We received the following press release from the Flatbush Shomrim:
In response to recent reports from local and federal law enforcement agencies that Identity Theft is at all time high in our community, Flatbush Shomrim has arranged a FREE on-site shredding event before Pesach.
The FREE shredding event is scheduled for this Sunday, March 17th from noon to 4pm, rain or shine. A LionCage Shredding truck will be parked across from HASC – 1221 East 14th Street between Ave. L and Locust Ave.
Organizers have advised that this free service is available for residence only and not for businesses. Limit 1-2 boxes/bags per family. Items to bring include old tax returns, expired IDs, credit cards, sensitive documents etc. Paper only. No metal, plastic or general trash. No need to remove paper clips or staples.
Many of you will have documents that you no longer need. That doesn’t mean you should throw them out in the regular trash. “Identity theft is real” explains Mark from LionCage Shredding. “Especially in this economy, a trash can is a gold mine for ID thieves.”
This event is endorsed by Flatbush Shomrim. “With identity thefts at an all time high, you cannot afford to miss this event” explains Chaim Deutsch. “Taking advantage of this free on-site shredding event is one more easy step to prevent yourself from becoming the next victim,” he warned.
A special thanks to Chaim Deutsch for arranging this free event.
For more information about LionCage Shredding for your business, please call 718.575.LION (5466) or visit them online at: www.LionCage.com
This event is not paid with taxpayer funds.
Source: Kalexanderson / Flickr
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the lasting repercussions from Superstorm Sandy, the Bay Improvement Group (BIG) will be partnering with Project HOPE to offer a 90-minute support group session with professional counselors for Sheepshead Bay residents impacted by the storm.
The session will be held behind closed doors from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., on Thursday, January 24, in a conference room in BIG’s Mobile Command Center (Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol), just west of 3031 Emmons Avenue.
If you feel you would benefit from the opportunity to share your frustrations and, in the process, help others, please attend. There is no requirement to sign up or give your name — just show up. According to BIG Founder and President Steve Barrison, “If enough people show, we’ll set them up with Project HOPE,” which conducts humanitarian assistance programs in more than 35 countries.
If you feel you or someone you know needs to speak to someone immediately, contact (800) 543-3638.
Correction (January 29): The original version of this article stated that HOPE stood for Health Opportunities for People Everywhere. The was incorrect. Health Opportunities for People Everywhere is a different Project HOPE, and is an international program. The Project HOPE discussed in this article is not an acronym, and is a New York State-funded program.
Photo by Bobby Fernandez
Emergency responders grappled to navigate Southern Brooklyn’s streets in the immediate wake of Superstorm Sandy, as scores of fallen trees blocked major roadways and residential streets alike.
But rather than let a group of do-gooders clear the way for fire trucks, ambulances and police cars, the Parks Department told them to mind their business.
Brooklyn Daily reports:
Once Hurricane Sandy left the city, Flatbush Shomrim founder Chaim Deutsch and his team began cutting up and carting off more than 75 uprooted trees blocking roads and preventing first responders and supply trucks from getting around Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park, and Brighton Beach — until the city shut them down.
“We had a little problem with the Parks Department,” said Deutsch, who claimed that a Parks Department official told him to leave all the fallen trees left on city streets alone. “He said we’re not supposed to be doing that, but I said in a crisis, I’ll do whatever I have to.”
City officials told Deutsch that if the fallen tree wasn’t causing an emergency, its date with a mulch pile will have to wait two weeks — something a man with a gassed-up chainsaw at the ready can’t fathom.
… “Non-certified foresters who do not have permission from Parks should not go out with chainsaws and remove trees,” said Parks Department spokeswoman Megan Lalor. “It’s dangerous.”
According to Deutsch, who also works for Councilman Mike Nelson, Flatbush Shomrim disposed of 75 trees before the Parks Department shut them down. And in an emergency, he said, he’d do it all again.
Photo: Erica Sherman
In a press release this morning from Councilman Michael Nelson restating that his office is temporarily co-locating with State Senator David Storobin, the pol revealed that, like many of us, he too ignored evacuation orders and chose to stay in his office (1605 Voorhies Avenue) and take calls. Here’s what the release said:
On the night of the storm, the Councilman recognized the importance of his personal presence in areas of his district facing danger in order to arrange last minute evacuations and to be available to meet with emergency personnel on the scene so that everything necessary could be done for the safety and wellbeing of his constituents. Unexpectedly the Councilman’s office building located a few blocks from the bay suddenly lost power and started to flood. Nelson became trapped in his District Office at the time of the storm surge. Flooding occurred in the building’s basement, lobby, and elevator shaft and reached the 3rd step leading to the Councilmember’s first floor office. In addition, his vehicle on the street was heavily damaged. Later that evening, a little after midnight, his Chief of Operations, Chaim Deutsch rescued him.
Deutsch is also the founder of the Flatbush Shomrim, and it was actually Shomrim volunteers who risked their lives drudging through the mucky waters to save Nelson. Kudos to them for their selflessness.
Nelson actually told us about the late-night, mid-hurricane rescue mission earlier this week. We asked what he was thinking by returning to his office.
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Flatbush Shomrim will be distributing hot meals from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Sheepshead Bay on Ocean Avenue between Avenue Y and Avenue Z.
If anyone might know someone that is home bound they can send the address and to info@flatbushshomrim.org and Shomrim will deliver to them.
Although much attention has been paid locally to the problems in Gerritsen Beach and Coney Island/Seagate, few initiatives have kicked off to help those in that hard hit stretches of Sheepshead Bay, Plumb Beach, Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach.
Now, though, new collection points, recovery funds and housing initiatives have surfaced in those neighborhoods, and they’re looking for your help in helping neighbors in need:
- St. Mark Roman Catholic School: The school has kicked off a collection drive for congregants, families of students, and those who live around the institution at 2602 East 19th Street, off of Avenue Z. A list of needs can be found here. Call (718) 332-9304 for more information. (Also, school remains closed as they continue to grapple with power and heat issues.)
- Congregation Israel of Kings Bay: The synagogue is accepting donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy that are members of or live near the institution. They’re primarily seeking financial assistance. You may bring in and/or mail checks made to: Cong Israel of Kings Bay, 3903 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235. Please write “Hurricane Fund” on the memo line. For more information, call Rabbi Winner at (718) 934-5176 or e-mail rabbiyw@yahoo.com. In addition to financial donations, other needs include sump pumps, mops, handymen, and those willing to open their homes to victims who’ve lost their houses, or are without heat and hot water.
- Flatbush Shomrim: In addition to extensive recovery efforts throughout Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach and Brighton Beach, the shomrim is organizing a clothing drive at 2294 Nostrand Avenue. Call (917) 710-5112. The group is also looking for people with heat and hot water to open their homes to those who do not have heat as the cold weather moves in. If you’re willing to do so, e-mail info@flatbushshomrim.org, and include how much space you have available.
- Millennium Development/Bergen Beach Youth Organization - Okay, it’s not Sheepshead Bay, but it is serving as one of few nearby warming centers for those without heat. The group is currently sorting items and distributing them as they hear of needs for specific sizes and items. Drop offs for those giving, or pick ups for those in need can go to the JM Community Center at 2335 Bergen Avenue. If you need more information, or want to make a request for assistance, call (718) 444-0101 x 115.
We’re still waiting to hear details on other efforts, so please check back often. And, if you know of a place collecting donations or providing assistance, please leave details in the comments.
