May 10, 2008: Vol. 31, No. 19
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Butler Street all ‘crack’ed up?
The Brooklyn Paper
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del.icio.usResidents of Butler Street in Boerum Hill say police aren’t doing enough to crack down on drug dealing and prostitution stemming from two abandoned houses on their block.
In spite of six months of complaints to police and elected officials, residents of Butler Street say their block is still putting up with a brazen surge in illicit behavior in the rundown buildings between Nevins and Bond streets.
And they think they know why.
“If I was on Carroll Street and Smith Street, there’s no way this would be happening,” said Andrew Robinson, who contacted The Brooklyn Paper.
“I’ve been on the block for 10 years and there’s always been a problem, but in the last six months, the two houses have gotten out of control,” with people openly injecting and smoking drugs on the front steps of the shanties and ladies of the night offering their services on the street, he said.
People who have called 911 say they have been told that nothing can be done without the assistance of the property owners (whom could not be reached by The Brooklyn Paper).
“I feel like everybody’s complaining, but nothing’s getting done,” said George Rodriguez. “I live across the street, so I see what’s going on. … Squatters moved in. It’s got broken windows. There’s a lot of garbage in front and a lot of junkies and prostitutes go in and out,” Rodriguez said.
A 76th Precinct source told The Brooklyn Paper that the complaints are always checked out and that this block is receiving some extra attention.
“We have some narcotics officers watching the buildings now,” the source said.
He said the mischief is not quite as rampant as described, saying that a recent late-night patrol down the street showed no suspicious activity.
“We’re keeping an eye on it,” he said.
Butler Street residents certainly hope so.
©2008 The Brooklyn Paper
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