December 2011: 30 Years Ago in the Slope

January 1982

A Marker for Adele

In October a marker was placed between the larches that had been planted in memory of Adele Froelich in Prospect Park. The small granite marker reads, “Adele Froelich She went to the Park with the children 1940-1980.” It was paid for with the remaining funds in the Adele Tree Fund account of .the Civic Council.

 

Conversion

The former Higgins Ink Factory, 240 Eighth Street, is being converted to cooperative apartments. Designed by James A. Banks, director of Euro-Tec Development Group Ltd., the project, say Francis J. Kazeroid and Roberta Arberman, did not dislocate a single tenant.

 

Carroll Street Adds Middle School

The Carroll Street school, having opened its newly-renovated building in September 1981 will add seventh and eighth grades in September 1982.

This addition of a middle school, says Headmistress Dr. Bongsoon Zubay, enables the school better to accommodate “the needed diversity in educational institutions in Brooklyn at large.” She hopes to encourage eighth graders to pursue entrance to public high schools as well as to other independent schools, since “the middle school will function as a preparatory division for entering high school with a high academic standing.”

“As an urban school,” she goes on, “our goal is to challenge students with varied course offerings beyond the basic academic subjects. Elective trimester courses in drama, music, dance, athletics, visual arts, computer science, and typing will provide students with diverse opportunities to pursue their interests, with a wider possible career orientation in the future. In addition a global education will be rounded out by introducing daily foreign-language lessons and a weekly health/psychology course.”

These rigorous academic and enrichment programs are planned to help each child to reach his greatest potential, to exploit strengths and to overcome weaknesses. Preparing to enter high school, students will be concerned with learning processes as well as with products, including learning how to take tests.

In these ways, Dr. Zubay emphasizes, “we hope to be instrumental in producing decent and caring individuals with high aspirations and inspirations.” And she invites Park Slope residents to visit the school and share their educational thoughts.

 

February 1982

Update on Slope Crime

The following statement (here summarized) was submitted on November 14 to Police Commissioner Robert McGuire for his consideration, by Civic Council Public Safety Chairman George Lovgren:

“As a resident and community resident of Park Slope, I submit the follow facts relative to criminal activity and a re- quest for additional police services:

“Park Slope is patrolled and serviced by two precincts: the 72d (at Fourth Avenue and Twenty-ninth Street) and the 78th (at Sixth Avenue and Bergen Street), the boundary between precincts being Third Street.

“Faced with the prospect of co-terminality, the 78th Precinct will have one of the largest patrol areas in the city.

“In recent months, such incidents as these have seemed prevalent and on the increase in this area:

“Narcotics and prostitution and the sale of narcotics in schoolyards;

“Attempted assaults and robberies on both persons and houses;

“An increase in car thefts;

“Social clubs and amusement centers which seem to be the origin of criminal activities;

“Vandalism in Greenwood Cemetery and Prospect Park, where there is also a lack of callboxes.”

To contend with these problems and others, Lovgren asked serious consideration of this proposal: That a minimum of six more patrolmen and three patrol cars be added to the 72d, and nine patrolmen and five patrol cars to the 78th Precinct.

During December, Lovgren attended two meetings of the 78th Precinct, and he submits these notes to the Civic Council membership for information: Continuing surveillance of the narcotics and prostitution problem prevalent on Fifth Avenue from Union Street to Flatbush Avenue and in the vicinity of Atlantic and Fourth Avenues has resulted in 850 arrests. Joining in the effort to eliminate these problems were BP Howard Golden, Judge Becker, State Assemblywoman Duggan, and City Councilmen Gerges and Steingut. The cost of a prostitution arrest, it was pointed out, is about $700; the defendant is usually fined $25 and given 30 days to pay the fine.

Assaults and robberies of homes and individuals have shown a slight decrease recently. Neither the 72d nor the 78th has a high incidence of auto thefts, but the theft of auto batteries throughout the city has increased.

The highest record of assaults and robberies on transit property is at the Seventh Avenue station of the BMT (at Flatbush Avenue) and the Grand Army Plaza station of the IRT.

Within Park Slope, 14 social clubs and amusement centers have been closed, and those still in operation are closely monitored. A legislative procedure in the City Council is attempting to close these establishments permanently.

Because the costs were prohibitive, the city removed all police callboxes in Prospect Park, so that people must depend on the 911 emergency number.

In New York State, the 20,000 prison cells are exceeded by the total annual felony arrests in New York City, so that many cases in court end in plea-bargaining and/or reduced charges, or in dismissal of charges against a defendant.

Sixteen officers and 105 patrolmen staffed the 72d precinct, and 16 officers and 103 patrolmen staffed the 78th; however, on January 4 the 72nd received 16 more patrolmen and the 78th received 8. This increase will be somewhat off- set by the expected high retirement rate in the police department during 1982.

A capital budget request has been submitted for additional patrol cars and scooter bikes for both precincts.

During each week, the 78th is assigned a minimum of 18 patrolmen from other precincts to replace those on medical or vacation leave, court appearances, or military duty. These replacements are paid at over-time rates.

Community Council meetings are open to the public. The dates:

72d: Second Tuesday of the month, at Fourth Avenue and Twenty-ninth Street.

78th: Last Tuesday of the month, at Sixth Avenue and Bergen Street.

Lovgren suggested that concerned citizens write to Mayor Koch and city councilmen asking that essential services not be cut.