Friday, July 12, 2013

Illegal street parties at the Point


From the Times Ledger:

Residents of a serene North Flushing block spent six weeks tracking down the elusive source of blaring music — and were shocked to find it across a river and more than a mile away.

Peter Condiles lives in the leafy section of Flushing north of downtown where lawns, driveways and carefully manicured bushes are the norm.

It was a quiet place to grow up and live.

“At least it use to be,” he said.

On May 11, Condiles was awakened by loud music pulsating through the walls of his home.

When the racket returned the following weekend, he began walking around the neighborhood, thinking someone might be throwing a party.

But the sound seemed to be playing tricks on him.

Main Street? Linden Place?

Just when the lifelong Flushing resident thought he had cornered the source of his sleepless nights, the sound would vanish.

Condiles had been in contact with another neighbor also seeking the source of the pumping bass, Flushing activist Paul Graziano, and the two spent several evenings driving around, ears tuned to the night air. They went as far as College Point Boulevard before they agreed the sound must be coming from farther away, across the Flushing River.

After another unsuccessful venture into Corona, on June 21 Condiles stumbled upon hundreds of people congregated in Willets Point, a gritty area of junk yards and auto shops across from Citi Field and more than 1 1/2 miles from his house.

“There were between three and five cars or vans. Each one had its trunk or back doors open and maybe 20 or 30 speakers on the doors,” he said. “They were all playing the same thing.”

Condiles and Graziano believe the combined amplification power of the souped-up speakers had sent sound waves bouncing across the Flushing River, off of building facades and into their quiet enclave — and they want the parties, which have been driving neighbors nuts, to stop.

Deputy Inspector Ronald Leyson, commanding officer at the 110th Precinct, said police had already driven the pop-up parties — which may be organized through social media — from around Meadow Lake inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park several months ago.

Now that they have migrated to Willets Point, the precinct has started to do patrols and issue summonses.

Last Friday, officers confiscated a car, he said.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those loud, loud Latinos...
sharing their music with the neighborhood.

It's an old tradition.

Puerto Ricans used to put their radios in the window of their buildings so that the rest of the nabe could party to the music. Now it's amplified through mega-watt speaker blasters

Let's face it folks...Corona is scumville!

Anonymous said...

The real real truth, regardless of political correctness..."greasers" junk yard fiestas!

Anonymous said...

They're probably hired by the Wilpons to give another excuse for developing Willets Point!

Jerry Rotondi said...

I came across an old tidbit of historical info recently.

Flushing residents used to complain about the loud band organ music coming from the College Point beer gardens during the early 1900s.

History repeats itself.

Anonymous said...

how about instead of taking their cars, we start the deportation process?

georgetheatheist said...

Jerry. A beer garden was SUPPOSED to have loud music. Ooom-pah-pah. Festivities purposefully for the masses.

A Better NYC said...

That is 100% Ghetto Fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
They're probably hired by the Wilpons to give another excuse for developing Willets Point!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Took the words right out of my mouth!

Joe Moretti said...

It never ceases to amaze me the crap that goes on in Queens and even more amazing how pretty much nothing is done when it comes to quality of life issues.

Unknown said...

I was also one of the hunters looking for the noise. I originally thought it was coming from Citi field since they most likely had the means of producing that kind of noise and was weird that it played after a Mets game and thought the cleaners were using the sound system while cleaning. We ran into a security guard who pointed out where it was actually coming from. We were going to confront them, but told us that its known to have some gang members involved and suggested we just go to the precinct and complain in person. I was amazed to hear that we were the first ones to actually physically go down to the station and complain. They finally sent a car out that night and visited my building for further notes. This has apparently been going on for a few summers now. They still blare music, but at least its not as loud as it was before. I hope they just stop. I was a supporter for Willets, but at this point, they can ride in with the bulldozers and tear it down for all I care.

Anonymous said...

Where are Tony, Riff, Ice, Action and the rest of the Jets when you need them?

Queens Crapper said...

Jason: You were a supporter of Willets, why does this change your mind? This is going on in the street, not on private property.

Fight the real enemy.

fiscus1 said...

The music from a beer garden is nothing compared to the average car/SUV that one hears at all time of day & night on Queens streets.

The Plattduetsche Park in Franklin Square still has several events each year in their garden, but by the time you only reach Hempstead Turnpike you can barely hear the oom-pah band play.

As for the events going on at Willets Point: a single patrol card is simply inadequate. Is there still a riot squad?? SWAT?? Or how about the FDNY hosing them all down??

Anonymous said...

The police need to crack down on all of these types of parties. The lowlifes that live around the corner from me have all night parties complete with d.j.s

Captain Renault said...

ROUND UP THE USUAL SUSPECTS!!!

Anonymous said...

http://www.astorians.com/community/index.php?topic=25120.45

In Vallonia if you do not want to move away its your problem to take care of the noise. The foodies don't care - they will meet, mate, and move in a few years....

I remember when the developers had their eyes on Bohemian Hall - all sorts of dark comments about noise from that place from officials....

Can't wait for Peter Vallone to sit in Helen Marshall's chair.

Anonymous said...

I've heard the music on many occasions. The ringleader is a Puerto Rican woman by the name of Margarita--"Margie" Rivera-Velez, a 40-something year-old who actually lives in Spanish Harlem, but makes her way to Queens to hang out with the boys at Xpertease, a strip club just off College Point Blvd, near 32nd Avenue. Afterwards, this class act continues the festivities at Willets Point with one of Xpertease's DJ's by the name of Gus. DJ Gus can be reached at 917-528-8528 or at djnastygus@hotmail.com. These are the individuals responsible for orchestrating the noisy fiestas at Willets Point.

Anonymous said...

On the 4 th of July 5th I was waken to music at 2:30am
It was so loud I could hear it in my pillow I went out for a smoke and tried figure where it was coming from. I called the police and they told me to call 311.... After I told them it was like club next to my house. So I walked around for a while noticed other neighbors doing the same. They trying we're trying to find the source too. At least to tell them to keep it down or pass a beer. Lol. The music would get louder in one dirrection than move to anther, it was like going in circles..,
It continued till 5:30 am... I called the police one more time and told them that I wasn't the only walking the neighborhood looking or it... I also told 911 to hear me out this time. Instead of telling me to call 311 and hang up and me. They sent a patrol car finally to the corner of my block.. 911 called me back to see if I knew where it was coming from.. I told them I wish I did. They said they would canvas the area. It stop since than thank god. Btw this was around Francis Lewis blvd and Willis point blvd. So it now spreading to Whitestone. It has nothing with the junk yards. they are probably there because it's little Mexico. Figures lol. Now it's spreading to Whitestone. Bad enough everyone cuts eachother off and tail gates everyone all the time here but now moving assholes with spreaders sticking out their cars. Why do we fund the police again? Can they please remind us why we pay their salaries? Lock these assholes up or take away their cars. I looked up the law on this matter and they are clearly breaking 3 which includes some jail time. Do your job police. They are disturbing the public intent on causing mass disruption and disorderly conduct. Which disorderly conduct carries a sentence of 3 months in prison or hours of community service. There are things the NYPD and the 109 could be doing to stop their behavior. Can't believe I need to tell them how to do the job. Maybe the gangs run the 109. Sure seems that way.

Anonymous said...

There is almost certainly noise ordinances they are breaking.
Just enforce them!
Finding them should have been easy. Just follow the loud noise. But there are some hi-tech tools that NYC already has if it's a problem.

Anonymous said...

First; it was 3 Police cars that broke it up Friday~Saturday July 5~6, and it was the 110th Pct., not the 109. And yes, they all ran away, at the same time, several convoys of cars, and motorcycles were still arrivingit was quite amusing to watch, actually. I'm sitting right now outside alongside Shea/Citifield. I only see 4 police cars with lights flashing, 1 at each corner of stadium. But It seems they are for the stadium, or else they are just hiding a bit in case they start showing up tonight. I will be back for the next couple of nights. I don't know if they're not here yet because of the rain or not.

Anonymous said...

So instead of wondering around calling 911 or 311 complain to Queens Civic to get off their duffs, have fun the next time your elected official stops by, and write letters how the leadership in your community doesn't ....well... lead.

If the papers don't publish your letter, send it to crappy with the additional charge of censorship.

BTW, next time you see Virginia Joe ask him if the crickets lull his family to sleep in 'ol Virginny.

Anonymous said...

Those of you who are being subjected to this travesty should get in contact with a local tv news producer. Set it up so that when it happens, a news crew searches out the source and reports on it. Once the news gets a hold of it and it runs up the police brass flagpole and a white shirt is put to the carpet for it, then something should happen. Good Luck.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this article, Crapper! I finally have an answer to the pounding bass noise I have been hearing late at night. I live in the Kissena Park area and initially figured it was a concert at Citifield, since it was coming from that direction. But when it continued until the wee hours, even during mid week, I couldn't figure out where it came from. I even went out to see if it was some jerk listening to "music" in his car. It's been so freaking annoying. Next time I'll try 911.

Jerry Rotondi said...

Uh--George--I didn't say that I disapprove of the old College Point beer garden music. I just related a bit of history. Festive music and beer do go together. For a rousing good time visit Bohemian Hall.

Beer gardens, whatever, cranking up the volume at 3:00 AM is quite another story.

Anonymous said...


This is Latino "culture" at its lowest ebb.

Maybe the plan to build over every foot of FMCP to push out the Hispanics is what boro hall has in mind.

Anonymous said...

To Comment #22: a TV News network is interested in reporting on this, I believe they want to go to film @ the location provided other activities don't preclude them. And it seems this weekend they are busy, it seems for the best ~ believe they are not "happening" becuase of heightened security by 4 PBNQ cars with constant flashing lights round the clock in preparation for Tuesday's "All~Star Game". But, hopefully, if they still continue, next weekend the above mentioned TV News network will be interested in meeting with me and at the "Music Party" location! They liked the article on the Times Ledger story quite a bit!

Anonymous said...

No noise this weekend :D

Anonymous said...

A number of people have contacted me since this article was published on Thursday...it seems that the "party" hasn't just been heard in North Flushing, but from near Queens College all the way to Whitestone!

This is about a 5 mile radius from Willets Point, which is astounding.

Clearly, the police need to shut this down permanently. I hope that your posting of this story does the job, Crappy, because they don't always listen to the people that they're supposed to help (unless it's a murder or violent crime).

Paul Graziano,
Candidate for City Council, 19th District

www.paulgraziano.com

Anonymous said...

AGREED, Paul!

~man on the ground.

Anonymous said...

To comment #27: no noise/loud Music this weekend, I believe may possibly be because of the 4 PBNQ police cars @ all 4 corners of Citifield, in preparation for this Tuesday's 'All~ Star Game'!

Now I'm even more curious to see what happens next weekend!
~Man on the Ground.

Anonymous said...

These guys went till 12 am last night. All the way to the point where I can actually hear the lyrics all the way by Kissena Park.

I could hear it over my own stereo system!

Anonymous said...

Comenter #31: they were there Sunday night? Maybe it is time I go EVERY NIGHT then, at least EVERY weekend night. Do you happen to know if the 4 PBNQ cars were there at all 4 corners of Citifield. And do you know if Sunday night they were at the 'Iron Triangle' or elsewhere, like the across to the other side of the GCP at the Worlds Fair Marina? I spoke to a Citifield security guard, won't mention his name, and he told me that last Sunday July 7-8, the 'music party' was @ the Marina by all the boats. So I'm wondering if, noiw that the cops broke it up once, that I know (first hand) and confiscated a car, maybe they are beginning to think of migrating oince again to a new location, as they did a couple of months ago from 'Meadow Lake' in FMCP to the 'Iron Triangle' @ Willets Point...~

Anonymous said...

I have no clue where they were. I was recovering an exhausting Saturday to hear their music at home.

I know it was not anyone in my neighborhood as I live in a predominantly asian community and the music playing was more...well not asian.

Anonymous said...

You can hear the loud music again from North Flushing on Saturday 07/20 at 1 AM.

Anonymous said...

7/20 at 1AM? Sorry I missed it! I had A/C on and was just dead tired staying up late most nights pursuing "overnight commercial parking on residential streets" I'm going to Willets Point tonight, Sat~Sun 7/20~7/21. Will also shut off my A/C. Its not as hot tonight.

Anonymous said...

Well, I stayed at Willets Point till 3AM and, as of 3, it didn't materialize. However there were a few cars driving around, pulling over to the side of 'Stadium Drive' I presume waiting for it to be posted on whichever site they've been illegedly using to disseminate the info of where the night's time and exact location!

Anonymous said...

http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/30/willetsnoise_all_2013_07_26_q.html

Willets Point parties perturb Baysiders 3 miles away

Anonymous said...

Really?

That article sounds stolen, to me. And sounds phoney, made up, someone just added a name and a different location. How come the same, peter condiles, photos were used in this article? It doesn't sound believable because its all in the past, really. "Too little too late"?

Anonymous said...

Friday July 26 past midnight, loud music heard again from Willets Point, called 311 and filed noise complaint, follow-up says police gave them summons again.

Anonymous said...

Residents from College Point, Flushing, Bayside, Whitestone, Forest Hills, whose nights & weekends are being disrupted by the loud music from these illegal street parties at Willets Point/CitiField & Meadow Lake should write to all these people below regarding Quality of Life. Also write to your local newspaper!

Public Safety - Quality of Life
http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.6c8b684a9c9dd4f6a62fa24601c789a0/

Deputy Inspector Ronald D. Leyson
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/precincts/precinct_110.shtml

Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Zip Code: 11354, 11355, 11367, 11368
Community Board: 404,407,408
Council Member: Peter Koo , Julissa Ferreras , James F. Gennaro
General Park Info: (718) 760-6565
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/fmcp

Peter Koo
http://council.nyc.gov/d20/html/members/home.shtml

Julissa Ferreras
http://council.nyc.gov/d21/html/members/home.shtml

James F. Gennaro
http://council.nyc.gov/d24/html/members/home.shtml

Veronica M. White, Commissioner
Department of Parks & Recreation
http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildpr.html

Anonymous said...

Uggh! Those disgraceful vagabonds are nothing more than subhuman beings that mire the well being of decent citizens.

Those ghetto trash bandits and their repulsive looking, junk, automobiles (those horrible, ugly lime green Dodge Magnums, etc) that should be confiscated by the police and all of the audio equipment pulled and destroyed!

People of this lowly caliber enjoy the very fact that they are inflicting harm on respectable dwellers in the community.

Why can't these thugs stay in school and make something of themselves?!

There are some communities that will confiscate the vehicle and remove all of the mega watt audio junk and destroy it! Then the perp will have to pay $$$ to get his/her junk automobile out of impound and pay $$$ for the removal and disposal of the cretinous audio systems! Stupid, damn fools!

Anonymous said...

Call up the local TV stations. Reporters are always looking for a story. Once they get it on the news then the City Council will get involved and start sending directives to the Mayors office for them to have local police stations crack down. You have to go up the chain of command in order to get things done. It will also help if you make other complaints such as "there are drugs and underage drinking going on, or vandalism, etc., then it becomes more than just a "noise" issue