Brooklyn Block Associations - Latest Updates

HSVK Block Association Meeting, April 20, 2026

A bit before 6:30pm on Monday, April 20, I went over to the facility for seniors at 243 Kingston Avenue for the monthly meeting of the Hampton, Sterling, Virginia and Kingston block association.  It was scheduled to last only an hour and a half, and the President, Valerie Nero kept things moving, saying at one point, “I want to wrap this up, so you can all get home for dinner.”  Eventually some seven people showed up and perhaps another five were on the phone.  Twelve is a good showing in a season where not much is happening.  At the recent St. Marks meeting at the Children's Musuem there were just six people, and my block association, Brooklyn Avenue Block Association has not had a meeting at all this month.  Dean Street is having a clean up and stoop sale on May 2, 11am to 3pm.  PLANT (Preserving Lincoln's Abundant Natural Tresures) has not had a meeting this month that I am aware of, but two of their leaders have been active at the Botanic Garden giving presentations about how to successfully participate in the Greenest Block in Brooklyn contest.  These are the five block associations I try to keep up with.

        243 Kingston 10.1

When we were all settled in, Bridget Duncan said a prayer asking that everyone participate in a constructive way to have a good meeting.  The Vice-President, Darryl Harrison read the minutes which were approved with just one minor change.  Valerie gave the report on finances, there were about $500 in the bank; she had taken out $200 to cover expenses for greening the area.

Then followed discussion on quality of life issues.  Darryl reported what he had found out about getting a lock box to prevent package theft.  There are various models of different sizes and different materials.  Several people said to avoid wooden ones.  In answer to a question Darryl said the box would be secured to the sidewalk.  Someone at 1138 Virginia Place had agreed to have the box in front of his house.  The consensus seemed to be to move ahead with this and come up with a finished proposal.  A tenant on Sterling Place complained about teens after school committing pranks near her house.  One ot them was caught and told not to make trouble anymore.  People wondered if more should be done – get names, meet with the parents, or turn the teens over to the police.  There was discussion of garbage issue.  Valerie said the new plastic cans should be placed out at 6pm.  Doing so before could result in a fine.  Residents have until June 1st to get these cans.  There was discussion about the bakery called Bakerie at the corner of Albany and Sterling that has taken over multiple parking spaces and put out garbage in a way that attracts rats.  They have accused those who complain of anti-semitism.  They have been fined by the city multiple times for these violations.  Valerie said that they are bad neighbors.  There was also a complaint about sanitation workers spilling garbage when they pick it up.

Next came a report on fundraising.  There is a show at the Billie Holliday Theatre about Malcolm X on May 15th.  Valerie said she could buy tickets in bulk and sell them for a small profit. She took names of those who would be interested.  Also there was talk of having a stoop sale.  Up coming events were an April 25 shredding event in the parking lot behind 1055 St. John's Place on Sterling Place, 11am to 2pm, May 2nd, a clean up and stoop sale on Dean Street  May 2nd 11am to 3pm.  Also Valerie said applications for the Greenest Block contest would be due June 1st.  Soon after the group agreed to participate in the that event. Valerie announced the association would be buying flowers and getting mulch from Big ReUse.  Then Valerie reviewed that state of those who were sick or shut in.  There were about five of these, and Valerie said the association was fighting a fine given to a 94-year-old woman who could not get out to clear snow from her sidewalk.

Then the meeting was adjourned and Bridget said a closing prayer.  I was amazed how much was covered and the issues that were considered in detail.  HSVK in my view is an exemplary block association.

– John DeWind