CB6 Responds to President St. Block Party Complaints

The party may be over for President Street. Block party, that is.

On Saturday, July 14, President Street was closed between Court and Clinton Streets, with block residents convening outside in the summer ritual of shared food and merriment. But festivities quickly turned foul, said some residents, when .

The  confirmed to Carroll Gardens Patch that officers responded to multiple 911 calls regarding the President Street fight. While no summons were issued or arrests made, ripples of frustration and concern were felt throughout the neighborhood. In fact, Community Board 6—which offers recommendations to SAPO along with all other consulted agencies, including local police precincts, regarding block-party permits—received a number of complaints as well.

Upon returning from his vacation, CB6 District Manager Craig Hammerman immediately responded to Carroll Gardens Patch's inquiries regarding the matter. Here is what he wrote:

We received complaints about the block party that was held on President Street between Court and Clinton Streets this year. We had also received complaints several years ago about a block party on President Street, at which time the organizers were provided with a warning that our recommendation for approving future permits would be imperilled if we receive future complaints. 

Based on this year's disturbing display of unneighborly and abusive behavior, my office will be recommending to the Mayor's Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) that future applications be denied should the organizers attempt to file again.

I would caution that of the over 100 applications our office reviews each year we have only received complaints about a handful of blocks over the last two decades. Often these complaints take the form of a resident being frustrated simply because they did not know about the party in advance and therefore could not plan for it accordingly. 

Block parties, when properly planned in an inclusive manner, provide an important opportunity for neighbors to create lasting bonds and friendships that strengthen the fabric of our community by improving harmony and public safety throughout the year... my office regularly reviews each season of street events with our local agency representatives at our district service cabinet every fall to share information and assess any incidents in a coordinated manner to ensure that issues or concerns are considered for the next year's season of events.

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