Share your experiences on Franklin Ave

I've provided some answers below. Best of luck with your paper! I'm male, 29 years old, and white. I live on Classon between St. Marks and Bergen.

1. Crown Heights. I've only ever heard it called Prospect Heights by realtors who are trying to jack up prices, or who are trying to avoid the stigma that the neighbor has with some people.

2. I see the neighborhood as having three great strengths. First, there is a definitive sense of culture that is brought by the majority Caribbean/West Indian population. Second, there are many great restaurants, bars, shops, etc. that add a vitality to the 'hood. Third, the racial and ethnic make up is relatively diverse, and for the most part there is a sense of community, or at least respect, that crosses racial lines.

3. Crime and poverty, which of course go hand-in-hand. As Aurelius said, "Poverty is the mother of crime," and that is true for Crown Heights, as it is for any neighborhood. There are also instances of both white-on-black, and black-on-white racism. I don't want to stir any pots here, but in the seven years I've lived in the neighborhood, I've seen more of the latter. I chalk that up to the financial impact of gentrification and have that can negatively impact people who have lived here their entire lives.

4. I've seen a dramatic change in the area over the past few years. With the arrival of new restaurants and stores comes a sense of progression and modernization. One new successful restaurant brings another, and so on. Business owners see that potential for success and are less weary to consider Crown Heights as a location. I think it is everyone's job to continue to improve to neighborhood. No one living here can deny there are problems. It's up to business owners to have confidence in the area, it's up to the younger people moving in to respect and contribute to the neighborhood, and it's up lifelong residents to understand that it benefits everyone to strive to constantly make CH better. There are many solutions to poverty and crime -- none of them easy. But to nurture future generations, make sure they are educated, responsible, and driven . . . that will be key to making sure improvements come.

5. This is dependent on the hour, of course. Though it happens, daylight crime in CH is rare. During daylight hours, I'd say it's a 4. At night and early morning hours, I'd put it at a 2. I don't feel unsafe walking down Franklin because it's generally alive at all hours; however, I do feel somewhat uncomfortable on side streets and parallel avenues. I've never had serious incident on Franklin, but I have been mugged on Classon.

6. Though I've had negative experiences with the 77th precinct, I can't deny that the police presence is comforting, particularly at night. The interaction between police officers and the community does need improvement, especially interactions with the black population. There needs to be a mutual respect there, but I think resentment is prevalent in both parties.

7. I've lived here since May 2006. I knew nothing of the area before moving here. The price was right at the time. I'm glad I made the move, though. I've grown to really like the 'hood.

8. Nice shades . Yes! My girlfriend and I go out to restaurants quite a bit (Damn, now I want Chavella's!), bars, and just walks around the neighborhood. We love the park, too, but that's not CH. The neighborhood definitely does have the benefit of proximity -- so many great things close by, even if not actually part of CH.

9. I go to Franklin Park sometimes, but we typically have wine at home. Depends on the mood, but that's the norm for us. My girlfriend has been to Franklin Roadhouse (I have not), which she likes. I went to 95 South with a friend when it first opened, but haven't been back since. It's interesting to me that, even at that level, racial barriers are evident. I'd have no problem going there right now if someone invited me. I don't know how I'd be accepted, but I'd have no problem doing it whatsoever.

10. Bring 'em on! I won't list them all, but there are some absolutely fantastic restaurants and stores on Franklin, with new ones popping up regularly. I know down the road this is going to impact rent prices, but without such improvements, a neighborhood dies.

11. My go-to restaurant in CH is Chavella's (well, "Chavela's" now). I love to cook, though, so the majority of the time I go to the new Compare Foods grocery store. I love that place!

12. I do not have children, nor do I teach.

13. That's a question that demands a long answer, but I'll try to keep it short. I would say that, largely, there is a sense of integration among most people across racial/ethnic lines. Of course segregation exists, and can sometimes seem prominent. Not literal segregation obviously, but segregation by choice. I think that's a combination of both a "birds of a feather" mentality, and a sense of resentment/racism that is sadly unavoidable.

14. Both. The parade itself is a beautiful display of West Indian culture, which is a colorful and proud one. It should be celebrated, and I'm glad that it is. That said, the parade is dangerous. There is always incident, sometimes serious. This year, for example. When you combine the night-long imbibing before the parade with large groups huddled for the festivities, pockets of which are armed, there are going to be problems. Not only is the parade route unsafe, the surrounding areas are too. It's a shame because it's an event that should happen to celebrate the culture, but it just seems to be too prone to collapse into chaos. I don't know what should be done. I would be sad to see it canceled, but sadder to see more innocent people injured or killed during it.

15. I'm not sure, but I know what I would NOT like to see. No more dollar stores, bodegas, liquor stores, or churches. How about a "Crown Heights Museum" sort of thing? It could document the history of the area with photos, artifacts, etc. It could act as a sort of cultural center where figures could come to speak, there could be classes for children, addiction recovery programs, donated clothing sales, etc. I'd also be happy with a restaurant or two.

Male/white/32 years old/resident of EP and Franklin Avenue for five years

1)Crown Heights

2)Access to transportation and parks/proximity to Park Slope and Prospect Heights

3)Persistant drug dealing along Franklin Avenue, a clustering of high schools on the south side of the parkway that creates a mass of loitering students in the afternoon/ a lingering 'ghetto' mentality among SOME longtime residents, resulting in excessive noise, littering, aggressive behavior, non-compliance with the police, etc.

4) Improvement is a relative term. There are more services, but crime has not improved. The improved services are the result of gentrification in Prospect Heights. Crow Hill Community Association does what it can to foster a sense of community, but without new residents they wouldn't have accomplished as much.

5)Crime is at a 4, relative to the city as a whole. I feel only moderately comfortable walking down the avenue, significantly less comfortable on the south side of EP.

6)The police are not nearly as responsive as they could be, especially south of EP. They help when they take the trouble to respond.

7)Five years. My wife got pregnant and we could no longer afford to live in Prospect Heights.

8)Rarely, except when going to Franklin Park. I prefer to spend leisure time in Prospect Heights or Park Slope, mainly because I find people shouting at each other on Franklin to be stressful.

9)I go to Franklin Park frequently, but never to I-95. As a white man, I would not feel comfortable going to I-95, nor would I have any desire to go, given the clientele, decor, etc. Nor are I am their target audience.

10)I think a more diverse array of businesses is a good thing, but many of the new businesses are over-priced IMO, and I do not patronize many of them. Still, I apreciate the new ice cream shop, Franklin Park, and the two new coffee shops.

11)Most often at the Associated on Franklin or the Key Food on Washington, as they are close and reasonably priced.

12)My children are not school aged yet, but when they are, I will not send them to local schools, for obvious reasons.

13)It's very segregated, as the newer residents are not only (for the most part) white and the old residents black, but the newer residents have different ideas about what a neighborhoods should look like, what businesses are worth patronizing, etc. and they have a different relationship to the neighborhood. Carribbean people are courteous, but not always welcoming, nor are newer white residents interested in mixing with the old-timers. The usual gentrification scenario.

14)The parade and weekend-long pre-party is a disaster, and it makes my street (EP) unliveable for a 3-4 day stretch. Trash, violence, noise, public urination on a huge scale - these factors might make for a fun parade, but they are hell for residents.

15)A police station.

male, white, mid-twenties, rogers and crown

1) Crown Heights. Other names: Crow Hill (historical name used by both residents and brokers for obviously different reasons), ProCro (awful broker term not to be used by anyone ever).

2) Generally a friendly neighborhood, good access to subway lines, affordable housing, decent geographic location.

3) Crime and violence stand above everything else, but there is also a rather serious littering problem.

4) I really can't speak toward the past five years, but it's definitely a communal responsibility. The police can only do so much, and even then I don't think any community should rely on them too heavily. And to some degree it depends on which problems one is looking to address. Programs like Save our Streets and Brooklyn Bike Patrol are becoming increasingly important.

5) Day: 4, Night: 3. I have never felt terribly unsafe in this neighborhood, despite relatively long walks at night. I am a male, however, and rarely (if ever) talk on my cellphone or listen to music in this context, so my experiences have to be taken accordingly. My female roommates have had different experiences of the neighborhood.

6) Police presence is not harmful in itself, but generally I feel their presence should be less heavy-handed. Again, I am a white male and therefore not often subjected to their harassment. I'm sure others see them in a different light...

I am a new resident and can't really speak to how their increased presence has helped. I am told it has been significant.

7) About a year and a half.

8)I occasionally go to local restaurants and bars. I enjoy riding my bike, walking to the museum, sitting along the parkway, or stopping in one of the several coffee shops.

9) Sometimes I go to Franklin Park, but I don't care for it all that much. I've never been to 95 South. Those two bars are rather segregated despite sharing the block. I should add that I do have interest in going to 95 South, as I like the music played, and it would not only support a local bar but also give some variation, but I have the impression that I wouldn't really be a welcomed guest.

10) I don't eat out much - can't afford it - but I enjoy having the options. They can benefit the community, I think, but I'd be worried about them attracting non-local businesses such as Starbucks or whatever. This is one (of many) symptoms of gentrification.

11) Most often the Associated on Franklin and Carrol, though sometimes I'll stop in Bob and Betty's (or whatever it's called) further up on Franklin if I need something special (usually beer the bodegas don't carry).

12) N/A

13) I wish it was more integrated, but I don't think it's beyond repair - perhaps stronger community organizations can help with this. There are definitely a lot of young whites who just don't seem to have any interest in being part of a community.

14) This is hard to say, but generally I think it's positive. It's a shame that there is a history of violence associated with the parade, but I don't think it totally negates the communal benefits of such a gathering. The violence needs to be addressed.

15) Perhaps a park, some type of community center, or a neighborhood library.

Thanks for the advice ntfool, I've heard some good things about PS 316 from others. I'll check it out.

CLAYFILMS said:

This makes me happy Thanks for sharing this.

Glad to hear indeed. I haven't heard many good things from teachers about PS 22 on Classon and St. Marks, so glad to hear that the one on Sterling is good.

My child went to PS 22 for pre-K in '09-'10 and had a good experience. There is a need for improvement at PS 22. But the zoned vs. charter battle is depressing, union busting, bad for community, bad for children with disabilities, and places families right in the middle, pitted against each other. I've heard about an occupy DOE movement inspired by occupy wall street and I hope the new energy and anger hastens reform.

A pretty thoughtful conversation on the pros and cons of charter schools occurred here:

http://brooklynian.com/forum/brooklyn-politics/educational-proficiency-of-black-students-lags-behind