Mayor Promises Help With Brooklyn Playground Plagued By Gunfire

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN -- Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to increase police presence at a newly renovated playground that has been plagued by gunfire and gang violence in recent months.

De Blasio fielded questions on the Brian Lehrer Show Friday about Elijah Stroud Playground, next to P. S. 316, from a Brooklyn dad named Matt who said gunshots and school lock-ins have parents feeling "very uneasy."

"As a parent myself, I can understand how entirely frustrating it would be to finally get a great playground then not feel it's safe," de Blasio told Matt. "We have to fix that. "

De Blasio promised to contact the 77th Precinct commander on Friday to strengthen police presence near the playground on Classon Avenue between Park and Sterling Places.

"This is a problem I think we can go ahead on by having really clear, strong police presence by the playground," he said.

Stroud Playground, named after an NYPD officer killed in the line of duty, opened this spring after a two-year, $5 million renovation that brought new swings, spray showers and a synthetic turf area to the park as well as renovated basketball and handball courts, city records show.

But the play area quickly became a source of fear for parents when gang-related incidents spurred the arrest of two armed people and two shelter-ins at P. S. 316, according to a Blyner report.

Prospect Heights parents met with City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo Thursday night about what they might do to better protect the park, Matt said

"Considering that we've waited for this playground for a couple years," said Matt, "There's a lot of concern about what the NYPD can do."

"We're gonna make sure there's police presence to address it," de Blasio replied. "We'll make sure there's special attention on that area, that neighborhood and on P.S. 316."