Superfund Saturday Night Fever

    

AMNY 

Potential exposure to COVID-19 apparently wasn’t risky enough for this illegal Queens party.

The NYC Sheriff’s office was at it again early Saturday morning, breaking up an illegal rave during the pandemic at a warehouse on the Brooklyn/Queens border — located within a radioactive Superfund site.

The operation took place at about 1:40 a.m. on March 6 at 1133 Irving Ave. in Ridgewood, which is part of the 3/4-acre EPA-designated Wolff-Alport Superfund zone. Cleanup efforts have been ongoing at the location to clean up decades-old radioactive contamination from within the property.

According to the Sheriff’s office, deputies staked out the location after receiving information about a potential rave there. They spotted a large number of patrons entering the warehouse, which had its security gate halfway rolled down. 

Loud music was also clearly audible to the deputies, who then moved in and broke up the party, law enforcement sources said.

Upon entering the warehouse, the Sheriff’s office reported, the deputies spotted at least 142 people dancing and drinking alcohol without wearing face masks. Authorities said the location did not have a valid liquor license to serve alcohol, nor did it have a valid certificate of occupancy.

The Sheriff’s office cleared all patrons without incident.

Two security guards — Bakari Brathwaite, 34, of Brooklyn and Walter Louis Jr., 34, of Kingston, New York — and a DJ, Jonathan Alvarez-Conde, 38, of South Ozone Park, received desk appearance tickets for charges including violating the health code and the mayor’s and governor’s executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Irving Avenue site used to house the Wolff-Alport Chemical Company, which operated between 1920 and 1954. During World War II and in the years that followed, it extracted rare earth elements in such a way that it produced a byproduct sludge that contained thorium, a radioactive element.

Before the ill effects of radioactivity were realized, the workers at the company were said to have dumped the sludge into the nearby sewers — causing the radioactive element to spread throughout the immediate area of the site. This practice was ordered stopped by the Atomic Energy Commission in 1947.

How do you solve a problem like Astoria?

The following videos are presented without comment.

Unruly Crowd in Street Throwing Objects at Police @CitizenApp

28th Ave & Steinway St 1:31:51 AM EDT

Steinway will be closed by tomorrow 😩😩 pic.twitter.com/izogF8nAvc

— Marty Byrde (@ItsM_E_Z) July 18, 2020

Nightlife brings on gentrification

From RA:

"The gentrification of the East Village explicitly hinged on the aesthetics and ambience that the neighborhood's counter-cultural and bohemian artists had created [during] the 1960s and 1970s," she wrote. "The media's attention to this [movement] gradually changed the popular picture of the neighborhood from low and marginal to central and interesting."

Clubs often perform the same function, she said: "Thriving nightlife has ushered in and even constituted an essential part of the revitalization of neighborhoods." Her research showed that nightlife can "revalorize depressed property and trigger gentrification, enabling landlords and real-estate investors to reap 'monopoly rent.'"

Developers often benefit from the buzz that hip nightclubs generate for down-and-out neighborhoods. But Hae argues that when new, upmarket tenants move in and start complaining, they side against nightlife. This tends to be their outlook on the arts as well. "Municipalities [sponsored] workshops and housing subsidies as an anchor for future real estate capital investment in dilapidated neighborhoods," she explained. "Later [they] removed the subsidies to relocate artists elsewhere once gentrification kicks in."

It's tough to draw a causal relationship between vibrant nightlife and displaced communities. But plenty of real estate players in the last 40 years have tried to harness music scenes as part of their development plans. And plenty of cultural creators are concerned with the role they play in helping gentrification along.

Deck collapses with 50 people on it

From the Daily News:

A gathering in Brooklyn turned into a nightmare as a deck on the second floor of a building collapsed, injuring 13 people early Sunday, witnesses and FDNY officials said.

The collapse happened at a building at Bushwick and Willoughby Aves. in Bushwick around 12:45 a.m., an FDNY official said.

None of the injured was seriously hurt.

As many as 50 people were on the deck when it buckled, the official said.

A Department of Buildings official was on the scene to inspect the deck. It was unclear why it fell in, officials said.

Maybe because it had 50 people on it?

Illegal park parties are back

"Can anything be done about the horrible loud music that we hear every weekend. It is so loud and it goes on into the wee hours of the morning. It coming from Willets Point and Flushing Meadows. Please put a cop there and maybe they won't stay there." - anonymous

AirBnB party house causing major headache

From CBS 2:

Neighbors say a man has been renting out his two-family Fenton Avenue home on Air BnB for wild parties.

As CBS2’s Hazel Sanchez reported, the property has been advertised as ‘Fenton Lounge.’

“If it was up to me I would do it every day, because I’m a party animal. I love to party,” homeowner Nebi Ayele said.

Residents said one party dubbed, ‘Party In The Ghetto’ was disruptive and ran until 5 a.m. Social media posts of the event boasted of strippers, live DJs, and plenty of alcohol.

Seriously slobbish in Flushing

"Broadway LIRR station eastbound, Station Road. Drug/beer/party location...and trash." - The Flushing Phantom

Queens Village foreclosure turned into sex club

For over 2 years residents on the otherwise quiet block - 211th Place in Queens Village - have had to endure a violation of their peace and quiet. No longer can neighbors go to sleep in the summertime with their windows open to enjoy a cool breeze without worrying about being assaulted at any point between midnight – 5AM by the sound of large groups of men and women screaming at each either, bottles shattering, and yes eventually the police will show up, with legions of squad cars blocking the entire road to quell the madness until the following night.

Yes, there is one foreclosed property on this block: 99-27 211th Place that has been under the control of a ring of male squatters for so long, folks cannot remember what life on this otherwise quiet, unassuming side-street used to be like. At least 15 people live in the home at any given time. Strange men walk up and down the block all day and all night long. Note that the house in question has a vacate order.

If there is a shirtless, strange man with his pants falling off riding a bike, piece of paper in hand, looking lost, guaranteed this is the home he is looking for. Huge groups of men congregate in front of the home all day. A pair of old sneakers hanging from a power line marks the spot. The 2AM fights, legions of strange young men trolling the neighborhood (some of whom try to avoid being seen going into the home by crossing the street), and dozen+ undercover squad cars are an almost daily presence on the block.

You might be thinking only drugs or prostitution would attract such large groups of men to one home – you’re probably right, but in this instance the highlight is the prostitution. Referred to as “The Play House” the squatters are using this home as a brothel for prostitutes to bring their clients to, as well as an anything goes strip joint. Lucky clients are charged a $20 entry fee with $5 drink specials and $60 for VIP bottle service. I wonder if they pay taxes?

Advertisement here: http://websta.me/n/biga_hof

They are even recruiting for more strippers and prostitutes, how entrepreneurial they are! And what convenient hours, open Wednesday – Sunday from 12:30 – 5:30AM. Now that is what you call customer service!

Strippers, Entertainers, Ladies of the night wanted to work at underground parties in Queens NY. (After Hours) We are open Wed,Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun 12:30-5:30am. COME MAKE BETWEEN $500-$1000 a night in a fun safe clean enviornment. Tip in is only $25 and all ladies first drinks are free. IF INTERESTED send Pictures and number to (646)930-5512 (All races, Sizes & Ages 18 & over) BIG PARTY TONIGHT!!! COME WORK & BRING YOUR TOYS.

They're getting pretty good at this "marketing" thing too:

WEDNESDAY JULY 15th !! MEET US FOR AFTERHOURS!!
X-RATED FREAK FEST
Free Shots Till 12:45AM!!!
EARLY ARRIVAL SUGGESTED!
Over 15 STRIPPERS
$5 Drinks/ $60 Bottles
$20 Door cover
PRIVATE ROOMS
THE PLAY HOUSE House building AFTER HOURS
12:30-5:30am
TEXT FOR SECRET QUEENS LOCATION Phone: text/ (646)930-5512
ALL NEW DANCERS WELCOMED

The police seem to be doing everything in their power, my question is why hasn’t the BANK kicked these lowlifes out? What more can be done to remove these people?

The Play House – coming to a friendly neighborhood near you.

Illegal park party bust

From the Queens Tribune:

The NYPD shut down plans for a massive outdoor party that was allegedly planned at Charles Park in Howard Beach, the 106th Precinct announced Saturday.

According to Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, an outdoor dance party called “Sex On The Beach 5” was planned for Friday night “on a real beach.”

In a Facebook post Saturday, Schiff said police officers were monitoring plans for the party on social media, which advised people to take the A train to the 88th Street station in Ozone Park, then call a cell phone number to be picked up by van and taken to “a secret location” where the party was to take place.

Schiff confirmed that the location was Charles Park, which has a small beachfront facing Jamaica Bay. He explained how the NYPD, along with National Park Police, which oversees Gateway National Recreation Area, a national park that includes Charles Park, worked together to bust the Friday night event.

“The 106th Precinct came up with a plan that involved our Harbor Unit who would search our shore line and the Federal Park Police who would patrol the park and the weeds to discover the location and stop it before the party took root,” Schiff said in the Facebook post. “As it turned out, the 106th Precinct followed that van and discovered the secret location within Charles Park at around 11 p.m.. We contacted the Federal Park Police who then issued a federal summons to the DJ for assembly with no permit.”

Proposal to gate entrances to FMCP at night

From DNA Info:

The city is considering adding gates to entrances of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to put the brakes on late-night partying and "reckless" racing after dark, officials said.

Roads through the park stay open overnight because drivers use it as a shortcut to highways, officials said.

But it also gives late-night partiers and "drifters" — drivers who speed their car then let their wheels spin out of control — access to the park, according to police.

While local precincts have boosted enforcement — a recent bust yielded dozens of summonses — the Parks Department, along with the NYPD, said they're now looking at other ways to control the activity.

At a recent Community Board 3 meeting, Deputy Inspector Christopher Manson from the 110th Precinct said the entrances will be closed by July 1. The entrances are near Meadow Lake and Marina West inside the park.

Loud parties continue at Flushing Meadows

Hello Queens Crap,

I live near Bowne Park and every weekend in the summer from 11pm to the wee hours of the morning I hear LOUD, blaring, bass-filled reggaeton/rap/latin music. It is so loud that even when I wear ear plugs, I can still feel the base. I can even hear the lyrics!

This happens EVERY summer. You even have multiple articles on it. However, NOTHING is getting done. I emailed stinky aka Paul Vallone, but he said there is nothing he can do about it. What?! Why not? There has got to be some law against this! My 4 and 7 year old daughters wake up nearly every weekend complaining of the noise.

I have tried calling 311, using their app, and even calling the 110th Precinct. Nothing is getting done. A few times after I called, the music stopped and my 311 app said "multiple summonses were issued', but this is obviously not enough, because the next week, or even hours later it will begin again.

As you can see, I am desperate. PLEASE HELP!! It is driving me crazy.

Flushing is down the drain

Thanks,

D

Has anyone else out there heard this?

Hey Crappy,

I almost forgot but was quickly reminded this past Saturday night of illegal parties happening near flushing meadows on every Saturday night of the summer. The parties go until the hours of the AM. I'm in Kew Gardens Hills but it sounds like its down the block from me. Curious if anyone in the surrounding areas hear it.

Crappy in KGH

Big campaign donor paid for DeBlasios' costumes

From the Observer:

Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray were decked out in Greek finery at Tuesday’s Gracie Mansion Halloween party, and they didn’t have to pay a single drachma.

The First Couple’s Halloween costumes were paid for by Broadway Stages, a Brooklyn company whose employees donated $25,000 to Mr. de Blasio’s campaign. The outfits were rented from Abracadabra for $350.

Broadway Stages, a film, television and music production facility, was responsible for the mayor appearing on The Good Wife in March.

The company also paid for the costumes of 100 children from city homeless shelters who attended the Gracie monster mash.

No conflict of interest there. Nah...

No more noise!

From the Queens Chronicle:

Loud, overcrowded parties in residential neighborhoods once again will be under a microscope this summer in the NYPD’s 105th Precinct.

Civic and elected officials on Monday formally kicked off the second year of the Summer Noise Task Force, which is aimed at keeping neighborhoods free of gatherings that proliferate to the size of block parties and often have music blaring through commercial-sized speakers.

“We’re not saying you can’t have fun in your backyard,” Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) said outside the Laurelton Library. “What we don’t want is parties with 300 or 400 people. Our neighborhoods can’t take that.”

The noise task force is a joint effort on the part of civic organizations, elected officials and the precinct to be proactive and deal with such parties before they start.

Faith Hill of Springfield Gardens said the music from some of the parties can be heard two or more blocks away.

“It might start out something small in people’s backyard,” she said. “But 400 people show up because they post the party on Facebook and Twitter.”

Richards also said some take place when homeowners rent out their backyards to party organizers.

“People they don’t even know,” he said.

The councilman did say that the NYPD now has the authority under some circumstances to seize the speakers and DJ equipment.

Shirley sprung from the joint and tweeders party

From the Times Ledger:

The Rev. Charles Norris Sr. and Clergy United for Community Empowerment welcomed former state Sen. Shirley Huntley back from prison with a party Tuesday.

Norris said close to 75 people gathered to greet Huntley, who represented Jamaica, Springfield Gardens and St. Albans in Albany, including representatives from U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks’ (D-Jamaica) office and state Assemblyman William Scarborough’s (D-St. Albans) office.

The homecoming bash was held at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center.

“It was very well-attended,” Norris said of the event organized by CUCE, a coalition dedicated to empowering African Americans, where the minister serves as executive secretary. “She’s home and that’s good.”

Norris said CUCE was very proud to organize the party and emphasized that Huntley had served her time.

“She doesn’t owe anybody anything,” he said.

Huntley was sentenced to 366 days in prison after pleading guilty to mail fraud in an effort to cover up a scheme she used to pocket more than $87,000 from taxpayers.

But the Federal Bureau of Prison website shows she was released after about 10 months.

Art gallery building unstable

From NBC:

A landmark building on the Lower East Side was evacuated Monday evening after firefighters responding to a smoke alarm noticed floors were shaking and beams were cracked inside, setting off concerns over possible instability, officials say.

Crews were called to The Angel Orensanz Center at 172 Norfolk St. at about 7:30 p.m. for a smoke alarm going off, according to FDNY Deputy Chief Jim Hodgens on the scene. Firefighters determined the alarm was set off by smoke from cooking.

While they were investigating, firefighters were notified that the floors above were shaking, Hodgens said. Firefighters discovered several beams were cracked, signaling a possibly unstable structure, and immediately began evacuating the building.

About 500 people had to leave the building.

The building is a former synagogue that was restored as an art gallery and performance space in the 1980s, according to the venue's website.

Don't rent to strangers

From Gawker:

On Friday night, a comedian named Ari Teman rented out his Manhattan apartment on Airbnb to a man named David who said he was looking for a place for his family to stay while in New York for a wedding. What Teman accidentally discovered later was that his apartment was being prepared to host an orgy.

Just click the link to read the rest of the sordid story.

Synagogue gets green light to evict caterer

From the Queens Chronicle:

The Rockwood Park Jewish Center has moved one step closer to evicting its caterers, who are accused of holding raucous parties on Saturday nights without the congregation’s knowledge that caused friction between the synagogue and nearby residents.

On Dec. 20, a judge in the state Supreme Court denied a request by J&M Catering, the parent company of Crown Royale Caterers, which operates in the Howard Beach synagogue at 156-45 84 St., to toss out a case the temple’s lawyers have filed seeking the eviction of the caterers and the voiding of the contract between the two sides.

Gary Rosen, Rockwood Park’s lawyer, said the decision now allows them to move forward with the eviction.

Queens Machine loses if Mark-Viverito wins

From the Daily News:

The election to choose a City Council speaker is three weeks away, but that hasn’t stopped allies of Democratic front-runner Melissa Mark-Viverito from celebrating.

In a move likely to rankle her detractors, Mark-Viverto’s political club has already begun organizing her “victory” party, the Daily News has learned.

Club leaders say the ascension of the East Harlem pol would be so historic — Mark-Viverito is vying to become the first Hispanic speaker — that a big bash is warranted.

A club official said Mark-Viverito is “in no way, shape or form involved in planning” for the party.

But Mark-Viverito has acted like the race for speaker is a done deal, even though the position will not be filled until all 51 Council members vote Jan. 8.

If this holds up, Joe Crowley's power will be seriously curbed. While I am not a fan of Mark-Viverito for her positions and the fact that we really don't need another Speaker who is a clone of the mayor, seeing the Queens Machine get castrated would give me much pleasure. Big losers would be: Costa Constantinides, Mark Weprin, Elizabeth Crowley, Paul Vallone, Karen Koslowitz and Rory Lancman.

Stairs collapse, fire escape unstable, FDNY evacuates kids from roof

From Daily News

From CBS New York:

An early-morning rooftop party in the East Village ended Sunday morning after a stairwell collapsed, sending a man falling at least two stories.

More than 30 college-aged students at the party were trapped on the roof after the accident that occurred around 1 a.m., an FDNY spokesman said. Firefirghters used a ladder and cherry-picker basket to rescue them from the top of the seven-story building at 159 Second Ave., near East 10th Street.

“They also tried to get everyone off the fire escape, but the fire escape is not deemed to code,” a partygoer who lives in the building told WCBS 880′s Monica Miller reported. “So when they were actually trying to get people off, some of the rings were breaking. So that’s why they were bucketing people because there was literally no access in and out of that building, and the elevator wasn’t working either.”

The man who fell was admitted to Bellevue Hospital. He injured his leg and suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung, 1010 WINS’ Glenn Schuck reported. The man was apparently jumping up and down on the landing.