Kris Gounden Alleges Bias Crime in Howard Beach
March 11, 2008
In New York, Howard Beach resident Kris Gounden, who is of Guyanese nationality, is being harrassed by his neighbors in an attempt to get him to move out of the neighborhood.
Below is a video covered by UPN 9 and an article by Times Ledger’s Howard Koplowitz.
Kris Gounden said he moved to the southern Queens neighborhood in July 2006 to be closer to John F. Kennedy International Airport because he works as an independent aircraft technician.
Ever since he moved into the 15,000-square-foot property on Bayview Avenue, Gounden said some of his neighbors have urinated on a bush on his property, damaged his fence, blocked his driveway and complained about him daily to various city agencies.
But the incident that Gounden said led him to contact the 106th Precinct about his neighbors occurred on Aug. 11, when he claimed 19-year-old neighbor Michael Hussey confronted him on his porch with a baseball bat and threatened to torch his home and kill his family.
“This guy’s coming over and he’s ranting and raving,” Gounden recalled during a telephone interview Monday with the TimesLedger. “He comes back with a baseball bat and he goes at it fully with the N-word.”
Gounden now has 24-hour police protection at his home. He said he is not sure how long the protection will last.
Hussey was arrested on charges of aggravated harassment, criminal possession of a weapon, trespassing and menacing, police at the 106th Precinct said. All of the charges had hate crime designations.
Gounden claimed the alleged treatment he gets from his neighbors is because of the color of his skin.
“There’s certain people who don’t want me here,” he said.
City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) said race had nothing to do with the matter, contending Gounden has about $8,000 in buildings violations because he did not build his home according to code.
But a TimesLedger review of city Department of Buildings records showed Gounden owes only $2,000 for violating a stop work order.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Gounden could not get along with his neighbors because of the work he was doing on his properties.,” Addabbo said. “These building violations don’t know color.”
But Addabbo called the situation “really unfortunate” and said the matter should not have come to a point where Gounden was allegedly threatened with a baseball bat.
Albert Baldeo, a candidate for state Senate who is Indo-Guyanese, said Addabbo should resign from his Council seat over the way he handled the matter because the councilman would not take Gounden’s side.
But Addabbo said he offered to help Gounden fix the violations in 2006 and contended Baldeo’s involvement in the situation is politically motivated.
“It’s unfortunate that someone would use this for political gain,” said Addabbo, who is mulling a run for the state Senate seat that Baldeo also has his eyes on.
Despite the alleged harassment, Gounden said he has no plans to move out of Howard Beach.
“This is our home,” he said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
By Howard Koplowitz
08/30/2007
©Times Ledger 2008
The Baiganchoka Team
- There are no related posts.
People who read this, also read...
Comments
9 Responses to “Kris Gounden Alleges Bias Crime in Howard Beach”
Got something to say?
Brown is the new black!
Who gives anyone the right to tell another person where they should or shouldn’t live??! Have they forgotten about the “trail of tears” and that they too are immigrants of this country? Someone needs to take a U.S. history book and beat Michael Hussey’s head in - maybe he’ll learn something besides the N-word.
Kris I applaud your strength and determination. Every West Indian should move into Howard Beach and send all the IGNORANT white folks trekking on the trail of tears.
Maybe he deserved it? How is it that he is the only one being targeted in the neighborhood?
I’m curious to know why Mr. Gouden continues to stay in a neighborhood that does not want you there. Is your family safe there? I understand you are trying to stand up for your right, but is it worth it? You need to think about how this situation affects your family and more importantly your kids (if you have any that is) .
My story is so disturbing, I can only ask people to check youtube, the internet, and then maybe you’ll get an idea of what is actually going on. Quite a few city agencies are involved. Its interesting how our tax money is spent. The story will be told. My family (including five children) have decided to stay and fight for our home.
Thats sad, I myself went to school in Howard Beach for many years as a child because my zoned elementary school in queens was too full . I also am a Guyanese Indian and I have experienced that racism first hand many, many times. I have been called all the racist names you can think that were incorrect in the first place for an Indian person anyway, but what could I do? I will admit I did make some friends when I was a little kid going to school in Howard Beach, but for the most part most of the people I met were racist beyond belief….classmates…parents of classmates…you wouldnt believe me if I told you, but I am sure not everyone in Howard Beach is ignorant, but the ones that are speak way louder than any who say they aren’t. Mr. Gounden, good luck Sir and God bless you and your family. In the end good always prevails, believe that. Have faith.
I am Guyanese of Indian descent, and also went to school in Howard Beach as a child (early 90″s). It’s almost bewildering when someone calls you the n-word, when first and foremost, that word shouldn’t be thrown at anyone, let alone someone who isn’t even African American. I grew to see how ignorance permeated the society of Howard Beach, from the minds of parents, right down to their children, who would dismiss anything/ANYONE that was not exactly like them. To you Kris, I just ask that you keep your head held high. People ask why you just dont leave, but realistically speaking, we are living in 2008, and ignorance should never drive anyone from where they want to live. Stay strong and safe.
We were bussed into Howard Beach (my older sister and myself) in the late 1970s because of overcrowding in ozone park. I remember those days, maybe all too well, that’s why I guess people find it hard to understand our move here. Cheryl and I believe in our right to be here. I’ve listened to so many howard beach stories from various minorities. Our voice remains unheard, the politicians want only to give excuses for the same behavior. The people in power that know what’s going on are few and scared. So we are left to handle this on our own. What would you do?
Kris, I understand and sympathize with your cause. Sometimes you gotta stand up and fight for what you believe in; however, I’m worried about the safety and well being of your family - your kids specifically. You said those in power know what’s going on and are scared. There must be a reason why they are scared to do something about it.
I’m suprised UPN of all stations has not followed up with this story since their initial coverage.
Its simple, the people who are in power are not really in power, they are just puppets of someone else who really has the power. If politicians wont do anything about it its because they cant. Be strong and keep the fight up. Politicians only do what they are allowed to do, they arent here to serve the people they never were nor will be. History should prove as a lesson for anyone who thinks that politicans or government officials care about people especially minorities like us. We are continuously fooling ourselves thinking that senators, or congressmen or even law enforcement care about us or want to make a difference. Those are lies that we are fed as children, but as you become an adult you see the truth everyday. All I can say is be strong and keep the fight up, if you are worried about your family’s safety then all I can say legally and openly is if it gets to a point where safety is a real issue then leave and find some where else to live, but to be honest anywhere you move to will have people that are ignorant, its just that in Howard Beach its on a higher scale.