Adams on HIV/AIDS Worldwide & In Brooklyn
With Brooklyn being the city’s leader in new AIDS diagnosis and deaths, Borough President Eric Adams used World AIDS Day yesterday to remind residents to get health care and be tested.
According to SUNY Downstate Medical Center, as of June 2013, Brooklyn had nearly 30,000 residents living with the HIV/AIDS virus and bore the unfortunate distinction of being New York City’s leader in new AIDS diagnoses and deaths, as well as having the second-highest number of new HIV diagnoses.
Since the HIV/AIDS pandemic began approximately 35 years ago, over 35 million people have died worldwide from the virus and another 34 million plus are currently infected.
“These new infections are disproportionately impacting young black and Latino men who have sex with men, which is why it is so important for these populations, in addition to all uninsured Brooklynites, to log on to the New York State of Health website, while the current enrollment period is open through February, to access the affordable health insurance needed to treat the disease,” said Adams.
“Brooklyn Borough Hall is committed to supporting those organizations and institutions that provide comprehensive services for those living with HIV/AIDS, as well as serving as a convening center for education and testing services. As One Brooklyn, we can continue to make advances in de-stigmatizing this crisis and defeating this disease,” he added.
Greenfield Cracks Down on Illegal Commercial Parking
City Councilman David G. Greenfield and Community Board 12 Chairman Yidel Perlstein asked the 66th precinct to issue a ticketing blitz to crackdown on illegal commercial parking on 21st Avenue near Washington Cemetery.
Parking commercial vehicles on city streets is illegal yet many businesses continue to park their trucks and vans on the avenues that line the cemetery. Greenfield and Perlstein have been working with the NYPD’s 66th precinct and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to address community concerns about illegal parking and unsafe traffic conditions along 21st Avenue.
“Commercial parking alongside Washington Cemetery is not only illegal, but it creates a dangerous condition for residents and pedestrians,” said Greenfield. “Unfortunately at this location there is simply a culture of abusing the law and it’s going to take many more tickets to eradicate this problem. My thanks to the 66th Precinct and Deputy Inspector Mike Deddo for their efforts last night.”
Greenfield and Perlstein have also taken several other measures to improve traffic safety along 21st Avenue. Recently the DOT approved Greenfield’s request for additional street lighting along 21st Avenue. Three new streetlamps will be coming to 21st Avenue in early 2015. Additionally the Councilman has requested the DOT install traffic lights or stop signs at 57th and 53rd Streets along 21st Avenue to address chronic speeding problems. Anyone with other issues or concerns about traffic safety is encouraged to share them with Councilman Greenfield’s office by calling (718) 853-2704.
Williams Addresses Weekend Shootings
“Real, concerted efforts must be made to limit these senseless acts of violence. While police are needed partners, simply adding more police on the streets in and of itself is not the answer, and has negative effects on communities when that’s our sole focus. We must continue to deal with the supply of guns, closing loop holes and passing laws to limit the amount of guns our kids have access to. We must additionally deal with the demand and penchant for violence. Access to guns does not have to mean they must be used,” said Williams.
“Our city has bolstered its efforts to combat gun violence by expanding the Cure Violence system, which employs evidence-based community interventions, anti-violence messaging, and support services in areas with high rates of gun violence. As the expansion gears up, we expect to see the same kind of decrease in gun violence we’ve seen in areas the program has previously been implemented in,” he added.
“Gun violence in this country is a pandemic. It is my hope that all of us, community members, elders, parents, adults and responsible young people, stand up after each and every shooting with sustained passion and fury so that we never allow ourselves to be sensitized to these senseless acts of violence. As Mayor de Blasio meets with President Obama today, it is my hope they discuss a holistic approach in how our country deals with public safety.”
Today’s Scheduled Events:
9:30 a.m. – New York City Public Advocate Letitia James attends state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s public forum on combating foreclosure scams, 250 Joralemon St.
10:15 a.m. – New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio makes announcement, Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Ave.
11 a.m. – New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams holds groundbreaking ceremony with Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Kevin Jeffrey to announce renovation of Glenwood Playground, Ralph Ave. and Farragut Rd.
3:15 p.m. – De Blasio makes announcement, Erasmus Hall High School, 911 Flatbush Ave.
