Just stuffed myself at Mama's Cuisine and met one of the owners, Andrew. Really nice guy, very attentive and friendly.

I had the borscht, pork chops (more like thin cutlet) and Napoleon cake for dessert. It was excellent. The soup was especially delicious. (The red pepper sauce for the pork chops was fantastic!) Lots of food, I totally ate too much.

Really great experience, I hope they do well. We really needed a place like this in the Heights and I hope they are around for a while. I will be going back to try the Varenyky (Pierogies) soon.

My meal, plus a can of coke was $15.50.

The owner was really happy to hear that people are already talking about it online.

http://www.spotlessplanet.com

I designed their web site and then used them for cleaning several times throughout the year. Really great, attention to detail and they use green products. Ask for Judy, she is the owner and will come to your place for a free consultation.

Alanwright---thanks for the municode by the way...I had checked it out the day of the police encounter, and it seemed vague at best. It helped clarify the fact that the playground isn't the intended place for soccer.

radryan,

You should be ashamed that you are falling into the SAME category as these police officers I encountered. It is PRECICELY YOU who should be showing these children respect for rules, discipline, etc. Is is a Big #OOPS#ing Deal because it is part of your job to enforce rules and YES, 'shoving code' should produce the desired effect because the desired effect is ENFORCEMENT of the code.

It's so convenient to fall back on 'it's the parents' responsibility' excuse and make on the spot decisions about what should be enforced and what is a waste of your time. If you were in the park with your newborn infant strapped to your chest and a flying soccer ball hit them, would you be so flip about letting the kids have their fun? Would that be a LITTLE closer to vehicular manslaughter?

I am sick and tired of categorizing some things as not important and LESS worthy of enforcement.

So, If I get stabbed in the neck, I should be grateful that I didn't get stabbed in the chest? And the perp should not be tracked down with the same intensity? same awesome logic. Thanks JCPD!

By the way, I am NOT surprised, as you put it, I am disgusted.

AND, why do you believe that the alternative to playing ball in the park is vandalism and playing in the streets? Just another way for the police to make excuses for not doing paperwork. It's bullshit and you know it.

I had an unfortunate experience with Jersey City Police this evening in Riverview-Fiske Park in the Heights after a friend and I tried to stop a pack of rowdy kids from playing soccer in the enclosed playground area clearly intended for toddler, preschool and school-aged children (to 12 years).

Does anyone know where I can find an official list of regulations for playground areas within city parks? I just KNOW that soccer playing is not allowed, but I was told by the officers that I had to PROVE it to them, rather than ask the kids to stop playing ball.

I plan on contacting the Dept of Public Works/Parks and Forestry tomorrow, but wondered if anyone knows of a published list somewhere online...no luck so far.

Thanks for the info Bright! It's great to see so many people involved in the community.

Thanks! But what if I live in the Heights? Do I need to start my own group? Do you have any advice for someone who has never been a part of a Neighborhood Watch and has no idea where to start?

How does one join a neighborhood watch?