A Tree Branch Hangs In Brooklyn continues with the story of what happened next. Up to now, attempts to get the Parks Department to remove the hanging branches have failed. Each time we have a strong storm, more hanging branches develop.
Winter is here, and so are ice storms. And with ice storms come branches laden with ice, falling and doing damage. At this point, it seemed that we here in East New York were on our own.
A Hanging Tree Branch and The Mayor’s Office
After the failure of the Parks Department to take action, it was time to try something else. I wrote Ms. Baskerville in the Mayor’s Office about this problem. Realistically, I did not expect to hear anything for a long time. A past email to the mayor’s office about an incident that happened to me showed how slow a response can be.
Nonetheless, I sent her an email. The email had updated photos showing people walking under the hanging branch. Students, seniors, and families, walking under the danger from above. And not knowing it.
I had sent the same photos with my last request to the Parks Department. You guessed it. I got no response.
A New Tree Branch Threat
I was ready to give up until I came face to face with a tree branch hanging over the middle of the street. As I drove under the branch with my granddaughter in the back seat, it took very little to imagine the worst.
A vehicle coming down the street at the same time this branch fell would be deadly.
Screw the Parks Department. This time, I decided to call 911.
The 911 Response
I left my home and walked up the block to the tree branch overhanging the street. I wanted to be standing near the branch when I made my call. Then I called 911.
Note. 911 is not equipped to handle calls about hanging tree branches. They ask you about your emergency, and do you need Police, Fire, or medical help. There is nothing about dangerous trees and branches.
But I give credit to the 911 operator. She did not leave me hanging. She connected me to the fire department. I explained everything to the dispatcher. The dispatcher stated that this was a Parks Department matter and he would contact them.
The FDNY Response
I explained to the dispatcher that anyone coming down the street. Or parking in the spot where the tree branches were hanging was in imminent danger.
The conversation ended, and I proceeded back to my home. I spoke with two neighbors, informing them of what had happened. And I became resigned to the fact, we were alone in dealing with this threat. I headed home feeling the city had abandoned us.
That was until I heard the sound of a siren. Looking up the block, I saw FDNY ladder 103 coming down the block. I could not believe that they were coming to help. Neither could my neighbor and he’s a cop.
Ladder 103
I walked back up the block to the tree branch hanging over the street. As I got there, so did the fire truck. I could see the look on the driver’s face as he approached the tree branch.
He stopped the truck under the branch. Then moved the ladder truck back a few feet. The crew exited the vehicle and assessed the situation.
One Tree Branch Down
They immediately went to work on the one hanging over the street. No bucket truck was necessary. Down came that branch.
They asked if any other branches were a danger. I told them about the others.
Tree Branch Two Is Down
Branch number two took a little more work, but it too was no match for the 103. Down it came. A parking spot became available and safe to park in.
Note the car parked near this vertically hanging tree branch.
It’s not dangerous at all. Right?
Branches Three And Four Are Next
That’s right, you read it correctly. Since August, when I first reported the first hanging tree branches, more had appeared. The all-day heavy rains are having their way with these unpruned trees.
Tree number three, you know about. It is the one over the curb cut on the sidewalk. No truck was needed for this one. The fireman used a long hook to grab the branch and pull it down. Then the branch was broken down and ready for disposal.
Tree Branch Number 4 Hidden
I didn’t see branch number four. I thought we were done until two of the firemen noticed the branch. There it was hanging over the street, entwined with other branches, ready to hit some unsuspecting person or vehicle. Down it goes.
Was I happy? Hell yeah. In a very short time, threats of injury to my family and neighbors were removed. 🙂
Four Down, One To Go
Tree branch number 5 is the responsibility of the never-present Parks Department. Will the Parks Department remove it before it falls? That’s anyone’s guess. I filed another report and got the usual response.
Thank You, Ladder 103
And as you can see in the photos, they removed all but one. Branch 5 is above the Con Edison lines. And let’s face it. These guys have gone above and beyond the scope of their job. The time of getting the cat out of the tree has passed. But I am grateful for all they did.
Note. The FDNY, whose job is to fight fires, removed a threat to life and property in under fifteen minutes. They arrived at 10:27 am and finished by 10:39.
All of this with cars parked on the street. And none were damaged. No pedestrians were in any danger.
Hanging Tree Branches: What I Am Doing Now
- This article is posted here to alert you of the unseen danger from above.
- An email was sent to Ms. Baskerville about this article with links to it.
- I also sent an email to my Brooklyn City Councilman, Chris Banks.
- I continue to submit service requests because heavy rains and winds continue to damage the trees here.
A Special Request
In the emails to Ms. Baskerville and Councilman Banks, I asked that Ladder 103 get recognition and a commendation for their fine work.
Any of the four hanging branches could have caused injury and damage at any time. Two of them could have caused death to occur. So yes, Ladder 103 should receive props for what they did.
What You Can Do About Hanging Branches
As for you, may I suggest that you look up at the trees on your walk after a storm. If you see a hanging branch or limb, go online to nyc.gov. Click on NYC 311 and search trees.
Or you can click on the name or the link below. If the link does not work, then copy/paste it into your browser.
No Internet
Call 311 if you do not have online access.
Fallen Tree Or Branch
https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02138
Leave A Paper Trail
I cannot stress this enough. leave a paper trail. Back up what you are saying. Do not give them a chance to ignore you.
- Take photos from different angles of the tree branch.to add to your request. Your cell phone will do.
- Take photos showing the hazard the hanging branch poses. I.e. parking spots, sidewalks etc. I once submitted a photo showing a tree limb, not a branch, that hung over the entrance to a neighbor’s house. That was a time when the Parks Department responded quickly.
- And contact the mayor’s office and your councilmember if necessary.
- Document as much as you can and save any emails you receive.
- Create a folder for all this for future reference.
Why do all this? How else are you going to prove negligence should you or a loved one fall victim to one of these hanging threats?
The Nuclear Option AKA 911
As for 911, it is still for emergencies. In this case, it was my last resort. You noticed that I did not contact 911 until the threat of the hanging branches became too great. You will find a message on the request submission page informing you to contact 911 if the hanging branch or limb is a danger to life.
It is a hard call to make. You don’t want to overreact. But at the same time, lives may be at stake. When in doubt, err on the side of safety.
One More Thing
I am not one to complain and not offer possible solutions. In the final installment on this subject, I touch on a method that I believe will improve the Parks Department’s handling of tree branches. Click on the button below to read a possible solution to improving branch removal.
Wait, you have not read part 1? Click on the button below to read how this all started.
So, you’re not ready to read the next installment or the previous one. How about looking at a slideshow? You know the deal. Click on the button below to view the photos submitted with my request for service in one place.
To see links to all the articles, click here to go to the Navigation Page. There you will find links to all the articles in this series.
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