Mayor Announces First Car-Free Summer For Prospect Park
Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday announced that Prospect Park in Brooklyn would go entirely car-free this summer for the first time.
The East Drive of Prospect Park is currently open to northbound traffic between Park Circle and Grand Army Plaza from 7-9 a.m. on weekdays (except holidays). The new plan will make the entire park car-free 24/7 from Monday, July 17 until Monday, September 11th, the weekend after Labor Day.
Starting yesterday, July 10, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with NYC Parks, will publicize Prospect Park East Drive’s new hours to affected drivers.
In 2015, Mayor de Blasio announced that the West Drive of Prospect Park would be permanently car-free. Since that time, DOT has received a number of requests from the community and local officials to expand car-free hours to all of Prospect Park, which during the summer sees increased recreational use, including by several children’s day camps.
“From getting married there to being a little-league parent inside Prospect Park, I can attest that it is a cool, even magical refuge this time of year. As we already saw when we made the Prospect Park West Drive car-free two years ago, a safer and quieter park improves the safety and enjoyment for thousands of park users – and has a negligible effect on traffic outside the park. We are thrilled to bring even more of Prospect Park to even more of Brooklyn for the next couple months,” said de Blasio.
“This summer, both sides of Prospect Park will enjoy the benefits of being car-free, a positive enhancement to my continuing efforts toward advancing park equity. Initiating this pilot has been a goal of my administration, community advocates, and local residents for a number of years. Parks are for people, and people from all across Brooklyn and beyond will enjoy a safer and more serene Prospect Park as a result of this initiative,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
Schumer Demands FDA Launch Investigation Into Snortable Chocolate Product, ‘Coco Loko’
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-Brooklyn) is demanding that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally launch an investigation into “Coco Loko,” a new product being marketed to adolescents as snortable “chocolate.”
‘Coco Loko’ is a raw cacao powder infused with a ‘special energy blend,’ including gingko bilboa, taurine and guarana, ingredients commonly found in energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster.
According to the Legal Lean, the parent company of Coco Loko, the product provides consumers with an endorphin rush, a serotonin rush, euphoric energy and calm focus for approximately 30 minutes to an hour, that “is probably equal to about two energy drinks.” The company says the product will produce “an elevated mood and a state of euphoria similar to the feeling of ecstasy.” Although the product has not yet been approved by the FDA, it is being sold online and in some liquor stores and smoke shops.
The health risks surrounding “Coco Loko” are still unknown. The company says it did not consult with any medical professionals when producing the product and its website does not provide any information on caffeine content. According to the CDC, the stimulants in energy drinks can be harmful to the nervous system. Caffeine, guarana and taurine, which can be found in “Coco Loko,” act as stimulants.
“The math for the FDA is clear: This suspect product has no clear health value. It is falsely held up to be chocolate, when it is a powerful stimulant. And they market it like a drug – and they tell users to take it like a drug, by snorting it. It is crystal clear that the FDA needs to wake up and launch a formal investigation into so-called Coco Loko before too many of our young people are damaged by it.”
Schumer continued, “I can’t think of a single parent who thinks it is a good idea for their children to be snorting over-the-counter stimulants up their noses. This product is like cocaine on training wheels.” said Schumer.
Hikind Decries Multiple Swastikas In Brooklyn
Assembly Member Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) is decrying the appearance of swastikas etched into multiple spots on newly poured concrete over the weekend.
Over the weekend a perpetrator, who has yet to be caught by the New York Police Department (NYPD), was seen on private video surveillance cameras sneaking past a taped-off area of wet cement and painstakingly drawing swastika after swastika into numerous sidewalk flags in front of 242 Newkirk Avenue.
“What has happened to society that people take any pleasure in spreading hate? Imagine the reaction of Holocaust survivors and their descendants who live in this community when they come across these symbols of hate? This was a purposeful determination to hurt people. But the surprise will be on the vandal who brought this hate crime to this neighborhood. He was caught clearly on video,” said Hikind.
Hikind continued, “Our community supports and works with the police,” said Hikind. “I have great confidence that the perpetrator of this hate crime will be caught.”
Gentile Urges State DOC To Not Release Accomplice In Officer Murder
City Council Member Vincent J. Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) is urging the New York State Department of Corrections (NYC DOC) and Community Supervision not to release Pablo “Paul” Costello, the accomplice in the murder of Police Officer David Guttenberg, from state supervision.
Guttenburg was shot and killed in 1978 during his lunch hour after inquiring about a double parked car inside of a Brooklyn automobile store. The officer was shot three times in the chest and heart by Luis Angel Torres and was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
In 1980, a judge sentenced Costello to 25 years to life for his role as the lookout in the robbery and shooting.
The possible release of Costello from state supervision is due to a New York State law, which was passed and signed into law in 2008. The law restores discretion to the board of parole to discharge any person for whom the board is satisfied that a discharge would be in the best interests of society.
“We need to do everything in our power to protect our brave New York City Police Officers from harm and from dangerous, violent criminals, particularly given the recent horrific incidents against police officers over the past several years,” said Gentile.
Adams Unveils Report For Modernizing Brooklyn’s Gas Stations Into Sustainable Fueling Solutions
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will unveil “Fueling Brooklyn’s Future: Refueling Needs in a Resiliency Era,” a report with recommendations for modernizing Brooklyn’s gas stations with sustainable fueling solutions today.
Adams will discuss the imperative for the City and State to step up and prepare for technology and resiliency adaptions that the borough’s gas stations and alternative fueling sites need to make. According to his office, since Superstorm Sandy, nine stations have closed in Brooklyn, with two more planning to close, and another 12 being at risk in the next few years.
In just the last week, Volvo became the first mainstream automaker to plan a move to an all-electric fleet, while Tesla has begun to manufacture its first mass-produced affordable electric vehicle. In fact, this weekend, Formula E is preparing to hold its inaugural New York City ePrix, a championship race of electric vehicles, in Red Hook.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, July 11, at 241 Third Street, in the Whole Foods Parking Lot in Gowanus.
AM Williams Attends Autistic Elementary School Post-Graduation Ceremony
Assembly Member Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Mill Basin, Gerritsen Beach, Georgetown) praised the hard work and dedication of teachers and educators at Brooklyn Blue Feather Elementary school (BFE) while being an honored guest at their post-graduation ceremony.
The elementary school caters to children with autism spectrum disorders between the ages of 5 and 12 and focuses on teaching academics including language, effective communication, and appropriate practical skills.
“It is a privilege to recognize the many contributions of these extraordinary individuals and their families and to share in their overwhelming love and joy,” said Williams.
Williams continued, “The love and care each and every educator and administrator shows the students of Blue Feather Elementary, is a bastion to be followed and an example to hold and to treasure.”
Ortiz Calls On Governor To Approve Briana’s Law; Police CPR Re-Training
Assembly Member Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) is calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to approve his legislation creating Briana’s Law (A.2115-B/S.3165-B), requiring officers of the Division of State Police and the New York Police Department (NYPD) receive CPR every two years.
The bill was drafted in response to the tragic 2010 death of Briana Ojeda, an 11 year-old girl who suffered a severe asthma attack and subsequently died after the attending police officer was unable to administer CPR. The bill was approved by the Assembly and Senate last month and now moves to the Governor’s desk for his approval.
“Briana’s Law would be a victory in the name of Briana’s family who has fought, lobbied, and advocated every day since losing their daughter. My only hope is that the Ojeda family will finally achieve some peace, knowing that no other child will be lost in this way. The Governor should recognize the importance of this legislation and help us win this battle, said Ortiz.”
Ortiz continued, “All first responders should be trained in CPR. If a police officer is the first to arrive on scene and someone requires CPR, they should be able to perform it.”
