You can read about the police incident…it had to do with loud music, resisting arrest, shots fired, and a death.
I was raised in the Glenwood Public Housing, called “The Projects” by the residents and everyone else in the neighborhood.
I think it was called “The Projects” because it was a social experiment after World War II: to provide rent to people on a sliding scale based on their income. You had to be working (not just on welfare or disability), and fit in a certain wage range to qualify. If you were just on welfare the Fort Green projects was your chance to get housing.
To say that Glenwood wasn’t safe is an understatement. I was 5 in 1982 when Glenwood’s own police offer James Carragher was off duty and confronted by muggers. There was a gun duel and Mr. Carragher was tragically killed right in front of the door to his building. His family was close to my mother, and had mutual friends.
Eventually my grandfather, grandmother, friends, and I were all victim of violent crimes near or in The Projects.
You may have seen NY crime on TV, movies, books, or comics, and I can assure you- it’s all real. It’s like Gotham City and Sin City. There were drug clinics where junkies would go for free highs. One drug addict actually set up a mugging on his immigrant father in front of the bank on Social Security Check day.
My mother says drugs were always on the streets in The Projects from the 1960′s on. My grandmother says that 1920′s to 1950′s NY was safe, with the occasional robbing or Manhattan murder. An older neighbor once told me “things got bad” due to busing and integration.
Do you know how gangs celebrated July 4th in The Projects? They would beat up a smaller kid or teen walking alone, knock him out, put a firecracker stick in his mouth, light it, and have his face explode…all for laughs.
One of my closest friends, a Russian, had his grandmother stabbed to death. She came to America to live the American Dream.
Thankfully, my mom, grandma, and granddad loved me, and kept me safe. The highest crime wave in New York history occurred in the early 1990′s, late 1980′s. So when I was a kid, even though getting mugged or burglarized was a part of everyone’s life (and everyone knew someone who was murdered or raped in the streets at night), I was still able to have a fun and happy childhood.
Those who “got out” of the bad neighborhoods moved to “the islands” (Staten Island) or moved to the far away land of “upstate New York”.
Our neighbors in the 885 building were awesome. I have never been around a community like that since I left Brooklyn. Many families were immigrants trying to make it, hard working single mothers, retirees, people with disabilities (deaf, speech, psychological, handicapped, retarded) and other lower middle class people of all races and backgrounds. I would not trade those experiences for anything…no offense to the small towners, but being exposed to different cultures, religions, and races is a great learning experience.
Of course, many neighbors were running scams..cheating on food stamps, working off the books, working numbers, vices, etc…it was all part of the hood, trying to get ahead or stay afloat.
[I do want to say one thing about "raw deals" and "underprivileged" and "justice"...my idol, a friend of the family, was raised in a poor Brooklyn neighborhood, and his mother eventually also lived in The Projects, as did he. He studied, kept out of trouble, and got a scholarship. He loved to read Superboy comics, watched Twilight Zone and Prisoner episodes, and listened to the Beach Boys. He liked to swim at the beach, and play basketball every day. He became a professional, property owner, and to this day probably is the most successful person I know. So I don't want to hear people cry about how it's impossible for poor people in ghettos to ever make it, and how the government must get overly-involved, or worse- to defend and justify violent crimes, drug addicts, and thieves because they don't have "opportunity". People make choices in life, and need to accept full responsibility.]
There were some security measures implemented in The Projects, which I witnessed. The front door to each building was locked and residents were assigned keys. Senior citizens volunteered to stand guard and be a neighborhood watch, and had a direct line to the Housing Police. After I left, assemblywomen Helene Weinstein got behind installing security cameras in every building.
My last summer there, it got so bad that I was a shut-in. I was unable to walk (or even take the bus!) to my comic book store and escape reality by reading about the crime fighters that I wished would save me. So I stayed home and did the TV, Apple computer, and video game thing, in addition to reading all of my old comic book issues.
The irony is that I moved to Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes, Florida- the two Broward Counties known for their high crime rates. It truly was a sick and twisted fate. That’s why part of me is liberal (most people in The Projects were Democrats, and relied on government assistance, as did I), but the other part of me doesn’t have a problem with extreme steps to prevent crime, as Rudy Giuliani did to clean up Manhattan (after I left).
Here is a rap video about Glenwood:
I can imagine what the projects in new york would have been like.
My parents lived in Brooklyn, and said they came down to Florida before I was born because they did not want to raise me there, they said it was dangerous and that the neighborhoods were bad.
from the stories you are telling I can see what they meant.
A few years ago I had a friend who lived in “the projects” down here, around stirling road, it was some kind of low income housing development.
It seemed like both day and night there were a lot of people just kind of standing around outside,like there was always a barbecue going on or something, people were playing cards on patio furniture and drinking cheap wine,smoking blunts and always with some kind of rap or creole sounding reggae on an outdoor boombox a lot of kids running around, with some adult yelling at them to “get your ass back here!” and there would be like four or five kids running around all the time along with the sound of crying babies, and always the sound of two women arguing in the distance about something that sounded like it was about to turn violent “well you can just tell that muthafucka”..etcetera.
sometimes it was like walking onto the set of the jerry springer show.
It was colorful there but also dangerous.
although not nearly as bad as the new york situation you described, there was always something going on there and whenever I ventured into his neighborhood, some 10-12 year old kid on a bike would try to sell me drugs, a different kid each time. promising to hook me up with whatever I needed.
Yeah I always felt a little uncomfortable visiting frizbee,
although I knew how to get along with the people there.
eventually he left that area because even though it was very affordable to live there he felt that the people were a bad influence on his kid, and he was probably right.
It wasnt safe there either.
Even if youre poor, “the projects” are not a good place to live sometimes because of the people who are there, I guess it depends on the situation.
It sounds way worse in New York the way you described it.
Ill try to stay out of there.
Very interesting scenes you shared, R.A.W.! :-)
yeah, right, damien, you were born and raised in bevery hills, california..born with a silver spoon in your mouth, always lived in big houses, fancy cars, big money.
no need to be ashamed about being upper class.
i have your true birth certificate, along with obama;s kenyan one, too
actually i loved reading about glenwood.solid.
I grew up in the Glenwood project. lived there from 1954 to 1974 but my parents were there till about 1981. By the end it was not too good. I remember officer Carrigher. His daughter went to school with me. But I just want to say that when I was a kid it was a great place to grow up. There was no crime. Everyone worked and the type of people was very different. Not wealthy, but not on welfare. Blue collar but mixed. Most of us went to college. Many of the friends I grew up with became doctors, lawyers, and much more. We played ring 0 levio in the summer all over the project. The thought of crime never entered our head. Everyone sat out on the benches (there was no air conditioning) but no one barbecued. Many of the women came out in the evening in house dresses. Classy it was not. But it was decent and filled with hard working families. The funny thing was there were families who really made too much money to live there but lied about their income to stay. We made snow men in the grass in winter, and had races around the grass. We met our boyfriends in the hall and made out on the metal steps. There was a website which is gone now that had all these people on it. Many of us have great memories. I am one. I am sorry it change so terribly.
I lived in Glenwood when my son was just one year old, and I had another child, .. They both went to 251- R.H Mann & South Shore HS.. It was a great place to raise my children, I wasn’t afraid to let them out in the evening.. All neighbors watched each others children… and we did all hang out at night sitting on the beaches.. Laughing & having fun. The area was great too.. Moved out in 1991 after being in Glenwood almost 25 years… Reply if you would like.. Always great memories!!!
Thanks for sharing your memories. It’s sad it changed so much. I went to PS 251, and Roy H Mann, went to school with officer’s grandaughters.
Let me say, I grew up in Ft.Green projects. my family moved there in 1946 I was only 2 1/2 years old. It was wonderful. The Navy people lived on all the first floors, my dad worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. I remember in the summer, all the parents sat outside until late. It was wonderful. Never did anyone have a fear of being mugged. It was a safe place for the kids to play. I lived at 133 Navy Walk. I went to P.S.67. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the neighborhood. Too bad things got so terrible. It was like living in a Park.
Old Fort Green Girl.
I am saddened to see what has happened to the Glenwood Projects. My family and I lived there from the time I was born in 1953 until we moved down the street to the bottom floor of a "townhome" on E.56 St across the street from Jack LaLanne where Glenwood Road met Farragut Road. That was in 1967. We stayed there for 4 years but I spent most of my time at 937 E 56 St – where all my friends were. I too, remember everyone hanging out on the green benches, playing skelly, watching the fireworks on Avenue H., walking to Ices Queen on Kings Highway with my friends. I remember Andy's Grocery Store across the street on Avenue H and Frankie's Pizzaria on the corner. Dr. Tunick – the dentist. When I got old enough to work, I worked at the little grocery store on Glenwood Road, like a small A&P. Do you remember the store on the corner of E 55 St and Glenwood Road where we would buy egg creams? I went to PS 208, Roy H Mann and finally the dreaded, Samuel J. Tilden H.S. run by Dr. Harry Ordan. My friends and I used to shoot hoops at the concrete playground by PS 251. We also played handball and baseball. Everything was concrete. If you fell down and got scraped up – no big deal. It was all part of the day. I miss my friends from up there. I was forced to move to Florida by my psychotic father in 1971. I will always have fond memories of Glenwood Project. It's a shame what has happened to that area. Those of you who can remember the earlier and better times know what I mean. I'm so sorry to see what a sh–thole it's become. So sad.
I’ll have you know that the whole area is not a shithole! It’s not as quiet as it was back the but it’s not all bad! Like everywhere else, there’s occasional crime, I’ve lived on E 58th street since 1979 left to live deeper in canarsie then came back to 58th street. I also went to P.S. 208, to Meyer Levin, then Samuel J. Tlden. Still in the area while I coach football at Tilden. Thank God I’m still around giving back in some way and didn’t move to look back and pass judgement!! Not that I’m saying moving away was the wrong thing to do but to not know what’s going on around here and make comments like some of you have…not cool!!
I agree- I went to all the places you went to back in the 1960's and really have fond memories of it. It's a damn shame the crime and poverty had taken over. What a sick world we live in.
I TO WAS ONCE A RESIDENT OF THE GLENWOOD PROJECTS.IN 1961 I LIVED AT 885 E 56TH ST. AND LATER TRANSFERED TO 5612 FARRAGUT RD. MY DAD WAS THE MAN WHEN IT CAME TO GIVING DIRECTIONS ANYWHERE IN THE ENTIRE CITY OF NEW YORK. HE DROVE THE YELLOW TAXI CABS,THE TRANSIT ATHOURITY BUSES AND WAS ALSO A MOTOR MAN ON THE CLASSIC SUBWAY SYSTEM. I NEVER GOT LOST IN NEW YORK, NEVER. I USED TO LOVE WALKING TO THE ICES QUEEN ON UTICA VAE. AND REMEMBERING FRANK THE ICE CREAM MAN IS A PRICELESS MEMORY. EVERY KIDS BEST FRIEND BACK THEN WAS FRANK. MY SCHOOL DAYS TOOK ME FROM P.S.251, ROY H. MANN, TO SOUTH SHORE HIGH. THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE WERE IN GLENWOOD AND I'LL NVERE GIVE THEM BACK FOR NOTHING IN THE WORLD. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS BORN IN THE BRONX, BUT BROOKLYN IS MY HEART. I'M A TRUE NEW YORKER AN I WILL ALWAYS LOVE N.Y.
I grew up in Glenwood Projects from the time I was born in 1951 until I left NY in 1974. Actually it wasn't originally an "experiment," it was built in the late 1940s for WW II veterans and their families. The only qualification you needed to live there was to be a veteran of the war.
It was always a gritty, rough and tumble place, populated by Archie Bunker types. But it was SAFE, and we had a real community. I could list the wonderful experiences I had here, but the other posters from my time have done a great job of that already.
I witnessed and lived through the beginning of the destruction of Glenwood Projects. Like the other posters, I am deeply saddened by what happened to it, but I am also infuriated by it. It absolutely makes my blood boil. That my beloved ancestral homeland should be turned into a sewer by those beasts makes me white hot. It was all unnecessary and avoidable.
I also grew up in the Glenwood projects and have only great memories of the people there and all of the great friends I still remember and wish I could locate.
You mention Dr. Tunick – I can't believe someone else remembers Dr. Tunick! I went to PS 251 and Roy H Mann. For some reason, I remember Mrs. Gans, a social studies teacher in 8th grade. I remember Mr. Ratnor, a teacher all of the girls loved, who died the year we had him…. everyone was devastated.
I vividly remember meeting my friends at the flag pole which was in the center of all of the buildings and then going to the park. It was not a scary place then….no crime and we could walk around at any time of day.
We moved to Long Island when I was 12 but I remember those times like they were yesterday. Anyone remember the milk machines? Playing bottle caps? Taking the "Special" bus to school? It's terrible to read what happened to the place that, for me, was a wonderful place to grow up.
Bottle caps!! I haven’t heard that in forever. I lived there from 1950-1955. I went back for a visit in 1959. I was there from age 7 to almost 13. I went to PS 198 and then they opened P.S. 251. Bottle Caps was the game and ring a leerio. It was very safe there at that time. No traffic or anything to worry about. The flag pole was the guide so you wouldn’t get lost. There was a swimming pool, in a playground up by the office I remember, I lived on Glenwood Rd. The trees were just planted, and very low, and everything was new. I remember Henny Penny and Krasgnes food stores, not sure on spelling, and the little deli on Ave H that you passed as you walked to PS 251.
To Anon # 11- so Glenwood was for post-war Archie Bunker Veterans? What year did it sink to drug addicts and welfare recipients? 1960′s?
i for one dont know what younare talking growing up in glenwood was the sweetest the safest place for achild to grow up in me 1970 to1981 and my family for years after had agood happy fun ans safe life in glenwood houses . peace Smitty
I live in Glenwood now if any of you people want to visit the place of all those great childhood memories HOLLA im passing out ghetto passes like Obama passing out Medicaid lmao but seriously
to those of you that did not have the pleasure of growing up glenwood, i am sorry for you. glenwood from 1963 to 1977, was a good place to grow up. i can remember walking to school p.s251, with my brother, we were only 7 and 8 yrs old at the time. We never ever had a problem. I too, am so sorry to hear about the current state of glenwood. I still know of some people that still reside there. hear they have made glenwood a private apartment community,and each tenant is going to have to purchase the apartments they currently live in. Maybe this will bring more people that care about their surroundings and r more willing to help turn things back around.that’s just my prayer. for those of u hat r still interested in glenwood and the residents that grew up and away you can fnd alot of us on facebook, there are links to all things glenwood. u can also actually see glenwood projects,on google. u can aso see glenwood alumni on every fathers day in june, in the big park, for the fathers day baseball and mingle with old friends and make new ones ms. heron is the person that stared the whole thing yrs ago and is still doing it, (thanks ms heron.)i don’t think there are any other communites anywhere that can say they r still close to their neighbors/friends. Go Bless GLENWOOD!!!!!!!!!!
I am the man i am today as a result of growing up in GLENWOOD “PROJECTS”.. i moved to Gleenwood when i was 4 years old, 1977. I lived there till 1990 when my parent moved to 79th street which is across from teenas cake fair, tony’s pizza and what was then Kosher city.. I lived in building 5610 farragut rd, man i can only tell you the great memories.. Yes there def was some crazy shit going on in the projects from crack heads smoking on the roofs to junkies climbing down ropes to 6th and 5th floor apartments to rob them.. the barrel park, Stage coach park, Big park and so on.. so much fun, Playing Skelly, Manhunt and loved the public library at the other end of the projects by skid row…. My childhood sweethart “Lizette”… :) So many great memories, More so than bad ones thats for sure… its to bad other people didnt enjoy the upbringing “Project” life brought… It made me Street smart for sure… Of course there was knuckle heads that had something to prove, at times i was one of em.. But all in all Glenwood will always be in my heart n soul>>> I AM GLENWOOD!!!
I’ve noticed that pretty much across the board, many people have a strong tendency to consider the need to take medication as a kind of personal failure. Different people are different with respect to where they draw the line, but it’s usually there. My wife is hardly ever willing to take painkillers (I’m talking tylenol here), and was very conflicted over birth control pills. Several of the diabetics I know feel that having to take pills means they are failures at diet-control, and some of those who need insulin feel that’s a failure to keep it controlled with pills. My wife, again, lives in horror that she’ll have to take pills for her cholesterol, because that means she is a bad person who can’t eat right.
RICO? Get out of here dude. Goldman Sachs may have done some morally questionable shit but they aren’t a crime syndicate. What exactly, in your view, did they do that was illegal? You need specific actions that could be charged as crimes and stick in court. There is a big difference in that and profiting off economic decline, which is probably the main source of contempt people have for them.
Agreed! "RT
To be honest, US have done enough terrorizing themselves in Afghanistan and Iraq. To remove Saddam Hussain, they practically destroyed whole Iraq. And gave bullsh#t excuses for war when all they cared was Oil and Saddam’s death.
Wild to read. My dad and grandparents moved from the Fort Green houses to Glenwood (grandpa was a Veteran). I spent a lot of time there during breaks in school during the 70s and 80s. By grandmother ran a little journal with her downstairs neighbor, Anita, about the projects, reporting on events, muckraking about the need for new stoves, etc. Her hallways was covered in plaques from the NYTimes and the like for her work. Whenever she wanted to discuss a story with Anita, she’d bang on the hot water pipes with a scissor. Anita would stick her head out her window and they’d carry a quick discussion.
In true old-folk fashion, their apartment was always broiling hot, so I spent a lot of time outside. There was a hopscotch painted near the doorway of every building, squirrels to feed peanuts to, and lots of kids running around. The big playground was really something, I remember it now almost in a childhood dream. I learned to play basketball there. It was extremely crowded with kids of all ages. I remember high-school aged kids mingling with girls, and looking forward to the time that I’ll be that age and that suave and comfortable.
Things changed, though, and fast. In the early/mid 80s, I got into a couple scrapes just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For my grandparents, it became awful. My grandfather was mugged, taunted, pushed around. Once, while trying to evade an attacker, he stumbled and fell, breaking his hip. My grandmother didn’t fare much better. I haven’t thought about this stuff in a long time and it’s heartbreaking to think of, feeling like such a prime target just for trying to push your grocery cart back from Waldbaums. Just awful.
I can’t think of a place I’ve had more profoundly polarized memories of. From the warmest warm to the coldest chill.
I’ll have you know that the whole area is not a shithole! It’s not as quiet as it was back the but it’s not all bad! Like everywhere else, there’s occasional crime, I’ve lived on E 58th street (the “side blocks”) since 1979 and I use to hangout in the projects more than i did my own block. I left to live deeper in canarsie then came back to 58th street. I also went to P.S. 208, to Meyer Levin, then Samuel J. Tlden. Still in the area while I coach football at Tilden. Thank God I’m still around giving back in some way and didn’t move to look back and pass judgement!! Not that I’m saying moving away was the wrong thing to do but to not know what’s going on around here and make comments like some of you have…not cool!!