Persaud Warns About Pokemon Go
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (Canarsie, East New York, Bergen Beach, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay) yesterday sent a letter to Niantic, Inc., the maker of Pokemon Go, asking them to institute more and smarter warnings.
The game, whose release went straight to smart phones, has users not to a fantasy world but a GPS map of their surroundings, with certain landmarks, institutions and notable features of locations serving as “pokéstops” for people to pick up items and scour for Pokémon.
The games has generated many media stories of safety concerns stemming from users forgetting the real world around them to vulnerabilities of the game to data theft.
“I’m excited that people, especially children will get to learn more about the world around them. However, the application needs a warning or a reminder to make sure kids and other users not too distracted to remember the world around them,” said Persaud. “It’s great to see that features of our neighborhoods are interactive parts of the game and give people some insight into their surroundings. But there’s got to be something that helps snap people back to reality from time to time, and hopefully help prevent injuries and accidents.”
Persaud especially urges parents of children to talk to their children who use the application and caution them to:
- Be alert at all times
- Stay aware of your surroundings
- Play in pairs or as a group to ensure safety
- Not to play when those children are engaged in other activities such as driving, riding a bike, or walking fast
- Be respectful of sacred and private property and rules of an establishment
- Remind of the concern of “stranger-danger”
Walker Hosts Solarize Brownsville Jobs Event
Brownsville Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, Chair of the Subcommittee on Renewable Energy, today is hosting a job drive for solar ambassador and events ambassador.
Dubbed Solarize Brownsville, the job drive if for several positions with Level Solar, the preferred partner for solar installation in Ocean Hill-Brownsville.
If you meet the qualifications for being: a) Solar Ambassadors (requires some college and sales experience); or an b) Event ambassadors, (part-time with mandatory weekend hours), please call to schedule a screening appointment (718) 676-5920.
The job drive is slated for 5-7 p.m., today, at Walker’s district office, 400 Rockaway Avenue. Bring copies of your resume and dress for success.
Gentile Lauds Deployment Of Traffic Agents
Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights City Councilman Vincent Gentile yesterday lauded the NYPD decsion to deploy traffic agents at the 65th Street and 7th Avenue intersection to combat traffic congestion.
“For too long, traffic congestion during the morning rush hour on 65th Street and 7th Avenue in Dyker Heights has been a safety issue and major inconvenience for commuters, students and the neighborhood as a whole. After much discussion with the NYPD, I am pleased to announce that NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan has informed me that effective immediately, two NYPD Traffic Agents will be deployed at the aforementioned intersection to direct traffic flow from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday,” said Gentile.
“In addition, the 68th Precinct will conduct and produce a Traffic Information Report to analyze the intersection and deduce further solutions to eradicate the consistent traffic jam. Moreover, I am working closely with the Brooklyn Department of Transportation officials on their redesign plans for this intersection. Today’s announcement is just the first step towards improving a serious quality of life issue for everyone who uses this route. I thank Chief Chan for his leadership and appropriate action.”
Harris Gets Healthcare Union Endorsement
Assemblywoman Pamela Harris (Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) yesterday announced she has received the endorsement of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (1199SEIU), in her bid for re-election.
The healthcare workers’ endorsement was based on Harris’ strong efforts to ensure that quality health care is accessible to all and to promote affordable housing and combat illegal home conversions in Brooklyn and across the city.
The union is the largest union in New York and the largest healthcare worker union in the nation representing over 220,000 nurses and healthcare workers in New York City.
“As a lifelong resident of Coney Island, I’m committed to creating more opportunities that help local families succeed, including ensuring good jobs with secure benefits to the hardworking families who call Brooklyn home,” said Harris. “I look forward to working with 1199SEIU members, who have always been deeply connected to their communities, to ensure good jobs for our economy, safe neighborhoods and the highest standards of care at our hospitals, nursing homes and for the frail and elderly in their homes.”
Donovan Expresses Concern On Secret Iran Deal Documents
Congressman Dan Donovan (Southern Brooklyn/Staten Island) yesterday expressed concerns about the AP report on secret Iran deal documents in which Iran is said to have the ability to fast-track a nuclear weapon if the Iranian regime patiently waits us out.
“This administration misled the American public to seal a legacy-making deal. The Deputy National Security Advisory already bragged about misguiding unsuspecting reporters covering the deal; today, we’re learning why he had to do that,” said Donovan.
“For the next 10 years, Iran can spend $150 billion however it likes and exit the deal just months away from a nuclear weapon. It’s difficult to renege on major treaties negotiated under a previous administration, but the next administration must think long and hard about how to unwind this disaster.”
Williams, Bichotte On Baton Rouge Police Deaths
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Ditmas Park) released the following statement after three police officers in Baton Rouge were killed, and three others were injured Sunday morning.
“The officers killed in Dallas and in Baton Rouge are fellow Americans, who are also affected by the growing tensions in the country. There are countless of police officers who are honest, well-intentioned people, who respect the community they work in and the people they interact with,” said Williams.
“I stand in solidarity with all people of good will advocating for better police-community relations, and with honest, good cops who are working to bridge the gap between themselves and the community. I’m committed to introducing laws that will protect everyone so that we can see that we are all on the same team,” he added.
Bichotte said the shootings of police officers on Sunday morning was horrific.
“In times like these we tend to ask why is it that these lives were taken from us. Violence against others almost always results in more violence, and the issue at hand cannot be solved this way. While we continue to pursue justice and equal treatment, we hope that the path will not be paved with violence,” she said.
