Reynoso Wants Right To Know Act Voted Into Law
City Council Member Antonio Reynoso on Friday said he still believed the City Council should pass a series of police reforms known as the Right To Know Act into law.
Reynoso’s comments came after he returned from a trip, during which the New York Times reported that the Right To Know Act, including two bills of which Council Member Reynoso is a lead sponsor along with Council Member Ritchie Torres, would not be voted on, but would instead be incorporated into administrative changes by the New York Police Department.
“The Right to Know Act represents sound policy reforms that must be passed into law. This legislation is widely supported by local communities and national officials, as was indicated when President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing endorsed its specific policies in whole,” said Reynoso.
“The administrative agreement leaves out key protections, as well as vital enforcement, oversight, and reporting mechanisms that reflect the core principles and policies of the Right To Know Act. I respect that Speaker Mark-Viverito has said that legislation is not off the table and I remain committed to working with the sponsors and coalition of 200+ community groups across New York City who support the Right To Know Act to ensure that these bills are passed into law,” he added.
Cumbo, Mosley Announce Security Enhancements After Fatal Shooting
Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Lawmakers City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo and Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley on Friday responded to the fatal shooting of an unidentified woman in the Walt Whitman Houses with an announcement of security enhancements for three NYCHA developments.
Thursday’s homicide is the latest crime this year to occur in the neighborhood of Fort Greene, which was also the scene of the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Luis Villot in June and a 15-year-old male teenager who sustained injuries in both legs during a gun-related incident in April at the Farragut Houses.
In February 2015, 20-year-old Kevin Colon was shot and killed in broad daylight and a 23-year-old man was shot in the right foot at the Walt Whitman Houses. The NYPD later discovered that the gun used to shoot the 23-year-old man was also involved in a bodega robbery on Myrtle Avenue in October 2014.
In response to public safety concerns expressed by residents as a result of the increasing gun violence in the community, local elected officials are turning to technology to capture surveillance footage that is often difficult to obtain due to the lack of security cameras in the area or public cooperation. As a result, several of these crimes remained unsolved and without any possible suspects.
Through capital funding allocated by Cumbo and Mosley for a combined total of $1,660,000 in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, security cameras will be installed at three neighboring NYCHA developments – Lafayette Gardens, Farragut and Walt Whitman Houses.
Cumbo, also a member of the Council Committee on Public Housing, awarded $200,000 to the Farragut Houses in conjunction with Mosley who secured $500,000 for the current fiscal year. Lafayette Gardens and Walt Whitman Houses were each allocated $480,000 in fiscal year 2016.
“The neighborhood of Fort Greene is a tight-knit community of hard-working individuals who have rallied together to create a safe environment for families, youth, seniors, and small business owners. When a life is lost, we must speak out. We cannot allow acts of violence against our families, friends, colleagues, or neighbors to go unnoticed or unaddressed. This community should not be identified by shootings or tragic occurrences, but rather its advocacy and civic engagement. Though the cameras will help identify the location of these incidences and hopefully identify the perpetrator(s), we must provide additional resources such as employment, youth programming and increased access to community centers as alternative outlets,” said Cumbo.
“It is with a heavy heart that we are here today to draw attention to this senseless tragedy. Too many times we as a community have been here, mourning the loss of life to gun violence. Just last year, three individuals were gunned down in front of Ingersoll Houses several blocks away. I pray that the victim’s family may find comfort in this most grievous hour and that our neighborhood may come together to address the root cause of these acts in an effort to prevent another family suffering from gun violence,” said Mosley.
Adams Gives Another Cornerstone Award
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday gave a Brooklyn Cornerstone award to a 30-year NYPD veteran and longtime Bedford-Stuyvesant resident.
Jerome A. Watson received the honor of Adams’ signature community initiative that honors individuals who are distinguished by the length of time they have lived on their block, worked at their place of business, or served in their house of worship.
During a ceremony with the 500 Macon Street Block Association in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Adams joined volunteers from The Home Depot to plant a garden for Watson.
Since 2015, Adams has presented more than 350 plaque-adorned golden bricks across the borough, made possible through his partnership with The Home Depot. Joined by previous Brooklyn Cornerstone awardees from across the borough, he spoke about the critical legacy of these longtime Brooklynites as well as the importance of recognizing the men and women who have built their communities’ foundations and stand tall amidst changing times.
Cornegy Addresses Tire Slashings At 79th Police Precinct
City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) in an emailed letter to constituents pleaded for restraint on both sides following the shooting deaths of black civilians by police and the of police in Dallas and Baton Rouge.
“In this antagonist climate, we must work twice as hard to mend the broken relations in our society to restore the vibrancy of our nation’s communities. The behavior of so-called martyrs or vigilantes furthers the divide between police and civilians and has also made its mark on the streets of our neighborhoods.
“Early Sunday morning, on July 10, 2016, tires were slashed on six marked police cars and five personal cars at our local 79th precinct in Bedford Stuyvesant. The crime is still under investigation, as there is little to no video surveillance of this unfortunate incident, but we anticipate that justice will be served. Revenge against our officers is unacceptable, as is the killing of unarmed civilians.
That is why I have partnered with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to provide local access to an investigator who examines complaints in the privacy of my District Office on the fourth Friday of every month. CCRB is an investigatory body, with subpoena power, that handles police complaints about excessive or unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, and offensive language.
“Additionally, we have worked side by side with the Inspectors of the 77th, 79th and 81st precincts as well as the civilian volunteers that make up the precinct council to strengthen community relations. Thankfully, we have had much success! We all know there is 1% of the population of police and civilians that are responsible for 100% of the crime, we as the 99% need to remain diligent and work in partnership to protect our streets, neighborhoods, and better guard the quality of life in our community.
If you know any information about the act of vandalism against the 79th precinct, we urge you to come forward. My office is actively involved in improving the quality of life for the residents of the 36th District and I need your help.
Cornegy’s district Office is at 1360 Fulton Street, Suite 500, in Restoration Plaza. The phone number is (718) 919 – 0740.
Colton Lines Up Political Heavy Hitters For Ragusa Fundraiser
Assemblyman Bill Colton (Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) is bringing out the political heavy hitters for a fundraiser for Democratic District Leader Charles Ragusa on Aug. 3.
Ragusa has been one of Colton’s political compadre and friend and for 40 years, and the two, along with female Democratic District Leader Nancy Tong, make up a team of political leadership in the district, which has a growing Asian-American constituency. Ragusa is facing a challenge against political upstart Billy Thai.
“Charles Ragusa has been a leader in all neighborhood issues and battles. He is my most trusted advisor and an expert strategist. Charles Ragusa, often working and organizing behind the scenes, has allowed me to be in the forefront of protecting our neighborhood,” said Colton.
Also throwing the fundraiser are Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio and former Comptroller John Liu. The host committee includes City Council Members David Greenfield and Mark Treyger, Attorney Andrew Fisher, State Senators Diane Savino and Simcha Felder, Assembly Members Felix Ortiz and Pamela Harris, and Democratic District Leader Ari Kagan.
The fundraiser is slated for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 3 at the HoWong Restaurant 6720 Bay Parkway,(Between 67th Street & 68th Street).
