Tree Branch Breaker
Comments
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mr. met wrote:
A .380 ACP hollow point seems fairly direct to me. Also apropos for the neighborhood.....ditto on "meeting the caretaker". While some of us have the training and credentials to do such work, we'd really like NYC to utilize the folks presently paid and authorized to do the work.
you guys all seem really really frustrated and concerned, and you are pursuing all of these different avenues, so i thought the most direct approach might be worth considering. -
You have to like someone before you can see the legitimacy of their argument Mr. Met? Really? Wow dude. Real mature.
it as nothing to do with liking you. i've just noticed a trend in what you like to post about and how you do it. -
A .380 ACP hollow point seems fairly direct to me. Also apropos for the neighborhood.
dramatical -
Subject: Tree Damage
Today the person who has been breaking limbs off of trees has been at it again. This afternoon, he was spotted on the EP median tearing limbs off. The police were contacted and he was at least talked to by the authorities.
Tree damage was seen on Underhill, Butler, and Flatbush. While it may seem benign, it is extremely destructive and senseless.
However, if this person does have a mental disorder, I can only hope that by remaining vigilant in our communications with the NYPD and 311, we will be able to curb this behavior. -
anne444, welcome.
...your newbie optimism may be destroyed by reading the entire thread.
You may conclude:
The police aren't going to arrest him for breaking trees because they don't want yet another mentally ill person in their custody.
The politicians, Adult Protective Services and Park Police are powerless to do anything without the Police's cooperation.
Mental Health services are based upon consent, something he is too ill to do.
The only way to even get him evaluated at an ER is to have a mental health warrant served. ...which might have a chance in resulting in follow-up care, but it isn't likely.
---if people are going to bother calling 911, they should phrase it as an "emotionally disturbed person". It seems acceptable for the police to merely counsel someone who has been called in for "damaging trees". It might require a little more documentation for the police to do nothing in response to a person who a caller believed is "emotionally disturbed".---- -
Various city departments have advocated different approaches to this sticky situation. The result so far has been a bureaucratic paralysis in which neither the criminal justice nor the mental health system has been willing to act.
The New York City Department of Exorcism advocates a different approach: participating in this individual's fantasy in order to convince him, on his own terms, that vulnerable trees are not, in fact, possessed
You too can be a junior inspector with the New York City Department of Exorcism. Certificates of Exorcism are available here as a PDF that you can print and attach to endangered trees (better, any surrounding railings) after having performed the requisite incantations. -
That is awesome.
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whynot_31 wrote: ---if people are going to bother calling 911, they should phrase it as an "emotionally disturbed person". It seems acceptable for the police to merely counsel someone who has been called in for "damaging trees". It might require a little more documentation for the police to do nothing in response to a person who a caller believed is "emotionally disturbed".----
I would take it a step further and explicitly state that there is an "emotionally disturbed person" (very important that you use these exact words) who "seems like he might be a threat to himself or others" (equally important). This should provoke a response by both NYPD and an ambulance.
At a minimum he will be off the streets for 24 hours working his way through the ER and psych evaluation. If we consistently do this every time we catch him in the act, it will make an impact. Even keeping him off the streets for 24 hours each time would be worthwhile. Every hour he is out on the street he is degrading our community. -
Subject: Underhill & St Johns by Laundromat
I just wanted to post this photo of the damage to the tree in front of the former laundromat on St Johns and Underhill. Looks like half or more of this tree was slaughtered.
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Vanderbilt between Park Place and Sterling Place was hit last night - don't suppose there's any stopping him, eh?
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While folks are awaiting his next appearance, with their cell phones and cell phone cameras at the ready....
I can't say I started this effort with a lot of faith in our government officials and police force. My experience is that they have gotten much better at media work than they were in prior years (especially claiming credit for things they had no role in achieving), but their ability to deal with anything even slightly out of the routine is questionable.
I am confident that we have given them all of the information a functional system would need.
Based on his continued sightings and activites, it is clear that the folks that visited his home were either lied to by his mother, or he is going through a period that he is not returning home.
....which brings me back to thoughts of how he could be stopped OR whether we should just quit this effort and let him destroy the city's trees. (We'd give credit to those in government who tried to help us, then move on to discussing which place had the best pizza again)
I've gotta admit that the Department of Exorcism is so far the only NYC agency that seems to have responded concretely. They have created a snazzy flyer, that may very well find its way to my office's copier after 5 PM.
I had wondered where the folks from Ghost Busters had gone. ....like many, they seem to have settled down, sold their souls and decided to work for city government in exchange for Civil Service job security and the pleasure of driving an under powered Prius to thier endless meetings.
But I can't help wonder what has become of our city's other long term residents.
Ah, the fifteen years between 1980 and 1995.
....there was very little city government then, and seemingly no one in government we could write to entertain ourselves and create the illusion of participation and responsibility. Instead, we tried to handle things ourselves.
But even back then, some city reisdents were clever enough to get things done without being violent:
Men who had no money, yet still wanted drugs, were told by their dealers that they would be given drugs in exchange for every stitch of clothing they had on. They'd stand outside the apartment building naked, and (for laughs) the dealer would throw a little rock of crack out the window and watch the addict search the sidewalk for it.
Parents who had unruly children would appeal to BCW (the former name of ACS, the agency that providers Child Protective Services) for help but get only laughter from the city in response. In order to keep their kids in at night, they would take their shoes and clothing. ....the only way the delinquent could go out was barefoot, in their underwear or pajamas. Some kids still went out, but many decided staying home and sleeping was a better idea than getting laughed at by their friends.
Yea, we've made some progress since then.
But I suspect that if the situation warrants, those who have lived through far worse will adapt to meet the needs of this situation.
We are New Yorkers ....let's be creative.
It may be time for those of us who live through those bad years to have a little reunion.
....beyond what we get from listening to "Old School at Noon" on Hot 97, and '80s Flashback on 101.9.
Newbies are welcome to contribute as well. -
It seems that he sees "demons" in trees and while the Department of Exorcism has a great plan why not get an local pastor/priest/deacon to speak to him. Maybe give he/she can convince him to say a prayer as he passes these demons instead of breaking branches.
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Although I'm not a real fan, religion does maintain a special place in our society.
....a multi faith, prayer vigil outside his house is likely to be viewed as more politically correct than folks piling branches so high that he can not get out.
We could leave items he could use to keep the demons away:
Some would leave holy water.
others would leave incense.
some would leave bibles, others the Koran
others would leave yoga mats
others would light a candle and leave some fruit near it.
I'd leave Lithium and depakote.
....although I do wonder if robbing him of his shoes every time he went out would be effective in keeping him home. -
this circus is now on Brownstoner
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mr. met wrote: this circus is now on Brownstoner
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2010/07/closing_bell_th_25.php#comments
I hope they will run with it. (go Caseo!).
Hopefully, the NYT will pick the story as well (a friend has reached out to them).
....the Brooklyn Paper could cover it, but its journalism has left it with about 12 readers per issue.
....I'll be taking a much needed break from NYC from 7/17 - 7/26, and Brooklynian readers should be relieved to know I won't post for the entire period.
However, I fear that Brooklyn will be completely barren of all vegetation and basic city services upon my return. -
Many new pictures here (unfortunately).
http://www.phcfarm.com/welcome/2010/06/14/trees-vandalized-near-the-farm/ -
From: Reliable Source known to whynot
Sent: Wed, July 14, 2010 2:47:15 PM
Subject: Steve Arrested
Hi Folks,
I just got word from parks enforcement police that steve was arrested in prospect park just moments ago and charged with arboricide and damage to city property. I asked for a determination on his release status and was told that its still in process, but that they'd get back to me. With any luck the DA will pursue the case.
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Perhaps people can call and email Letitia James' office and request that she reach out to the DA to express the extent of the ongoing damage done and the feelings of many in the community?
It would be a shame if the DA's office just dropped this thinking it was an issue of a tree or two, bigger fish to fry etc. -
Glad to hear he was picked up in PP. I was in the park today and noticed one tree with broken limbs, thought must be the work of Steve. When I was leaving I saw Steve entering the park. I looked for police to give them the heads up but none were around. This is the furthest from Franklin I have ever seen him... Seeing all the broken trees is depressing...
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The tree vandal attacked close to a dozen trees on Underhill near St. johns. One of the deli guys saw him around 630 am, pulling down branches on younger trees and trying to snap the main branch. This isn't a crazy amateur horticulturist at work - he's trying to destroy the trees.Since we've had to fight to get and maintain these trees, this is outrageous and has been going on far too long.
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marknyc,
1) go to http://imgur.com
2) upload your image(s)
3) check the box next to "edit"
4) in the edit screen enter a width no larger than 500px (perhaps just 400px )
5) copy and paste here the resulting <img... tags given upon completion -
Subject: some press for the cause
I'm in the advertising business and new to the neighborhood. I must say I was quite impressed with the NYC Dept of Exorcism campaign as a grassroots effort. So I sent it off to a national industry blog and they ran the story. Here you are - best of luck:
http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/what_the/bloombergs_million_trees_campaign_possessed_by_the_devil_167639.asp -
jeffrey wrote: Perhaps people can call and email Letitia James' office and request that she reach out to the DA to express the extent of the ongoing damage done and the feelings of many in the community?
This work is being done by the person who emailed me.
It would be a shame if the DA's office just dropped this thinking it was an issue of a tree or two, bigger fish to fry etc.
As one might imagine, one could infer that this case has strained the relationship between the Parks Police and NYPD.
As we all have read here over the past several weeks, the Parks Police also learned of people calling 911 and 311 over and over to report this guy, only to have the NYPD do seemingly nothing.
Inferences: "Tree's aren't our problem". "The mentally ill aren't our problem either" ....only when he came into Prospect Park, during the day, were the Parks Police able to do anything.
Kinda makes you proud of the NYPD's and Parks Police ability to work together (sarcasm). -
Subject: Re: some press for the cause
TTS wrote: I'm in the advertising business and new to the neighborhood. I must say I was quite impressed with the NYC Dept of Exorcism campaign as a grassroots effort. So I sent it off to a national industry blog and they ran the story. Here you are - best of luck:
All publicity is good publicty.
http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/what_the/bloombergs_million_trees_campaign_possessed_by_the_devil_167639.asp
This is just Round Two folks.
Save those flyers you printed out, I fear we will need them in the future. -
marknyc wrote: The tree vandal attacked close to a dozen trees on Underhill near St. johns. One of the deli guys saw him around 630 am, pulling down branches on younger trees and trying to snap the main branch.
Did you or one of the deli guys report this to the precinct? -
marknyc wrote: The tree vandal attacked close to a dozen trees on Underhill near St. johns. One of the deli guys saw him around 630 am, pulling down branches on younger trees and trying to snap the main branch. This isn't a crazy amateur horticulturist at work - he's trying to destroy the trees.Since we've had to fight to get and maintain these trees, this is outrageous and has been going on far too long. I took pics of the damage but can't figure out how to post them.
you can also email them to "arches"
just put his username in front of @yahoo.com
_______________ @ yahoo.com
(I describe his email address to you in this manner to prevent him from getting spam, and to confrom with site rules) -
jeffrey wrote: Perhaps people can call and email Letitia James' office and request that she reach out to the DA to express the extent of the ongoing damage done and the feelings of many in the community?
Yes. The following message has been sent and Ms. James confirmed its receipt with thanks. However, it certainly couldn't hurt to have others highlight their concerns.
It would be a shame if the DA's office just dropped this thinking it was an issue of a tree or two, bigger fish to fry etc.
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ms. James,
A well-confirmed source tells us that Steve was arrested in Prospect Park today at approx. 2pm and is subject to charges of arboricide and damage to city property. He may currently be at the 78th precinct (not the 77th, which has been the focus of previous emails).
We urge you take this opportunity to talk to the District Attorney and any relevant police and mental health care officials to ensure that Steve does not receive the same "revolving door" treatment that has seen him quickly returned to our streets in the past.
His recent surge of damage on 7/12 and 7/13 (see link below for photographic evidence) indicates that his condition may be worsening. Let's do all we can to get Steve the help he needs, and keep our community members (and our trees) safe from his destructive actions and threatening behavior.
Link to photos of recent damage: http://www.phcfarm.com/welcome/2010/06/14/trees-vandalized-near-the-farm/
Thank you for your continued attention to this matter.
Best regards,
<address> -
Upped his breaking indeed, I counted fifteen trees vandalized in the last couple of days. This included at least seven on Underhill, as well as Sterling, St. John's and Eastern Parkway.
The sad thing is that many of us have lobbied the city for almost a decade to plant more trees in the neighborhood. Most of the trees attacked are young and were planted in recent years. At this stage of their development, they are extremely vulnerable to insects and the summer heat. The damages inflccted by the tree vandal could be catastrophic.
My friends in city goverment tell me that if the trees die, the city doesn't have the funds to replace them. This most recent attack has probably resulted in thousands of dollars in damages.
I've called 311, the local precinct, the parks department, the borough president and even the Botantical Garden. They are sympathetic but I hear the same thing over and over: we have no money, they're reducing the police force and the protection of trees and other "quality of life issues" aren't important during the economic crisis, etc.
At least one eyewitness I spoke to this afternoon described the vandal as the same guy whose destructive behavior launched this thread. One of the deli guys on Underhill says he shows up around 6 or 630 in the morning. If anyone notices him, he quickly runs away.
Since he vandalized at least four trees in one single block, he's picked the best time to wreak havoc on our neighborhood. One of our neighbors has posted a very sad note on one of the Eastern Parkway vandalized trees, pleading for people to protect and respect these beautiful displays of nature.
It's very frustrating but there has to be something we can do. -
We can gather and demonstrate at Steve's abode. 693 Sterling Place. This is the tipping point. We can do it THIS Saturday or a Sunday. We can decide right now to do this. Or we can decided to stop by and visit Steve. We can knock on the door and ring the bell, one by one and let them know WE know that he is doing this, and politely enquire if something is going to be done.
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Instead, why not demonstrate at the offices of local officials who have so blatantly failed to respond to this situation?
Howdy, Stranger!
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