Schumer Demands Drug Detection Machines At JFK
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn) urged the President to immediately sign a recently passed bipartisan bill that would help cutoff the flow of illicit fentanyl from abroad into New York via JFK Airport over the weekend.
The “International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act,” also known as the INTERDICT Act, will give U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) new hi-tech—and portable—tools and personnel to improve detection capabilities and increase the seizure of illicit fentanyl shipped to the U.S. from China, Mexico and other countries through mail and express consignment carriers.
Additionally, Schumer is pushing that NYC be amongst the first cities to receive these high-tech detection devices. Schumer said that JFK International Airport is a major point of entry for smuggling fentanyl, especially from overseas, and needs the new equipment to effectively examine the packages and intercept masked substances. The seized packages can then be used to provide agents with key intelligence on where the drugs are coming from and what to look for next.
In FY2017, more than 81 pounds of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were seized via international mail and private carriers. In New York, approximately one million pieces of mail enter the JFK International mail facility each day, roughly 60 percent of the nation’s international mail. According to reports, seizures of fentanyl at the JFK International mail center increased from 7 in 2016 to 84 in 2017, all from China. Most recently, in October, two postal packages containing 725 grams of fentanyl, arrived at JFK Airport and was sent to a home in Mastic Beach, on Long Island, before it was ultimately seized by authorities. The packages originally came from Hong Kong.
“Now that Congress has passed the INTERDICT Act, New York is just one signature away from writing a new chapter in the opioid scourge. This new law will make sure our ports of entry, field labs and international mail facilities have access to more handheld chemical scanners to test suspicious substances and provide vital real-time data on its source. That means narcotics, like illicit fentanyl, can be quickly detected, identified and seized on the spot—and it means our diligent screening staff is more safe because they will not have to risk their own safety to expose dangerous substances,” said Schumer.
Donovan To Honor ROTC Cadet, London Terror Attack Hero
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) will honor ROTC Cadet and Brooklyn native Mark Kindschuh with the ROTC Medal of Valor for his heroism during the London Terror Attack today.
Cadet Kindschuh, who is a student at Boston College, was studying abroad in London this past summer. While he was out with friends at a restaurant on June 3, 2017, a group of terrorists attacked pedestrians on the London Bridge and began stabbing people on the street outside the restaurant. With the attack still unfolding around him, Cadet Kindschuh ran and tended to a man bleeding profusely from the head, helping save the man’s life.
After learning of Cadet Kindschuh’s heroism, Congressman Donovan contacted the Secretary of the Army to recommend Cadet Kindschuh for the Medal of Valor.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Jan. 8, at Fort Hamilton Community Club, at 207 Sterling Drive (entrance to Fort Hamilton is at 101st St and Fort Hamilton Pkwy) in Dyker Heights.
CM Williams Applauds NYC’s Drop In Crime
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) reacted to the recently released numbers showing significant drops in violent and overall crime in New York City last week.
According to initial reports, the city has seen drops in felony assaults, burglaries, robberies and car thefts over the last year according to the NYPD. There were 284 homicides in the five boroughs as of the end of December 2017, compared with 329 for the same period in 2016.
Additionally, Brooklyn’s reported felony crime including murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and auto theft fell about 5% in 2017 as compared to 2016, reflecting the city’s overall felony crime reduction of a little over 5%, according to the latest New York City Police Department’s crime statistics, according to earlier reports by KCP. Brooklyn crime statistics is divided into two sectors, Brooklyn North, which includes 10 police precincts, and Brooklyn South, which includes 13 police precincts. Both sectors saw a roughly 5% reduction in overall felony crime.
“Six years ago, we said that it was possible to have better policing, safer streets, and a new, more effective way to combat gun violence. At the time, many dismissed these ideas, or worse, contributed to a cacophony of misinformation and hysteria about the common sense policies that had been put forth,” said Williams.
“Ending the abuse of stop question and frisk, curtailing bias-based policing, engaging officers with the communities they serve, and addressing gun violence in a human way, in the neighborhoods most impacted, have each had a profound impact on crime in our city. Murders have dropped 13% in just the last year, and shooting incidents have dropped by 20%. Overall, crime has dropped over 5% since 2016 alone. These are not abstract numbers, but real, human lives that are being saved as a result of the practices, policies and programs now in place,” added Williams.
South BK Pols React To DEC Enforcement Action In Coney Island Creek
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend), State Senator Diane J. Savino (D-Coney Island, Staten Island), and Assembly Member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) reacted to the news last week that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) has concluded an enforcement action for illicit sewage discharges in Coney Island Creek uncovered in September 2016.
Last Thursday, the DEC announced that as part of its ongoing efforts to improve water quality in Coney Island Creek, the agency has concluded an enforcement action against Beach Haven Apartments Associates, LLC in the form of a $400,000 fine. The fine is DEC’s single largest penalty issued to a residential building complex for illicit sewage discharges into New York City waters. Investigations into dry weather discharges to Coney Island Creek revealed that the apartment complex was illicitly discharging sewage in August 2016.
Under an Order on Consent, Beach Haven Apartments Associates, LLC., must implement a rigorous best management practices plan to prevent any further discharges from its units to Coney Island Creek. In addition, Beach Haven Apartments Associates, LLC., will pay $400,000, $350,000 of which will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the American Littoral Society to implement Environmental Benefit Projects within the Coney Island Creek watershed that address water quality, green infrastructure, the creation or improvement of open space and waterfront access, ecological and recreational programs, stormwater management, and green jobs training. The remaining $50,000 will support DEC’s marine resources protection efforts.
“Coney Island Creek has long suffered from high levels of contamination, including chemical pollution from historical heavy industry along its shores and ongoing issues of illicit discharges of sewage. The Creek is also a community anchor for many of our residents: many utilize the Creek for commercial and subsistence fishing, waterfront recreation, religious ceremonies, and environmental stewardship programs for students and volunteers.The $400,000 penalty issued sends a strong message that there is a heavy cost to pay for environmental contamination, and that, when harm is done to our natural resources, those responsible will be held liable,” said Treyger.
“Deteriorating events to our natural resources are occurring more frequently, either by Mother Nature or man-made. The Coney Island Creek is a vital part of the ecosystem and the community; ensuring its viability and sustainability is a must,” said Savino.
“When Brooklyn families boat or fish in Coney Island Creek, they should feel safe knowing that the water is clean. But sadly, in this instance, that was not the case. This settlement makes a clear statement that we will not tolerate the polluting of our waters. The dangers these illicit practices have can do irreversible damage to our waterways and it must be stopped. It is critically important that we ensure the money from the settlement goes towards ensuring our creek gets the funding and attention it deserves,” said Harris.
Colton Calls On City To Improve Winter Weather Response
Assembly member William Colton (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) though pleased by the City’s initial response to community concerns over last week’s snow storm, is still concerned about school openings and a lack of suspended parking meter rules during the freezing temperatures.
Last Thursday, a winter storm, “bomb cyclone, a.k.a Winter Storm Grayson pummeled the East Coast, bringing blizzard-like conditions to the city including heavy snow fall, high winds and bitter cold to the region. In the wake of the storm, the local temperatures fell to single digits leaving many to brave the arctic cold to take their children to school and to move their vehicles.
Colton believes schools should have been closed for the rest of the week and that the parking meter rules should have been suspended through the end of the week, last week. Colton is hoping that future snow storm precautions will be made by the city so that the next storm response will have a safer and greater impact on Brooklyn residences.
“They immediately mobilized snow plows to respond to my constituents’ reports of blocked intersections and roads, allowing vehicles and pedestrians to travel safely in the severe weather conditions. It is not easy to execute such a large task, but they responded promptly to the needs of our communities,” said Colton.
“Although the streets have mostly been cleared, temperatures still below freezing, and it is outrageous that schools were open Friday. Parents have complained to me that it is still unsafe for children and the elderly grandparents who often accompany them to school,” added Colton.
