CB14 Meeting Focuses on Kids, Funding

Brooklyn Community Board 14, which represents Ditmas Park, met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night.

Many topics were discussed, including past and future events as well as issues within the community that the Board plans to address through future meetings and programs. Here are some of the highlights:

• The 70th precinct's Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez spoke of the importance of remaining aware of the dangers of fireworks and sparklers during the holiday season. 

An area of importance during the summer months is also traffic patterns, especially on Coney Island Avenue, which change and need to be paid attention to, Rodriguez continued. Coney Island Avenue will also see an increase in children as the school year come to a close, which is also an area the precinct is focusing on. 

Rodriguez also reminded community members of points made at, saying residents should be mindful of leaving valuable items in their vehicles and to be careful using electronics in public. 

• The held by CB 14 and Brooklyn College was extremely successful, with 500 teens attending within the first hour and 600 attending in total. The numbers surpassed the Board's highest expectations and tripled past turnouts. "It was an amazing event," Chairman Alvin Berk said. "I couldn't believe how packed it was. It was an extraordinary event." 

• On Wednesday, May 30, at 7 p.m., CB14 is holding a meeting to discuss cyber threats children face. Representatives from One Police Plaza will attend, marking the office's first time addressing the issue, according to the Board. The meeting will be held at the Community Board's office at 810 East 16 Street.

• Councilman Jumaane Williams, D- Ditmas Park, also attended the meeting. He noted that fire houses and libraries are still in danger of seeing funds cut, and mentioned that he and other council members are being forced to choose between funding for those areas or youth and senior services. Williams noted that for the city until funds are restored to youth services. 

• Steven Lamonea, neighborhood library supervisor at the Cortelyou Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library also spoke of the importance of library funding. He noted the Brooklyn Public Library is facing a 32 percent cut in funding and urged those at the meeting to contact their elected officials to protect the library from budget cuts.