BP Adams Denounces Vandalism At Mosques In Sunset Park
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams is denouncing the recent vandalism at mosques across South Brooklyn.
On Saturday night, a unidentified, hooded man wielding a hammer damaged property at two mosques in Sunset Park and Bay Ridge, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD). The man was seen smashing windows and breaking a security camera at the mosques over the weekend.
According to recent reports, police said later Monday night that the same man is responsible for a second vandalism incident. Shortly after the first incident, the same man used a hammer to destroy the doorbell, door knob and mailbox to the United American Muslim Association of New York.
“Incidences of vandalism in Sunset Park at Beit El-Madqis Islamic Center and Fatih Camii Mosque are abhorrent to the values of our community. I thank the NYPD for the diligent investigation of these attacks, which may be linked to the same individual,” said Adams.
“No hammer will shatter our spirit. The human spirit has the unbreakable ability to withstand any signs of hate and come together as one body of all faiths that says we stand together with these mosques, and with all people of this great borough. My Office of Faith-Based and Clergy Initiatives will expand its efforts to encourage all of our houses of worship to ramp up their safety measures, including camera systems and onsite security personnel,” added Adams.
Schumer Demands TSA Conduct Comprehensive Review of Training & Detection Procedures
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-Brooklyn) urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) yesterday to conduct a top-to-bottom review of the effectiveness of Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) employee training procedures and the need for upgraded detection technology.
With millions of Americans finalizing their Thanksgiving travel plans, Schumer is demanding a full review of TSA employee training procedures as well as equipment testing. Schumer went on to note that such actions should begin immediately and that a thorough review should be conducted with cooperation from TSA’s new administrator, David Pekoske, in an effort to shed light on continued security failings.
A new report, conducted by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and delivered this past week to the House Committee on Homeland Security, found that the OIG office was able to evade airport screeners most of the time and sneak banned items passed TSA checkpoints. Earlier this year, at a November 8th Homeland Security Committee hearing in Congress, Chairman Michael McCaul said that at a recent briefing the Inspector General noted “vulnerabilities in covert testing” as it relates to the TSA security screening at airports.
According to media reports, the most recent undercover tests, conducted this year, suggest at least an 80 percent failure rate. As part of the undercover investigation, agents successfully smuggled fake weapons, explosives, and components through security checkpoints.
“In an era of lone wolf terrorists, the continued TSA security failures at airports across the country are highly concerning and a major threat we must neutralize. In light of the recent test result reports, TSA should move immediately to address all holes, shortfalls and gaps in training procedures, technology, and the entire airport security process,” said Schumer.
Espinal Applauds London for Abolishing Policy Regulating Live Music Performances
City Council member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York, Cypress Hills) is applauding London for abolishing a discriminatory policy that regulated live music performances last week.
On November 10, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that London’s Metropolitan Police have scrapped a controversial form for assessing the risk of live music events. First instituted in 2005, Form 696, was paperwork requested by the Met Police 14 days in advance of an event. The form gathered information on the style of music to be performed, the target audience, as well as, names and private addresses of all promoters and DJs. The original form even asked for ethnic groups likely to attend the performance, though those questions were later removed.
Form 696 has long been opposed by critics for being “discriminatory” and “racist” by disproportionately affecting particular groups and genres of music. Non-compliance with the form or information given to the police via the form, has prevented events from occurring and resulted in the cancellation of planned music tours. Mayor Khan noted that “developing a nighttime economy that works for everyone” is a “key priority” of his, but that it is also “vital that live music events in London take place safely.”
On Oct. 31, the NYC Council repealed the 1926 cabaret law, also known as the “no dancing law,” which critics have argued has a historically racist effect and arbitrarily targets specific groups. Espinal was the main sponsor of the bill and created NYC’s landmark Office of Nightlife to liaise between government agencies, nightlife venues and local communities through the bill.
“Global cities throughout the world are speaking up and acting boldly to support their diverse nightlife economies. It’s over for antiquated, historically racist policies that disproportionately affect specific groups and target nightlife establishments on an unequal basis. A tide has turned as local governments around the world respect nightlife for its crucial cultural and economic value. I look forward to continuing this growing global conversation as we advance smart city planning and learn from one another to build the nightlife sector, while actively supporting our spaces for creativity and inclusion,” said Espinal
Golden Holds Hearing on NYCERS Denials of 9/11 Related Disability Claims
Senator Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) alongside Senator Terrence Murphy (R-Westchester) will hold a hearing to investigate NYCERS high rate of accidental disability retirement denials for claimants who have 9/11 related illnesses.
At the event the Senators will discuss the issues surrounding the 9/11 related illnesses accidental disability retirement questions with experts who deal with the current system.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 250 Broadway, in the New York State Senate Hearing Room on the 19th Floor, in Lower Manhattan.
Simon Kick’s Off Second “Java with Jo Anne” Series
Assembly member Jo Anne Simon (D-Downtown Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) announced her second “Java with Jo Anne’ series yesterday.
The event will give community residents and constituents an opportunity to sit down with the assembly member and discuss community issues, neighborhood grievances and a host of other district related topic in a personal and informal setting.
The event is slated for 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., today, Nov. 14, at D’Amico Coffee Roasters, at 309 Court Street in Cobble Hill.
Treyger Unveils Legislation Prohibiting Sex Between Cops & Those In Custody Illegal
Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) alongside state and local elected officials will unveil new legislation that would make it explicitly illegal for law enforcement officials to have any sexual contact with someone in their custody this week.
In September, two narcotics detectives, who have since resigned from the New York Police Department (NYPD), had sexual contact with a teenager in their custody, and tried to claim it was “consensual.” In the wake of the incident, Treyger immediately began drafting legislation to protect individuals in police custody.
At the event Treyger will also introduce a resolution calling on state lawmakers to amend the State Penal Code to close the loophole that has allowed the former detectives to claim the rape was “consensual.” State law currently outlaws sexual activity between corrections officers and inmates, as well as parole officers and parolees – but not specifically between police officers and people in their custody.
The event is slated for 9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, on the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
New Kings Democrats To Host General Body Meeting
The New Kings Democrats (NKD) will host their November General Meeting this week.
At the event, the group will discuss organizing efforts and upcoming campaigns going into the state election cycle next year. The meeting will also focus on the work of the local Democratic party and the future of the political club going into the new year.
The event is slated for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16, at First Unitarian Congregation, at 119 Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights.
