Greenfield Gets Free Defibrillators for Four Community Organizations
City Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Gravesend, Kensington, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay) is giving free defibrillators to four local Brooklyn organizations: the Boro Park Y, the Sephardic Community Center, Bais Yakov Day Care Center, and the St. Athanasius Youth Program.
Each Automatic External Defibrillator comes with a storage cabinet and CPR training for four members of each organization, all paid for via New York City Council’s Beating Hearts Initiative.
“This is something that we’re doing that is literally saving people’s lives,” Greenfield said. “Ambulance response time in our community is great, especially thanks to Hatzolah, but any wait time can be too long. Every day, people’s lives depend on these machines while the professionals are still on their way.”
Greenfield noted that the program’s free CPR training might be just as important as the free defibrillators.
“The machines can only help someone who falls ill at these community centers, but individuals with CPR training can save a life, no matter where they are,” Greenfield said.
“Let’s say a staffer at the Boro Bark Y is on his lunch break, sees a man having a heart attack, and uses this CPR training to save him. It’s not just the Boro Park Y that benefits from this program but everyone around them. It ripples throughout the community,” Greenfield said.
Walker, Hamilton Laud Cuomo Supportive Housing Initiative
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) and Assembly Member Latrice Walker (D-Brownsville) yesterday lauded Governor Andrew M. Cuomo‘s announcement that more than $11.4 million in state funding has been awarded to two supportive housing projects in Oneida County and one in Brooklyn.
These three projects will create 103 units of emergency and permanent housing for homeless older adults, youth, families and individuals with mental illness, with funding from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
“These projects will help many of our most vulnerable New Yorkers by providing them with a safe, stable and affordable place to live,” Cuomo said. “Across this great state, we are investing in new supportive housing projects to revitalize communities and help build a stronger New York for all.”
The organizations receiving funding include Breaking Ground in Brooklyn, which will receive $7 million. Breaking ground will work with co-applicants the African-American Planning Commission, and when combined with other sources, will be used to develop 80 units of supportive housing and 46 affordable units for individuals and families in Brooklyn. The project also includes commercial space in the building that will be rented out.
“I welcome this announcement of $11.4 million in state funding for housing, including a $7 million investment in Brooklyn. New York’s housing crisis requires sustained action by the public and private sectors,” said Hamilton. “As we make these investments, we must continue to uphold our values, include neighborhoods in decision-making, and share the responsibility for overcoming these challenges equally, by all neighborhoods in Brooklyn.”
Walker said one of the most important priorities to the people of Brooklyn is tackling the homeless crisis.
“There are a number of homeless shelters in the 55th Assembly District [Brownsville] and almost all of them are at max capacity. On behalf of the community, churches, pastors, and stakeholders, I applaud Governor Cuomo for funding to supportive housing initiatives because we see how imperative it is in Brownsville and Brooklyn altogether. This initiative will create 103 units of emergency and permanent housing which is a vital step towards tackling the homeless crisis in our city,” said Walker.
Williams Denounces House Passage Of Concealed Gun Law
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), co-chair of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, yesterday lambasted the Republican-led House of Representatives passing a bill that would allow people with concealed-carry licenses in one state to conceal a gun in other states.
“I often condemn Congress for their failure to act in the wake of mass shootings, their inability or unwillingness to pass legislation. It turns out that they are fully capable of passing gun legislation, as long as it is in support of our country’s demonic obsession with guns. It’s appalling that this Republican Congress will oppose any meaningful action to prevent gun violence, while actively passing measures that they know will make our communities less safe. What is surprising is that six Democrats also supported this NRA-backed atrocity,” said Williams.
“This bill would undermine the hard work that dedicated activists, community organizations, and legislators like myself are doing locally to combat gun violence. In collaboration with local law enforcement, we have managed to meaningfully reduce shootings in New York, making it the safest large city in the United States. Republicans and gun advocates refuse to acknowledge our successes. They refuse to listen to the people, and even to the police departments, who know that what we are doing is working. We are working tirelessly every day, motivated by the goal of saving lives. To those who support this legislation, I would ask: what are your motives?”
Menchaca, De Blasio Hold Town Hall In District
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) and Mayor Bill de Blasio will hold a Town Hall next week to air out concerns in his council district.
Menchaca is inviting all constituents including residents, local faith and community service organizations, advocates, educators and elected officials.
Projects, policies and initiatives affecting the district will be announced. Attendees will be asked to participate in an extended question and answer session with the mayor and his senior administration officials.
This event is presented in conjunction with: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, State Senator Jesse Hamilton, and Assembly Member Felix Ortiz.
The town hall is slated for 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14 at JHS/MS 88 – Peter Rouget School, 544 7th Avenue in Park Slope. District 38 residents must RSVP by 5 p.m., Wednesday, December 13. RSVP at: www.nyc.gov/cd38townhall or via email to brooklyntownhall@cityhall.nyc.
or by calling (212) 788-7929
Donovan Chairs Hearing Examining ability to Counter Weapons Of Mass Destruction
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island ), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, yesterday led a hearing on Capitol Hill entitled Examining the Department of Homeland Security’s Efforts to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction.
The hearing gathered insight from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leaders on our country’s ability to counter weapons of mass destruction and other evolving threats.
“The scope of threats our nation faces each day continues to change and evolve. We know that terrorist groups hope to employ new weapons, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents, to attack innocent people and cause destruction. It’s critical that our security agencies are able to protect the homeland, and I’ll be using the insight gathered to develop policies that help DHS further improve preparedness and response measures,” said Donovan.
The hearing analyzed the structure of DHS and how possible organizational changes, including the recent establishment of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office, will enable the department to better serve its mission of making the U.S. safer and more secure.
