Schumer Criticizes City Security Response During ‘Penn Station Panic’
Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) yesterday called for a number of major rail security improvements, like a centralized command center, integrated communication, joint drills and better equipment, as well as increased funding to the City’s rail security fund, yesterday at Penn Station following last Friday’s panic.
On April 14th, a stampede broke out inside New York City’s Penn Station following false reports of gunshots. Video footage of the incident captured panicked commuters running through Penn Station, some tripping over luggage and other personal belongings that had been dropped along the way. As a result, sixteen individuals were injured. Reports of a shooter, which turned out to be false, had originated as a result of the noises associated with Amtrak police using a stun gun on a disruptive passenger.
“Across-the-board flaws, poor coordination, poor staffing and vulnerabilities in law enforcement’s security procedures endangered the commuting public. Coordinated security systems, command centers, and training exercises are critical to improving safety at Penn Station,” said Schumer
“The next Penn panic could be an actual disaster, not just a wake-up call. During 9-11 we lived through the catastrophic impacts of not being better coordinated and better prepared. In the age of ISIS-inspired-and-directed terror attacks, it is frighteningly dangerous not to make integrated, coordinated and complete security a top priority.”
Malliotakis Slams Brooklyn DA’s Dual Justice System
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I,Ref – Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday slammed acting-Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez for his leniency in charges against undocumented immigrants.
Gonzalez announced on Monday that he is implementing a new policy aimed at providing lesser charges against undocumented immigrants in an effort to avoid deportation by the federal authorities. The policy in particular would allow for undocumented immigrants to plea to a lesser charge in mostly misdemeanor and low-level crime cases.
“It is outrageous that a District Attorney, whose job is to enforce the laws of our city and state and ensure that victims receive justice, would create a situation that allows an individual to plea down to a lesser crime simply because he or she is undocumented. This unfairly creates two justice systems: one for citizens, and one for illegal immigrants, with citizens facing harsher penalties,” said Malliotakis.
Squadron Forces Vote on Transgender Equality Bill
State Senator Daniel Squadron (D-Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) said yesterday he will force a vote on the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA — S.502) in the Senate’s Investigations and Government Operations Committee today.
GENDA would codify basic anti-discrimination protections for transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers. Squadron forced today’s committee vote with a procedural motion earlier this session.
GENDA has passed the State Assembly (A.3358-Gottfried) ten times, including with bipartisan support. In 2015, Governor Cuomo took executive actions to clarify protections for transgender New Yorkers so that they were specifically covered under the state’s Human Rights Law. GENDA would codify these protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
The vote is slated for 1 p.m. today, April 25, at 816 LOB in Albany in Upstate New York or livestream it here: https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/meetings/investigations-and-government-operations/april-25-2017/investigations-and
Levin, Espinal Push For Green Solution To L Train Shutdown
NYC Council Members Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill) and Rafael Espinal (D-Cypress Hills, Bushwick, City Line, Oceanhill-Brownsville, East New York) will join the Sierra Club Electric Vehicle Initiative today to demand that the MTA use electric buses as part of its replacement service during the L Train shutdown in 2019.
A new City Council resolution is calling on the MTA to commit to a transition to an electric bus fleet instead of the traditional gas buses in order to green the city and reduce carbon emissions and climate change.
In 2019 the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will shut down L train service between Manhattan and Brooklyn in order to make Hurricane Sandy related repairs. The shutdown will see a loss of a clean mode of travel as subways do not emit carbon dioxide, while also, contributing to an increase in bus ridership– a noxious pollutant.
The press conference is slated for 8:30 a.m. today, April 25 at the L train stop on the corner of Driggs & North 7th Street in Williamsburg.
Mosley Claims NYC Property Tax Adds To Racial Disparity
Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) yesterday called City property tax policy as unequal and unfairly targeting low-income neighborhoods with an added financial burden.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my strong opposition to the New York City property tax policy – supported, in part, by Mayor Bill de Blasio. This manipulation of the tax code blatantly appears to be benefiting wealthy homeowners in well-to-do communities, while subjecting thousands of families in working class and low-income neighborhoods to a heavier tax burden.”
“It is appalling that families in East New York and Brownsville are paying higher property taxes than the Mayor and others in more affluent neighborhoods. This property tax rule adds to the growing racial disparity in the city’s tax assessment, benefitting few families at the cost of placing undue financial burdens on our most vulnerable citizens. I am calling upon the Mayor to explain to our city’s residents why this tax rule, which he benefits from, should continue without reform. It is our job as elected officials to not only represent our citizens, but to protect them from injustice and inequity,” said Mosley.
Clarke Announces 2017 Congressional Art Competition
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) yesterday announced her office is accepting submissions for the 2017 annual Congressional Art Competition.
The competition allows for high school students within the 9th congressional district to share their artwork with their entire community and the winning entrant to showcase their piece in Washington D.C. for an entire year.
“Some of the most talented artists in history were from Brooklyn. Prolific neo-expressionist Jean-Michel Basquiat went to Edward R. Murrow High School in Midwood. Muralist Marion Greenwood, a major contributor to the social realist tradition, was born here as well. I fully expect that the next generation of young women and men in Brooklyn will continue that proud tradition,” said Clarke.
“I encourage all aspiring artists who are interested in creating a work that reflects our community to enter the competition, as well as anyone interested in the arts to join me at the Brooklyn Museum for the showcase,” said Clarke.
The submission deadline for the competition is open until Friday, May 5. In addition, Clarke will host a 2017 Congressional Art Competition Award Presentation Show at the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, in Crown Heights sometime in May. For additional information, contact Reginald Belon, District Representative, at 718-287-1142 orReginald.Belon@mail.house.gov.
