Lawmakers Decry Crown Heights Stabbing
Public Advocate Letitia James yesterday was joined by community leaders and elected officials to address the stabbing of Yehuda Brikma in Crown Heights.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, marks the second stabbing of a Jewish community member in Crown Heights in recent months. The suspect is still at large, and the Anti-Defamation League is also offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. Individuals with information are encouraged to call 212-885-7700.
“Regardless of our race or religion, we are all one City and one community,” said James. “In the face of hate, we must be beacons of unity, love, and cooperation in our communities. The perpetrator of this heinous stabbing is still at large, and we must all work together to bring him to justice.”
On Wednesday, February 10, a 25-year-old Hasidic man was stabbed in the back while walking down Empire Boulevard near Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights. He was recently married, and had just left a religious bookstore at the time of the attack. The incident follows a similar stabbing of 34-year-old Jewish man on November 3, 2015 on the corner of Eastern Parkway and Rogers Avenue.
“We are One Brooklyn, and we stand united in the face of violence and hatred,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “I ask all Brooklynites to come together to support the Crown Heights community, which has been shaken by this terrible attack. Let us be vigilant against those seeking to do harm, particularly in the midst of a series of random knife-related attacks across our city, and let us do more to push forward the mental health services needed to heal those who may be at risk.”
“I am shocked by this senseless act of violence perpetrated on a member of the Crown Heights community,” said Crown Heights Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley. As one community, we must come together as a neighborhood and show that we will not be intimidated to live in fear as we stand united to find the individual who committed this heinous act and bring him to justice.”
Also at the Crown Heights Press were Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Sen. Jesse Hamilton, Assembly Member Dov Hikind and City Council Member Laurie Cumbo.
Adams, Hamilton, Walker Launch Petition Drive For Free Subway Transfer
Photo Credit: Patrick Rheaume/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, Central Brooklyn State Senator Jesse Hamilton and Brownsville Assemblywoman Latrice Walker yesterday joined forces in urging the the MTA to offer a free out-of-station transfer between the Junius Street station on the 3 line and the Livonia Avenue station on the L line, stops that are within a block of each other but currently require two fares for a transfer.
Last November, heeding the calls of Borough President Adams and local advocates, the MTA promised to fund a station connector between the stops at Junius Street and Livonia Avenue, but there has been no commitment to eliminate the double fare before construction is scheduled to begin in 2018. A similar free transfer is offered to commuters on the Upper East Side.
“The MTA should have a heart for long-suffering straphangers in Brownsville and East New York eho have been spending twice as much as their Upper East Side counterparts on a simple out-of-station transfer,” said Adams. “To have a free transfer in one of the most affluent parts of our city and deny one in one of the most economically-challenged in unconscionable. It’s long overdue to avoid missed connections and to do the right and equitable thing for Brooklyn commuters.”
“Brownsville and East New York transit riders deserve the same consideration afforded to residents of the Upper East Side,” said Hamilton. “No one deserves extra obstacles in getting around, especially given the important role mass transit plays in our daily lives. That’s why we must eliminate the transfer charge between the Junius Street and Livonia Avenue stops. In addition to helping those riders who cannot afford unlimited MetroCards, cutting the extra transfer charge is a matter of fairness. The MTA has made this accommodation elsewhere in the transit network — at the Lexington/59th Street and Lexington/63rd Street stops — and it stands to reason that the MTA should accommodate riders here as well.”
“Commuters in Brownsville should have the same free transfer available on the Upper East Side,” said Assembly Member Latrice Walker. “I commend Borough President Adams and the Riders Alliance (a transit advocacy organization also collecting signatures for the free transfer) for their commitment to transit equity on behalf of all the people of Brooklyn.”
Those interested in signing the petition are encouraged to visit ridersny.org/freetransfer.
Adams Hosts Valentine’s Day Celebration
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will host a Valentine’s Day celebration in the community room of Brooklyn Borough Hall at 11 a.m. today for nearly 200 of Brooklyn’s “Golden Couples,” romances that have lasted for 50 years or more, to honor more than 10,000 combined years of their love.
Couples in attendance will enjoy lunch, dancing, a photo booth, and a sparkling wine toast led by Adams, who will applaud the commitment demonstrated by these couples and discuss his initiatives to support senior citizens in Brooklyn, including a new report he is releasing on older adults and technology.
Menchaca Gives Thumbs Up For Special Visas
Sunset Park City Council Member Carlos Menchaca yesterday gave a thumbs up to the city becoming the first major city in the country to issue special visas to undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime and human trafficking, and who will be provided with a pathway to legal permanent residence.
Roughly 11.3 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States, 535,000 of whom call New York City home. Due to their undocumented status, many immigrants do not report crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking for fear of deportation. Congress created both the U and T visas in 2000 as part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act to encourage undocumented immigrants to come forward and report crimes, and to aid law enforcement in investigations and prosecutions of criminal activity.
The issuing City agencies authorized to certify the visas include the Commission on Human Rights, the NYPD, each borough District Attorney’s Offices, NYC Law Department, Administration for Children’s Services and HRA’s Adult Protection Services.
“Mayor De Blasio and the NYC Commission on Human Rights have demonstrated once again that we are committed to being a model for other cities who want to do the right thing for our immigrant community. Today’s announcement to accept requests for U and T visa certification dignifies our undocumented immigrants who have been victims of crimes and trafficking. I applaud the Administration and I am proud to serve as a partner as Chair of the Immigration Committee in making further city-wide policy changes that continue to invite our immigrant community out of the shadows and to the decision making table as we shape the next chapter for NYC,” said Menchaca.
Williams Applauds East Village Gas Explosion Arrests
Flatlands City Council Member Jumaane Williams, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings, applauded yesterdays arrest of five people, including four charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a deadly gas explosion that rocked the East Village in Manhattan last spring.
The explosion left two dead, scores injured and leveled three buildings. Those arrested included the landlord, her son, a contractor and a developer.
“Too often, New Yorkers lose their lives because developers and building owners are willing to cut corners to increase their profits, regardless of the risk. City agencies must increase oversight and enforcement to prevent future tragedies and senseless deaths,” said Williams.
“Thank you to Manhattan District Attorney Vance for prosecuting the individuals who are responsible for the East Village gas explosion. Hopefully, other building owners will take notice, follow our laws and ensure the safety of our City.”
Black and Puerto Rican Legislators Conference This Weekend
The New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators will hold their 45th Annual Conference this weekend in Albany.
A good many of Brooklyn’s state lawmakers will host panels and events involving local and statewide issues.
For a list of events click here.
