Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) has organized a volunteer neighborhood block watch. We had done successfully this several years ago to report dangerous conditions with the construction and operation of the garbage station, and some years ago to report problems at a troubled neighborhood high school. In order to identify where there is a lack of city or state services, I decided to organize a volunteer neighborhood block watch where we recruit volunteers who will be my eyes and ears in the zip codes 11204, 11223, 11214, and 11228. Whenever they’ll see a quality of life problem, they will be notifying my office.

“I had walked through some streets of my district and had found a number of city garbage pails overflowing with the garbage that hasn’t been picked up in a while. I do not believe that it should be fully blamed on sanitation workers, many of whom have families in the neighborhood and want to keep it clean. Of course, there are always a few bad apples in every profession that needs to be weeded out. But the real problem is caused by the Mayor’s budget cuts to the Department of Sanitation which are placing impossible requirements on the workers. Unfortunately, there is a small number of people who are being encouraged by the city policies not to foster respect for the law nor strong enforcement against those who break the law. Those individuals who are dumping household trash into city pails also promote vermin, rodents, unsanitary health conditions, and the law must be enforced by issuing fines,” Colton stated.

“There are signs of the decline of our City all around us. Disrespect of the law, rising crime, school opening plans in chaos, garbage littered streets, rising hate crimes, declining neighborhood businesses, and on and on. We can choose to grumble among ourselves, we can say we will move, or we can say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! make a stand and demand government officials to do something when we see something wrong. Therefore, I started this major project of mobilizing NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK WATCH volunteers. I invite all neighborhood organizations, churches, synagogues, mosques, civic groups, and social organizations to ask their members to become part of this project. Let's get the word out that our community is united in demanding the best for all our families, no matter what race, ethnicity, or religion. I cannot travel to inspect every part of the neighborhood every day. I need your eyes, and ears in reporting to me what you see, and I will report it to the proper agency. We may not be able to resolve partisan political policies, except where they impact the delivery or non-delivery of what services the neighborhood needs, but we can act on the growing number of quality of life issues that threaten to keep our neighborhood from being a great place to live, work and raise a family. Let's get together and let the community know what their options are when a government official does not do their job. Become a part of the solution by adding your name and your eyes and ears to the NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK WATCH by calling my office at 718 236 1598 or email me at coltonw@nyassembly.gov Please call my office only with non-emergency issues. All other life-threatening emergencies please dial 911,” Colton added.