For the first time since the Bloomberg administration adopted a policy prohibiting churches from renting space in public schools, a chasidic kehillah organization has been adversely impacted and was nearly forced to cancel a popular and important annual event this past weekend. Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Brooklyn), who rallied against the change in policy before the mayor’s State of the City Address last month, is now calling on Albany to immediately pass legislation overturning the misguided decision by the Department of Education banning religious groups from renting public school space for services.

Each year, as many as 1,000 local Orthodox Jewish residents who are supporters of the Toldos Avrohomm Yitzchok Chasidus gather in Borough Park to welcome the Rebbe, who travels from Eretz Yisroel to Brooklyn annually for this event. The event, a Shabbos tish, is usually held in the rear yard of PS 180 at 16th Avenue and 56th Street. Greenfield normally facilitates this and other religious gatherings through his relationship with the Department of Education. However, Greenfield’s efforts to secure the location this year were rebuffed for the first time due to Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s decision to prohibit religious-based organizations from using any public school property for services, even though the groups only use the facilities after school hours and pay the same rental fee that all non-profit groups pay. Organizers of the Borough Park event scrambled to secure a new location and to redirect hundreds of attendees at the last minute. Full Story »

Due to the critical threat coming from Iran, and as a zechus for the Gedolei Yisroel who are seriously ill, at the request of the Rabonim, there has been arranged a KINUS TESHUVA THIS MONDAY FEB 20 PRESIDENTS DAY
לידע מהו חובת השעה
At: Bais HaMedrash Karlin Stolin 4609-16 Ave @ 1:00 PM
Divray Hisorirus from Gedolei Harabonim
Novominsker Rebbe Shlita, Rav Yosef Rosenblum Shlita
Rav Moshe Green Shlita, Rav Avrohom Schorr Shlita
Mincha will follow. Full Story »

[Click HERE for photos by Chaim Greenbaum]

A double-parked car was totaled in a hit-and-run accident, Wednesday night. The crash happened on 45th Street between 14th and 15th Avenues. The fleeing vehicle was a Ford Explorer. Thankfully, police are hot on his tail, because his license plate fell off. That plate number is FJD 5714. Please contact police if you have any information. Full Story »

[Click HERE for photos by Yoel Goldstein]

An pedestrian walking on 47th Street and 9th Avenue, noticed two Hispanic males stealing items from a vehicle and running away, Tuesday afternoon. The man yelled at them and chased the perps, and then attempted to physically stop them from running away. The perps punched the man in the face, and were able to flee the scene. The Police responded to the scene very quickly, and began canvassing the area looking for the suspects. Boro Park Hatzolah was called for the victim who was left with facial trauma. He was taken to a local hospital by East Midwood Volunteer Ambulance.

No arrests were made. Full Story »

Brooklyn, NY – Councilman David Greenfield and the New York City Parks Department unveiled the design for the neighborhood’s newest playground, which will be located in the large rear yard of PS 192 at 18th Avenue and 47th Street in Borough Park. The public playground, funded by Greenfield (D-Brooklyn), is moving forward with construction expected to begin later this year. Once complete, the playground will include several play areas appropriate for all ages and abilities, new fitness equipment, a synthetic turf field and one play area specifically designed to accommodate children in wheelchairs. Greenfield contributed $1,200,000 over the past two years to fund this project in collaboration with New York City’s Schoolyards to Playgrounds initiative.

“I eagerly look forward to the opening of this new playground, which is part of my effort to ensure that all residents have access to recreation areas. I’m particularly excited that this project will feature equipment suitable for all children, including those who are wheelchair bound, which is something that is sorely lacking in the area. This project will benefit Borough Park and Midwood families for decades to come and represents a great investment in our community. I thank the Parks Department, Community Board 12 and leadership of PS 192 for working with me on a design that maximizes a rare parcel of open space in the community,” said Greenfield.

The schematic design work is already complete for the PS 192 playground project and construction is expected to begin this fall. Once complete, this totally new playground and park will serve residents living near the schoolyard at 47th Street and 18th Avenue, a section of Borough Park currently underserved by recreation options. Students at PS 192 will be able to use the park during school hours, and the community will have complete access to it during non-school hours – after 3 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. Full Story »

Tomorrow (Thursday) will be the Monthly 66 precinct Community Council meeting at 5910 13th Avenue at 7:30pm. You are invited to come meet Deputy Inspector John Sprague, the Commanding Officer of the 66 Precinct update the community on the latest crimes in our community, and what is being done about it. There is also an opportunity to bring any crime issues you may have to their attention. You can also find out about the many different programs available that may be of interest to you.

The event is open to the public so let your friends and neighbors know. Full Story »

[Click HERE to watch this video from a mobile device]

This video was taken on Motzei Shabbos, on 57th Street between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue. A frightened neighbor who was awakened by the loud sounds, and flashes, took this video. The FDNY arrived, who called the electric company, and the situation was brought under control. Full Story »

[Click HERE for photos by Yoel Goldstein]

Boro Park Shomrim apprehended a burglar stealing copper piping from a construction site, Sunday afternoon. The incident happened at 1143 41st Street, and Shomrim received reports of two suspicious men climbing the wall of a construction site. The person told Shomrim that the men were holding tools for cutting – including an axe.

Shomrim caught one of the men red-handed in the backyard trying to steal copper pipes, and later caught another perpetrator in the basement of the premises.

The police arrived and placed both men under arrest. Full Story »

[Click HERE for photos by Chaim Greenbaum]

A vehicle speeding down 56th Street and 11th Avenue, Saturday night, slammed into two parked cars, before the driver jumped out and fled on foot. Eye-witnesses state that the driver jumped out of his vehicle (an SUV) after the impact, ripped off his license plates from his vehicle, and fled on foot. The police and Shomrim were called, but he fled the area before being apprehended. One vehicle suffered extensive damage.

One resident told BoroParkScoop.com that a relative of the driver walked into the 66th Precinct late at night on behalf of the driver. It was not confirmed if this was in fact authentic information or not. Full Story »

[Click HERE for photos by Yoel Goldstein] Full Story »