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for larger version       Stop The Music I have lived in some of the most dangerous cities plagued with gang violence but I had never thought that Far Rockaway would take this turn for the worst. Last Saturday from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m., my family endured over 10 hours of repetitive soundtracks of gun shooting, shattering glass and so called "ganster rap." By 12:30 a.m. I called the 101 Precinct to report the "music" playing outside from loudspeakers off of Beach 26 Street, only to have the officer tell me to "be patient". By that point I felt I had been patient. In fact after listening to this daily ritual all summer long this has been getting old. I think this community has been all too patient. On a street that has already had two gang related killings this year, I would hope the police would take our calls a bit more seriously. This is not music, culture or personal expression; this is outright violence. The 101 Precinct doesn't respond after 10 hours of the community calling in and they expect people to be patient. It turns out over 10 other neighbors also called that night, and we still didn't get a police cruiser to put a stop to this. WHY? As taxpayers, the first time should be a warning, the second time a summons and the third time confiscate the equipment. I find it difficult to believe that people on my block get a $350 summons for having ice on their sidewalk and these guys don't get anything for setting up their stereo equipment, and speakers outside that no one takes notice. Hate-filled, racist, sexist ranting described, as "gangster rap" is demeaning and offensive to women, and people of color. It promotes a life of negativity, violence and hate. I work everyday to teach my kids tolerance and to appreciate people of all races. Yet listening to endless hours of this, does just the opposite and we should all be concerned. I have come to know many of the children in my neighborhood and I know these kids are scared by this stuff but they cannot say anything about it out of fear. It is the responsibility of the police and adults to look out for our children and "to protect and serve" the community. If they aren't willing to stop this then children see that this incites fear and will only consider this as a measure to intimidate others. There is nothing intimidating about this behavior to me. This is just loud, disrespectful to everyone and needs to stop. I hope the 101 Precinct steps up their efforts to respond to the community and to seriously address this problem before it escalates even more. JEANNE DUPONT | |||||
