Destructoporn: Caught in the (Illegal) Act in BK

Tuesday, January 16, 2007, by Joey

The Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights, a group that knows a thing or two about sparring with developers and bringing bizarre situations to light (see 229 vs. 231, 1504 8th Avenue), seems to be employing a new weapon in their efforts to curb illegal goings-on. No longer content to rely on 311 complaints and emails to politicians, the group is now breaking out the DV cameras and videotaping demolition and construction that runs afoul of the law. The videos wind up on YouTube, and the group provides links in their emails to the City and DoB. Effective! The practice can be most recently seen in the case of 338 22nd Street, where some after-hours shenanigans were going down on Sunday night. Of the three clips offered, we chose #2 to post above because of the particular Blair Witch vibe it gives off. Kinda spooky, no?
· 338 22nd St., Bklyn NY--Illegal Work Part 1 [YouTube]
· 338 22nd St., Bklyn NY--Illegal Work Part 2 [YouTube]
· 338 22nd St., Bklyn NY--Illegal Work Part 3 [YouTube]

Filed under Brooklyn: Park Slope, Real Estate Miscellany,

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Comments (5 extant)

this video is really shaky. not very good quality. i dunno...

By Slevin at January 16, 2007 10:02 AM

This sounds like a great idea for the people who submit items to Queens Crap! I will suggest it on my blog.

By Queens Crapper at January 16, 2007 11:05 AM

It's even worse...Knockout Demolition is the new company of the guy who imprisoned and assaulted to union organizers last year when he had K&R Construction. As part of his plea deal with the Queens DA, he was banned from the demolition industry. Unfortunately, it didn't take.

By Mike at January 16, 2007 12:28 PM

Thanks for the props Queens Crapper!

Mike, we're not sure if it is "Knockdown" or "knockout" since the permits say "Knockdown" and the sign out front says "Knockout."

If it is "Knockdown" the they are a copy based out of Middle Village, NY owned by Jairo Santiago "Knockdown Contracting, Inc."

Any further clues?

By ccgh at January 16, 2007 1:55 PM

okay...

This surveillance is an excellent idea to force the city to act. But you really weaken it by muddying it up with mad camera work and too much yammering, so....

1) one word: tripod! it would make a huge difference. you can perfectly decent ones for under $30.
2) please, knock off the grating commentary. do a time/date comment and then let the video speak for itself. if you don't know the facts, don't guess at them. not all asbestos removal requires a posted permit. and silence would be far preferable to useless remarks like "I bet they're getting chilly now".

By z-man at January 17, 2007 1:34 AM