Pothole, sidewalk crack
311 Tracks an open report. Sidewalks usually 2–6 weeks.
Who do I call about…
Most things you’d ring us about aren’t really ours — they’re a 311, a CB14, a precinct, or a hardware-store thing. Here’s the cheat sheet, sorted by what you’re actually looking at.
On your block
Downed tree, dangerous limb
311 · then tell the board We keep a parallel list and nudge Parks if it stalls.
Tree pit you want to adopt
DPWNABoard@gmail.com Subject line: “Tree pit adoption”. We pair you with a steward.
Garbage missed, bin not returned
311 · DSNY DSNY has a 24-hour SLA on missed collections.
Someone parked in your driveway
Call the precinct directly if 311 stalls.
Streetlight out, hydrant broken
311 DOT for streetlights, DEP for hydrants — 311 routes it.
Your house
Landmark or facade question
LPC · 212-669-7700 Some Ditmas Park West blocks fall inside a historic district — check before you change a window.
Permit question, work next door
NYC Dept. of Buildings Look up the address on DOB NOW first; CB14 can help if it’s wrong.
Boiler, plumber, electrician recs
The newsletter Members swap names every couple weeks. Better signal than Yelp.
Tree in front of your house is sick
311 · Forestry File under “Dead Tree” — covers dying or declining street trees. Parks inspects in person.
Locked out
—
Sorry. That one is on you.
Civic & political
Community Board 14
Land use, schools, liquor licenses, and most quality-of-life intake.
City Council · District 40
Rita Joseph District40@council.nyc.gov · 718-287-8762.
State Senate · District 21
Kevin Parker State-level housing, transit, and budget.
State Assembly · District 44
Robert Carroll Covers most of Ditmas Park West.
Schools (PS 217, PS 139, IS 246)
DOE · CB14 Education Cmte. CB14 has the working relationships; start there.
Filming or photo-shoot inquiries
DPWNABoard@gmail.com We can intro you to a few blocks that say yes, and a few that don’t.
Safety
Emergency
911 Always. Don’t hesitate, don’t post first.
Non-emergency police
70th Precinct · 718-851-5511 154 Lawrence Ave. Community Affairs runs build-a-block monthly.
Suspicious activity
70th Precinct + a neighbor Tell someone next door too — they often know what it is.
Noise after 10 p.m.
311 first, then 70th 311 has the paper trail. The precinct has the car.
Domestic violence, harm at home
NYC Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-621-HOPE · 24/7 · multilingual · confidential.
Snail mail
DPWNA, c/o the board
Brooklyn, NY 11226.
Email us first and we’ll send the street address.
Board meetings
Usually a kitchen table. In summer, a porch.
We meet when there’s something to talk about — no fixed cadence, and members are welcome to sit in. The next one is on the events page. Email the board if you want to come or have something for the agenda.