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Tree Branch Breaker - Page 2 — Brooklynian

Tree Branch Breaker

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  • caseopele
    caseopele
    The dog apparently bit the tree trunk enough to loosen a good piece of bark then ripped it up. Fortunately, the moron gave the dog to a guy I know up the street who I know is a big dog lover. I'm helping him get the dog neutered, vaxed, and micro-chipped. The somewhat hilarious thing about all this is that the dog has as much fighting instinct as a 2 week old kitten.

    MHA, the cop who saw me taking the pictures didn't care too much about my whiteness or the tree. Ooh, I was going to make a snarky comment about getting a better response if it was Park Slope but I caught myself just in time!
  • whatchuwant
    whatchuwant
    caseopele wrote: Fortunately, the moron gave the dog to a guy I know up the street who I know is a big dog lover. I'm helping him get the dog neutered, vaxed, and micro-chipped. The somewhat hilarious thing about all this is that the dog has as much fighting instinct as a 2 week old kitten.

    Trees are one thing, but dogs are Caseo's thing! Yay, Caseo!!! Another pup saved from a life of fighting just because it's a pit!
  • caseopele
    caseopele
    OT but this dog is a sweetie! He looks tough (they cropped his ears, grrr) but he turns into this huge smiley wigglebutt when I make kissy noises at him. Apparently the moron may want him back so we want to get him neutered asap. The moron probably won't want him back then but if he does we're getting him chipped with my friend's info.

    Ok, back on topic. I'm still really pissed about the tree and told the guy not to let the dog do it anymore. I don't get the whole destroying trees thing, they provide us with freaking oxygen! And I sure as hell don't buy the mentally ill excuse.
  • MOD
    MOD
    Hum, maybe there's a way the pit can be 'sent away' aka lost so this guy can't get him back?
  • caseopele
    caseopele
    Well, if we can get some records in my friend's name then the moron has no claim to him. Possession is 9/10 of the law! This dog needs to be with my friend, he loves the dog already and hates that they cropped his ears.
  • mr. met
    mr. met
    Regarding pit bulls and trees --- it doesn't matter how high the tree is. The owners of these dogs usually lift the dog and put the dog's mouth either around the branch, or they get a piece of rope and put it around the branch and then have the dogs hang from the rope. I have seen this done frequently in Prospect Park.
    oh...well that doesn't prove dog fighting or intent to fight your dog. there's nothing wrong with doing this. it's good exercise for the dog. when you tie a rope around a tree and let the dog hang, it's called a "spring pole." the dogs love it, it's good exercise, and it tires them out.

    i use something called a "flirt pole" with my pooch...you get a mop stick and tie a stuffed animal around a shoelace and wrap it around the end of the pole and swing it around...hilarity ensues.

    these things, like treadmills, CAN be used to train dogs to fight, but only because it gets them in shape. it doesn't make them more aggressive or anything like that.
  • mr. met
    mr. met
    edit: it's wrong to let the dog hang on the tree if it's ruining the tree and disturbing neighbors
  • jeffrey
    jeffrey
    mr. met wrote: i use something called a "flirt pole" with my pooch...you get a mop stick and tie a stuffed animal around a shoelace and wrap it around the end of the pole and swing it around...hilarity ensues.
    In our house (or in the yard) we do this with flashlights or bubbles.

    He goes nuts.
  • mr. met
    mr. met
    In our house (or in the yard) we do this with flashlights or bubbles.
    haha. laser pointers are fun too.
  • jeffrey
    jeffrey
    Yes, totally. And to that I would add shadow puppets on the wall or wherever.

    Low-tech, but just as effective.
  • jeffrey
    jeffrey
    By the way, every time I see the title of this thread I think of a potential soundtrack for our Tree Breaker man coming down the block...

    @import url(http://skreemr.org/styles/embed.css);
    image Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker image
    image
    imageFound at skreemr.orgimage
  • joshb
    joshb
    This guy went up and down Park Place tonight breaking all the trees. PM me, because I want to call the cops. This is crazy.
  • mha
    mha
    You saw him? Did you stop him?
  • joshb
    joshb
    No, it was after the fact, unfortunately, but it seems like he's upped his breaking lately. So frustrating.
  • joshb
    joshb
    And after walking up and down Park Place, between Classon and Franklin, this morning, I noticed he's hit every freaking tree—even the new ones just planted. I shall make my 311 call today.

    After living here seven years, I was so excited to have new trees planted on the block. Now, jeez.
  • watcher
    watcher

    Subject: 693 Sterling Place Tree Breaker

    Was at it again this morning. Since we know his name AND his address -- WHY can't we all just call and complain until he stops? I personally saw him this morning breaking trees, yelled STOP, he stopped, and then shortly afterwards walked into his home at 693 Sterling Place. I am sorry he is unbalanced. But why does the city want to spend money -- broke as it is -- on new trees and then just let this guy wreck them?
  • combustiblegirl
    combustiblegirl
    ^ so, did YOU call and complain?
  • mha
    mha
    He killed a tree in front of 711 Sterling. I mean, he broke it at its base. He attacked trees all along Franklin, as well. Even on Bedford and Park Place there are broken branches. He broke so many branches on the tree in front of Bristen's. I can't believe this.

    There's a guy who lives at 711, he came outside and when he saw the tree on the ground his face just went slack. Another neighbor in the same building said, "Yeah, he was at it again!" The first guy picked the broken tree up (It was a young tree) walked it over to 693 Sterling and threw it onto the property.
  • joshb
    joshb
    On the phone with 311 right now. If you care a bit about the greenery in the neighborhood, I recommend everyone flood the lines today.
  • mha
    mha
    I called 311 and asked to be transferred to the 77th Precinct -- under whose jurisdiction this area falls. I courteously told the gentleman with whom I spoke that this is not the first conversation that I had with the 77th precinct, that this would be the second time that I've called and reported this guy. He said, and I quote:
    "311 IS USELESS."

    He said that often though one might file a complaint, the 311 people do not always submit the reports to the agencies that they are supposed to go to. Also, he said that it is typical that people making reports do not want to give their names and addresses, and without that nothing can be done, that my leaving my name and address is a rarity, and that this was the FIRST TIME THAT HE WAS HEARING ABOUT THESE TREE BREAKING incidents....

    I gave him my name and address, as well as the name and address of the Tree Branch Breaker: "STEVE at 693 Sterling Place". I gave them my description of the guy "About 215 - 220, bearded, wearing a red long-sleeved shirt and jeans, and a hat. I am about to email and CALL DETECTIVE MARTIN BROWN (646 610 6016 - [email protected]) TO SEE IF HE CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.

    If you call 311 PLEASE ASK TO BE TRANSFERRED TO T THE 77TH PRECINCT. Overall, the 311 call and the transfer to the precinct will cost you a half hour of your life, unfortunately.
  • maratherunner
    maratherunner
    ^ why not just call the 77th directly and bypass 311? I also encourage you to take notes of every date and time you call and get the name of the person at the 77th that you speak with. I'd also encourage you to photograph or videotape him if you see him in action

    (note: I don't live there, but I'd be pissed off if it was happening on my block)
  • joshb
    joshb
    If the cops need visual evidence of the damage, just tell them to stroll Park Place between Classon and Franklin.
  • mha
    mha
    I sent Detective Brown an email regarding the matter. Here is my email and most of his response.

    Dear Detective Brown,

    I am a resident in the Crown Heights community. I am writing you to report an ongoing inconvenience involving a gentleman whose name is 'Steve' apparently, and who resides at 693 Sterling Place .

    This gentleman is responsible for wholesale destruction of trees that line many blocks in the neighborhood. I have personally seen him attempt to break branches on trees on Franklin Avenue , and he has reportedly broken branches on trees that line St. Johns , Lincoln , Park Place , Sterling Place, Bedford Avenue , Classon Avenue and Eastern Parkway .

    I have made a total of three calls via the city's 311 line. I made my most recent call this morning regarding newound tree destruction that occurred today, June 1, 2010. This gentleman has killed the tree in front of 711 Sterling Place . He has broken the tree at its base. What is terribly disheartening about this incident is that if there was something done on earlier occasions regarding his behavior, the tree would likely be alive right now. I know it sounds silly to bemoan a tree, but I think that this action is indicative of what is wrong with Brooklyn particularly, and what is wrong with the city generally. There are at least two classes of people in New York -- those for whom municipal services work (police department, and other governmental agencies) and those for whom it does not.

    The fact that this gentleman walks the streets with impunity is incredible.

    Please, if you could do something about the matter, it would be a benefit for community, and the prejudged cynicism which you were greeted with at the Crow Hill community meeting held at the beginning of last month would be mitigated.

    Regards,

    -----------

    "Thanks for your detailed response. A few thoughts in regards.

    I believe a quality of life issue like this needs to be handled on a few fronts. Filing an official police report of the damage you observed this person creating establishes a paper trail linking this person to this damage. This police report of property damage does a few things least of all ties this person to this individual incident and establishes a history incase of future damage that only increases punishment for such crimes in a court of law. Getting to know your community affairs officers and more importantly the Commanding Officer is important for all residence to notify the pct on quality of life problems the pct should know about. The police have limited number of eyes, when the residence’s eyes are added, it helps the department and the community. Please try to attend the next pct community council meeting for the 77 pct and meet these members of the department. They are held every second Monday of the month at a predetermined location. Call the pct for location. 718-735-0611. The Community Board should also be notified of this as well. The District Manager should be able to notify pertinent city agencies as well as keep this on their radar in case other residence have similar complaints about this person.



    Why am I telling you all this? The pct should be given a chance to correct this issue before Police Commissioner Kelly gets involved. IF the pct, for whatever reason, cannot resolve this issue to your satisfaction then I [will] try to get the situation the correct degree of attention it deserves. Pls try to file a criminal report with the pct regarding this issue so it can be on record and bring the facts with you to the next meeting. Discuss a plan of action with the community affairs officers and the pct Commanding Officer on how best to address this issue at the pct community council meeting.



    Please keep me informed of any issues that feel are not being properly addressed by the pct or any situations in the community that you feel deserves the Police Commissioner’s attention as well as how this issue is unfolding.



    Sincerely,



    Det. Martin Brown
  • mha
    mha
    It seems that the Tree Branch Breaker is collecting his handiwork. There is a huge pile of broken branches within the property area of where he lives.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    MHA wrote: It seems that the Tree Branch Breaker is collecting his handiwork. There is a huge pile of broken branches within the property area of where he lives.
    picture please.
  • mha
    mha
    Uh-uh, not in the light of day. All I need is someone to see me doing that. Nope. You know the address. You take the pic.
  • mha
    mha
    http://gis.nyc.gov/parks/forms/newRequestSummary.do

    Above is the website address to submit requests for new trees and replacement trees. I have a terribly depressing story to relay regarding 'Crazy Steve'.

    He was arrested, and then let go. Apparently the guy from LaunchPad on Franklin Avenue took it upon himself to follow Crazy Steve to see if he would break more branches off of trees; Crazy Steve obliged. The guy from LaunchPad -- I can't recall his name -- he sees a cop car and he flags it down. He says something like, 'Hey, that guy over there has been destroying trees for years, and I just saw him do it, and he has ripped off branches off of my tree.' The cop looks him in the eye and says, 'Sorry, there is nothing we can do about it,' and they drive off. The LaunchPad gy is determined and keeps on following Crazy Steve, finally he calls 911 and convinces a cop to come by and pick up the guy. The cops come and put Crazy Steve in cuffs. The cops then look at Steve and think twice. They say to LaunchPad dude, 'we don't know if we can keep this guy.' We'll let you know -- we gotta speak to our sarge.' Later Crazy Steve is seen walking on Classon, across the street from the school between Bergen and St. Marks. He's free.

    It gets worse: The guy at LaunchPad apparently gets a call from the cops. They are supposed to have a sit down with him to discuss why they did not arrest the dude. They never show up. Coincidentally, there are some cops buying CUPCAKES at a nearby Bakery -- Lily and Fig. The guy at LaunchPad sees them as they are about to drive off in their cruiser and has a conversation with them about Crazy Steve. The cops parry direct questions about doing anything about this guy.

    THIS is who SERVES and PROTECTS US?

    Jeffrey, can you reopen my thread dealing with police negligence and misconduct so I can put this there? KWAC, can you not mitigate police responsibility here and be on my side? This is crazy. I know cops have hard jobs, and I know that there are a number of things more pressing than trees, but what of Kelly's and Giulanis 'broken windows theory' (actually it was Dinkins who initiated the project but that's another story)? Why are the police so reluctant to do ANYTHING about quality of life crimes? Is murder and drugs the only thing warranting police concern? Why is it so difficult to have the police do anything about criminal activity?
  • MOD
    MOD
    MOD HERE: Sorry, no reopening a locked thread

    Have you considered organizing a neighborhood meeting? As in people in person.
  • mha
    mha
    What will a neighborhood meeting do? I am not a therapist. I can only see that being a hallelujah moment and nothing more
  • whatchuwant
    whatchuwant
    MHA wrote: What will a neighborhood meeting do? I am not a therapist. I can only see that being a hallelujah moment and nothing more
    I agree. The only (for now, anyway) thing would be to go to the community meeting, like Det Brown said. I've been to the 71 meeting before- it's actually really good and can be quite productive. Maybe ask the LaunchPad guy to go with you so you're both there as witnesses.

    C'mon MHA! Walk the walk! :D
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