Sandy victims in Brooklyn are concerned as a Gerritsen Beach community relief tent could be forced to shut down for the winter.
Gerritsen Beach residents are still reeling from the damage done by Superstorm Sandy. Now they're rallying to keep their neighborhood relief center open through the winter.
"It means a lot to me because I've got a lot of things here and it really makes me believe there's hope in this community," said Teresa McLinden, a Gerrtisen Beach resident.
More than 100 people turned out to show support for the Gerritsen Beach Cares Relief Center. Even 10 weeks after the storm, they're still busy every day, serving the immediate needs of about 200-300 residents and guiding them to relief resources.
"We call it triage. Like figuring out who needs the most help and getting that proper help directly to them," said volunteer Kelly Mead. "Direct them to the proper resources. Every day we find new people who don't even know about rapid repairs or have signed up for FEMA or haven't had their home cleaned out."
While volunteers collected signatures of support on a petition, a psychologist gave out survivor bears (teddy bears) and told the crowd about free mental health counseling. It's just one of many services offered.
"It's a great resource for people who lost so much, to be able to come here and get the help they need," said resident Rachel McShane.
Volunteers cleared out a tent Sunday donated by the fire department. It's being taken down because it cannot withstand winter weather. All the food was moved to a studier tent donated by the National Guard that can be winterized, one or two provided by the National Guard. The OEM spokesperson told Fox 5 there are no plans to shut down the site. But it's not clear yet if the state will allow the National Guard tents to stay.
"We will survive. We will get through this but the reality is how much better everyone would be if everybody comes together, works together and helps each other," said Michael Taylor, Executive Director of the OEM.
Organizers tell Fox 5 the petitions will go to city and state officials with the hope they'll convince them to keep the neighborhood relief center open and allow Gerritsen Beach residents to continue helping each other.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:21:23 GMT
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:02 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:02:34 GMT
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Sunday, June 16 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-06-17 00:46:40 GMT
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:19:15 GMT
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
Saturday, June 15 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-16 01:46:35 GMT
Police are searching for the suspect who robbed a woman before crashing into a home in Brooklyn attempting to drive off with her purse Saturday morning. The suspect held up the woman on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue T and then tried to flee in his white Nissan Maxima. He crashed the vehicle into a home on Beverley Road and Lott Street around 7:15 a.m., according to police.
Police are searching for the suspect who robbed a woman before crashing into a home in Brooklyn attempting to drive off with her purse Saturday morning. The suspect held up the woman on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue T and then tried to flee in his white Nissan Maxima. He crashed the vehicle into a home on Beverley Road and Lott Street around 7:15 a.m., according to police.
Friday, June 14 2013 3:02 PM EDT2013-06-14 19:02:28 GMT
Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud charges. A federal judge sentenced Espada on Friday in Brooklyn.
Former state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to tax fraud charges. A federal judge sentenced Espada on Friday in Brooklyn.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:32 AM EDT2013-06-14 14:32:37 GMT
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in the killing of a livery cab driver.
Brooklyn community advocates are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in the killing of a livery cab driver.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:42:53 GMT
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
A line of thunderstorms caused some damage and street flooding in New Jersey on Thursday, but the threat of longer, widespread heavy rain and flooding in the tristate area has diminished.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:15:30 GMT
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
Law enforcement officials nationwide are demanding the creation of a "kill switch" that would render smartphones inoperable after they are stolen, New York's top prosecutor said.
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