Police revealed the identity of the 22-year-old man killed in yesterday’s shootout near P.S. 194 in Gerritsen Beach: George D’Amato Jr., the son of a retired court officer.
His father, George D’Amato Sr., told the New York Post:
His devastated dad, George D’Amato Sr., said his son — who “had minor scrapes with the law, nothing serious” — worked at a Duane Reade, but yesterday told him “he wanted a day off.”
“I told him to go to work,” said the father, a former court officer.
“I am retired law-enforcement myself. I know what it’s like. I can’t blame the officer. He did what he had to do,” the dad said.
Over at GerritsenBeach.net they’ve dug up D’Amato’s police record, which appears to be a history of minor property damage and fights. All told, the residents of the community who frequent the site – some of who knew D’Amato – appear to agree the police officer did what he had to do. But always eager to find something to rabidly bicker about, commenters turned to discussing whether the kid “got what he deserved.” Your thoughts?
From the NYPD Deputy Commission of Public Information’s office:
On Monday March 8, 2010 at approximately 1510 hours, in the rear of 3117 Avenue W (P.S. 194), in the confines of the 61 Precinct, police received a 911 call of a man with a gun. Upon arrival, a uniformed police officer encountered a M/W/22 who pointed what appeared to be a silver handgun at the officer. The officer discharged three (3) rounds, striking the suspect. EMS transported the suspect to Coney Island Hospital where he is pronounced dead at 1611 hours. The Investigation is ongoing.
The statement came via GerritsenBeach.net, which also says the person with the toy gun was a Gerritsen Beach kid that lived on Ebony Court. We can’t confirm that.
Related Stories:
BREAKING: Police Shooting Near P.S. 194
The proposed overhaul of Paerdegat Basin Bridge includes building two new structures
and demolishing the existing bridge
At 10:00 p.m. tonight, Department of Transportation workers will shut down lanes in both directions of the Belt Parkway, moving forward with a seven-year renovation plan of the highway’s bridges and overpasses.
The first lane closures will occur between the Fresh Creek and the Paerdegat Bridges. The closures – which occur during nights, weekends, and non-rush hour afternoons – are required for the installation of temporary concrete barriers, lighting, and paving and the removal of existing lighting systems and median guiderail. The expected duration of this phase of work is 6 to 8 weeks.
Continue reading to see the schedule of lane closures and find out more about DOT’s plans.
When I pull into a gas station, I go with the mentality that even a tap against one of the pumps will lead to an explosion that’ll take out half of Brooklyn. Sure, it’s not realistic, but it keeps me from making an irresponsible move. The driver who nailed this pump at the Mobile station on Knapp Street and Gerritsen Avenue should’ve been thinking more like me. We’re not exactly sure what happened here, as the attendant on hand kept mum about the incident, but we do know it happened last night. The truck there now wasn’t involved; it’s there to protect people from being hurt. What’s going on in Brooklyn these days? Cars ramming gas pumps? Autos going for a swim? Buses forgetting that they can’t weave in traffic like bikers? It must be because 2012 is closing in. Damn Mayans…
(Photos and tip courtesy of Arthur B.)
Councilman Fidler sent over a letter from the president of MTA Bus regarding BM3/BM4 service, discussed at last week’s subway meeting. MTA says a decrease in riders is the reason for cutting BM3 service, though we heard whispers that the ridership survey was done on a Jewish holiday. And now that there’s no B express, and as complaints roll in about congested cars on both lines, more people will be interested in a bus alternative. But gripes aside, they say they’re looking into scheduling an earlier BM4 bus. Congrats, residents of Gerritsen Beach. Now when do we get something?
Continue Reading »
Local leaders pressed MTA officials and the agency’s contractor for proposals and promises from the authority this morning, but the biggest payoff appears to be for residents of Gerritsen Beach and communities east of Sheepshead Bay.
“Did a magic bullet appear? No,” said Councilman Lew Fidler of the meeting. “The thing that probably will come out of it – and we’re optimistic will come out of it – and it doesn’t affect a whole lot of people, but it does affect Weinstein’s constituents and mine – there was some willingness to consider reversing some of the service cuts on the BM3 and BM4 buses. That’s the thing we’re most optimistic will happen, but obviously it doesn’t help the vast majority of people affected by the construction.”
It appears the MTA came unaware of the demands and complaints awaiting them.
“They were there to tell their side of the story, and I think that’s all they thought they were there for,” said George Broadhead, president of the Gerritsen Beach Property Owners Association. Broadhead said they came to discuss the construction plans, not alter them. However, the meeting changed direction when Broadhead brought up the recent service changes to the BM3 and BM4 buses, which provide alternative Manhattan-bound service to Gerritsen Beach and the eastern portion of Sheepshead Bay. Those bus routes now leave many riders with only the handicapped B/Q line.
The MTA officials present only represented the subway service, and according to sources at the meeting, they were unaware of the bus division’s actions and dismissed it as the other branch’s responsibility.
“[State Senator Carl] Kruger blew his top,” said one source who asked not to be named. “[The MTA was] there to really apologize for all the bullcrap. But I think they got a taste of it from Kruger.”
Kruger scolded the MTA for its dismissive attitude towards bus alternatives, reportedly saying, “We bailed you out with billions of tax-payer dollars, and now you’re telling me the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing?” Continue Reading »
The woman struck on Nostrand Avenue and Avenue Z on Thursday is in critical condition. The driver – an ex-con with convictions for drugs and driving without a license – is awaiting arraignment for charges of vehicular assault, drunken driving, and reckless driving.
From the Daily News:
A drunken ex-con three times over the legal limit mowed down a Brooklyn woman walking home from work – leaving her with horrendous injuries, sources said Friday.
Olga Skibina, 22, was headed to her Gerritsen Beach home when a wasted Zachary Kitt barreled his 1997 Ford van into her Thursday evening, police said.
She was in critical condition at Lutheran Medical Center Friday with severe brain, facial and lung injuries.
“We’re hoping it’s not going to get any worse,” said the victim’s stepfather, Alex Litvachkis, 44.
Earlier reports:
Another Accident on Nostrand and Ave Z
Accident on Nostrand and Ave Z: Update
We recently reported that the Brighton Beach Finance Branch of the Post Office will be leaving its current location at 3157 Coney Island Ave (11235-9993) and is looking for a new home. In the meantime, the Sheepshead Bay Branch will have to pick up the extra slack.
Follow the jump for a list of other post office locations in the 11229 and 11235 zip codes area, if you are concerned about the Sheepshead Bay branch’s long lines. Feel free to do a customized search by address, zip code, or state or call (800) ASK-USPS for more information.
Continue Reading »
(Bus schedules altered to show proposed cuts)
This is our third post within a week about issues affecting South Brooklyn commuters. The MTA is planning to disconnect residents of Sheepshead Bay, Gerritsen Beach, and Marine Park from access to subway during the weekend and at night with a plan to:
-increase the cost of Express bus service to $7.50 from $5,
-discontinue B2 weekend bus service, and
-discontinue B31 overnight bus service.
Read more about how the proposed changes will affect service at GerritsenBeach.net and tell the MTA what you think of these cuts by signing the online petition. Forward the petition link to all of your friends and make sure the MTA knows that we’re part of New York City and need this bus service.
THe MTA surveys and data, based on Metrocard swipes, say ridership is too low at these times to justify running the service. You can read the 74-page official report about the proposed cuts and budgeting for the next year, then tell us what you think.
You might also like to join NYPIRG’s Straphangers campaign readers’ diaries and political discussion thread about the MTA cuts.
