I like in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY. My neighborhood falls into the 41st District. My City Council Member is Darlene Mealy. She had been our city council's member since January 2006. She was born in Micigan and raised in Brooklyn. She attended various schools in Brooklyn including Wingate High School in East Flatbush. She is committed to bringing a positive change to our community. For many years gang violence has been a major problem in East Flatbush. I've been followed to my house, I've had friends who's been a victim of a hit and run, and even known people who's been shot right on my corner. I didn't want to live in East Flatbush anymore. But, we can't run from problems because once reality hit you... Wherever you go there is VIOLENCE!
As I completed this assignment, I was forced to pick an issue in my neighborhood and find a solution for it. I thought of many ways to get help for my community and help starts as small as calling 311. I spoke to a representative about where to get help on the gang violence in my community. Since I made that phone call and reported many things in the neighborhood I've seen many improvements made. I personally spoke to Ms. Mealy and she came out to our block association meeting to speak on many problems. I really appreciated her devotion to the community and making everyone feel safe and comfortable. Police cameras were placed on many central corners where community issues and violence has been reported. When I moved to East Flatbush 2 years ago, there were many reported shootings, car accidents, and rapes in this community. As a result of the many block association meetings and council members support, the crime and violence rate has decreased. I feel safer to walk down streets at night without having to worry as much as before.
As I was completing my assignment, I realized how irrelevent other state and city officials were to my life. They dont directly come out to my community and solve problems, they think about people as a general whole instead of as in individual. I didnt find a reason to have any of them listed because I never seen progress made that affected my life. Therefore, I appreciate Ms. Darlene Mealy because she takes time to come into the neighborhood and speak on the solutions she has devised to make improvements in our community!
