Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Jan. 6, 2016

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Electeds Support Obama Gun Control Exec Action

Several elected officials representing Brooklyn issues statements in support of President Obama’s executive action yesterday to tighten loopholes regarding the purchase of guns. Below are some of these statements:

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “The only way we are going to make our country safer from this epidemic of gun violence is with action: we need to fix our background check system and we need to pass a federal law that actually defines gun trafficking as a crime. I’m pleased that the President and his administration are taking steps to address this crisis. We have an obligation to do everything possible to keep Americans safe, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to take steps to end the scourge of gun violence in the new year.”

Central Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries: “With this historic action, President Obama has taken a significant step toward making America a safer place.

“Over the past decade, more than 100,000 Americans have been killed as a result of gun violence. Many of these crimes were committed by people who never should have been able to purchase a gun in the first place. The overwhelming majority of Americans agree that every single person who purchases a gun should undergo a thorough background check. House Republicans have done nothing to advance gun safety legislation and continue to function as wholly-owned subsidiaries of the gun lobby.  Enough is enough.  It’s time for Congress to act.”

Northern & Central Brooklyn Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez: “I applaud the President for taking these initial steps.  Several of these provisions closely parallel ideas in my bill, the ‘Reducing Gun Violence in our Neighborhoods Act.’  For example, under the President’s order, the federal government will better harness technology to improve gun safety.

“The President’s plan requires gun dealers to report lost or stolen firearms. This is an important step, but we should also require individuals who own firearms to report when weapons go missing, as my bill would mandate. Across the U.S., almost 600,000 guns are stolen each year from private homes. New York streets are often a destination for guns stolen in other states and, too often, we see the tragic results.  My bill would also establish a national database for missing firearms, assisting law enforcement in determining the origin of weapons used in violent crimes.

“Like my bill, the President’s plan bolsters funding for mental health services. This is important, but we should take a broader approach. My legislation would also invest in other innovative, anti-violence efforts that target resources to communities most often plagued by shooting incidents.

“Overall, the President’s Executive Action is will help save lives and I support it. However, we must do more. I urge my colleagues in Congress to work together on legislative efforts to address this pressing issue.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo Cuomo: “President Obama’s executive action to expand background checks, increase oversight, and close glaring loopholes in federal law marks a critically needed step forward for our nation. I applaud the President’s decision to take a stand and act, even as Congress continues to delay.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio: “President Obama’s plan to stop gun violence is smart, sober and bold. Let this day be a turning point in the effort to end senseless acts of violence against innocent Americans. For far too long, our country has stood by or turned a blind eye to gun violence. Today, President Obama was loud and clear: we cannot wait another day. New York City stands with the President and those working tirelessly across the country to create real, lasting gun control reform – because we must end our country’s awful pattern of gun violence once and for all.”

Flatlands City Councilman Jumaane Williams: “Today, like far too families have done over the last few years, we saw the President of the United States shed tears over the loss of lives at the hands of a gun. I commend the President for taking action to reduce the supply of illegal guns throughout our country. It is clear the president has a difficult task and is working against a Republican congress owned by the NRA; still, he must move even further.

“In addition, as Co-Chair of the City Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, and as Convener of the National Network to Combat Gun Violence, I know there are immediate steps we can take at all levels of government to actually address the demand for guns and violence.

Walker, Eugene Fundraisers Set

Brownsville Assemblywoman Latrice Walker is having a fundraiser from 5-9 p.m., this Friday, Jan. 8, at Amarachi, 189 Bridge Street in DUMBO.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact Eric Feldman at relectlatrice@gmail.com or call (212)725-2378.

Flatbush City Councilman Mathieu Eugene is also holding a fundraiser which will honor Rabbi Eli Cohen of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council and Allen Wright, political director of LOcal 14 International Union of Operating Engineers with Community Service Awards; and Michael Cohen, Eastern Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center with the Community Leadership Award.

The event is slated for 5 p.m., this Sunday, Jan. 10 at Afrika House, 2265 Bedford Avenue (corner of Snyder Avenue). For more information email peoplewithmathieueugene@gmail.com or call (347) 944-8244.

 Williams Holds Coat Drive

Flatlands City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams and Students Taking Action Today (S.T.A.T.) invites constituents of the 45th district to participate in the annual Coats For KIDS/Winter Coat Drive. All donated coats will be given to underprivileged children residing at local shelters. The toy drive ends Friday, Jan. 29.

 

“Despite the unusually warm holiday season, it appears that winter has finally arrived,” said Williams. “New York City winters can be particularly chilly and we want to do our part to insure that children in need are prepared. I am proud to work with the youth members of S.T.A.T. on this initiative, as they seek to do their part in service to our community. Additionally, I want to thank all our community partners who have agreed to serve as drop-off locations during this drive.”

Hikind Urges Community To Remain Alert To Uptick In Crime

Borough Park Assemblyman Dov Hikind urged the community to remain alert and to report criminal activity to police after learning of two incidents that transpired last week, involving a carjacking by a police impostor and a kidnapping.

A man impersonating a police officer, described as a Pakistani male, stopped a car on East 8th Street and 18th Avenue on December 31 around 8 p.m., and proceeded to tell the 55-year-old driver to get out of the car and kneel in front of him. Also in the car was the driver’s son – a 13-year-old boy who had just been bar mitzvahed.  The perpetrator had the two passengers exit the vehicle, taking the car and fleeing the scene.

Captain Kenneth Quick of the 66th Precinct acknowledged that 18-year-old Sabbir Miah was found driving the stolen Pontiac around 1720 Avenue O and had been apprehended late that night, but reiterated that the carjacker was still on the loose. Miah was charged with criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

A Bensonhurst woman living near 26th Avenue and Bay 41st Street was parking her car after returning home from work around 7 p.m. when two African Americans approached and grabbed her from the back. The victim, who was gathering computers from the trunk of her car to take into the house, was punched in the face repeatedly. The assailants then demanded that her keys be handed over.

After being kidnapped for nearly 15 minutes and her vehicle carjacked, the victim was dropped off nearly three blocks from her house. Her purse was taken, along with credit cards, an iPhone, a blackberry phone and two laptop computers. She was taken to the emergency room after sustaining multiple facial fractures, bilateral nasal fractures and bites to the face. The victim will undergo surgery to correct the nasal fractures this week.

Police told Hikind the two Bensonhurst perpetrators were arrested Monday night. In addition, the police recovered the victim’s vehicle, which had been destroyed.

These criminal acts come on the heels of the brutal Avenue M assault and the attack on a 17-year-old Yeshiva student, in what is reminiscent of the knockout games.

“I urge everyone to continue to be vigilant and alert of their surroundings,” Hikind said. “We have to unite as a community, we cannot tackle this alone. Everyone needs to do their due diligence in reporting criminal activity. Let’s give our police force and our Shomrim all of the help they need to catch these criminals for these heinous crimes.”

Hikind added, “I will continue to work with the NYPD and the Shomrim to keep our community safe. I applaud their efforts in doing so. They do a fantastic job. But, we need to do our part in reporting everything we see.”