Waterfront communities: Harbor Patrol needed to alleviate noise
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, N BTR OVEMBER 8-14, 2019 3
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Communities along the northeast
Bronx waterfront are requesting a dedicated
Harbor Patrol station on a yearround
basis, following complaints of
loud music and inappropriate behavior
from boat passengers deteriorating
quality-of-life in the area.
It’s an initiative spearheaded by
the City Island Civic Association, who
over the last three years, say the blissful
and natural environment has been
disrupted during the summertime.
“There have been some excessively
loud music during all hours of the day
and night, and super wreckless jet ski
riding,” said City Island residents, Maria
Sheridan and her husband, John.
“The music has been concert level
loud so the boat might be a mile away
and houses are still vibrating from the
base of the music.”
As a result, surrounding communities
including City Island, Spencer
Estate, Country Club, Edgewater,
Throggs Neck, Silver Beach, the waterfront
condominiums and Locust
Point have banded together in a letter
writing campaign to NYPD Commissioner
James O’Neill, who announced
his resignation on November 5.
The Sheridan’s hope the new NYPD
Commissioner, Dermot Shea, is willing
to hear their concerns and act
swiftly before next spring, they said.
They have also reached out to local
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
A new fl oating dock and gangway
on the Harlem River waterfront is providing
easier access for residents at
Roberto Clemente State Park.
Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner
joined by the NYS Offi ce of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation, on
Wednesday, October 30, announced
the $150,000 capital investment that
will enhance families’ access to the
unique ecosystem at the heart of the
Harlem River.
Joyner’s generous allocation was
matched by the Land and Water Conservation
Fund of $150,000 totaling
$300,000 for the boat launch positioned
near the park’s living shoreline and
picnic grove.
“It expands access to free recreational
opportunities for families
throughout our community and adds
another amenity to the many improvements
that have been made at Roberto
Clemente State Park in recent years,”
Joyner said.
The new feature is part of the $100
million transformation of Roberto
Clemente State Park under Governor
Cuomo, who unveiled the park’s redesigned
waterfront and gateway with
newly constructed ballfi elds in June.
“This is not just a park, it’s a symbol
of the new Bronx,” Cuomo said at
the unveiling.
The 25-acre waterfront park atelected
offi cials such as Councilman
Mark Gjonaj, Community Board 10 and
Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
The community is also requesting
that the NYPD NCO program be extended
to the offi cers of Harbor Patrol,
enabling fl exibility to address issues
on the water and to further build a positive
relationship between communities
and the NYPD.
“Of the fi ve boroughs, Brooklyn,
Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan
have permanent, dedicated Harbor Patrol
Units. Why not the Bronx?” said
Deborah Roff, president of the Edgewater
Park Owners Cooperative Inc., in a
letter to the commissioner.
According to Roff, large troublesome
boats have been observed traveling
through the Eastchester Bay
waters with their boat registration
numbers covered with black cloth, obscuring
any means of identifi cation.
After placing numerous calls to 311
and 911 regarding noise on the water
over the last three years to no avail,
residents are overly frustrated.
While their complaints were forwarded
to the NYC Department of Environmental
Protection, they have received
no response, according to the
Sheridan.
“They need a cross street to go forward
with the complaint and obviously
out in the water there’s no cross
street, so hundreds of calls made by
ourselves and others went nowhere...it
hasn’t been logged in the 311 call system,”
the Sheridan’s said.
In response to residents’ concerns,
the Harbor Patrol coordinated efforts
with the 45th Precinct NCO offi cers
for assistance to address quality-oflife
issues, safety and illegal activities
plaguing the northeast Bronx waterways.
Lynn Gerbino, president of the
Throggs Neck Homeowners Association,
said, while they “love, respect,
and support the NYPD offi cers and
appreciate their efforts,” it’s time for
a permanent Harbor Patrol station in
the Bronx.
New dock at Harlem River waterfront to provide access for residents
tracts over one-million visitors a
year. The park offers a variety of recreational
and cultural activities yearround
for youth, adults, senior citizens
and the physically challenged.
The facilities include an Olympicsize
pool complex, ball fi elds, basketball
courts, picnic areas, playgrounds
and a waterfront promenade.
The boat launch will allow for experienced
paddlers, kayakers, and canoers
in groups on the Harlem River,
according to Leslie Wright, regional
director, NYS Offi ce of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation.
Those who wish to participate in
waterfront activities must apply for a
permit.
“Everyone has to have proper
equipment. The river has swift currents,
and, we certainly want to ensure
everyone’s safety,” Leslie said.
For Leslie, the boat launch and
renovation of the park is “completely
gratifying and a total homerun for the
community,” she said.
Francis Rodriguez, director of Roberto
Clemente State Park, said they’re
“super excited and happy” about the
new fl oating dock, which was designed
to take on water storm surges following
the destruction of Superstorm
Sandy in October 2012.
“We had a much smaller fl oating
dock in the past, but when we got hit by
Sandy very hard, water came across
the park and caused damages,” Rodriguez
said. “With Sandy we had a 6-foot
surge and this dock is designed for an
8-foot or 10-foot surge.”
With the new landing dock, local
students are able to return to the waterfront
to participate in activities,
such as canoeing.
The park’s partnership with Wilderness
Inquiry, an organization that leads
outdoor trips and adventure, teaches
children safety and how to canoe on the
Harlem River, according to Rodriguez.
Additionally, the dock can also be
used in the event of an emergency in
the water, where boaters can stop if
they need assistance, said Rodriguez.
“We’re just happy for the community
and happy that we’re able to have
access now,” Rodriguez said.
Hunter Island coast, Pelham Bay Park.
Photo by Scott Farrington, NYC Parks & Recreation Department
Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner (left) announced the $150,000 capital investment that will
enhance families’ access to the ecosystem at the heart of the Harlem River.
Photo courtesy of Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner’s offi ce
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