Adams, Williams Express Sadness At NYPD Officer Killed
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Flatlands City Councilman Jumaane Williams were among the officials to put out statements following the death of NYPD Officer Randolph Holder, 33, who was killed in the line of duty last night after responding to a call of shots fired, and being shot in the head by a perpetrator following a gunfight.
The alleged shooter, who suffered wounds to his legs, was arrested. Holder, 33, was the fourth NYPD officer killed in the line of duty in the past 12 months.
“I join the residents of Brooklyn and all of New York City in mourning the death of NYPD Officer Randolph Holder, who was fatally and tragically shot in the line of duty. As a veteran of the New York City Police Department, I feel the pain of this horrific loss on a personal level, as do all those that make up the fraternity of New York’s Finest,” said Adams.
“Officer Holder served his city proud, a pride felt deeply by his brothers and sisters from Housing PSA 5 as well as by his family, which carries a legacy in law enforcement going back several generations in Guyana. May he rest in peace, may justice be served, and may everyone in our city honor his memory by doing their part to make this a safer place for our children and families.”
Williams, in a joint statement with Bronx City Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, said:
“What a devastating night. We are heartbroken by the loss of NYPD Officer Holder and the unfathomable frequency with which we find our City mourning the loss of young and promising officers. This level of violence against the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us everyday is simply unacceptable.Tonight, we ask New Yorkers to join us in keeping the family and friends of Officer Holder, and all of his brothers and sisters in blue, in their thoughts and prayers.”
Ortiz Proposes Legislation To Regulate Fantasy Sports Wagering
Sunset Park Assemblyman and Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz announced that he is introducing legislation to regulate “Fantasy Sports” wagering.
“Reports in the New York Times and elsewhere demonstrates the need to protect consumers who wager on ‘Fantasy Sports’ websites including Fan Dual and Draft Kings,” said Ortiz. “This is an unregulated industry with a great deal of money in play. We should regulate fantasy sports the same way we oversee racing and the lotteries.”
“New York must act now and lead the states looking to assure residents that their participation is in a safe and secure environment. It is our responsibility to safeguard against compulsive and underage wagering, money laundering and identity fraud. Last week, Nevada regulators shut down ‘Fantasy Sports’ in the state until it can be regulated under state gambling laws.
Wagering on sporting events and individual player performances is now widespread. “Let’s not drop the ball on this new fad from regulation and oversight,” the lawmaker added.
Ortiz plans to ask the Assembly’s Racing and Wagering Committee to hold hearings on his legislation.
Charter Schools Teachers Rally
More than 1,500 New York City public school teachers who teach in charter schools will in Manhattan to0day to call for bold action to fix education inequality.
The pro-charter Families for Excellent Schools, which is organizing the rally, said in the rally release that these teachers work every day to provide excellent schools for all children, but work in a city that shuts the doors of possibility on 478,000 children who are forced into failing school after failing school, almost all of whom are black and Hispanic.
Teachers will stand in solidarity with these families and demand better for them and for all children. They say the Mayor and special interests are playing politics with students’ futures, ignoring the depth of inequality in the classroom while opposing charter schools–some of the only city schools that have narrowed the achievement gap.
Prior to the rally at Manhattan;s Foley Square, the teachers have a 2:30 p.m. press conference on the steps of City Hall.
Cymbrowitz Takes His Seniors Advocacy To Manhattan
Sheepshead Bay Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Chair of the Aging Committee, will preside over a public hearing today in Manhattan with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz to hear testimony regarding the Department of State’s budget and resources for protecting consumers, especially older New Yorkers, against consumer frauds and scams.
Cymbrowitz said consumers, particularly senior citizens, are threatened by an ever more sophisticated array of fraudulent business practices and scams. Seniors are often particular targets for scams because they are more likely to have assets in retirement. It can also be a challenge to get the word out to seniors who are isolated in the community, he said.
This hearing will review the Department of State’s budget allocation and use of existing resources available to protect consumers from fraud and scams and determine whether additional resources or legislative solutions are necessary. It will also cover how agencies can work together to uncover scams, raise awareness, provide assistance to those who have been victimized, and punish the perpetrators.
The hearing is slated for 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, 331 East 70th Street.
Richardson Honors SUNY Downstate For Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Crown Heights/Lefferts Gardens Assemblymember Diana C. Richardson will present a proclamation to SUNY Downstate Medical Center today in recognition of their observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The appearance will be part of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and SUNY’s ‘Turn the State Purple Campaign.’ The Proclamation will recognize SUNY Downstate’s continued commitment to education and prevention regarding the serious public health problem of interpersonal abuse and violence.
Eugene Denounces Upstate Discrimination Against Haitians
Flatbush City Council Member Mathieu Eugene will hold a press conference tomorrow to denounce an upstate hateful job posting that stated Haitian nurses should not apply and to demand an apology for Haitian nurses and the Haitian community.
Others expected at the press conference include Assemblywomen Michaelle Solages, Kimberly Jean-Pierre, and Rodneyse Bichotte, and Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages–the Haitian American Nurses Association, the New York State Nursing Association, the Haitian community, the healthcare workers’ union 1199, and human rights leaders.
“A job posting that stated Haitian nurses aren’t allowed to apply is a despicable ad that illegally discriminates against a class of people and that is simply not something we will tolerate in America. It should go without saying that we are absolutely disgusted that this ad was published in a Rockland County classified section,” said Eugene.
The press conference is slated for 3 p.m., tomorrow, Oct. 22 on the steps of City Hall.
