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"ILFA" concluded it to be vandalism and I wanted to take the time to write clearly about what I though was a different reason the branches might have come down, I thought it was "Citizen Pruning".
As is oft the case lately, I don't have much time to blog, (least of my worries) so I made a mental note, but no actual post. To expound on Citizen Pruning, it does require training and certification before you can go ripping down branches like an urban Tarzan, but my opinion based on need and Barcelona (photo below), was that this was the logic behind the fallen branches.
(think Eastern Parkway with the center road saved for pedestrians, cafes and the prerequisite annoying mime) consisted mostly of the same trees we have here in Brooklyn.
Big difference? Nope not their chain smoking and infeasible midday naps, the difference is the trees over there are pruned.
(Photo source:http://www.barcelonapoint.com)
Just in case you're not a garden variety geek and you don't know a well pruned tree grows better fuller and with more balance, let me tell you to it does. Here's more about that.
So that was my thought when I saw branches over Franklin Ave. Also I personally think alot of the trees that have been recently and thankfully planted (I assume as part of the 1 Million Tree plan) are set too deep in the ground, causing some branches on these saplings to be just a few feet above ground.
So all that an more was my opinion which I meant to respond with to ILFA's original and first on the scene posting. And I woulda got to it later if I hadn't seen this on Bedford and Park on Tuesday:
And these on Park Pl. Between Franklin and Classon:
All in the same morning! I was out the night before and not a leaf on the ground, by 9am there was that damage.
I saw this one the next day also on Park Pl:
Now I'm still not 100% convinced that it's not an misguided attempt at citizen pruning, cause yeh a lot of trees in the area like this one:
could use some Sprucing up (awwww....yeh I had to) but this one was ignored.
Then on the other hand I saw this:
It's an evergreen tree! Is there really a need to rip a limb out of that! c'mon son?
So what is it? School kids/teens? (maybe that would explain the Eastern Parkway trees which were clearly ripped more than cut. Lots of school age kids mess with trees on Eastern Pkwy, I did at that age) If not kids is it perhaps a Brontosaurus or just a disgruntled Meatasaurus? Of course Brontosaurus don't exist but there's definitely something manic and serial going on with these tree trimmings.
I've put out a question to some local authorities asking if this is a city led thing, maybe the city has picked the wrong "Groundskeeper Willie" for the job. So far no word back.
What do you folks think?
It's not citizen pruning, its the work of one mentally unstable man. See for more detail:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=56979
We've got a big thread about it on Daily Heights.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=56979&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
The mentally unbalanced man who is doing it is named Steve. He lives at 693 Sterling Place, between Bedford and Franklin. Cops have been called, as has 311. If you haven't, and you care about the community, give a shout too.
hmm... A deranged dude named "Steve". Really? So he's just walking the neighborhood with a hedgeclipper or hand saw? Because some of the limbs seem to be clean cuts, and a lot of the limbs are the type you can just yank down with a few tugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm not convinced. And who is this "Steve"?
Here's how it works: The Parks Department comes in and makes clean cuts of the branches so they can, perhaps, one day grow back. This isn't a freaking conspiracy.
ReplyDeleteTake a stroll up and down Park Place, from Flatbush to Franklin. Trees are down everywhere. There's a sign on a house on the right side of Park, when walking toward Flatbush on the right, about the guy tossing all the limbs into their yard and ripping up plants.
"This isn't a freaking conspiracy." Anonymous, who said it was a conspiracy? Am I wrong for asking for more detail and not simply accepting what someone who doesn't state their name writes on the the internet? Lotta frustration in that response, I at least hope you're happy I published it.
ReplyDeleteSince you know so much, explain why people know "Steve's" name but he's apparently still on the active chopping block.
I'm a different anonymous, but I'm sure the frustration comes from the fact that you have posted your skepticism in the comments here twice, showing that obviously you didn't read the thread you were linked to in the very first post. That's how I found your blog, in fact, as it was linked in that thread. Read it. All your questions are answered there.
ReplyDeleteSo based on the passionate responses I decided to read the ENTIRE thread posted on Brooklynian (I previously read the first page only) and I see there is a lengthy history of personal accounts about "Steve" the Tree Terrorist (my phrase).
ReplyDeleteAs I read I wondered some typical questions and most of them were answered in this written response to the issue posted by Detective Martin Brown of the NYPD:
"Thanks for your detailed response. A few thoughts in regards.
I believe a quality of life issue like this needs to be handled on a few fronts. Filing an official police report of the damage you observed this person creating establishes a paper trail linking this person to this damage. This police report of property damage does a few things least of all ties this person to this individual incident and establishes a history incase of future damage that only increases punishment for such crimes in a court of law. Getting to know your community affairs officers and more importantly the Commanding Officer is important for all residence to notify the pct on quality of life problems the pct should know about. The police have limited number of eyes, when the residence’s eyes are added, it helps the department and the community. Please try to attend the next pct community council meeting for the 77 pct and meet these members of the department. They are held every second Monday of the month at a predetermined location. Call the pct for location. 718-735-0611. The Community Board should also be notified of this as well. The District Manager should be able to notify pertinent city agencies as well as keep this on their radar in case other residence have similar complaints about this person.
Why am I telling you all this? The pct should be given a chance to correct this issue before Police Commissioner Kelly gets involved. IF the pct, for whatever reason, cannot resolve this issue to your satisfaction then I [will] try to get the situation the correct degree of attention it deserves. Pls try to file a criminal report with the pct regarding this issue so it can be on record and bring the facts with you to the next meeting. Discuss a plan of action with the community affairs officers and the pct Commanding Officer on how best to address this issue at the pct community council meeting.
Please keep me informed of any issues that feel are not being properly addressed by the pct or any situations in the community that you feel deserves the Police Commissioner’s attention as well as how this issue is unfolding.
Sincerely,
Det. Martin Brown"
In short we need to take a photo if we see someone vandalizing the neighborhood, especially trees and we need to all attend the monthly precinct meetings.
"They are held every second Monday of the month at a predetermined location. Call the pct for location. 718-735-0611."
We can also use this link to report any damage to trees you find:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_permits_and_applications/forestry_service_request.html
fascinating piece - great work. i followed the link from kensingtonstories.blogspot.com. i'm on E7th & was awoken by sidewalk slicing/tree planting a month or so ago. nice stuff. mike
ReplyDeleteI have photos of dred lock steve tearing down the limbs.
ReplyDeleteThe police say he won't take his meds. I have photos of him physically doing it and hauling the branches away.
The police say someone from PARKS has to call them in order to arrest him. I think that's idiotic. he's destroying city property.
Sounds like we need to make complaints to more than just the police. ridiculous but in a city of 8mil theres always another set of ears to sound off into.
ReplyDeleteIf you see Steve at all (does not have to be in the act of breaking a tree), you should call the 77th precinct and 911 to report a "dangerous looking individual who needs psychological evaluation". Feel free to reference Steve, his history of property damage, and he fact that some neighbors have felt threatened by him.
ReplyDeleteIf a tree has been broken in front of where you live, please file an official police report about it. More reports = higher priority.
Please DO NOT retaliate against Steve or his family. Please do not dump broken branches in their yard. His mother is worried sick about the situation, his family does not deserve to be punished. Remember that this is a mentally disturbed individual, he needs help, not attack.
Please do not attack his family. They want Steve to get help. He means no harm. People stop it!!! He will get help. He does not belong in jail but in a rehab so he can get help. Sorry for your trees. Its a mothers worst nightmare. He does need help I agree but no jail and stop harrassing his family!!!
ReplyDelete