When people want to track a societal shift, they turn to statistics. But signs of the times also come in less quantifiable bites.

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Click on the map above for a larger view of commuter van stops

Updated 16 Oct, 2009

Things are tough in Sunset Park. A quarter of the South Brooklyn neighborhood’s residents live below the poverty line. Since August 31st, 5 men under 25 have been murdered, 4 in gang-related violence. At the 72nd Precinct’s Community Council on Tuesday, things got heated–about vans.

“Dollar Vans” are big business in Brooklyn’s Chinatown. For $2.50, they’ll take you to Manhattan. For $4, you can make it to Flushing. The growing Chinese community along 8th Ave depends upon this service daily. More than 60 licensed vans appear each morning to shuttle people through the city.

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The stabbing that took place last Sunday, Oct. 4, does not appear to have been gang related. There have been several misunderstandings and errors on this incident, including my own, here and here. The Post and Village Voice have also reported on Sunset Park’s most recent homicide. The following is the version offered by the 72nd Precinct at the Community Council meeting of October 12th:

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