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Google Maps Labels Brooklyn Block As 'Drug Section'
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 27, 2014
Modified Feb 27, 2014
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 27, 2014
Modified Feb 27, 2014
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One block in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn has been dubbed "drug section" within Google Maps, a Redditor has discovered. But how did West 8th Street between Bay Parkway and Avenue O become labeled as such?
Data found in Google Maps can come from a wide range of sources. Their basemap data (this includes place names, borders, and road networks) comes from a combination of third party providers, public sources, and user contributions. Anyone can suggest an update to the map, or report a problem on a map. There is also a tool called Map Maker that lets locals contribute their local knowledge directly. Sometimes the map algorithms rename a neighborhood RAMBO, other times it's simply the "Drug Section."
We pointed this out to Google and a spokesperson told us: "Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We're aware of the issue and are working to fix it."
UPDATE: It's fixed, and now we don't know where to get the drugs.
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drug section
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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