Schumer Demands MTA Immediately Install Safety Technology Ahead of 2018 Deadline
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-Brooklyn) called on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), including the LIRR and Metro-Nort today to install Positive Train Control (PTC) technology by the federally-mandated deadline of 2018.
Despite nearly a decade of lead time, including a 3 year extension, the MTA recently suggested it may not meet its 2018 timeline for full implementation of PTC technology. According to the most recent figures provided by the MTA, the agency is just 54% of the way through full PTC installation.
PTC is a communications and signaling system that can be used on railroads to prevent collisions caused by excessive speed and human error. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has found dozens of passenger and freight rail accidents over the years could have been prevented through the use of PTC, including the 2015 derailment of an Amtrak in Philadelphia in which eight lives were lost, a 2013 Spuyten Duyvil crash in the Bronx in which four lives were lost, and a 2008 crash in southern California that killed 25 commuters.
Nearly ten years ago, Congress required all railroad main lines with regularly scheduled commuter rail passenger service as well as Class I railroad main lines handling poisonous-inhalation-hazard materials to fully implement PTC by the end of 2015. However, many railroad entities, including the MTA, failed to meet that deadline. As a result, under the PTC Enforcement and Implementation Act, Congress extended the deadline to December 31, 2018.
“The clock is ticking on PTC and the deadline for full installation is fast approaching, which is why it is shocking to know that the MTA could be in a position for yet another delay on this life-saving, crash-preventing technology. The technology is available and the money has been secured via a billion dollar federal loan. Once fully implemented, PTC will help prevent fatal crashes, on passenger and freight trains, so it’s of the utmost importance that MTA and LIRR and Metro North get back on track and quickly install this life-saving technology by the end of next year,” said Schumer.
Espinal Celebrates Repeal of NYC Cabaret Law
City Council member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York) will host a press conference to celebrate the historic repeal of NYC’s 1926 cabaret law today.
Espinal sponsored Intro No. 1652-A, which repeals the 1926 law that has restricted dancing and kept business owners in fear for almost a century. Additionally the measure is part of Espinal’s larger effort to support the diverse culture nightlife brings to the city and follows the creation of NYC’s first-ever Office of Nightlife.
The event is slated for 3 p.m., today, Oct. 31, on the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Greenfield Demands Investigation Of Chasidic Senior Dragged By NYPD for Cell Phone Use
City Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Borough Park, Midwood, Bensonhurst) is calling for an independent investigation into the arrest of a 71-year-old Chasidic man who was cited for speaking on his cell phone while driving.
The 71-year-old alleges that he was pulled over at approximately 8:00 p.m. by New York Police Department Officers (NYPD) at the intersection of 18th Avenue and 53rd Street for talking on his cell phone. The man, whose native language is not English, said he was doing his best to explain that the officers’ flashlights were too bright, and he therefore couldn’t find his registration in his glove compartment.
He said that the officers then dragged him out of the car, shoved him into the ground and arrested him for “disorderly conduct.” He was released after being taken to the 66th Precinct. He was also treated at Maimonides Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries on Monday morning.
“It’s disconcerting to see a 71-year-old grandfather sitting in the emergency room with bruises all over his face and body after his interaction with local police. The bedrock of policing in New York City is courtesy, professionalism and respect. The NYPD must investigate to ensure that these standards have been adhered to,” said Greenfield.
“The bottom line is that, while we are not jumping to any conclusions, we need an immediate and thorough investigation. I appreciate that the NYPD met us in the hospital to take a report, and I expect a full, fair and transparent investigation,” added Greenfield.
Hamilton, Savino To Unveil Report On Impact Of Bank Owned Properties, ‘Nightmare Neighbors’
State Senators Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) and Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Staten Island) will release a new investigative report on the impact of poorly maintained bank-owned properties on communities today.
The report, “Nightmare Neighbors: How Badly Maintained Homes Damage Neighborhoods,” details the effects these properties have on surrounding neighborhood home values and proposes new legislation based on the findings. According to the report, the foreclosure crisis is still haunting New York City neighborhoods and decreasing property values
The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, Oct. 31, at 250 Broadway, on the 20th Floor, in Lower Manhattan.
Treyger Introduces Bill To Combat School Bullying
City Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend), alongside City Council members Daniel Dromm(D-Queens) and Mark Levine (D-Manhattan) sponsored new legislation to combat school bullying yesterday.
The new bill would require the Department of Education (DOE) to produce detailed data every six months regarding the prevalence of bullying in New York City schools and track whether or not schools are adhering to regulations mandating that parents are quickly notified of bullying incidents. Additionally, the DOE’s data would include statistical breakdowns of: student-to-student bullying, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination, bullying complaints, notices about bullying incidents sent to parents, how long it takes for parents to receive notices, students who have experienced more than two incidents of bullying per school year and the number of times follow-up action was taken. All data will be disaggregated by individual school and school district.
The bill, which is slated to be introduced today, is designed to help the City learn about how bullying trends manifest, where bullying has become a chronic problem and if parents are being kept abreast of bullying complaints involving their children. Earlier this year, an 18-year-old Bronx high school student stabbed one fellow classmate to death and seriously injured another in an incident motivated by bullying. In mid-October, a Coney Island woman lost her life when reports of bullying involving children escalated to a tragic incident between parents.
“As a former educator, I’ve seen firsthand the physical, emotional, and psychological impact that bullying can have on students and families. Because of social media, bullying has taken on new forms and is likelier than ever to spill out from the schools into the home lives of students. In recent months, too many New Yorkers have tragically lost their lives because of incidents rooted in bullying,” said Treyger.
“My new legislation is designed to help us learn how bullying begins, where bullying persists, and whether or not schools have sufficient resources to tackle school climate issues. My bill also examines how effectively schools engage with parents in the wake of bullying incidents involving their children. Ultimately, bullying is a complex issue that requires multi-level interventions, both at school and at home. The more we know about bullying, the better prepared we are to stop it immediately,” added Treyger.
