The 2012 West Indian Day Parade
Comments
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This article in today's Daily News explains that the parade and Jouvert are two different events, run by two different organizations.
They are the one-two punch of the city's Carnival celebration - the J'Ouvert pre-dawn march through Flatbush, followed by the day-long West Indian American Day Parade on Eastern Parkway.
But the same people do not run them both.
“We have nothing to do with J'Ouvert,” said Angela Sealy, treasure of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, organizers of the West Indian American Day Parade, which is expected to draw some three million revelers to Eastern Parkway on Sept. 3. “We know who the people are who run it, and they know us. But we don’t have anything to do with J’Ouvert.”
Pronounced “Joo Vay,” from the French “jour ouvert,” or “day open,” J'Ouvert kicks off around 2 a.m. Monday morning at Grand Army Plaza. Participants follow steel pan bands south on Flatbush Ave. to Empire Boulevard, east on Empire to Nostrand, then right on Nostrand to Linden Boulevard.
The celebration is big on dancing and clouds of baby powder, which celebrants throw in the air and on each other along the route. Smaller than the massive parade which kicks off some four hours after J’Ouvert’s 6 a.m. conclusion, many J’Ouvert participants grab a quick nap before heading to Eastern Parkway for carnival.
The two celebrations make for a full day of partying and are so identified with each other that many people assume the WIADCA board also sponsors J’Ouvert.
“People have even tried to sue us for something that happened at J’Ouvert,” Sealy said. “When the lawyers call we have to tell them they have the wrong people.”
Blogger Jeffrey Contray details the ins and outs of the 2008 J'Ouvert celebration at his website, http://contraysdictions.blogspot.com.
“Do not: Show up at 2 a.m.,” Contray wrote. “It’ll probably be a ghost town. There’s a big Dimanche Gras (carnival band competition) party that goes until 2 a.m., and then people take their time getting situated. It’s a West Indian party, and everybody is on Caribbean time. Get there at 4:30 a.m. and you’ll be fine.”
Meanwhile, here's some more details on the parade:
WIADCA officials last week announced that singer, actor and human rights pioneer Harry Belafonte, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Trinidad/Tobago soca singer Machel Montano will serve as co-grand marshals of this year's parade. The three will join Mayor Bloomberg at the head of the throng when festivities kick off at 10 a.m.
Jamaica native Belafonte, 85, took part in many of the Civil Rights demonstrations in the 1960’s and remains active today.
William Howard, first vice president with parade organizers the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, said Belafonte’s appearance will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence.
Montano will also headline WIADCA’s “Officials Brass Fest” concert on Friday at the Brooklyn Museum with Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Edwin Yearwood & Krosfayh, Lyrical and Young Devyn. For more information on the show see the website, www.wiadcacarnival.com.
Organizers also announced that Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz will kick off the city’s carnival season with an August 24 invitation only reception for 800 guests at Brooklyn Borough Hall.
The event replaces the Mayor’s reception at Gracie Mansion, which organizers were forced to cancel this year because of budget restraints.
Although a 2004 study found the carnival — which has tripled in size since then — pumped $154.8 million into the city’s economy, WIADCA this year had difficulty reaching its $1.3 million budget.
Howard said this year’s sponsors include the Daily News, National Grid, the Municipal Credit Union, Preferred Health Partners, Health First, and Bacardi Rum.
I also find it interesting that the parade organizers only have $1.3 M in sponsor income to work with. Does this mean that all of the events behind the museum are largely supported by ticket revenue?
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Yep, that's exactly what that means.
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Spiderman says "with great power comes great responsibility."
The more that I look into this parade, the more I discover that that organizers have not much power.
They may be doing all they can to manage it.
...once again, I am concluding that we can only place the blame on individuals who decide it is a good idea to bring a knife or gun to a parade.
Are folks planning to attend this year?
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After last year's shooting on my block, Park Place, my wife and I are heading out of town for the weekend. You know, I used to like the parade. But in 10 years of living here, the parade has only gotten bigger, its attendees more chaotic and more unpredictable.
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While I don't blame the organizers for the chaos that often the accompanies the weekend
....and I like what the new president is saying
...and certainly commend him for trying to get his side of the story out in the Daily News
I think there is too much work to be done before the "norms" and reputation of Labor Day weekend in Crown Heights changes.
Here, the new president apologizes for the last 5 years, but it isn't clear what he feels what the organization did wrong.
Did the previous leadership not work closely with the police?
Did they resist greater police presence on the trucks?....in my mind, the organization certainly failed to effectively distance themselves from what I believe to be the weekend's most predictably violent event: J'ouvert.
I only realized that the organization had nothing to do with it until today.
President’s Message
Dear Fans, Supporters, Sponsors and Friends:
When I took office on April 12, 2012 I dedicated myself to re-organizing and re-building our organization in order to face the many challenges that my Administration inherited, and to work effectively in a dynamic 21st century environment. I decided to take this office based on the firm understanding that I would lead a New WIADCA Team and in the process seek to accomplish the hitherto illusive goals of transparency, inclusiveness and a proactive, unselfish approach to development.
I have to report that we are making strides in all of these areas but these things will not happen overnight. Still, WIADCA is alive and well. We are committed to promoting, preserving and enhancing the culture of the Caribbean in New York. Accordingly, we have sought out individuals with expertise not found in the organization, engaged the producers of carnival in a constant dialogue, and set in place a more informed and democratic methodology to run the day-to-day activities of the organization.
But I will be the first to acknowledge that correcting the mistakes of the immediate past will not be easy or overcome with these first steps. Nor will rebuilding confidence and support for the organization that was badly damaged, especially over the past 5 years. I want to apologize for these short-comings. I will move to put things right. However, we will not dwell in the past. Rather, we will learn from it and, hopefully, will not repeat the mistakes that were made.
We look to the future with quiet confidence. The 2012 Carnival Festival is on. And you can rest assured that we are going to put on a world-class show worthy of our 45th years of doing this thing. But I know that we at the New WIADCA Team can’t do it alone. We need your help and support to rebuild, grow and develop. I urge you to extend a helping hand as we work together to preserve our culture right here in New York.
To everyone that has been a part of our history and growth we say thank you. To those who stuck with us through good and not so good times – your friendship is our foundation. To those of you who are willing to give this new team a chance, we say many thanks. You have our deepest gratitude. And to those of you who feel compelled, for whatever reasons, to hold your patronage for now, we understand your concerns and hope that in the future we can earn your support and respect.
Sincerely
Thomas Bailey
President
http://wiadcacarnival.org/index.php/about-wiadca/welcome-message-from-the-president
P.S. This photo of the group's sole office (located on Rogers Ave, near Empire) may give readers a little bit of perspective of how large and powerful the organization is (or, um, isn't):
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I think we're going to take a non-paid house-sitting job in upper Manhattan that weekend. The residents of the apartment may still cancel plans and be there too which would be lovely.
The levels of general violence (caused or not by the parade itself) is worrisome of course, but I'm actually worried about never being able to sleep with the noise levels. -
WIADCA have been holding ongoing high-level meetings with NYPD (Brooklyn North & South Commands) and have been assured that every security precaution will be taken to protect masqueraders, spectators, and other participants throughout the Festival and Parade. Assistant Chief Thomas Chan has made it clear that the protection of the general public is safe and ensure that the safety of the festival is his top priority.
I wonder whether the police will be told to be more assertive, under the belief that the present leadership of WIADCA will support their efforts, and wants to improve the parades image.
If the police are involved in a confrontation, will the WIADCA show the restraint necessary to get the whole story? Is this small org strong enough to work with the police, and not simply agree to all of the requests of the police?
The Daily News is a sponsor of the org. Does the org have other relationships with media to help them manage the brand and image of this event?
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whynot, i know you're being cheeky, but just because someone has limited power, we don't excuse them from any responsibility. these folks have the power to put on the parade, and they have the power not to put it on. making that choice imbues them with some kind of responsibility. it also does not make logical sense to claim both that the violence has nothing to do with the parade and that if the parade was canceled, then suddenly all of the otherwise "safe" spaces would be overrun with violence.
where in all this are the entities that ordinarily must approve permits for street closures? for the rest of us who'd ask to shut down even one block, we have to submit applications and get approvals from the community board, the precinct, etc. if we have a huge party in a public space with open containers, we are usually subject to law enforcement. so just because an event has a history doesn't seem to exempt it, in any kind of formal way, from whatever democratic processes otherwise govern, does it? that is to say, if i wanted to put an item on the CB8 and CB9 and associated precinct council meeting agendas, and there were block associations and whatnot that wrote letters to City Council people, it's not like there is some mysterious force that would prevent us from expressing those views simply because it's this particular parade and its corollary events (sanctioned or otherwise). Whether such actions would actually result in anything positive is an open question, of course, but if you actually have concerns it seems strange not to take even these simple, pretty well-established avenues to expressing your views to people who do have actual governmental power given to them through democratic processes.
let me say that i understand very well the political and cultural dynamics at play, but you can be certain that politicians would be much more likely to support measures aimed at increasing safety in this situation if they have constituents asking for them. especially if those constituents are reasonable people with roots in the community (and not, let's say, flaming racists/hard-ass law & order police brutality apologists).
as an example, did you see that some in the media are crediting last year's events with mr. foy for the increased scrutiny of stop-and-frisk? if the high-profile nature of the parade can bring a more measured and informed public dialogue on that issue, why are we so sure that it could not also do so with regard to, let's say, crazy excuses for wilding out and non-enforcement thereof?
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A few years ago, I saw a group of teenage males "wild" at the parade.
It involved them shoving random people, groping female people, and stealing soda from vendors before running down a side street. I find it hard to believe that there wasn't at least one cop also seeing what I was seeing, and suspect that they were powerless due to the context and inherent risks. (I.E. ...even "pre Mr. Joy and Mr Williams", few cops were willing to risk media scrutiny and the potential of the crowd siding against them)
I think that aspect of the parade is what concerns me most: While some years it is more violent than others, I always get the feeling that on Labor Day Weekend the entire neighborhood (not just the parade route during the parade, not just the J'Ouvert event) is ripe for a much larger conflict.
...one caused by a subset of parade goers who believe they can (and therefore should) do whatever they want.
...one caused by a police force that doesn't want to enforce laws that result in huge risks to their personal safety and career as result of being "subjective".
...one caused by a public that just wants both the police and aforementioned subset to chill out so "we" can enjoy seeing sparkly women and feasting on jerk chicken in peace.
The changes proposed by this years WIADCA leadership may help with the actual parade, but one will not be able to measure the success based on one year.
If gentrification continues to spread east, CB8 and CB9 will become less focused on the revenue the events bring to the area and more concerned with the "quality of life impacts" the sanctioned and unsanctioned events cause to the surrounding area.
I hope the parade survives.
While I realize that any attempt to cancel J'ouvert (a celebration associated with freedom from slavery...) would subject one to lots of accusations, it nonetheless amazes me that it continues to exist in its present form under the existing laws and regulations....
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While the Daily News was the first to run stories in advance of the 2012 parade, the NYT has now begun its coverage: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/nyregion/racist-posts-tied-to-west-indian-parade-bring-police-dept-discipline.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytmetro&seid=auto
Let the 2012 media frenzy begin!
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One of the many events not sponsored by WIADCA, that will likely have not gun fire:
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Don't forget tomorrow's kickoff: http://ilovefranklinave.blogspot.com/2012/08/carnival-kicks-off-tomorrow.html
Also, wanted to re-post this (whynot found it last year and posted it, but if it was already posted here I missed it): https://www.facebook.com/notes/onya-west/labor-day-carnival-as-the-ultimate-anti-violence-campaign/10150303891625956
Love the points she makes about how this has to be a 365-day-a-year project (echoes lots of what folks here have said, too).
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Note to readers: Onya West is the figurehead of the NY SOCA Association, the group that represents many of the aforementioned sparkly women in the WIADCA. If you are a reporter reading this thread, she is a good person to ask about the inner and outer turmoil faced by WIADCA.
Staying on topic: To what extent must the organization focus on activities like "nonviolence", when it is composed largely of disparate volunteers operating out of storefront?
Shouldn't Ms West get to focus on the things enjoys? ....getting the hundreds of women who excercise with her year round as part of Soca Motion to be motivated, in shape and confident enough to wear barely nothing on the big day: a massive parade.
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edit: Shouldn't Ms West get to focus on the things she enjoys?
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homeowner said:
Yep, that's exactly what that means.This comment caused me to do a little digging on how they spend their budget, and where the money comes from.
For answers, please do the following:
The West Indian Day Carnival Association is a NYS recognized charity follow this link
to get to their info on the Attorney's General's website.Then, click on Annual Filing for Charitable Organizations, 2010.
Proceed to page 27.
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Daily News wrote: One idiot with a gun can ruin any party, even day-long festivities for three million guests.
But organizers of next week’s West Indian American carnival parade along Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway say they are eternally frustrated by local news media who blame any Labor Day violence in the borough on their celebration.
“You have statements like the carnival was very colorful, with beautiful weather and a large crowd, but it was marred by three murders, then you look at the murders and there was one in the Bronx, one in Queens, one in Yonkers,” said West Indian American Day Carnival Association President Thomas Bailey.
“Now, while there is no carnival, you still have murders in these five boroughs. But we have to hear it (the carnival) was marred by (murders), when none of them are carnival-related. This is the abuse we have to sustain, and it is unfair.
“Surely three million people would not come out to an event if they thought it was unsafe. Everything that happens in Brooklyn on Labor Day we are held responsible for it,” said WIADCA Treasurer Angela Sealy. “How many murders are happening in the city right now, in Brooklyn, in the Bronx, all over, when there is no parade? But if it happens on Labor Day it’s because of the parade. That’s not right.”
Last year, after Denise Gay, 56, was killed by a shot in the head while she sat on her 633 Park Place stoop in Crown Heights, published reports quoted family members as detailing her fear of the West Indian Day Parade. Eastern Parkway is four blocks south of Park Place.
Police later determined that Gay may have been shot by police as they fired at a man, Leroy Webster, who was Gay’s neighbor, after Webster shot another man, Randy Johnson, to death on Gay’s block.
It was unclear if either man involved in the shooting had been celebrating on Eastern Parkway. In October, 2011 Gay’s family announced a $10 million suit against the city for her wrongful death.
“Last year, that lady was shot in front of her house, not on the Parkway,” Sealy said. “But the media associated that there was someone from the parade who went down there and did that.
“We can’t control that,” Sealy said. “We are responsible for the Parkway, and the police said anything criminal that happens on the Parkway is a police matter.”
Carnival is an economic boon to the city, organizers said, and a chance for Caribbean people to celebrate their heritage with their families, friends, countrymen and other Caribbean nationals.
Finding friends amongst the throng is no problem - over the years nationals from each country have created a system of meeting on particular Eastern Parkway corners each year. Trinidadians — carnival originated in Trinidad — meet at the gas station at the corner of Bedford Ave., as well as at Rogers, New York and Utica Aves. Bahamians find each other at Brooklyn Ave., Guyanese at Nostrand Ave. and Haitians at Franklin Ave.
“Culture is a very strong thing,” said WIADCA Secretary Jean Alexander. “Carnival is so important to us. I think sometimes if someone cuts me little costumes would run out with my blood.”“At carnival, you can see how many young people are learning their Caribbean heritage,” said WIADCA First Vice President William Holland. “They get to see the culture of their parents’ homeland and keep it going.”
An Empire State Development Corporation-commissioned study of the 2003 West Indian American Day carnival found it added more than $154.8 million to the city’s economy.
“We have hotels that are already fully booked in Brooklyn and elsewhere,” Bailey said. “You look at what the organization does, directly and indirectly, for the community.
These are things people are not aware of.
“We do this for the love of it,” Bailey said. “We love it.”
For more information, or to make a donation, see the website, www.WIADCACARNIVAL.com.
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This year, the parade organizers are trying to say ahead of the press that says they are doing "nothing", or "not enough" to distance themselves from the violence that accompanies the parade.
In addition to getting proactively meeting with the press and setting rules which they hope will help (see above), they have scheduled this group to march right behind the Grand Marshals:
Please join our “Stop the Violence March” on Labor Day Monday September 3rd along Eastern Parkway. Everyone will be gathering at Rochester Ave and Eastern Parkway 10AM promptly.
Akeal Christopher was born on July 10th 1997 and died on his 15th birthday from a bullet to his head; the crime took place on June 27th in Bushwick section of Brooklyn. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $12,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers.
We invite concerned New Yorkers to wear something white to show solidarity, if you are participating in this peace march.
Please join with us to help heighten awareness of the violence happening among the youth in many communities in New York.
When we as a community remain silent, we send a message to those misguided youths, that their behavior is acceptable.
Why should we as a community behave as if we are intimated to voice our objection against the destructive behavior of some of our youth?
We who know better should demonstrate against these killings and other behavior that leads toward our youth developing a criminal mindset.
We will be marching directly behind the Grand Marshals and elected politicians.
All concerned New Yorkers will have an opportunity to voice their concerns at the “Akeal Christopher Peace March” because we will be far ahead of the “Parade of Mas Bands”.
We also need your support in spreading this march throughout your neighborhood via; Email, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
For more information email: [email protected].
Call 1-800-CRIMESTOPPERS – “If You Know Something, Say Something” -
In addition to the parade, "only" these events seem to be officially thrown by WIADCA:
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The Facebook page for WIADCA:
https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynLaborDayCarnival
A photo from the Grand Opening of the Carnival celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall:
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Wonderful photo, whynot! This makes me recall The Psychologist's "rainbow of meat" comment and wish that I were single again.
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Glad you liked it Jack!
Meanwhile, these activities are sponsored by a different organization. They take place on Franklin Avenue on this Saturday:
MoCADA Museum’s Soul of Brooklyn Series this month is celebrating Caribbean Culture in the heart of the 45th Annual West Indian American Carnival Association's Labor Day Festivities where their Kiddie Carnival Parade will come marching down St. Johns Place then turn down Franklin Avenue (between 10AM- 12PM).
The Soul of Brooklyn Block Party series is made possible by and ARTPLACE and TRANSCANADA. The goal of this Block Party is to support and celebrate our local Brooklyn MOM and POP businesses through part
nerships with our local cultural institutions. Special thanks goes to the Crow Hill Community Association and Franklin Avenue Merchants for their support.RSVP today to receive updates.
CHECK OUT THIS SWEET SOUL OF BROOKLYN BLOCK PARTY DEAL
Spend $10 or more at any business on Franklin Avenue on Saturday, September 1st 12PM – 6PM, bring your receipt to The Candy Rush (733 Franklin Avenue) and receive a FREE* scoop of ice cream or mini crepe!CHECK OUT THIS SATURDAY’S ACTIVITIES ON FRANKLIN AVENUE:
12PM – 6PM
The Candy Rush - 733 Franklin Avenue
DJ Hard Hittin Harry spinning all your favorite Caribbean and carnival tunes12PM – 6PM
Launch Pad’s Built in Brooklyn Craft Fair - 721 Franklin Avenue
Featuring local artisans, FREE Carnival Mask Making with Alexis Sueme Mena of Generation of International Growth Society (G.I.G.S.)FREE face painting with Ding A Ling the Clown and Friends
Coconut Rob will be there with his delicious drinks and smoothies12PM – 6PM
Shop Brooklyn! Visit members of the Franklin Avenue Merchants (FAM) – Eastern Parkway to Atlantic Avenue. Soul of Brooklyn businesses will have yellow balloons out front.2PM – 5PM
The Candy Rush - 733 Franklin Avenue
Juggling, Plate Spinning and more with Zabo[/b]2:30PM
Meet members of Socamotion
(Jack, you may like this event!)2PM – 6PM
Portraits by Kwesi Abbensetts3:30 PM – 6PM
Lily & Fig - 727 Franklin Avenue
Caribbean Cultural Theatre presents: Meet author Nandi Keyi-Ogunlade of The True Nanny Diaries. [/b]FREE coffee or tea with the purchase of a bakery item during the author meet and greet.*Offer good while supplies last
Please visit www.SoulofBrooklyn.org to learn more and Follow us on Twitter @SoulofBrooklyn
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Hey all,
I'm really freaking out about the upcoming parade. You see I just moved into Crown Heights a couple weeks ago. Already there was a shooting on my block and it sounds like I might be in for a few more.
A friend of mine suggested that I should go out later today and buy all the groceries I need to survive for the next few days and not leave my apartment at all until Tuesday. This seems like overkill but from what I hear about the parade and parties it might not be a bad idea. The block has felt different since the shooting. Much more people milling loudly about. Some heated arguments and more cars driving by blaring loud music then ever before. I think most of this is average NYC holiday annoyances but this talk about guns, shootings and violence, frankly it scares me.
Part of me is currently weighing the positives and negatives of breaking my lease and moving further west on Park or maybe around Franklin. This is a once a year burst of violence right? then it calms down?
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Relax, dude. You can leave your apartment, though you should be prepared for the nabe to have a sort of festival atmosphere for the rest of the weekend. But no one is going to mess with you specifically unless you go looking for a fight.
We tend to stay close to home on parade weekend largely because we don't like crowds of this nature. It's more about comfort than it is about safety. The parade has literally millions of attendees converging on a nabe that normally has only about three hundred thousand denizens.
Embrace it. To you, it's harmless, except to the extent that you let yourself stress out about it.
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There is no need to freak out.
Basically, lots of house and bakyard parties will be thrown tonight, and some will contine thru Monday. Some of the attendees will act like idiots, and be violent.
Throughout the weekend, lots of people will compete for the title of Most Enthusiastic by blasting music, being almost naked, consuming lots of weed and alcohol, and not sleeping for 48 hours.
Most people, however, will attend the parade, eat some Jerk Chicken, do lots of people watching, then go home.
The police will be given unclear instructions by their bosses, which cause them to seemingly flip a coin whether a situation warrants their intervention.
Then, on Tuesday, Fall arrives. The kids go back to school, and many of the near naked women return to wearing blouses and toiling at administrative jobs that pay 46k a year.
The real question: Is she in costume on Monday, or the rest of the year?
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Video of last night's (Friday night's) concert behind the museum: https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/cfs-ak-ash3/v/610790/46/10151202650855336_35912.mp4?oh=6cf66d53a4c454df7d3a132d9b398730&oe=504226D4&__gda__=1346510664_05c486aaf512e657cc5777f9b56633b3
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Press about the upcoming parade:
NEW YORK, USA, Friday August 31, 2012 – In recognition of the 50th anniversary of independence of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the two nations will be honoured at the head of next week’s West Indian American Day Carnival Parade in Brooklyn.
Actor, singer and social activist Harry Belafonte and soca sensation Machel Montano, representing Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago respectively, will lead the Labour Day carnival parade on September 3 along Eastern Parkway, from Schenectady Avenue to Grand Army Plaza.
Millions of spectators are expected to view the colourful annual procession of masqueraders and music presented by the West Indian Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) under the theme “Caribbean History, Culture and Unity”.
Events leading up to the big parade are already underway as WIADCA presents four days of Caribbean carnival entertainment for children and adults.
Yesterday, “Mas, Mas and More Mas” previewed the spectacular masquerade costumes that will grace the Eastern Parkway parade route on Labour Day.
Today, the youth-focused Stay in School Concert takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features music, a fashion show and spoken word performances. This WIADCA event is designed to encourage young people to continue their education and steer clear of drugs, juvenile delinquency and gangs.
Tonight, the Brass Fest will turn the spotlight on some of the Caribbean’s top entertainers including Mr Vegas, the Machel Montano HD ensemble, Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Edwin Yearwood, WCK and Krosfyah.
Saturday is Junior Carnival Day complete with its own parade from St John’s Place to the Brooklyn Museum Grounds, while Panorama, the popular steelband competition, gets into full swing later that night.
On Sunday, the Dimanche Gras show is expected to light up the Brooklyn Museum stage with performances from Calypso Rose, Shadow, King Ajamu, Black Stalin, the Something Positive Dance Troupe, and more sweet steelpan sounds.
http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/610654.html#axzz25EAv7ewK
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Hey all,
I'm really freaking out about the upcoming parade. You see I just moved into Crown Heights a couple weeks ago. Already there was a shooting on my block and it sounds like I might be in for a few more.
A friend of mine suggested that I should go out later today and buy all the groceries I need to survive for the next few days and not leave my apartment at all until Tuesday. This seems like overkill but from what I hear about the parade and parties it might not be a bad idea. The block has felt different since the shooting. Much more people milling loudly about. Some heated arguments and more cars driving by blaring loud music then ever before. I think most of this is average NYC holiday annoyances but this talk about guns, shootings and violence, frankly it scares me.
Part of me is currently weighing the positives and negatives of breaking my lease and moving further west on Park or maybe around Franklin. This is a once a year burst of violence right? then it calms down?
You should probably just move. You came to a neighborhood, as did I, where many things existed way before you came here. For you to "freak out" and contemplate requesting more police presence is ridiculous. As eastbloc has said, you're not a blip on anyones radar. I think the block could use someone who wants to make a difference here, not someone who's gonna buy groceries, hide in their apartment and call the precinct for more police coverage. Break your lease.
end rant.
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It is important to keep things in perspective.
For example, the parade is not like this classic Star Trek episode that discusses a festival that begins at 6PM:
Monday is not 6 PM. This festival is not the same as Star Trek's....
Howdy, Stranger!
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