*NYPD officer Justin Cracchiola was this week named South Brooklyn’s cop of the month–he has spent nearly a decade on the force, much of that as a narcotics cop in the 72nd precinct in Sunset Park. Read more here.

*Check out this Streetsblog article arguing that NY City planning may be sabotaging sustainability by parking space requirements for new development. I would think this article might raise a few backs on both sides. What do you think?

* Brooklyn in January had the highest foreclosure rate in the city, and Sunset Park has for the first time seen people being forced to giving up their homes, according to an article in the Ethiopian Review.

*Duane Reade has just been purchased by the Walgreen chain, the Brooklyn Eagle reported. What do you think, will this have any effect on the new Duane Reade on Fifth Ave?

This is the first in a series of posts that will use maps, graphs, and other web visualizations to take a look at what’s happening in the neighborhood. Curious about something? Have a question about the neighborhood you’d like to see drawn out? Shoot an email, or leave a comment.

View Sunset Park Pharmacies in a larger map

Duane Reade has made its debut, and now settled into its shiny plate-glass storefront on 5th Ave. Best View in Brooklyn gives a great description of the space, and a resident’s viewpoint on how it compares in price and feel to longer term spots like Ike’s Party Party and the Mini Max.

“I wonder what’s gonna happen to all the little mom and pops,” said local Stacy Mosher, who said she has gone out of her way to shop elsewhere.

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