Police chief addresess Brooklyn residents’ concerns
She-roe: Real estate agent empowers women
Caribbean L BQ ife, Feb. 8–14, 2019 3
By Alexandra Simon
She’s bringing empowerment into real
estate.
New York-based realtor Jennifer Saavedra
founded her agency, The Real Sisters
Real Estate , with her sister Renatta seven
years ago. A former international journalist
and a self-proclaimed feminist —
her day-to-day task is not just focused
on showing potential buyers and renters
properties. She is also navigating her
career with a progressive and womancentric
world view.
Several of her main areas of concern
in her line of work is assuring that her
clients find the best living spaces suitable
to their needs, but also maintaining her
beliefs of female empowerment.
“I’m a feminist and women’s issues,
and a lot of issues are very important to
me,” she said.
She says oftentimes realtors shy away
from sharing their personal politics and
views on global problems, but she ascertains
that it can be a detriment because
in many cases sociopolitical issues correlate
with the real estate industry.
“A lot of brokers don’t publish their
political points of views and I disagree
with that,” said Saavedra. “You can’t
filter out that part of human nature and
thought in New York City — so I align
with clients who are vocal about this real
estate.”
The Real Sisters Real Estate team consists
of the sisters, along with three other
female real estate agents. Aside from the
team being predominantly women —
that is also reflected in the clientele.
“When I founded this with my sister it
quickly evolved from being a sisterhood
thing to female empowerment since a
lot of our clients are single moms,” said
Saavedra.
And to a significant extent, they serve
clients who are interested in becoming
first time business or property owners.
Before working in real estate, Saavedra
worked as a journalist and traveled
the world. But she has not left behind
the issues she passionately followed and
wrote about. It was during her time as
reporter she discovered her drive for
humanitarian issues.
“I traveled quite extensively throughout
Asia and South America focusing
on media rights and it was a nice bridge
of talking to people and learning about
property ownership,” she said.
The experience was beneficial and
proved to be useful for her in analyzing
the needs of her clients.
“A lot of that helped me in assessing
people’s needs, especially for many first
time buyers because there are several
avenues to buying property,” said Saavedra.
It was a natural transition for Saavedra.
Her family ran a construction business
restoring brownstones around the city,
which led to her love for the architectural
style and entering the real estate.
Mostly serving Manhattan, Brooklyn,
The Bronx, and Queens — with her sister
operating out of Long Island — the agency’s
clients range from people of various
social and economic backgrounds. And
while they often have luxury listings,
Saavedra says she remains realistic in the
overall types of residences they register.
“I work in affordable housing, and
I do like to improve communities
because I’m not a fan of gentrification,”
said Saavedra.
Unlike others in her field that have
contributed to pushing out residents
in favor of new development and gentrification
— Saavedra actively works
against that and steers clear. She said
it was the responsibility of real estate
agents to serve their communities in
multitudes of ways.
“Displacement is not pleasant for
anyone and if you’re someone who’s
involved in your community in some
way — you should be open to a dialogue
that is beneficial for both —
the builders and the community,” said
Saavedra.
By Tangerine Clarke
Police Commissioner of New York
City, James P. O’Neill, during a meeting
at the Hebrew Educational Society
in Canarsie, Brooklyn, last Tuesday,
assured residents that crime was on the
decline in NYC, but noted more has to
be done.
O’Neill, who said he was happy to be
back in Canarsie as part of the 69th Precinct
Community Council meeting to
discuss issues such as noise nuisance,
robbery, illegally parked cars, carjacking,
blocked driveways, jaywalking and
marijuana use in private areas, among
other disturbances, said, because of
the tremendous partnerships with the
DEA, city agencies, AFT, Fire Department
and EMT, his mission to keep the
people in New York City safe, from traditional
crimes as well as terrorism was
succeeding.
Applauding the 69th Precinct for its
exceptional work in keeping communities
safe, the crime chief said the opioid
crisis that killed more than 1000 persons
last year, is under control, while
the NYPD continues to focus its attention
on drug dealers and arresting people
committing violent crimes in NYC.
To ensure that the crime rate stays
low going into 2019, Commissioner
O’Neill suggests more meetings are
held throughout the city, with a connection
between police officers and the
people they swear to protect and keep
safe.
He called on the community to be
familiar with patrol officers, whom he
said continue to do a good job, adding,
this was a great way for citizens
to voice their concerns. He said during
his policing counseling programs, the
69th Precinct, and 47th Precinct in the
Bronx, have seen the largest turnout of
citizens at community policing meetings.
“Let the police officers understand
what the problems are so that you could
come up with solutions together. This
is how we will continue to push crime
down,” said O’Neill.
Commanding Officer of the 69th
Precinct, Captain, Terrell Anderson said
while grand theft auto was a problem in
various communities there has been a
historic low of the number of cars stolen
due to targeted criminal groups and
surveillance by police officers.
Captain Anderson, who answered
questions posed to Commissioner
O’Neill, in addressing crime, assured
residents that loud noise from parties
that brings on violence and underage
drinking, is monitored and offenders
ticketed or arrested.
He said 170 unregistered vehicles
that clogged streets last year, were
towed and explained that even though
his precinct has stepped up efforts, this
remains a citywide problem, but urged
residents to stay connected to its @
Twitter for further information.
Additionally, the crime unit will be
working on solutions that would cut
robberies, scams via social sites, Craig’s
List, drag racing, illegal marijuana use,
and all major concerns raised to keep
the community safe.
Capt. Anderson presented officers
Zhana Krot, and Matthew Woods, with
certificates, for their bravery. The officers
tracked down a stolen vehicle with
siblings, and safely returned them to
their family.
Aide, Jennifer Viechweg Horsford, on
behalf of Sen. Roxanne Persaud, 19th
SD, also presented the officers of the
month with certificates, while the 69th
Precinct honored Commissioner O’Neill
with a plaque for his commitment to
fighting crime in New York City.
Chief Brian Conroy, Gardy Brazela,
president, Melba Brown, vp, Yolaine
Ridore, treasurer, Lucina Clarke, secretary,
Nadine Grumbs, sergeant of arms,
Glady Egwuonwu, asst. secretary, were
at the head table.
Council Member Alan Maisel, District
46, District Leader, Sue Ann Partnow,
President of 69th Precinct Community
Council, Gardy Brazela, also made
remarks at the community meeting
that attracted more than 100 residents.
Offi cials from left, front row, Yolaine Ridore, CM Alan Maisel, Cop of the
Month, Matthew Woods, Police Commissioner, James P. ONeill, Cop of the
Month, Zhana Krot, community member, Sue Ann Partnow. Back row, Chief,
Brian Conroy, aide to Sen. Roxanne Persaud’s offi ce, Jennifer Viechweg
Horsford, and Capt. Terrell Anderson, commanding offi cer, 69th Precinct.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Real estate agent Jennifer Saavedra
founded The Real Sisters Realty
with her sister and focuses on bringing
human empowerment into the
line of work.