BP Adams Commemorates 5th Anniversary Of Superstorm Sandy
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams commemorated the fifth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy yesterday.
Superstorm Sandy hit New York City Oct. 29 2012, causing 182 deaths and $71 billion in damage. Sandy swamped coastline communities, knocked out power to millions of people and businesses, flooded parts of New York City’s transit system and set neighborhoods ablaze
“On this day five years ago, a deadly force of nature hit our shores like nothing we had experienced before. Superstorm Sandy claimed the lives of dozens of our neighbors and destroyed thousands of homes, and as Brooklynites we take time today to pause and mourn what our borough and our city lost,” said Adams.
“The winds and waves of Sandy certainly did all they could to shake us, but they could not break us. The spirit of One Brooklyn has shone as bright as ever in the still-ongoing process of rebuilding and recovery, and I want to personally thank everyone who gave whatever they could to help communities in despair from Red Hook to the Rockaways, Manhattan Beach to Midland Beach,” continued Adams.
“Sandy tested the resiliency of our people, and we passed with flying colors. However, we still face an incomplete grade when it comes to the resiliency of our infrastructure. The realities of climate change compel us to be prepared to handle storms like this again, and the recent devastation facing our fellow Americans in Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the US Virgin Islands are terrible reminders of what Brooklyn may face in the years ahead. Government has made some strides in flood mitigation efforts, but bureaucratic red tape has stalled or boondoggled far too much. Leaders on the local, state, and federal level have a duty to be as determined in funding and finishing these projects as our residents have been along our coast, from Greenpoint to Gerritsen Beach, Canarsie to Coney Island. Let us channel the pain from this anniversary into a purpose of strengthening our waterfront, protecting our environment, and building a more resilient future,” added Adams.
Schumer Announces DEA Enforcement Team To Combat Opioid Crisis Coming To NYS
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-Brooklyn) announced that, following his major push and funding effort, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will provide New York State with a special heroin enforcement team.
Earlier this year, Schumer urged the DEA to commit to providing New York with one of the special teams being delivered to states suffering from heroin abuse. He secured $12.5 million in federal funding for the DEA in the Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) omnibus funding bill for the creation of new enforcement groups specifically dedicated to counteracting heroin and fentanyl trafficking and eradicating its availability. In New York, the team will be comprised of two new DEA agents plus two officers from an existing task force.
New York’s heroin overdose death rate increased by 30 percent in 2015. According to the NYC Department of Health, there were 1,374 unintentional drug overdose deaths in New York City in 2016, compared to 937 unintentional drug overdose deaths in 2015—an increase of 437. Approximately four fatal drug overdoses occurred each day in New York City last year. More than eight in ten overdose deaths involved an opioid and heroin was involved in 751 (55 percent) of all fatal overdoses in New York City last year. Fentanyl was involved in 44 percent of all fatal overdoses last year.
Additionally, the New York DEA Field Division has identified New York City as a major distribution hub for heroin mills that use John F. Kennedy International Airport as an entry point to more easily access the greater Northeast region. Just recently, agents seized enough fentanyl to kill 32 million people – the largest such bust in New York City history.
“New York is getting an A-Team to help tackle the heroin and fentanyl epidemic and it couldn’t come soon enough. I helped deliver the funds the DEA needed to create these teams because we are in urgent need of help and a special heroin enforcement team will lend a major hand in the fight to end the opioid scourge. I’m pleased that the feds have heeded the call. As the overdoses related to illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids increase, the new enforcement team will help the NYPD, Long Island and other local police departments across the state contain and beat back the dangerous tide. We must not let off the gas pedal in the fight against opioid dealers, abuse and death in New York,” said Schumer.
Eugene Applauds New Traffic Light At Coney Island Ave School
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush) is applauding the recently announced installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Coney Island Avenue and Hinckley Place in front of IS 890 and PS 889.
Last week, the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) agreed to install the traffic light as part of a much needed safety measure at the dangerous intersection. Many in the community, including teachers, local elected officials and parents had expressed concerns that fast moving traffic along Coney Island Avenue presented a significant hazard to students. The traffic light will add another level of security for parents and their children who will be adding considerable foot traffic to the area.
The timeframe for the installation of the traffic light is expected to take four months, a process Eugene and DOT Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Keith Bray are committed to moving forward as quickly as possible.
“This new school is a major asset for our community, and I have been a supporter of the project since day one. I have said, time and time again, we need to do something about the safety of our students. I have been advocating to make this traffic light a reality, and I am very pleased that we will be working with the commissioner to have this safety measure completed in a timely manner,” said Eugene.
Donovan To Unveil Anti-Bullying Legislation
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) will announce his legislation to help address the rise of bullying in classrooms nationwide today.
The bill, entitled Danny’s Law, will create an anti-bullying roundtable comprised of education stakeholders, including teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, parents, and bullied children, to discuss anti-bullying best practices. After hearings and meetings, the members of the roundtable will be required to send Congress a report with recommendations on how schools and parents can most effectively combat bullying.
The legislation is named after Danny Fitzpatrick, a Staten Island teen who tragically took his own life after facing relentless bullying at school. Maureen Fitzpatrick, Danny’s mother, will share her family’s story and highlight the importance of tackling bullying to protect children. Statistics show that more than 70% of young people have seen bullying in their schools.
Mosley Introduces Legislation To Encourage Cyber Security In NYS
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) introduced legislation encouraging cyber security in New York State last week.
The new bill will give any company in New York the opportunity and ability to train their employees in cyber and computer security. The legislation gives a tax credit to any business in New York that covers the cost of tuition, fees and books for employees who pursue Associate’s Degrees in Computer Security from one of the state’s accredited community colleges. Capped at $5,000 per employee each year, the credit encourages businesses to invest in their employees and protect their business at the same time.
“It doesn’t take an expert to see that our cyber security defenses need improvement. This bill gives companies a tax credit when they cover the cost of an Associate’s Degree in Computer Security from one of New York’s community colleges. By providing the basics of cyber security, our companies will be safer from attacks that are all too common, and have the potential to destroy businesses and even lives,” said Mosley.
“This is the first step towards stronger cyber security in our state and around the country. My legislation will empower employees to take the security of their company into their own hands, and gain the knowledge they need to protect sensitive information. It is my hope that this legislation can safeguard our companies against 21st century threats, with 21st century skills,” added Mosley.
Weinstein, Maisel Brings Traffic Improvements To Marine Park
Assembly member Helene Weinstein (D-Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Flatlands) alongside Councilman Alan Maisel (D-Canarsie, Flatlands, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach) approved life saving traffic improvements in Marine Park last week.
The new measures will install an all-way stop sign at the corner of Avenue P and Ryder Street, and place a left turn signal and sensor in the southbound left-turn bay on Gerritsen Avenue at Avenue U. The measures were announced last week while Department Of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg visited the Avenue P site. The intersection has been the scene of multiple horrific accidents, one in which a young child was hit while waiting at his bus stop. He miraculously survived, but suffered a ruptured spleen and fractured skull.
At Gerritsen Avenue and Avenue U, the DOT will be installing a small high-tech sensor under the street, which will only provide a left turn signal when cars are present in the turning bay. The installation, taking place in early 2018, will allow adequate time for cars to make the turn unimpeded, discontinue the dangerous practice of racing the red and jumping the green, and keep the roadway free for emergency vehicles exiting the Fire Station location just North of Avenue U.
Additionally, the DOT will also be launching investigations into a mid-block signal for seniors crossing Nostrand Avenue between Avenues Y and Z, and a similar turn signal sensor for northbound traffic on Nostrand Avenue at Kings Highway.
“I commend Commissioner Trottenberg, Borough Commissioner Bray, and Deputy Borough Commissioner Workman, for finally recognizing the dangers these two locations pose to both motorists and pedestrians alike. There is no doubt, working together, we’ve increased safety and have prevent what were sure to be devastating and fatal accidents,” said Weinstein.
“My office has been working closely with Assemblymember Helene Weinstein and DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg to make city streets more safe for pedestrians and motorists. The traffic improvements in Marine Park will make a significant contribution,” said Maisel.
