Adams, Richardson Urge Passage of Statewide Domestic Violence Registry
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams alongside Assembly member Diana Richardson (D-) called for major domestic violence reforms in the wake of the murder of a young Crown Heights mother yesterday.
Last month, 22-year-old Tonie Wells was found dead at the bottom of her basement stairs with bruises around her neck indicating strangulation in an apparent domestic violence incident. Barry Wells, her husband of nine months, allegedly strangled and shoved Tonie down the stairs before fleeing the home, leaving their two-year-old daughter with her mother’s dead body for hours before police finally arrived. Prior to the assault, police had responded to two previous domestic violence incidents at the address involving Wells and her husband.
Adams, a 22-year New York Police Department (NYPD) veteran and survivor of domestic violence, urged the New York State Legislature to pass and Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign Brittany’s Law. The measure would clearly define domestic violence offenses and offenders; require such offenders to register with the State Division of Criminal Justice Services upon parole or release from incarceration, hospitalization or institutionalization, and establish crimes of failure to register or verify as a domestic violence offender in the first and second degrees. Additionally, as the case with the statewide sex offender registry, the proposed violent offender registry would alert neighbors when a domestic violence offender moves into a neighborhood. The State Senate version of the measure, S.1107, overwhelmingly passed in a bipartisan vote during two consecutive sessions while the Assembly version, A.6609, has stalled multiple times.
“The tragic death of Tonie Wells was entirely avoidable, as are far too many cases of domestic violence. There are fundamental steps we can and must take to protect victims and safeguard the public. Brittany’s Law is one of these steps that has been overdue for us to take,” said Adams.
“We cannot be silent while families are torn apart by domestic violence. Tonie Wells was a beautiful young woman who should be with her beautiful little girl today, and we must fight in her memory to protect others who may be at risk. I urge my colleagues in the Assembly to join me in finally passing the domestic violence offender registry into law, and I thank Borough President Adams for supporting this effort,” said Richardson.
Treyger Calls For Increased Transit Options
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Coney Island) yesterday called for more improvements and increased options in transit isolated areas of Brooklyn.
On Wednesday, it was announced that a new study looking to expand subway service in Red Hook would be conducted. Currently, only the NYC Ferry and buses service Red Hook for public transportation. The neighborhood has been targeted for transit options, in particular the proposed Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) which will run through the waterfront area and end in Astoria. The 16-mile route along the East River waterfront corridor is planned to run 24-hours-a-day with five-minute intervals at peak hours with stops a half-mile apart.
“Red Hook is one of many Brooklyn neighborhoods that has been made exceedingly hard to reach by the long-term neglect of its transit needs. As New York examines ways to meet the vital need for increased transit options to Red Hook, including a possible new subway line, it’s crucial that we remember other areas of our city that are isolated by their poor mass transit options,” said Treyger.
“Southern Brooklyn, like parts of South Brooklyn, desperately needs—and deserves—more transit options. Commuters continue to wait for the restoration of F express service, which would shave much-needed time off of commutes that often exceed an hour. Riders of the R train face extensive delays on a daily basis, which disrupts the schedules of thousands of people who can’t afford to be late to work and school. The need for improvements in areas poorly served by mass transit is at an all-time high, and we must make sure that investments in mass transit are distributed equitably, and serve the needs of all New Yorkers,” added Treyger.
PA James Reacts To Cuomo’s State of the State Address
Public Advocate Letitia James lauded Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City State of the State Address yesterday.
Governor Cuomo delivered his eighth State of the State address yesterday before an audience of prominent New York political figures, including members of the state Legislature and his rival New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, in which he outlined an aggressive agenda. In his 90-minute speech he included small references to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) crisis, the tax reform bill and the building of a sprawling new state park in Brooklyn. Additionally, Cuomo touted a host of achievements during his first seven years in office, including the legalization of gay marriage, enactment of a tough gun control law, the phasing in of a $15-an-hour minimum wage, and creation of a state paid family leave program, according to reports.
“Today, Governor Cuomo outlined an ambitious agenda to bolster New Yorkers, buttress the state against national rancor and divisiveness, and position our state as a beacon of progress and justice throughout the nation. I look forward to working with him on his plans to advance women’s rights by combating sexual harassment in the workplace and keeping weapons out of the hands of domestic violence abusers. His commitment to bail and criminal justice reform, and acknowledgement of Kalief Browder’s life and tragic death is encouraging, as is his vow to take action on the homelessness crisis, which disproportionately plagues New York City. I applaud his efforts to enact early voting and same-day registration and examine the minimum wage tip credit, which will lead to much needed progress,” said James.
“However, we must still do more to protect and create affordable and supportive housing. I urge the Governor to push Albany legislators to adopt vacancy decontrol, make preferential rent permanent and repeal the twenty percent vacancy bonus and introduce a housing bond act to create more affordable housing. In order to truly protect New Yorkers, we must ensure that everyone has access to safe and decent housing. It is the most critical step to creating a New York that is just and inclusive for all,” added James.
Deutsch Gives Winter Storm Warning
City Council Member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest) yesterday warned constituents to take all precautions with the winter storm coming.
Forecasters are predicting up to 8 inches of snowfall with heavy winds and freezing temperatures.
Among the usual winter safety precautions, Deutsch warned again that improper use of portable heating equipment can lead to fire or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Take precautions to ensure you are heating your home safely, he said.
The city has already seen several deadly fires since the cold snap began about a week ago.
Alternate side cleaning has been suspended for tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday. Garbage and recycling pickup is also suspended for snow operations. New York City public schools will be closed tomorrow, and all after school programs are canceled.
You can track NYC plows using PlowNYC: http://maps.nyc.gov/snow/.
Adams Congratulates New City Council Speaker Johnson
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams yesterday congratulated Manhattan City Council Member Corey Johnson on being elected by his colleagues to be the next speaker of the City Council.
“He [Johnson] has proven himself to be a passionate advocate for his community, and passionate advocacy is what is needed to move all of our communities forward across all five boroughs. I am optimistic that Speaker Johnson will appoint a diverse leadership team and focus the Council’s resources on forward-thinking policies that make our City run more efficiently and responsively to the needs of our most underserved,” said Adams.
“I thank all of the candidates in this process — especially Council Members Barron, Cornegy, and Williams from Brooklyn — for advancing a robust dialogue on critical issues such as affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and public education. It will be a pleasure to work with Speaker Johnson and the entire Council on these and other matters in the term ahead.”
