Senator Golden Tackles Quality Of Life On 13th Avenue With 68th Precinct As Partner

Brooklyn- State Senator Marty Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), a former New York City Police Officer, last night hosted a town hall meeting with over 50 residents of 13th Avenue at the Ridgewood Savings Bank, to address quality of life and public safety concerns.

Golden, who was joined by Community Affairs Police Officers of the 68th Precinct, addressed numerous quality of life and public safety issues. Issues raised by local residents included: 1) loitering, drinking and drug use by teenagers along 12th and 13th Avenue between 71st Street and 78th Street, 2) public urination on people’s property, 3) graffiti all along 13th Avenue, 4) stores selling cigarettes and alcohol to minors, 5) teenagers hanging out in local school yards and parks after dark, 6) drug dealing being conducted on 13th Avenue, and 7) teenagers hiding pot in the garden of people’s home.

The 68th Precinct and the Special Operations Unit vowed to focus efforts on this section of the community in an effort to rid the local streets of these problems. Senator Golden will also be notifying the State Liquor Authority regarding the underage sale of alcohol to minors at local stores. The 13th Avenue Merchants Association was in attendance and will be working with Senator Golden as well to address some issues plaguing "Dyker Heights Boulevard".

Senator Golden stated, "Working with the 68th Precinct and the residents, we will address the issues that are plaguing one of our community’s greatest avenues. We will not allow our streets to fall at the hands of teenagers who are breaking the law. Our property is for us to enjoy, our homes should be secure, and we should feel safe in our neighborhood. The environment in this immediate area of Dyker Heights must change."

Senator Golden has scheduled a follow up meeting for August 30th to update the residents on the progress made working with the 68th Precinct. Senator Golden is encouraging any residents who see unpermissable behavior in this area, such as the sale of drugs and loitering, should contact both the 68th Precinct at (718) 439-4211 or his office at (718) 238-6044.