Recently, the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation embarked upon an innovative program designed to facilitate shortened commute times by bus. Through the implementation of the Select Bus Service or SBS, commuters along the route of the BX 12 can enjoy distinctively decorated buses that are clean, climate controlled and able traverse through traffic with ease, shortening commuting time. The SBS Program is a success. However, an unintended consequence has occurred at the Pelham Bay stations of the bus. The SBS buses are known as articulated buses. This is a standard sized bus with a trailer. There are three SBS buses that use SBS stations on Burr Avenue between Westchester Avenue and Wilkinson Avenue. They leave from Pelham Bay and travel to Inwood in Manhattan, or Orchard Beach or the Bay Plaza Shopping Mall in Co-op City. The same area is also served by the traditional BX 12 bus, also an articulated model. When these buses line up the along Burr Avenue, their sheer size and bulk, make it nearly impossible for cars and other vehicles to pass through Burr Avenue, contributing to a serious traffic congestion problem. Both agencies have been requested by the Board to survey this situation, with an eye towards placing the traditional BX 12 bus, at another location in the general vicinity of the others, to allow for a smoother flow of traffic.
The Pelham Bay and Throggs Neck communities have been plagued by overnight tractor trailers parking on city streets. The presence of these large vehicles on our streets, deprive residents of valuable parking spaces. After being alerted to the problem by the Board, New York City Traffic Enforcement booted the wheels of several trucks and removed others to a tow pound. Speaking of trucks, CB 10 is home to Interstate 95 or the New England Thruway. The New England Thruway is linked to the Cross Bronx Expressway, providing a north-south and east to west linkages for all goods carried by trucks. There are protocols for trucks carrying nuclear or explosive materials, calling for the registration of these vehicles with local emergency authorities, but there are no protocols in place for those trucks carrying chlorine gas, oils, solvents or other volatile materials. If our first responders are to effectively deal with one of these trucks, after an accident, new regulations must be put into place. To this end, the Board has contacted organs of New York State government to put new protocols into place allowing our emergency responders to know when hazardous materials are passing through I-95.
While the community rejoiced in the assignment of new officers to the 45th Precinct, there apparently were no new officers assigned to the Transit Bureau, District 12. This is the police agency that patrols the IRT #6 train. With the large number of commuters within the Board’s service area using the #6 train, coupled with the high school students, also using the train, it is imperative that that this line has an adequate number of officers to patrol it. To address this situation, the Board has contacted the Police Commissioner and requested the assignment of additional officers to Transit Bureau, District 12.
The NYPD Citizen Police Academy is a cooperative venture between the public and the NYPD that was designed to foster an understanding of the role of the police in the community, the training that the officers receive and the challenges faced by police professionals. The NYPD Citizen Police Academy is a fourteen week training program that is based on the same material offered NYPD Academy recruits. Participation in the Academy’s program will provide those interested in police services with an excellent opportunity to gain insight in the operations of one of the most dynamic police agencies in the world, the NYPD. The NYPD Citizen Police Academy meets on Monday or Tuesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Registration for the Academy will be held on the 2nd Floor Auditorium of the New York City Police Academy, located at 235 E. 20th Street, between 2nd and 3rd avenues, on August 15, at 6 p.m. Additional information on this program can be obtained by contacting officer Kenneth Fernandez at (718) 924-8047.
Lawn litter is a major problem within our community board’s service area. Homeowners must contend with unwanted leaflets, solicitations and fliers left on their lawns and stoops. The problem became so apparent, that the New York State Legislature passed, and the governor signed an amendment to the General Business Law, Section 397-A, which allows property owners to place a sign in a visible area at the front of their homes advising advertisers that that homeowner is not interested in having unsolicited advertisements left at their property. This new law is also known as the Lawn Litter Law. New York City Department of Sanitation Enforcement agents began their enforcement efforts on August 2. If an advertiser drops circulars on your lawn, stoop, or in the case of a multiple dwelling, a lobby and the material is unsolicited, by virtue of the fact that an advisory sign has been posted, that advertiser could face a $250 fine. According to the Department of Sanitation the sign must be five inches tall and seven inches wide, with clearly legible letters that are one inch in size, Do Not Place Unsolicited Advertising Materials On this Property. In the case of multiple dwellings, signs should be put up indicating the number of dwellings wishing to receive the unsolicited advertisements and where they should be placed. Signage should be placed on lawns or doors.
Property owners receiving the unwanted ads may complete a citizen complaint form against the unwanted ads being placed on their property; the ad must be enclosed with the complaint form and sent to the Director of Enforcement, NYC Department of Sanitation, c/o Unsolicited Advertisement Enforcement, 1824 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11214.
Complaint forms can be received by contacting 311 or visiting the Department of Sanitation’s website at www.nyc.gov/sanitation. Complainants may be contacted by the Environmental Control Board to provide testimony about the unwanted ads.
The board routinely receives complaints about sanitation issues, and one of the most prolific complaints concern dog walkers, who do not clean up after their canine friends.
It is imperative to the health of community that anyone who has an animal companion, clean up after their friend. Please remember to do this, it is the law. If you are walking your dog in any of our parks, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has published a pamphlet entitled Dogs In Parks, A Guide. Some basic guidelines include keeping your dog on a leash no more than six feet long, except in those areas that have designated as no leash, at the prescribed time. When your canine friend needs to relieve him or herself, make sure that this activity is not on the grass and clean up after your friend. Additional guidelines can be obtained by visiting www.nyc.gov/parksdogs.
The board office is ready to assist you with any problem or concern that you may be having with a city agency. Our office is opened from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Our phone number is (718) 892-1161, fax number is (718) 863-6860 and our e-mail is BX10@CB.nyc.gov.
