Brooklyn Lawmakers React To Brownsville Gang Rape
While four teenagers of the five people suspecting of gang raping an 18-year-old-woman at gunpoint in Brownsville were taken into custody last night, Brooklyn’s elected officials circled their wagons in decrying the crime.
The rape occurred Thursday night in Osborn Playground when the suspects approached the woman who was walking with her father. At gunpoint they forced the father away and then gang raped the woman.
“I am sickened by the reports of an 18-year-old woman suffering a brutal gang rape by five men in a Brownsville park. The circumstances of this crime are particularly troubling to me, and I am calling on the NYPD to conduct a full investigation not only to identify all those responsible for this horrific attack, but also to determine if everything possible was done to protect the victim and the public. I do not accept a city where reports of rape and sexual assault are on the rise,” said Borough President Eric Adams.
Fort Greene City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues, said when an 18-year-old girl can get raped while walking with her father in a park by five men in Brownsville, New York, the city has hit an all-time moral low.
“I am outraged and every single New Yorker regardless of race, religion, or gender should be outraged by what has happened not only to this young woman – but to all of us, because right now women in New York City are more vulnerable than ever,” said Cumbo.
“If a father cannot protect his own daughter in this day and age then it is obvious that the so called “buddy system” is sexist, antiquated and an insult to women throughout New York City. We do not need a buddy system. Every woman in New York City has the right to feel safe and protected at all times within the greatest City in the world. What we need is a strategy, resources, manpower, enforcement and a plan to keep every single woman in the City of New York safe,” she added.
Cumbo noted that last year there were 1,439 reports of rape, a 6.3 percent increase from the 1,354 rapes reported in 2014.
She also took aim at NYPD Commissioner Bratton who suggested last week on the radio that women adopt a buddy system before riding in a cab during the late night hours to ensure safety against increasing number of sex assault incidents perpetrated by drivers.
Cumbo noted that last April she introduced a bill that would require all taxicabs, hail vehicles, liveries, black cars, and luxury limousines to have a panic button installed that would allow a passenger to send a distress signal to law enforcement in case the driver or anyone else assaulted a passenger in the car.
Cumbo will hold a rally at 10 a.m., today on the steps of City Hall to make a call for that legislation and resources and not the buddy system to end violence against women.
Velázquez, Adams Lead Brooklyn Three Kings Parade Decry ICE Raids
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Brooklyn Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez were among the elected officials who marched in yesterday’s Brooklyn Three Kings Day Parade, a 19-year cultural tradition that travels down Graham Avenue in Williamsburg, also known as the Avenue of Puerto Rico.
Other elected officials in the parade included Williamsburg/Bushwick Assembly Member Maritza Davila and City Council Member Antonio Reynoso.
Overshadowing the event was Velázquez speaking out recently against the Obama Administration and the the recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that apprehended Central American refugees.
“The Administration needs to explain something. It is a very simple question. They – rightfully so – argue we should provide safe haven to refugees fleeing violence in Syria and the Middle East. However, they would at the same time say we should apprehend those fleeing violence in Central America,” said Velazquez.
“How does that make any sense? This is not an issue of immigration enforcement – it is a refugee issue and it is a human rights issue! Many of these refugees have not had legal representation.
“This does not just affect the refugees being sought by ICE. Other household members are being apprehended during these raids. That is not ‘targeted’ as ICE claims.
“We have heard of ICE using deception and misinformation to gain access to residences. Immigrants – documented or not – have rights. And these raids are being conducted in a way that violates those rights! These are some of the most vulnerable members of society – and we are treating them like criminals.
“I have heard from my district. Immigrants and their families feel terrorized that men wielding guns are going to break down their doors or snatch their children from schools. We are here to send a clear message to the Administration and the President.
“We say with one collective voice – Mr. President, this must stop. It must stop today! We are a greater nation than this!”
Donovan Says Get Rid Of Unnecessary Regulations
Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan last week voted to pass the SCRUB Act, which would create a bipartisan commission to review the Code of Federal Regulations and recommend repeals.
The measure would establish the “Retrospective Regulatory Review Commission,” consisting of nine members recommended by Congressional leaders, appointed by the President, and confirmed by the Senate.
“The drain of unnecessary regulations on jobs and the economy has been a constant drumbeat, and for good reason. Regulations cost the U.S. economy about $1.88 trillion in 2014 – a mind-numbing figure. Yes, some regulations are of course necessary. But 79,000 pages in one year? Give me a break,” said Donovan.
Donovan noted that locally, duplicative and irrational regulations have hindered the Sandy recovery effort. For example, federal rules required Build it Back to conduct lengthy environmental reviews at each lot before repairing or replacing the home that existed for years before the storm. The process wasted millions of dollars and added unnecessary, time-consuming bureaucracy while homeless storm victims waited for help.
“The global marketplace for jobs and goods is more competitive than ever. We have to keep pace, but we can’t adapt if we’re weighted down by pointless rules. This issue comes up every year, but the status quo doesn’t change. Government can’t regulate the economy into creating jobs and boosting income – that only happens when government gets out of the way. I hope the President takes this issue seriously,” said Donovan.
Malliotakis Warns Cuomo’s SUNY Wage Increase Might Mean Tuition Increase
Bay Ridge Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis last week took Gov. Andrew Cuomo to task for his executive order to raise the minimum wage for 28,000 state university (SUNY) workers to $15 per hour without going through the legislative process.
Additionally, Malliotakis expressed concern over the cost of the move and the impact it will have on tuition paying students already saddled with rising college debt. She also noted that Cuomo just a few weeks ago vetoed legislation that would have required the state to meet its funding obligations to both SUNY and CUNY to ensure recent SUNY and CUNY tuition increases actually go toward improving schools and educational programs, and not simply cover maintenance costs.
“With no opportunity for a debate, vote or even review of this matter, state legislators and the public are once again left in the dark with lots of questions that need to be answered if we are going to provide affordable, quality education for our SUNY and CUNY students,” said Malliotakis.
“To veto legislation that would give these education systems the necessary funds to keep up with basic rising maintenance and utility costs, then tell them they need to increase wages for 28,000 workers, is unfair and unconscionable. We can have a discussion about wage increases, but to take executive action without giving legislators an opportunity for proper debate and discussion on how it will be paid for is irresponsible,” she added.
Malliotakis expressed grave concerns that both Cuomo’s unilateral action on SUNY schools, which touched off a competition with Mayor Bill de Blasio on raising wages could spell tuition increases fro SUNY and CUNY students.
Malliotakis has long advocated for policies that address the rising college debt of New York’s students. She has authored legislation to expand the income eligibility for the state’s tuition assistance program (TAP) and restore it for graduate students, who lost eligibility in 2010.
Colton Announces Two-Point Alternative Plan As MTA Readies ’N’ Line Station Work
Bath Beach Assemblyman William Colton and District Leader Nancy Tong demanded last week that the MTA provide shuttle bus service as a result of the upcoming construction on the “N” train line in Brooklyn.
The service change, starting January 18 will see the closure of the Manhattan-bound N train for 14 months and the following 14 months the Coney Island-bound will be closed. In total, this means the ’N’ line in Brooklyn will have 28 months of disruption.
The first half of Colton’s plan is to run an “N” train on the express “Q” line track to service the Manhattan-bound passengers, especially during the rush hour.
The second part of Colton’s plan calls for the MTA to build at least 2 more temporary platforms at the “N” line Kings Highway and 18th Avenue stops. These will help service passengers and help prevent potential overcrowding on the Bay Parkway and 8th Avenue temporary platforms.
De Blasio Holds NextGen Neighborhoods At Wyckoff Gardens
Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYCHA Chair Shola Olatoya will hold a forum for residents of Wyckoff Gardens in Boerum Hill tonight on their NextGen Neighborhoods initiative.
Under the initiative NYCHA will generate revenue to reinvest back into development sites by leveraging a 50-50 split of market-rate and affordable housing units. Stakeholder input will inform the size, scope and potential revenues generated by the construction of new housing units. Residents will have a voice in setting the priorities for capital repairs at the buildings participating in the NextGen Neighborhoods program.
The event is slated for 7:15 p.m., tonight at 272 Wyckoff Street in Boerum Hill.
Davis Hold Fire Prevention In The Home Work Shop
Geoffrey Davis, the 43 Assembly District Democratic Leader, will hold a Fire Prevention in the Home Workshop. Fire department officials will be on hand to explain to local constituents how to prevent fires in the home.
The work shop is alter for 6 p.m., tonight at The James E. Davis Multicultural Museum of Peace, 298A Brooklyn Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Union Street.
