Dear Community Board 6,

I'd like to take a minute of your time
to let you know about a problem I've had with the Key Food on 7th Ave.
and Carroll St. Last night, at around 9:53, I attempted to go to the
Key Food only to find that despite their posted closing time of 10
p.m., they were not letting people in because according to the sign they
lock their doors at 9:55. While that's an issue for Key Food to
address, I got a little hot under the collar at the Key Food employee
manning the door. When I turned to walk away, one of the indigent men
who station themselves outside, harassing pedestrians and shoppers,
took exception to my anger. He began threatening me and following me
down the street. I did not feel safe, and had I not called 9-1-1 and
had two Key Food employees not intervened, I am sure he would have
attempted to physically attack me.

It shouldn't be like this on our streets. Key Food has long tolerated
these people who beg outside their doors. They smoke; they're rude to
passers-by; and they are a general nuisance in the neighborhood. I am
writing to you in the hopes that you are the appropriate people to
address these concerns. I realize that personally, I acted out of line
toward the Key Food employees last night. That does not mean that I
should have to fear for my safety from mentally unbalanced people
begging on the streets on my block. I look forward to hearing from you.