Senator Klein, Community, Announce New Security Cameras At Van Nest Park: Cross-County Bank Funds Installation of Crime Deterring Devices

Even though I am against the push to have security cameras attached to a large majority of traffic lights through NYC, here is an instance where security cameras make perfect sense. Cross County Bank and Senator Kline made the security cameras a reality at Van Nest Park. Our parks need to be safe havens for our youth and seniors. NYC green space belongs to the hard working people of our great city. Kudos to both Cross-Country Bank, Senator Klien and the community activists who collectively made the security cameras a reality.

Gregory
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Senator Klein, Community, Announce New Security Cameras At Van Nest Park
Cross-County Bank Funds Installation of Crime Deterring Devices



VAN NEST, BRONX, N.Y. – Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester), announced the installation of two new security cameras that will give police new tools to deter crime within Van Nest Park.

“This is about a community banding together and fighting for their neighborhood,” Senator Klein said. “I'm proud to have helped make these cameras a reality, and help Van Nest families take back the park that rightfully belongs to them.”

Van Nest residents have long complained about night time drug and gang activity in the park, which is supposed to close at dusk. The on going issues surrounding the park are what spurred neighbors to form the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance. Senator Klein helped Alliance members secure the proper permits to get them installed, and arrange for police to have access to them.

"Van Nest Park used to be a big problem" said Shradhanand Pirtam of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance "It was a hotspot for drug transactions and other questionable activity after dark."

The $1,000 to fund the cameras was provided by Cross County Federal Savings Bank, which had recently opened a Van Nest branch.

“On behalf of Anthony Milone, President of Cross County Federal Savings and our Van Nest Branch, thank you for giving us the opportunity to support the community,” said Wendy Bermudez, Vice President/ Branch Coordinator for Cross County Federal Savings Bank.

"We're grateful to Senator Klein and Cross County Federal Savings Bank" said Bob Ruggerio of the Morris Park Merchants Alliance. "Cross County has shown to be very active in our community since they opened in June."

Street Re-Naming for Renowned Bronx Art-Deco Sculptor Carl Paul Jennewein

Here is local news on a street re-naming honoring Mr. Carl Paul Jennewein. It's good to see our borough's political leadership honoring Bronx residents that have made a contribution to the arts.

Gregory
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What: Street Re-Naming for Carl Paul Jennewein
When: Thursday, June 2, 2011
Time: 5pm
Where: Van Nest Avenue between Melville Street and Van Buren Street

Bronx, New York – Councilman Joel Rivera will gather with the community for the unveiling of a new street sign honoring Carl Paul Jennewein on Van Nest Avenue.

Renowned art deco sculptor, Carl Paul Jennewein began learning techniques under artisans at the Art Museum Stuttgart from the age of 13 in his hometown of Stuttgart, Germany. In 1907, Mr. Jennewein arrived in New York and in 1928 made the Van Nest section of the Bronx his studio for the next 50 years until his passing. One of his best known pieces amongst his work is the polychromed figures in the pediment of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In New York City, some of his well-known pieces include the two pythons that flanked the entrance of the Brooklyn Public Library and “Industries of the British Commonwealth” at Rockefeller Center.