Mike, I didn't make any "claims", these are the happenings that go on in our neighborhood and this was circulated through the apt buildings to be extra vigilant. You have to be blind not to the see the amounts of teens loitering, taunting, attempts at robbery etc. We have young children navigating the North End with NO security, the "ambarassador" plants that can't act on any crime do nothing to curb this and the neighborhood needs a permanent police presence! Fields and landing should be closed at dusk and gangs of kids should not bothering the families who pay enough to live here! — Alan on Teens Are Terrorizing Battery Park City

I'm glad this is finally being put out there. I'm sure some parents will say this is just kids being kids, but the multiple times I have had run-ins with them, they are nothing but spoiled thugs. Definitely from the neighborhood, or go to school at Stuyvesant. They often hang out in the evenings in the Conrad lobby. Usually in groups of 4-5 white male teens. Been called faggot to my partner and me, and spit at on 2 separate occasions. We are both tall and in pretty good shape, so the POS usually run away. — mruptight on Teens Are Terrorizing Battery Park City

And now every time I look at the headline, I think of her, so I changed it. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Another Store Closed at Brookfield Place

I just spoke with someone who told me a heck of a story about being harassed and attacked. — Erik Torkells on Teens Are Terrorizing Battery Park City

This seems dramatic. Sounds like a few isolated incidents blown out of proportion. I am in BPC all the time; playing basketball, walking around, jogging, etc. I am there late at night and during the day and have never experienced a problem. Can anyone else verify Alan's claims? — Mike on Teens Are Terrorizing Battery Park City

I had "Another Mall Casualty," but then remembered the tragic fall that happened at the Oculus recently. Since I didn't know of any deaths at Brookfield Place, this version seemed a reasonable shorthand. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Another Store Closed at Brookfield Place

Hey Erik, I think "Another Casualty at Brookfield Place" is a bit of a misleading headline. My first thought was someone had jumped from the balcony. Just saying! — TG on Seen & Heard: Another Store Closed at Brookfield Place

You should go inside. The staff from the interior design office downstairs will no doubt come up to say hello. — Erik Torkells on Loft Peeping: Sterling Mason Bachelor Pad

I live around the corner from Consort, which used to be the Barnabas Bar in the old days, and I have never seen a soul in it -- even any staff. Hmmm. Hello? — George Bacon on Loft Peeping: Sterling Mason Bachelor Pad

ERIK...with a KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! How tough is it? It's like dealing with children. — Jim Smithers on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

You guys and our beautiful grandchildren will be missed, but I am confident you will have great success in Louisville. You are opening a wonderful restaurant in my old neighborhood. lots of love...Josette and Jack — Jack Humphrey on Spotlight: Roc

111 Worth St going to have a lot of empty apartments this year, still jacking the rental prices despite the war zone going on out front and back! — AndyC on Seen & Heard: Frankly Wines Has a New Owner

Well said, Eric. — Makes you go "hmmm..." on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

Erik, you can possibly justify that in your first post, but the repetition of the word in the second post...like a little boy who hears a vulgar word for the first time and gleefully looks for excuses to repeat it...is simply uncalled for. There was absolutely no reason to refer to the woman's breasts as "puppies" in the second post as it was not part of the story. And, in addition, I very specifically said that the "probably afraid to grab the pole" joke was offensive as well. Do you honestly not see that joke as trivializing what actually happened? Look, women ARE more sensitive when it comes to sexual assault, which makes sense since one out of five women is sexually assaulted in this country. And with a pussy-grabber in the White House, we're more vulnerable than ever. — elisa on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

I certainly have noticed that. And women no doubt have far more reason to be sensitive to the topic. But I would like to clarify one thing, that may seem like splitting hairs but is pretty important. I was mocking the alleged harasser's absurd word choice, not the serious act of sexual harassment. It appears that many people do not see those as separate those two things, but to me they are very different. — Erik Torkells on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

"DUMB jokes"? Whoa, you just crossed the line, honey! — Jim Smithers on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

I tried this place once many years ago and the chicken was baked to the point of shoe leather. I never went back. Am I missing a good place? Did I catch them on a bad day? — Janet on No Ribs for You

I'm sure that it's not lost on you all that these MEN think it's funny but the women do not. Really pathetic how out of touch many men are with their own sexist behavior. And sad that ANYONE thinks that sexual assault is fair game for dumb jokes. — elisa on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

Um.. some are just expressing their opinion.. same as you. You have every right to express your opinions but so do others. Your choice how you take it... but I guess accusing others of being "snowflakey" is easier for you. Best of luck with that. — Jeff on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

The plaintiff is none other than Hurt Locker and Zero Dark director: http://ny.curbed.com/2017/1/18/14310872/kathryn-bigelow-nyc-apartment-for-sale — Marc on Seen & Heard: Taste of Tribeca Tickets Are on Sale

Just what I thought! — Janet Goldner on In the News: Dispute Over the Roc Space

Since when is sexual assault not a real problem? — Hal on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

We miss you corner stone !! Can't wait till you open back !! — Kinshasa on No Ribs for You

Does anyone get the sense that political correctness is what's killing America! A joke about puppies does NOT trivialize sexual abuse....it's just funny. Bring back Lenny Bruce, Richard Prior and go Sarah Silverman! — Marc on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast

the only person who has the right to joke about this is the person it happened to; making jokes about someone else's pain is simply not funny. — urban cowgirl on In the News: Tetsu Opening Forecast