcy. He also discusses the upcoming NY Governor’s election.

Tour bus finally ticketed

July 27, 2011

The NYPD (not the PEP, managed by Gayle Horwitz and Tess Huxley, who are refusing to enforce illegal parking) finally began ticketing illegally parked behemoth tour buses dropping off people to visit the 9/11 Memorial. This photo was taken on West Thames Street in a city bus stop “no parking” zone.

As most BPC residents know, these privately operated tour realized long ago that thy can park anywhere in South BPC, even in bus stops, and not be ticketed. BatteryPark.TV has a requested an interview with the Joe Daniels, CEO of the 9/11 Memorial, but has so far been stonewalled.

Body found in water off Battery Park City

November 26, 2011

The Post is reporting that a dead body was found in North Cove Marina. Read the story here. The police told BatteryPark.TV that the body is an unidentified Hispanic male. The cause of death is not yet determined.

The NYPD Museum

October 14, 2010

Julie Bose, Director of the NYPD Museum, takes us on a video tour of the museum with two new exhibits. The first one is “Artist as Witness” by artist Aggie Kenny who was given extraordinary access to the first-responders to 9/11. The second exhibit is the new children’s wing of the museum called “Junior Officers Discovery Zone”.

For more details, call (212) 480-3100 or visit http://www.nycpm.org

PEP promptly deal with OccupyWallStreet graffiti

October 18, 2011

A man in his 20′s from the OccupyWallStreet Zuccotti Park migrated over to the sidewalk by the West Thames Park grass field today. He wrote in chalk large protest messages. He was overheard saying that he was leaving to go back to Zuccotti Park for a camera to capture his art work. Moments later, three more members of OccupyWallStreet arrived and gathered in front of Rector Park.

The Park Enforcement Patrol (PEP) office was called and a patrol woman, who did not want her name used, promptly arrived. The three protestors explained that they were not the ones to write the message.

The PEP officer told BatteryPark.TV, as we witnessed the events, “I am going to stay here and wait for this guy to come back. This should not be taking place in Battery Park. Thank you so much (for calling this in).”

The man who wrote the sidewalk messages did return and the PEP officer told him, “Do not do it again”. The protestors were apologetic and there was surprisingly no conflict.

Related to this incident, the PEP are actively patrolling for possible satellite camps from Zuccotti Park that might sprout up in BPC. The PEP in carts have been keeping the community gardens, for example, free of protestor camps. BatteryPark.TV previously reported on groups of protestors who had found the community garden space conducive for a rest.

(Click images to enlarge)

SECURITY ALERT: Protestors in BPC now

October 6, 2011

The number of “OccupyWallStreet” protestors has grown exponentially over the last three days and it is causing them to bleed over into our once-sleepy neighborhood, which is a considerable distance from “Wall Street” and the original Zuccotti Park . Approximately ten protestors were found vandalizing (picking and eating) garden vegetable plants in the community garden on Albany and West Street.

Most of the protestors in the garden area were passive, but one man with a skateboard was refusing to leave and pushed his outreached arm near the face of a local BPC resident (name withheld for security) who asking them to leave. After 911 was called, the group ran away southward on the “Pataki Promenade” (see photo).

Nearby, Goldman Sachs security is at full alert. Numerous NYPD on foot and in squad cars surround the headquarters building as the protestors marched westward to the ferry boat slip and went to Jersey City to surround the smaller New Jersey tower of Goldman Sachs.

If you encounter any problems, you should call the PEPs at (212) 417-3114. If the PEP ignore you, please email us immediately info@batterypark.tv and take photos of the protestors. Obviously, if you feel threatened, the police should be called as well.

(Click image to enlarge)

Some of the Wall Street protestors running away from the community gardens after vandalizing the plants

A chat with Russell Simmons at OccupyWallStreet: by Steven Greer, MD

October 16, 2011

BatteryPark.TV had a chance to speak with Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons at the OccupyWallStreet protests today. He has been down there quite often. After a lengthy interview with Fox Business and Geraldo Rivera, he surprisingly was quite accessible as he walked around the crowd.

Russell Simmons with Fox Business and Geraldo Rivera

We asked, “(We) have not been able to hear your message as you were speaking (to Fox). Have you been trying to focus this group on more tangible goals?”

Mr. Simmons replied, “We have a focused message. It’s to get rid of Wall Street and lobbyists from Washington.” He went on to elaborate that point for approximately a minute. Unfortunately, we did not have our camera with us.

Overall, the crowd is more organized now than last week. The group “Anonymous” and others are clearly providing the agenda and support. For example, when the city announced that they group would be removed for cleaning, some organization provided push brushes for a photo-op of the protestors cleaning the area.

Also, more focused goals of the protests are appearing on professionally made signs, such as this one that says “End the Fed”.

The Zuccotti Park dos not feel like a chaotic unsafe area. Protestors are quite peaceful, when we were there at least. There was no evidence of marijuana smoke, drugs, or “open sex”.

So far, the protestors and the NYPD are doing a good job. The dangerous riots seen in Italy and the rest of Europe are not brewing in Zuccotti park, yet.

An effort calledConcreteIdeas trying to focus the OccupyWallStreet efforts

The other dangerous crossing on Albany St

Update: October 7, 2011

A local paper is reporting that a 3-year-old was struck by a yellow cab on Greenwich and Duane Streets this week. Manhattan Borough President Stringer placed a call to the DOT about the matter. Please refer to our previous reports, below and here, for the details of this very serious problem being neglected by the State DOT.

Update: September 22, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

BatteryPark.TV has previously alerted local police and officials about the dangerous pedestrian crossing on South Albany. On September 14, 2011, according to BPC resident Matt Fenton, a pedestrian was struck by a town car as she crossed South End by Rector Place. She was treated but sustained no life-threatening injuries.

The problem on South End is caused by distracted drivers searching for parking spots and ignoring the road. The crossing guards, like the Murray Street problem, are also very ineffective. The solution is to have full NYPD officers with ticketing power stationed at the intersections. Automated red-light cameras might help as well.

September 30, 2010

There is now a traffic officer stationed at Albany and South End Avenue to address the unsafe pedestrian crossing status that we first mentioned in January. (Full story below)

January 16, 2010

The dangers of the Albany St/West Side Highway crossing have been well documented. Not so well appreciated are the dangers at the other end where Albany meets South End Avenue. Drivers making turns onto Albany are too occupied by looking down South End for other cars that they neglect to yield for pedestrians crossing Albany who have the white walk sign. The problem is particularly bad in the early evening.

BatteryPark.TV spent a mere five minutes filming the problem on a crude cell phone camera. Within that time, numerous cars violated the law and could have run over a pedestrian who was not paying attention.

If the NYPD posted patrol personnel, it could possibly earn more than $100,000 in revenue per year. Rather than ticket parked cars and do nothing to improve safety, perhaps the NYPD should try targeting more dangerous areas where moving violations are concentrated. Just a friendly suggestion: earn revenue and please the community.

Police called to remove tour buses from North End Avenue

September 17, 2011

By Steven Greer

A viewer of BatteryPark.TV recently sent a letter complaining about the illegally parked tour buses that park in front of his building on North End Avenue near Murray Street, and requested that BP.TV do a story on the problem. On Saturday, September 17th, we noticed more than five tour buses parked all along West Murray and winding into South End Avenue.

We approached one driver from the lead bus operated by Enchanted Coach (866) 423-9700. He refused to leave and taunted us to call the police, “Go ahead, call the cops”. We then approached the driver of an out-of-state tour bus from St. Louis. He initially agreed to leave and was driving away, when the lead driver from Enchanted Coach got into his bus, discussed the situation, and convinced him not to leave.

The Enchanted Coach driver also bumped into us and was threatening. He said, “Man, go screw a cow.”

The 911 police operators were called and a squad car arrived. The bus drivers quickly evacuated the illegal parking zone.

Coincidentally, the Battery Park City block party was underway and we told CB1 BPC Chairwoman Linda Belfer about the incident. She summoned over PEP Captain Falcon and asked him what the PEP could do. The BPCA has made previous announcements that the PEP would not be ticketing these buses. Captain Falcon assured Ms. Belfer that the PEP would begin requesting the tour buses to leave when they spot them illegally parking in the future.

If you have troubles with the tour buses parking in your area and the authorities are unresponsive, please email us promptly and try to snap photos. BatteryPark.TV will track a list of the worst repeat-offender bus companies.

Speaker Sheldon Silver and Inspector Winski discuss Night Out

August 2, 2011

(viewable in 1080iHD)

New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and First Precinct Commanding Officer Inspector Winski discuss Night Out: The annual community outreach event of the NYPD. This year, Battery Park resident Anthony Notaro received a community achievement award. Speaker Silver also discussed the soon to open September 11th Memorial and Freedom Tower nearby.

The deadly crossing

Construction on Route 9A, also known as The West Side Highway, and closure of the pedestrian bridge south of Albany Street have created a very dangerous situation. The ground-level crossing of The West Side Highway at Albany Street can be a death trap.

In February of 2009, Battery Park City resident Marilyn Feng was killed and her boyfriend seriously injured when a drunk driver struck the couple. Ms. Feng was an intern in Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer’s office. In late September of 2009, another pedestrian was struck by a motorist, but he survived.

Funding for the permanent pedestrian overpass has been cancelled. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer discusses the problem.

Gone in 60 Seconds

September 5, 2011

As the 9/11 Memorial opens, more and more tour buses will try to illegally park on South End, North End, West Thames, and Battery Place streets. Tess Huxley and Gayle Horwitz’s PEP have declared that they will not ticket the vehicles. However, any person can easily evict them just by asking nicely. The drivers know they are in the wrong and will rarely argue.

In this video, we show how easy it is.

Of note, the “mobile” yet permanent pastry/coffee shack on Albany aids and abets the tour buses by letting them park near him pretending to be customers.

NYPD 9/11 bagpipe parade 2007

Over 118,000 views and counting

(This is the file with the 100,00 views originally posted on YouTube at another location of ours)

NYPD 9/11 bagpipe parade 2009

The annual NYPD commemorative bagpipe parade honoring the police killed in the September 11th, 2001 attacks.

PEP catch a thief

July 18, 2011

On Saturday, July 9, an astute Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officer witnessed two teenage boys steal a camera that was on the hostess stand of Kaijou Japanese restaurant, 21 South End Avenue. One boy escaped, but the remaining juvenile was surrounded by approximately 11 PEP officers. The NYPD were called and processed the arrest.

The PEP office declined to comment other than to confirm that the incident did take place. The manager of the restaurant said that the hostess had placed the camera on her work station before the boys snatched it.

In the past, many in the community have complained that the PEP do not do enough enforcement work of this nature. This might be an indication of change.

The PEP welcome homeless to stay in our parks

June 28, 2011

On June 28, a local resident once again informed BatteryPark.TV of a homeless man in Rector Park. The same man has encamped himself in the park. He had a large cluster of trash bags and scared away a father and son playing on the lawn.

We called the Park Enforcement Patrol (PEP) offices and documented the interaction. As suspected, they did nothing to enforce the laws and the homeless man laughed in their face, literally. The PEP sergeant we spoke with (who was not disciplined and relocated this winter and is a holdover of the old crew) was belligerent, interruptive, and accused us as “having a problem” with homeless, as if they are normal citizens enjoying the park. These are the same PEP who will find the energy and will to harass law abiding citizens simply walking their dogs.

To volunteer or donate money to the nearest homeless shelter, contact (212) 226-6214 or go to http://www.nycrescue.org/

About this story, Tess Huxley manages the PEP, and once again refused to comment, as did the BPCA who employs Ms. Huxley and contracts with the city for the PEP “security” to our neighborhood.

Watch the video and audio exchange for yourself.

(Viewable in full screen 1080iHD)

Is there a new street drug that triggers homicidal rages?

Update: July 17, 2011

The Sunday New York Times has a feature article on these new synthetic drugs.

February 14, 2011

Within the last 30-days, three high-profile mass murders have been associated with illicit drug use. First, Rep. Giffords was shot, and six others killed, by a mentally ill young man, Jared Lee Loughner, known to use marijuana and the new “synthetic pot”. By many accounts, he began a downward spiral into insanity.

The next case involved a drug-addicted mother in Tampa, Julie Powers Schenecker, who shot her teenage daughter and son because they were “mouthy”. Video of the woman being walked in handcuffs showed her shaking uncontrollably, possibly in withdrawal. The family had unsuccessfully attempted to get help with her drug addiction. Her preferred drug of choice has not been reported.

Now, in New York City, a crazed 23-year-old man, Maksim Gelman, stabbed his father and a young woman, killing them both, while also nonfatally stabbing several others over the course of a day-long rampage. The New York Post reported that he had built a bizarre shrine to the woman under a freight train overpass tunnel where he also went to use illicit street drugs.

What is going on? All of these cases could have occurred by complete coincidence, unrelated, and might not represent any new trend. Alternatively, a new street drug, or combination of prescription and street drugs, might be triggering homicidal rampages.

While many drugs are well known to increase suicide and have “black box” FDA warnings, attributing homicide as a “side effect” has much greater criminal and societal implications. Therefore, the FDA and press rarely comment on homicide as being related to any type of drug.

The New York Times recently reported on the common consumption of multiple prescription drug cocktails by members of the military. The skyrocketing suicide rate in the military might be caused by these medications since the risks are well-documented.

Several reports published over the last 12-months indicate that heavy marijuana use triggers schizophrenia. With “medicinal marijuana” making it much easier to obtain the drug in many States, usage has increased.

A new “synthetic pot“, also known as “K2″ or “spice”, is being banned by various governments as the mental side effects are becoming known. The crazed murderer in the Arizona Rep. Giffords case reportedly used synthetic pot.

Also in the news lately has been the bizarre practice of snorting “bath salts” for their intoxicating effects. Bath salts contain stimulants mephedrone and MDVP.  Senator Schumer of New York is trying to ban the unregulated sale of bath salts.

Jeff Lapoint, MD is a toxicologist with the NYC Poison Control and Bellevue Hospital. In a telephone interview, he said, “The people we see on (synthetic pot) tend to be sick, more on the unconscious, more on the seizing side of the spectrum than on the agitated delirium “I’m going to hurt someone” side, but (synthetic pot) definitely makes people more agitated, more tachycardic than just marijuana. You can’t get pure THC (the active ingredient of marijuana), but you can get pure powder form of (synthetic pot). Gram for gram, (synthetic pot) is more powerful than marijuana”

Dr. Lapoint was not aware of new State or CDC warnings being issued about any specific new street drug causing violence and homicide. However, if you know of anyone at the workplace, school, or neighborhood who is behaving strangely and takes illicit drugs, the authorities should be notified.