When "Stop Work" Means Jack

All of you are wrong...and Iceberg's an idiot, sorry to name call.

The developer's sub was not rushing, just working illegally (slow at that) when they were caught with their pants down, or rather walls down.

If the DOB did its job, which it initially did by issuing the SWO after the two workers were injured, but then ignored multiple complaints from residents that unsafe work was continuing (311 calls and call's directly by me to Ken Lazar at DOB), then there would be no need for the NYPD to enforce this SWO (or any SWOs). MMG Construction runs a string of unsafe job sites, using undocumented immigrant labor (with low pay, no protective gear, no tools and you know no disability or health care), working as cheaply as possible to make the biggest buck and pass the savings onto the developer who hires her company.

The reason Iceberg's really wrong here is that no "meddlers" were trying to shut "him" down. Blatant illegal activity was going on. The owner of the adjacent building called DOB to have them issue a summons due to the damage done to her property and WITNESSED the 10 foot tall wall fall on the workers. That is why the SWO was issued.

I and others personally witnessed the continued work, day after day, until the SWO was miraculously lifted on the 21st. No need to lift it, it wasn't doing sh*t anyway.

What is most disturbing is that DOB refused to come back to the site to witness what was happening after the SWO, going so far as to do administrative "resolutions" from the Brooklyn office, rather than seeing it with their own eyes, or my and other residents' cameras.

And who loses at the end of the day? Not the developer or the demo company...cost of doing biz for them. Those who truly lose are the injured workers and the neighbors who surround the site.

In this case DOB was passing the buck (as per usual for Ms. Givner) to the 72nd Pct., who, while not flawless, have been fairly responsive to date. Needing work, as everything does...

"Use the force, Luke." Perhaps the DOB needs a little bit of Jedi training...'cos someone's pulling a Jedi mind trick on all of us.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 10:22 AM

Not to derail this discussion further with David and brownstoner (though I know a healthy blog should discuss lots of topics, as this one does), but in this particular case the cops would come from the 72nd Pct. and not my old 'hood's crew the 88th.

Though I will add in my almost 20 years in Ft. Greene, before we moved south, 40 blocks, the Pct. did improve in my area around the park, which used to be a drug ridden nightmare. I was actually chased out of the park by a gun wielding drug dealer during a morning jog...

Again off topic.

What do folks think about the PS Courier piece and the situation with the SWO, workers being injured and DOB's continued problems?

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 10:52 AM

David, Brooklyn only has 24 inspectors to date. Unfortunately the fines are seen as "part of doing biz," are nothing more than a slap on the wrist ($300 for "failure to upkeep site/excessive debris" on a project that the foundation pour alone is $3.3MIL) and many of the ECB and DOB violations are often either never levied or dismissed in court.

I am hopeful the new City Council DOB probe set up by CM Odo and CM Avella will help flush out the bad guys, do away with outdated incentives like self-certification and community facility bonuses and give the DOB a good overhaul. We're do for a new look at the way DOB does its job. Hopefully steeper fines and a "3 strikes your out" for architects, contractors and developers will be implemented.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 11:37 AM

Oh, and I forgot to add, for the 24 inspectors, only 18 are normally in the field on enforcement calls and normal inspections. Why do I know all this crap!?!

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 11:39 AM

Iceberg,, glad to see you quantify "meddlers."

But again, I must disagree. Whether the developer has pressure on him from the community/DOB/politicos, they (2 gentleman who shall go nameless, they also have a SWO site down the block) have already said F-U to the community by their blatant illegal activities.

If they do the "right" thing, and by that I mean work within the legal parameters of the current system in place, and God forbid, have a shred of decency when it comes to dealing with the community, there would be no need for "pressure."

Bad behavior should not be rewarded in lieu of potential added bad behavior in the future.

As developers continue to build in our (or any community), our hope is they will do so (as is their right to develope) in a responsible manner. I personally have met with quite a few developers, both good and bad. It all comes down to the mighty $$, but many are learning that the fast buck outweighs the need to work with the community, which ultimately will benefit the developer: less static from residents, smoother project, faster turn around and potentially a larger return on the investment. If the community supports the condo dev (or rental) it is more likely to sell faster, no?

We can continue to agree to disagree on this topic of community activism and a "good neighbor policy" we hope to gain with each developer.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 12:23 PM

Brownstoner,

I agree with the ""literalist" change (sad the need to do so, freedom of speech and all, but it's your blog), though I will point out that while SWOs are filled with the Police Pct.s, unless the precinct is called, they will not randomly check the site. Since I do not live on the block, I did not call the 72nd, not sure the neighbors did or not.

Ultimately all the can "do" is get the site shut down. No tickets. No fines. No arrests (unless the workers resist, I guess). So DOB is full of sh*t when they place the 100% onus of enforcement on the cops. But don't get me started again on the DOB...

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 2:14 PM

Quite frankly, most officers are sympathetic, but very nonchalant.

I agree, they view it as a domestic disturbance, rather than a duty to shut down illegal activity.

My most recent discourse with the 72nd Pct. last Friday, at a problem site, (and will be brought up wit our Community Board and the Capt.) is better coordination with DOB, and quite frankly, better "base" understanding of what the officers "can and cannot do," and what the citizens "should and should not expect." Always interesting...

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 7:26 PM

That's MMG, but you are right about the rest.

Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at March 2, 2006 9:15 PM