New to Prospect Heights/Underhill -- Security Questions

get the window grate AND keep the window closed when you're not around. also, consider renters insurance. small price to pay for $10,000 worth of protection.

also, what you got against dirty diners? i think there's another greek diner near where you're moving, on the crown heights side of washington. teddy's? is that place still open?

and there's also the purity restaurant on underhill. and the usual on vanderbilt.

*edit*: i'd recommend you try your fries "all-dressed" at the usual. that's montreal style. also, don't mention hockey to mike for a few months, he's probably still sore about the habs.

arches wrote: [quote=whynot_31]3. Buy child window bars. While designed to keep infants IN, they are also effective at keeping people OUT while letting breeze in. They are cheap, and can be installed with a drill. Use big screws.

If he puts child window bars on fire escape windows, doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a fire escape?

some have a pin that can't be removed from the outside, but can be removed from the inside.

he could also install those scissor type ones, but those are really ugly and don't let much air and light in.

I lived on St Johns (half way between Underhill and Washington) -- I was robbed blind. here's my suggestion.

(1) The front door is *not* how the burglars are getting in, so don't worry about that. Besides, I'm sure your lovely neighbors will buzz anyone into the building anyway -- this is amazing to me, but it's standard.

(2) Ignore the advice about the baby grate. They are WORTHLESS for security. That's how the burglars came into our apartment. They basically bend and peel off -- I don't care how big the screw are. This is not what they're designed to do -- you can fold and bend these with your bare hands, never mind a crow bar!

(3) Keep the window closed and locked when you're not there... even if you leave for an hour or two (yep, that's how we were cleaned out). There is an alternative -- "peg" the window so it can only open about 3 inches. Of course, make sure you can easily remove the thing since this is your fire exit! (remember putting a block on top of the lower sash isn't doing much cuz -- (a) you lower the window and the block falls out, or (b) the upper sash can still slide down!)

(4) Get renter's insurance!! I didn't have it. That was an EXPENSIVE oversight.

(5) None of the buildings over there are "fancy" doorman or high-end service buildings. There is NO reason for your super to have a key to your apartment. Get a new deadbolt, install it yourself or have a locksmith do it. And keep the keys! If they need to get into your apartment, they will... by asking you. If it's a proper emergency like a fire -- firemen have axes and sledgehammers.

(5a) Because you don't have the key to the old deadbolt, you may need a locksmith... not to mention, the old tenant has the key.

(6) The detective we spoke to after the burglary said that the likelihood of someone *breaking glass* is very low. So as long as the window is locked, you're in pretty good shape. I thought that was interesting. Also, VERY few surfaces actaull

(7) Is there a window *next to* the fire escape? That's how they got into our apartment.... same rules for windows ON the fire escape.

(8) Get renter's insurance!!

(9) Get renter's insurance!!

(10) I know the grocery store on the corner of St Johns and Underhill is all fancy and renovated now... but does it still smell like cat piss?

Oh... and I never finished #6 -- I was saying, we discovered that VERY few surfaces can actually hold a fingerprint. It ain't all CSI Miami out there!

Ian2010 wrote: How do you peg a window?

First, pick a good rock.

with window closed, drill two holes that go thru both window frames: one on left, one on right side. Insert large nail or bolt in holes. It is pegged shut

you can peg it open, say 6" by doing the same thing with the window open 6".

...a valid method if you think the guy won't break the glass to get in.

I guess they call it "pinning" -- whatever.

Subject: I host movie nights at a great Prospect Heights cafe/rest.

Underhill is a beautiful stretch, not too much to worry about, though there are certainly drugs on St. Johns and Lincoln. Be aware of your surroundings.

As for nice places to eat, there's a great, relatively new cafe/restaurant on Washington Ave a few blocks past Tom's: ORTINE is at 622 Washington between Dean/Pacific.
I host classic films in their backyard every Thursday night through the summer, and program and host film events around the borough, generally on wednesdays.
kingscountycinemasociety.org
ortine.com

come on down some time!

If you're interested in the Crown Heights CSA, email Maia and she can give you all the details. We joined, this a first time event, we met the farmers who will be supplying our veggies, eggs and fruit. You should check it out. Central Brooklyn CSA Group Email [[email protected]]

Sorry, I didn't realize they were booked.