ב"ה
Thursday, 27 Adar I, 5784
  |  March 7, 2024

Dear Neighbor, Clear the Snow

From the COLlive inbox: 2 Crown Heights residents each witnessed or experienced why you should clean the snow by your house. Full Story

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Harold Trigoboff, 92, OBM

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black ice
March 26, 2017 10:27 am

Last winter I slipped on black ice. I had multiple foot injuries for 4 months. This year, again those people did not clear the snow/ice, even after I texted them. During the most recent storm, adults and children slipped and fell there as they walked up/down the block. People, please notice this, it is extremely dangerous. Shovel and at the very least, put salt.

Thank you.

To the snowman bullies -
March 21, 2017 8:10 pm

The community doesn’t have to be intimidated by you. Pedestrians please take pictures of the offending residence including house addresses for further proofs or evidence if,G-d forbid, needed for injuries incurred for legal proceedings.

l didn't go out, but
March 21, 2017 8:04 pm

you can be darn sure that when l did, l got to the dr just in time, literary a hair breath

Department of Sanitation Crown Heights 718-284-2467
March 21, 2017 5:42 pm

We pay taxes too, to be able to navigate safely & securely in our own neighborhood. If someone shows wanton disregard for his fellow’s safety and well being, it’s a mitzvah to report it to the proper authorities. Your cell phones can be your lifeline here in dangerous situations. Don’t hesitate, do it for yourself and your neighbors. You also Google the number to call. Schoyach!

I believe someone with the mentality of #38 needs to be
March 21, 2017 5:20 pm

Ticketed with the Abishter’s help, as often as possible, to prevent him from being the deliberate cause of injury to Yidden and others. After all that’s been written on this issue and it still appears to be lost on him, nothing more need be said, it’s a rachmonis on him, really pathetic! Please don’t hesitate to call and report these matters to the Department of Sanitation! You’re doing a big Chesed and showing Ahavas Yisroel too. It could be Pikuach Nefesh for you or someone else next time. If the owner of an ox that has gored has been warned,… Read more »

To 30
March 21, 2017 3:28 pm

If she knew that he wasnt injured then she obviously helped him
Duh

What about mothers with strollers
March 21, 2017 10:57 am

It was near impossible pushing my double stroller from Eastern Parkway to Bais Rivka last week. I see that some do an excellent job and I know it’s labor intensive. I’m not taking that away. But shoveling a path only large enough for a single human to walk on isn’t enough for even a single stroller to get through. I was lucky and a lot of frum men stopped and helped me carry my stroller over the hills of snow that were at each corner. But when it’s not shoveled or not enough there’s no excuse. We have have certain… Read more »

Why would anyone shovel???
March 21, 2017 9:58 am

The laws in NYC are structured in such a way that it makes no sense to shovel. If someone slips on your property that isn’t shoveled, the worst you receive is a ticket because it is an act of G-D. On the other hand, if you shovel, and someone still slips (black ice etc…), you can be sued because it is now “caused by your shoveling”.

Grateful we left
March 21, 2017 9:15 am

This rarely happened in Boston. People took their responsibility and shoveled. I fell in NY several times because too many people didn’t even bother. Need I say more ?

To those who own property
March 21, 2017 7:50 am

and think shoveling is not their concern. Until about 3 years ago my husband was a very physically healthy & very active individual. Then one day it snowed hard and became very cold. The snow on this stretch of walk turned to ice. My husband was returning from Mincha, slipped and fell. He broke his ankle and got a cellulitis infection in that same area. Though it eventually healed, he has not been quite the same active person ever since. Consider the ramifications of your indifference and selfish disregard on your neighbors. He was only one block from home at… Read more »

Former Community Board Chaiman
March 21, 2017 7:34 am

The law states that 12 Hours after a snowfall the owner must remove the snow or face fines . There are extenuating circumstances such as being away , that has to shown to a hearing officer if you get a ticket . Every block in Crown Heights has a few BAD homeowners that do not care as one told last year on my block Whoever put it there should take it away . He got a 150.00 ticket and has been cured of his disease . Someone falls on your property and gets hurt 12 hours after a snowfall and… Read more »

fell on the ice and severely hurt
March 21, 2017 7:07 am

Last year a student fell on the ice across the street from their school and got hurt so badly they were out of school for two months. Plus the family had medical expenses. I That should give homeowners an idea of how dangerous their unshoveled sidewalks really are.

to **** Carroll between Kingston and brooklyn you know who you are!!
March 21, 2017 6:58 am

Whoever you are: I heard youre out of town, you knew nice and well there was a blizzard, you could have hired someone to clean up the snow or asked one of your chidlren who live in town to, its already a full week later and there is still ice there and I fell and am in pain because you went on vacation and didnt have the decency to think about “what happens if it snows?” ” who will clean up and shovel so the sidewalk in front of our house is cleaned?”
Something to think about…

To # 39, 27, 22
March 21, 2017 6:52 am

If you have a problem with the city & the Law, be a mensch, & take it up with the authorities or city officials. Don’t take it out on all the innocent people who must try to navigate your sidewalk without getting hurt!! According to Torah you must follow the law of the land in which you live unless it goes against Torah! We are all taxpayers, but if you want to know specifically where your taxes go ask the government officials!

i know a victim
March 21, 2017 6:46 am

he has been homebound now for months, broke his ankle very badly, davened at 770 every morning. still waiting for him to return to our minyan. iyh, he will. he is probably around age 65? literally slipped on ice and broke ankle, a very long time to heal, physical therapy needed for months, maybe even a full year.

If you were injured
March 21, 2017 6:33 am

If you were actually injured, you can sue. It happened to my friend in crown heights. She fell and was in lots of pain, though no fracture. She got $50k from the homeowner (through their homeowners insurance).

City of NY
March 21, 2017 5:46 am

The city of NY is big enough that the city should send out mini snow plow trucks to plow the sidewalks just like they do in many other cities. Why should it be the responsibility of the home owner to shovel? What if they are old and infirm themselves? What if they happen to be on the other side of the globe? Just like the city plows the streets they should plow the sidewalks as well.

Yeshivos may not stop!
March 21, 2017 5:34 am

Please consult a Rov before suggesting the boys to stop learning. I would suggest all the business to be put on hold and employers & employees alike should go & shovel. This will also serve a good two fold message to the boys. #1 the importance of being a mentch and caring for your neighbor (be sure if it on a large scale word will get to boys in no time) & #2 more important yet that learning Torah isn’t the 1st thing to stop! first go all the busniess people & laborers so that the boys can continue the… Read more »

heated sidewalks
March 21, 2017 4:49 am

i had an idea thats a little expensive but in the long run will help a lot…
HEATED SIDEWALKS.
If each block chips in it will end up being cheaper than if each family pays individually
or maybe the city should take that job on themselves
I know its expensive but it will definitely be a big help

to 13
March 21, 2017 4:43 am

the owner of a house is responsible, not the tennants. same goes for an apartment building.

same here
March 21, 2017 4:35 am

i myself triped

To #17
March 21, 2017 3:34 am

if you own a home you are responsable for your propert to shovel the snow.
yes you are resposible for the side walk even 18 inches into the street is yours and you can get a ticket for it.
The poeple who own the building across from Klien are not from Crown heights they are from BP
Yes they dont care if there is snow and ice on the ground

To # 22
March 21, 2017 3:03 am

It happens to be the law here where you live. So you can disobey the law and risk a fine and possible lawsuit for injuries sustained due to your disregard for the law as well as the safety of fellow Yidden and others who must walk pass your dangerous domicile! This is the law of the land you chose to live in!

I agree with number 4
March 20, 2017 9:44 pm

I’m sure my boys would have helped that day if they knew where and when

Very pertinent...
March 20, 2017 8:19 pm

This is so applicable to what is happening in CH you walk up certain streets and there are blocks of ice that we have to walk on because the streets are jammed with cars and there is nowhere else to walk… BH for the nice CH residents who go around and shovel even places that they aren’t legally obligated to shovel! 🙂

Email 2
March 20, 2017 7:57 pm

Instead of taking pictures, you should of gotten out of your car and helped the eldery man.

to #5
March 20, 2017 7:44 pm

There are always the snow hustlers ringing on our door bells

What about the corner of Crown and carrol?
March 20, 2017 7:37 pm

Just because there’s a lot of snow does not make it anyone’s fault you’re for sure not be a lot of snow .
How dair One shovel ?!
I. Would not allow such a thing for my kids to do .
All of your responsibility how dare you shovel.
Let’s just all be friends and get along

Agree with 17
March 20, 2017 7:37 pm

Where else are all of our tax money going to?!
People’s pockets?!!

to the author
March 20, 2017 6:39 pm

You are very right about your article. Yet you are VERY WRONG to write lies and Loshon Horah about things that you are completely ignorant. How dare you write “They tried putting up a yuppie condo building here” do you know the owners?? do you know that the owners are the from nicest ppl in CH, from the biggest Balei Chessed, constantly helping poor ppl, pay for over 1000 bochrim and girls who come to be Tishrei with the Rebbe. etc etc, and will NEVER rent or sell a house in CH to goyim r”l. Just say that they are… Read more »

To 18
March 20, 2017 6:04 pm

U have snow 12 months a year !!!

Odd article
March 20, 2017 6:03 pm

No one tried putting up a yuppie building someone tried putting building for fellow lubavitchers but some lubavitcher was upset about his lighting and therefore it sits empty as it is not profitable to build there.
But the article is correct that people need to shovel. Even if a family goes to Florida for the winter please have someone shovel outside your house in crown heights

Can't understand
March 20, 2017 6:02 pm

I saw something on Balfour that I just couldn’t wrap my head around. 2 homes (with mezuzahs) had their stairs shoveled down to the street, but NOT the sidewalk in front. Can anyone explain that??

City's responsibility
March 20, 2017 6:01 pm

Why should a homeowner be responsible for a public sidewalk. We pay enough taxes. If it’s my responsibility I should be able to close it off! Where else in the world are home owners responsible for cleaning public sidewalks? No where!

To # 17
March 20, 2017 5:48 pm

If the homeowner is elderly he can still salt his sidewalk or pay someone to do it for him. Sorry if he can afford to own a private home he has to be able to maintain it and that includes clearing his snow covered sidewalks. If he rents he should include that responsibility in the rental contract, just like the renter must take out his own garbage! There’s really no excuse, just gross negligence on the part of a few.

response to email #3
March 20, 2017 5:47 pm

of course you should blame the person who owns the property. this is not hefker property. someone owns it, pays property taxes on it and is responsible to clear the snow. As to tenants, in most jurisdictions it is the property owner’s responsibility to clear the snow and not the tenants. However, the owner may have included this in the lease, so this would make it the tenants responsibility. If the tenant does not clean it, the owner should clean it or hire someone to clean it and charge the tenants, if they had agreed that the tenant is to… Read more »

Excellent article!
March 20, 2017 5:25 pm

To add to the chessed, whoever has a willing heart can shovel, or reshovel, and put salt at the cross walks at street corners. Even if those have been shoveled once, many times they become snowy/icy a second time by the next day and are treacherous areas, especially for seniors like me. I feel very lucky this year that my neighbors all shoveled B”H. And some kids on the block pitched in very nicely, as well. Thank you, neighbors!!! Finally, I suggest people at risk of falling buy some cleats or ice grippers to slip over their shoes/boots. These help… Read more »

A Montrealer
March 20, 2017 5:08 pm

I live in Montreal where we have snow and ice all winter. Fortunately, the city cleans and salts the sidewalks. For a few dollars you can buy a rubber piece with metals cleats that you can slip under your boots to give you traction so you won’t fall, even where there is ice. Highly recommended.

City of NY
March 20, 2017 5:07 pm

The city of NY is big enough that the city should send out mini snow plow trucks to plow the sidewalks just like they do in many other cities. Why should it be the responsibility of the home owner to shovel? What if they are old and infirm themselves? What if they happen to be on the other side of the globe? Just like the city plows the streets they should plow the sidewalks as well.

Out of towner
March 20, 2017 5:04 pm

On the point!
And also it won’t hurt home owners to put down salt on the sidewalk so we don’t have to risk our lives every time we walk down the street.

To #7
March 20, 2017 5:01 pm

Excuse me but you make no sense at all. So maybe your father didn’t do a fair job, but if you don’t care about your fellow Jew or anyone else for that matter, and someone falls & is injured, G-d forbid, then you’ll be liable for both not shoveling and your victim’s injuries!! You’re unconscionable!

COMMENT #8
March 20, 2017 5:00 pm

Can’t agree even more! I believe it’s a yid and i think that was who email 1 is referring to.

IF YOU ARE THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY DIRECTLY ACROSS EMPIRE FROM KLEINS GROCERY, THIS MESSAGE IS FOR YOU! READ COMMENT #8 AND EMAIL 1 AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY!!
AL PI TORAH YOUR RESPONSIBLE TO SHOVEL AND SALT IT.
AND ACCORDING TO THE LAW YOU CAN/WILL BE SUED IF SOMEONE GETS INJURED!

Thanks for sharing
March 20, 2017 4:59 pm

This should have been addressed ages ago!! It is such a Chutzpah for people to not even attempt to shovel, or some people shovel a path for a pigeon. People are struggling to walk, slipping and falling. I wish these people would get tickets.
I’m wondering who is responsible to shovel a house with tenants? Is the owner responsible or the tenant?? Our block has a few houses owned by Jews and rented out to Jews, and the tenant NEVER shovels, last year I slipped holding my baby and smashed my head. What are these people thinking????

a home owner's responsibility!
March 20, 2017 4:35 pm

Every person who owns a home should be caring and responsible to shovel their walk. There are many people on our sidewalks, mothers with strollers (who need more than the width of 1 shovel, as some people tend to do!) If you are not in town during a snowstorm, make sure you have a plan in place to get the job done. Anyone who is not considerate in this area should be ticketed.

Agree with #4
March 20, 2017 4:31 pm

Excellent idea! This is Mivtzah Ahavas Yisrael, for anyone who has to justify sending youngsters to do this.

If we can ask / expect our young people to perform Mivtzah Neshek and Mivtzah Tefillin, why not Mivtzah Ahavas Yisrael?

Life saving !!
March 20, 2017 4:30 pm

Just want to commend Apple Drugs because they shovel the entire sidewalk, I even see the main guy Lloyd shoveling in front of the doctors office next-door.

Thank you Apple Drugs for setting an example for the entire community, I will only shop there they have the best service ever!!!

Doesn't make sense
March 20, 2017 4:22 pm

It’s so hard to walk out

shovel snow
March 20, 2017 4:18 pm

yes the corner of empire and brooklyn need to shovel the snow! i know 2 pregnant women who fell and sliiped and 1 man. if you dont want to shovel the snow then pay someone to shovel it for you.

Perfect World
March 20, 2017 4:17 pm

I would like to share a storie, a few years ago my father cleaned the snow on the sidewalk, afterwards someone feel
The judge held my father responsible. Since then “NO MORE SHOVELING” , the fine for not shoveling is the best /only smart option

In pain
March 20, 2017 4:17 pm

I slipped last week because a property owner failed to shovel properly and i have really bad injuries because of it

Reply to number 4
March 20, 2017 4:13 pm

Boys Yeshivos have a full day schedule, when they come home it is time for bed. I am assuming you weren’t referring to girls breaking ice and shoveling snow as a chesed project.

Mitzvah of Chesed
March 20, 2017 3:58 pm

Everyone needs to be responsible for shoveling their sidewalks for the safety of everyone, including themselves. There are elderly and infirm in the neighborhood. How wonderful if the schools and yeshivos would make it a chesed for the children who are old enough and capable to offer assistance to these families…The girls schools have chesed projects to help young mothers, etc, this too would be a wonderful chesed to assist those who are unable to shovel for themselves. What a beautiful way to help another and keep the sidewalks safe at the same time. Everyone can gain from such a… Read more »

Email #2
March 20, 2017 3:45 pm

Although you can’t blame anyone specific for not cleaning that side of the road, the other side right in front of a school was unfortunately not shoved at all either.

Tickets?
March 20, 2017 3:38 pm

Maybe the police should take a break from ticketing cars and ticket homeowners whose sidewalks are not shovelled and salted. Back in the day kids would walk around with shovels and offer to clean sidewalks for a few dollars.

Very pertinent article
March 20, 2017 3:37 pm

Thanks for posting, it’s been a difficult week because of the snow & ice. It’s a true Chesed to consider pedestrians ( Jewish and non) and to salt or have your snow shoveled.

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