Trendy NYC Enclave Overrun By 'Gutter Punks' [Williamsburg, Brooklyn]

WBZTV.com ^ | July 17, 2009

[ETL]

It Appears Transients From All Over The Globe Converging On Bohemian Williamsburg -- And Residents Are Furious
Panhandling, Drugs Taking Over Parts Of Hip Brooklyn Neighborhood

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CBS) -- There's a neighborhood in Brooklyn that's known for being trendy and hip, but some residents say the Bohemian reputation is drawing a group of transient people from around the world known as "gutter punks" and it's now turning into a squatter invasion.

And as CBS station WCBS-TV found out some are fighting to get them out of the neighborhood.

Some call Northside Williamsburg along Bedford Avenue the new Greenwich Village, with lots of families and trendy shops and restaurants.

But in the last few months residents say they're being invaded by hordes of "gutter punks" who sleep on the street.

"They have the long dreads; they wear black, usually a dog; there's about four or five of them and they're collecting money to get a $1.25 slice of pizza which they invariably are munching on a little bit later," Williamsburg resident Lilly Ardell said.

Community activist Evan Thies said it's a serious problem.

"They have been using hard drugs such as heroin in public, and leaving dangerous remnants behind …needles, baggies, things that could seriously harm a child," Thies said.

Thies said the folks are homeless and are squatting in vacant lots and construction sites where they can sneak in through the gate. WCBS-TV talked to a young woman, who preferred the term "traveler" versus "gutter punk," and said while some of her friends do hard drugs that's not the case for everyone.

"I don't do drugs at all, I've never done anything," she said. "I smoked weed before; I drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes."

She came from California, and said many "travelers" are like migrant workers, picking up odd jobs here and there and then moving on. She sells jewelry and chose this transient life right after high school.

"I'll usually work and save up money and then hit the road, but I'll also panhandle here and there if I need to, if I need to eat than I need to eat, you gotta do what you gotta do I guess," the woman said.

Thies said if police don't crack down on this growing problem the neighborhood could be in for a nightmare of crime and violence.

Police said they are monitoring the area, but have not seen an increase in crime or vagrants.

Some in the neighborhood are also concerned that when summer ends and the weather gets nasty problems will escalate.

[ETL]

Punks invade Williamsburg as heroin-addicted hobos set up shop in trendy Brooklyn neighborhood
New York Daily News
July 15th 2009
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/07/15/2009-07-15_hordes_of_hobos_set_up_shop_in_williamsburg_punks_invade_neighborhood.html
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Williamsburg Gutter Punks Get Ink
http://gothamist.com/2009/07/15/williamsburg_gutter_punks.php
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"Gutter Punk" further defined
WARNING: explicit language!
Urban Dictionary: "Gutter Punk"
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Gutter+Punk

[ETL]

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, bordering Greenpoint, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Bushwick. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 1. The neighborhood is served by the NYPD's 90th [1] Precinct. Many ethnic groups have enclaves within Williamsburg, including Germans, Hasidic Jews, Italians, Puerto Ricans, and Dominicans. The neighborhood is also a magnet for young people moving to the city, and is an influential hub for indie rock. Williamsburg is home to a thriving art community, which is largely associated with one of its main thoroughfares, Bedford Avenue. Williamsburg is viewed as both a haven for established immigrant families and as an area of artists and hipsters. The sometimes-clashing definitions have been highlighted by a growing population and rapid development of housing and retail that is changing the look and feel of the neighborhood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamsburg,_Brooklyn

[Dr.Deth]

"I'll usually work and save up money and then hit the road, but I'll also panhandle here and there if I need to, if I need to eat than I need to eat, you gotta do what you gotta do I guess," the woman said.

Geez, at least have a little pride and try to sell your body before you go out and beg.

[ClearCase_guy]

During the Bush administration I heard several people lament how clean and boring NYC had become. They longed for the days of the 1970's. "Sure," they said, "New York had some problems back then, but the culture was very dynamic!"

So now we're back in the days of Abe Beame, Jimmy Carter, graffiti artists, and gutter punks. Whoo-Hoo!

[Dilbert San Diego]

Well, it’s interesting to see that the residents of this area don’t like the transient bum homeless folks gathering there. And I thought we’re supposed to be liberal and tolerant and all that. I guess even good liberals have their limits.

Are these good Marxist liberals concerned that their property values are impacted by these transients?

Are the good liberal residents of Williamsburg frustrated that we don’t have laws and policies anymore that can deal with transiency?

[pissant]

I’d suggest flame throwers

[wardaddy]

so the black goblins left and the white junkies move in

is that cultural progess or regression?

[org.whodat]

There's a neighborhood in Brooklyn that's known for being trendy and hip,

Is that the same thing as being snot noised and stuck up, you know the we are better than you types.

[gdani]

I used to live in this area. The gutter punks (or whatever) were there long before the yuppies started moving in & taking over.

It won't be long before everyone who's not a Manhattanite-type yuppie is pushed out of the area.

[OB1kNOb]

Or a big pack of hungry pit bulls.

[trisham]

Is that the same thing as being snot noised and stuck up, you know the we are better than you types.

*********************

Perhaps a humble type such as yourself might offer the "gutter punks" a place to stay. Welcome them to your home!

[TexasCajun]

Homelessness Rebouds! Obamah Stimulus Working!!

[ETL]

"There's a neighborhood in Brooklyn that's known for being trendy and hip, but some residents say the Bohemian reputation is drawing a group of transient people from around the world known as "gutter punks" and it's now turning into a squatter invasion."

How to Be Bohemian

A Bohemian is a person who lives and acts by a different set of conventional rules and practices than the average person. Here are those rules:

Steps

1. To be bohemian, you need to dress like a bohemian. Go to bohemian websites for inspirations. Find what you like. You can pick and choose your own styles. IMPORTANT: you can dress HOWEVER YOU LIKE as long as it really reflects who you are!!!

2. Know that it's your body. If you want piercings or tattoos -- go for it (if it is true to your moral convictions).

3. Listen to the music, read the books, watch the movies, etc. that you like. Do the following without shame. What you like and don't is part of your individual personality, why hide that?

4. Challenge what you and others believe. If you have grown up with a certain belief system (religion, political view, etc.) ask yourself why you believe this. Do you really believe this or is it just a habit?

5. Become informed about other lifestyles or points of view. If there is an aspect you admire, incorporate it into your own life. This is called 'shop cart views'. You don't have to agree with everything from a particular ideology.

6. Do what you want as long as nobody, including yourself, gets hurt, or there are consequences you don't want. Bohemians are socially responsible.

7. Express yourself in some artistic way. This may not naturally be your forte but everybody has some creativity. Art, music, writing, etc. whatever works. Don't worry if you aren't a prodigy in your chosen artistic outlet. Every master started somewhere and nobody has to see your genius if you don't want them to. What one person calls smears of paint another calls art, so it's all what you think.

8. Question authority (within reason)- politicians, parents, school or work authority, and even the popular trend setters, they all tell you what to do in some way. Ask yourself: what are they really asking of you, what are their motives, reasons, is there any value in their request? The answer to these should tell you whether you should even pay attention. However, with authority figures, you should always be respectful and use logic when you are questioning them.

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Bohemian
_____________________________________________

How to Dress Like a Bohemian

Dressing like a Bohemian will make you look unique and sexy, like celebrities Sienna Miller and Mischa Barton.

Steps

1. Wear lots of flowy tunics and blouses.

2. Wear lots of long, flowy (prairie) skirts.

3. Wear ornate jewelry, like drop earrings with shells on them.

4. Wear earthy colours.

5. Wear your hair loose, wavy, and natural.

6. Keep makeup fresh and neat. Or just go natural.

7. Keep skin healthy and glowing by drinking lots of water and eating healthy.

8. Most preferably, wear white clothes.

9. Mix and Match.

10. Having lots of accessories is a must-sunglasses, bags, jewelry

http://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Like-a-Bohemian

[PGR88]

They’ve got Community Activists, they have a trendy neighborhood in New York City, they have low-lifes on the street - sounds like a job for ACORN!

[JimRed]

Williamsburg is home to a thriving art community...

In other words- queers.

[ETL]

Re: "Bohemian Williamsburg"

The Wild Bohemian Home Page

"Like if it's got anything to do with wild Bohemian cats and chicks, you'll probably find it here. Included here are links to pages about Hippies, the Beat Generation, the Grateful Dead and other Bohemian bands, outlaw bikers (including the Hells Angels), plus everything else Bohemian I can find..."

http://wild-bohemian.com/

[org.whodat]

Trailer park right down the street from me. I have not put up the first protest sign. But their pets that are still alive know where the property line is.

[org.whodat]

ROFLOL

Good One!!!!!

[retrokitten]

Dressing like a Bohemian will make you look unique and sexy, like celebrities Sienna Miller and Mischa Barton.

Okay, this cracked me up. Sienna Miller is the Hollywood town bicycle and Mischa Barton is in the Cedars-Sinai Crazy Ward.

Great role models.

[ETL]

Re: Williamsburg is home to a thriving art community...

In other words- queers.

Not necessarily queers, but, in general, left-leaning flakes.