Update: Kris Gounden of Howard Beach Grand Jury Hearing
March 20, 2008
Well today I went to the grand jury and everything went ok. The interesting thing that came out of this is that the jury wanted to know if I was making all these complaints, why the NYPD did nothing. I was actually asked why the local police station did not make an arrest on the night of my altercation? Why Manhattan NYPD (Hate Crimes Task Force) had to make the arrest over a week after the incident? Well as West Indians in ozone park/Richmond hill, we know how our wonderful police dept feels about its minority residents. When I had my meeting with the 106pct, I told the captain about the incorrect information he gave to the media about this being an “isolated” one incident. i replied to the captain of the 106pct (internal affairs, hate crimes, community affairs-officers all from Manhattan) “Sir you are mistaken, I have a half dozen police incidents with over a dozen times I was threatened with arrest by the 106pct”. I proceeded to hand the officers a two page detailed description of the events. I think the time I was really ticked off is when I took my bobcat and placed a boulder in my driveway (my neighbor’s illegal auto body shop was using my yard). the police was called, the people told them of their community board/councilman relationship, I was told to move the rock or be arrested. I held my ground and showed the police my paperwork. Well he didn’t want to see paperwork; he was more interested in arresting the “loudmouth Indian”. I eventually moved the rock; he really looked like he wanted to arrest me. That was quite an emotional day. Did I do the right thing, what would you do?
Kris Gounden
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12 Responses to “Update: Kris Gounden of Howard Beach Grand Jury Hearing”
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Even thought there is a disclaimer posted on this blog I don’t think anyone dare say what you really need to do. But you did the right thing Kris - you can’t fight them if you are in jail. Continue to press on - they can’t control everyone in the system.
Thank you,
It’s strange you said that. Many people have the same thoughts. It tells you how disturbing my case is when minority officials have to pull me aside and whisper the same thing. Everyday I think about the past three years since we became involved with howard beach. The reason i came here was the quiet, space, and to be left alone with the return of my high school sweetheart in my life. Yes, TO BE LEFT ALONE!
strange huh,
Kris Gounden
People or rather the rich, upper-class “white” people tend to forget America is a melting pot and New York City is in the heart of it. Not because they may be born here makes them an “American” (which is another misconception because the continent is AMERICA, it’s not a country. If they want to call themselves American they need to use the term “United States of American” - LOL). At one point or another their ancestors all came on a boat - every one of them.
All this have been said before and is understood. You just have to do what you have to do. Stand up for what you believe in - it’s the only way things get in this country.
I’m suprised your story is not in the current news. What gives?
Ps. Why not send this blog to UPN 9 and ask them where is their follow up story to their previous coverage? This is what should be on the news, not the celebrity b.s. they cloud the media with.
Kris - have you looked into other cases like yours in the Howard Beach area, or is your case an isolated incident?
Hello Kris,
I have been following your case with what you have presented on this website and I just came across an article published on another website sometime ago. Below is what Elvira Black had to say:
“Um, perhaps. However:”
“Some posters on this forum have complained that their immigrant neighbors play loud music til all hours of the night and refuse to compromise. If you have had little contact with folks from this culture, you might conclude that all people of this group are similar.”
“If I, as a white woman living in a predominantly black coop, decided to ignore the house rules, e.g., illegally installing a washer/dryer instead of using the building’s machines, having loud parties that spilled out into the hallways, littering, etc, then some black residents might conclude I am a spoiled, selfish yuppie who does not deserve to live here because I think I am above the community’s rules.”
“Even in the Hamptons, this kind of battle reigns when folks with lots of money try to overbuild, defy the housing codes, etc. It’s generally a case of a newcomer trying to get around the existing zoning rules, thereby affecting the existing community in a detrimental way.”
“Now in this case, there was definitely some racism involved with the resident who threatened this guy. But there may be others who are mainly concerned about the fact that the guy has received multiple violations and is building on a sewer which affects his neighbors directly.”
“Of course, some whites will then say it’s because he’s black. In any case, crying discrimination if you break the rules is not playing fair; but neither is illegal harassment and racial slurs, threats, etc. But if you are a newcomer of any sort in an established community, it is probably wise to strive to be a positive member of the community rather than having no regard or respect for your neighbors.”
What do you think about what she had to say? And do you actually live in “Howard Beach” or “Hamilton Beach”?
Here is the link to the site, http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-york-city/155777-howard-beach-man-claims-he-victim.html
I thought this incident happened in Ramblersville which is near Hamilton Beach. I was bussed to PS 146 in Howard Beach. Ramblerssville guys were the bottom rung of the local pecking order. Shacky little houses that flooded all the time in that neighborhood with not even real roads. They came late to school every time the moon was full because of the floods.Sure was not upscale then. Maybe it changed.
I do not know how many people actually read this blog. Please do not believe the silly excuses for racism. I do not have sewer lines on my property, this is a FALSE statement. The 106pct reported only ONE incident on my property, another FALSE statement. I live in Ramblersville (old howard beach), I own the oldest home in my neighborhood. I have NO tickets for noise even though the 106pct has been to my home many times. I get along with FOUR of my immediate neighbors. They are happy we came here. The guy next door does’nt sell weed out of his illegal bodyshop anymore. Yes, I reported him when I found out, and yes- he was arrested for narcotics and firearms. I moved here and did plenty for my neighbors. $4000 loan to one neighbor, building materials to others, letter of recommendation for the guy’s father (that attacked us!), we even gave away the trailers that we moved here with!. So please, believe one thing-THIS IS A COVERUP. A black puerto rican guy came to our house shortly after my story hit the news and stated, “THEY GONNA COVER THIS STUFF UP”. If people give this story the time it deserves, there will be change.
What do you think?
Kris Gounden
If the police arrested your neighbor for narcotics and guns on your complaint that would seem like they respected you and the information you gave them. Have you looked into getting your house declared an official landmark by the city? The oldest house in a neighborhood is pretty historical.
Lenny, I think you have good intentions. Once i get out of this mess, your suggestions will be first on my list.
Thank you. It is amazing that your house is the oldest. I saw a sign on Crossbay Blvd. near the Belt Parkway entrance that I think has a date from more than 100 years ago for when that neighborhood was founded. No wonder they call it old Howard Beach. I always wondered why. What is it like to have a house more than 100 years old?