My inagural gunshots

cowgirly · September 2006

After a year and a half here, I finally heard what were my first no-doubt-about-it, middle-of-the-night gunshots. Sometime early Sunday morning, in front of my apt building on St. Johns between Rogers & Nostrand. In fact, there were two seperate instances, the first for which I called 911, and the second for which I seem to have just, while cringing, fallen back asleep.

I'll tell ya, it does not instill joy or comfort. In fact, this is the first time I'm doubting my will to live here. I'm certainly not running out the door, but... man.

There are always dudes hanging out either on my stoop or the one next door, frequently throwing dice, drinking, and just hanging. I have always wished they'd be quieter, but other than that it's nice to have neighbors around. Now I'm just wondering which of them is packing.

And that sucks.

neene · September 2006

why don't you come to this meeting:

the Crow Hill community September meeting:
Tuesday 9/19 7:30 pm
Haitian American Day Care Center
1491 Bedford Ave (at St Johns Pl)
ring bell on the corner

a bunch of people from this board have said they are going
and i have talked to people on my block who will be there as well

mase · September 2006

Subject: Re: My inagural gunshots

cowgirly wrote: After a year and a half here, I finally heard what were my first no-doubt-about-it, middle-of-the-night gunshots. Sometime early Sunday morning, in front of my apt building on St. Johns between Rogers & Nostrand.

First thing is to get the people of that complex involved in something
To get them to care about the building. If that does not happen, it is
a lost cause and you should follow your instincts

there is no defense against apathy.

shishkab · September 2006

Subject: Re: My inagural gunshots

Mase wrote: there is no defense against apathy.

VERY well said, mase.

t-fal · September 2006

i'm going to try and go too. its just getting to be too much.

cowgirly · September 2006

I'll be there tonight, thanks for the info regarding the meeting.

Last night around 7pm I was taking a nap (felt really ill) and there were gunshots again on my street. The cops were there in about a minute, but I layed back down and have no idea what the outcome was.

t-fal, you're right, it is just getting to be too much.

See ya'll later.

mase · September 2006

Subject: Re: My inagural gunshots

cowgirly wrote: After a year and a half here, I finally heard what were my first no-doubt-about-it, middle-of-the-night gunshots.

I got a question. The way you worded this statement, it makes it
sound like you were expecting to hear gunshots. Or waiting to hear
them. Like some sort of premonition.

I am new to the board, so I ask, have people been telling to about
constant shootings or something?? Because if you anticipate hearing
shots, or keep looking for them, eventually you will hear them.
Whether they happen or not. Crown Heights is a very noisy place.
Especially Nostrand Ave

I can tell you from experience. One time in 18 months is really not
that much. You should've been here in the 80's. You probably would
not have lasted more than a month

Just a question

cowgirly · September 2006

Hey Mase-
The reason I worded it that way, "finally heard my first no-doubt-about-it...gunshots" was because there have been a few other times when I've thought I've heard them but haven't been sure, and this time, I was sure. And some of my neighbors are very closely tied-in to the neighborhood (have grown up here and know tons of folks), so when there's a shooting incident in the vicinity, I tend to hear about it. Also, the first weekend I lived here, I returned home to find my block cordoned off because two people were shot in the middle of a Saturday afternoon. All of this is just to say that I kind of do expect to hear gunshots in the neighborhood, based on my own experience and that of my neighbors. I don't want to hear them, and I've hoped that I wouldn't hear them, but I know that as of now they are a part of Crown Heights.

However, when I did actually hear shots, and three incidents in two days right outside my window, I kind of freaked. I'll be honest, it scared the shit out of me.

And I am absolutely positive that you're correct, and that I wouldn't have lasted a week here in the 80s! I'm really glad for the work everyone has done to make this a safer neighborhood, and I'm getting involved to be a part of that community. I love it here, this is the friendliest neighborhood I've ever lived in (I grew up in NYC), and I'm glad to be a part of it.

And it will be really cool when people can live here and not expect to hear gunshots, or think that only hearing them once every year and a half is acceptable, you know? Because in the end, it's not.

My inagural gunshots

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories