Donovan Legislation Would Seize Terrorist Assets
Southern Brooklyn/Staten Island Congressman Dan Donovan yesterday introduced legislation to seize terrorist assets and direct them to a critical homeland security grant program.
The Terrorist Asset Seizure Reform (TASR) Act would confiscate the interest accruing in accounts frozen by U.S. financial sanctions. Additionally, the TASR Act would seize the frozen principal of terrorists, financiers of terrorism, and foreign terrorist organizations one year after the U.S. freezes their accounts.
“Terrorists take advantage of the West’s financial system to export their hateful violence. My bill puts them on notice: their blood money won’t sit in Western banks earning interest – it will go to protecting innocent life against their disgusting ideology and attacks,” said Donovan.
Among other things, the TASR Act redirects the confiscated assets to a critical homeland security grant program: the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). High-risk cities nationwide fund anti-terror efforts through the program. Last year, for example, New York City received $180 million to prepare for and protect against terror attacks, including to purchase equipment to protect against a dirty bomb attack.
President Obama’s budget for next fiscal year proposed slashing UASI funds in half. Earlier this year, Congressman Donovan – who chairs the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications – heard testimony from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on the consequences of the proposed cuts.
Williams Responds to Baltimore Police Acquittal
New York City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) yesterday expressed deep frustration and anger in response to the acquittal of Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero of all counts for his role in the death of Freddie Gray.
Gray, who is black, suffered a fatal spinal cord injury while in police custody last year. HIs death brought unrest in Baltimore and around the nation, galvinizing firther the BlackLIvesMatter movement.
“Baltimore Police Officer Edward Nero’s acquittal continues an alarming trend where no one is being held accountable for their crimes against the public. Freddie Gray died as the result of a broken spine that he sustained while in police custody. There’s no question that Officer Nero’s decision to ignore police rules and fail to place a seat belt on Gray led to his death. He had no regard for his safety. The message to everyone is that law enforcement in this country can do whatever they want, whenever they want without any consequences, regardless of how catastrophic their actions are,” said Williams.
“I continue to be angered, frustrated and disappointed about the message these decisions send and the implications they give about the value of Black lives in America. As we rightfully continue the push to rebuild much needed trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, accountability must be paramount. If it is not, to everyone’s detriment, our efforts will not succeed. I will be following the cases of the other officers involved in Gray’s death closely. It’s my sincere hope that there will be accountability.”
Hikind Rallies Against Excessive Noise At Erasmus/Friends Field
Assemblyman Dov Hikind (Boro Park) last week joined Captain Kenneth Quick of the NYPD 66th Precinct, representatives from Erasmus Field and the NYC Parks and Recreation Dept. and local community leaders at Friends Field Clubhouse to address numerous noise complaints coming from the fields in the evenings on weekends.
Erasmus Football Field and Friends Field is bounded by Avenue L, East Fourth Street, McDonald Avenue and Washington Cemetery,
After listening to nearly 30 irritated community members complain about constant noise into the wee hours of the night, including whistle-blowing, loud banging on bleachers and deafening music, leaders of the community then walked through Friends Field to begin enforcing park rules.
“It is unbelievable and unacceptable that people don’t even feel secure in their own house,” Hikind said during the meeting. “We have a situation where tax-paying homeowners are being disrupted, and we simply cannot allow for that to continue. This isn’t Yankee Stadium; we shouldn’t have to hear loud music being played at midnight.
Despite the noise complaints, Hikind encouraged the use of Friends and Erasmus Fields, urging members of the community to take advantage of what the fields have to offer.
“These parks provide families with hours of entertainment on the weekends, and are a great place to spend time with loved ones. I’m not against anyone having fun in the park, however rules need to be enforced. If the rules are enforced, people will abide by them and we’ll start to see the noise dissipate,” he said.
Adams Capital Money Buys Haulster
Borough President Eric Adams today will join New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia at the Brooklyn South 14 Sanitation Garage in Canarsie to celebrate the acquisition of a new haulster, purchased through his capital budget.
The small work vehicle will be used to salt, plow, as well as clear ice and snow from smaller streets in Brooklyn Community District 14, which includes Flatbush, Kensington and Midwood.
Adams will cut the ribbon on the new vehicle at 12:30 p.m. today at the Brooklyn South 14 Sanitation Garage, 1397 Ralph Avenue in Canarsie.
Bichotte Fundraiser Tomorrow
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Ditmas Park) is having a Professionals with a Purpose cocktail reception fundraiser tomorrow in support of re-election bid.
The law firm Pinczewski and Sheplfogel are hosting with co-hosts being $4400, sponsor: $2000, Supporter: $1000, Patron: $500 and Friend: $250.
Checks Made Payable to Bichotte For Assembly, PO BOX 340604, Brooklyn, NY 11234 or online at www.rodneysebichotte.com.
Potential Lawmakers In The Wings
Insurgent Democrat Mercedes Narcisse, who is running against incumbent State Senator Roxanne Persuad in the upcoming September primary has landed musician Wyclef Jean as the special guest at her upcoming fundraiser.
Jean, a Haitian-American, is best known for his work with the band, The Fugees, but has also gone on to do excellent work as a solo artist and a music mogul. He reportedly also has a strong interest in politics.
The fundraiser is slated for between 8-11 p.m., Friday June 3 at Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd in Howard Beach Queens. To RSVP, please visit our online contribution page. If you are able to join us or if you have any questions, please contact Louis at (212) 239 7323 or cmtetoelectmercedesnarcisse@gm
Bob Capano, former President of the 68th Precinct Youth Council and prospective City Council candidate for Brooklyn’s 43rd district (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst), which will be vacated by Vincent Gentile due to term limits next year, yesterday called on Brooklyn Democrats to stand up and oppose a City Council bill that would de-criminalize many quality of life offenses.
The bill, called the “Criminal Justice Reform Act,” is slated for a vote before the City Council tomorrow. The measure reduces many quality of life offenses including public urination and violations of parks rules, from criminal enforcement to civil penalties.
“Throughout my long history of public and community service in Brooklyn, I have always taken great pride in working for and with Democrats and Republicans. I have taken on some of the extreme views of my own Republican Party, and now I hope there are some Democratic leaders in our community who will do the same here, and stand up to City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito and her far-left criminal justice ‘reforms’ that will tie the hands of our police officers and send the wrong message to criminals. The NYPD needs to make the decisions on how to enforce quality of life crimes, not the City Council,” said Capano.
