BRONX W www.BXTimes.com EEKLY November 10, 2019 2
Waterfront communities: Harbor Patrol needed to alleviate noise
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
Communities along the northeast
Bronx waterfront are requesting
a dedicated Harbor Patrol
station on a year-round 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
Hunter Island coast, Pelham Bay Park. Photo by Scott Farrington, NYC Parks & Recreation Department
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 elected 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-of-life 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
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 attracts
over one-million visitors a year. The
park offers a variety of recreational and
cultural activities year-round 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.
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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