Cumbo Hosts Women In Politics Discussion
City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues and co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, will host a discussion on the importance of women in government and closing the political ambition gap today.
The event will engage young women leaders in a community conversation on the centennial of women’s suffrage in New York State and the pivotal role of women in shaping public policy today.
Currently, only 11 of the City Council’s 51 members are women, as former Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and former City Council member Elizabeth Crowley departed in the last term.
The event is slated for 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., today, Jan. 11, at YWCA Brooklyn in the Upper Gallery, at 30 Third Avenue in Boerum Hill.
Espinal Applauds Yankee’s Plans to Extend Protective Netting
City Council member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York) applauded The New York Yankees announcement to extend protective netting for the 2018 season.
On Wednesday, the Yankees released details of their plan to increase coverage of the protective netting beyond the far ends of the dugouts and to include retractable technology. Last May Espinal first introduced legislation requiring NYC major and minor league ballparks to extend protective netting.
Last year, the major league baseball team announced the first phase of the net expansion after a 1-year-old was seriously injured by a foul ball and then taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
“I sincerely applaud the New York Yankees on their plans to add protective netting for the 2018 season. What’s even more exciting is that they’ve decided to incorporate retractable technology to make sure the fan experience will not be hindered between innings. The Yankees and Mets have stepped up to the plate and taken an important action to protect their fans. So many families will be kept safe because of this; I hope all teams nationwide will make the right call,” said Espinal.
Menchaca To Host District 38 Inauguration Event
City Council member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) will host a District 38 Inauguration event today.
The event will celebrate the districts achievements and opportunities for the next four years as well as highlight Menchaca hopes for his second term in office representing the Southern Brooklyn community.
The event is slated for 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 14, at Sunset Park High School, at 153 35th Street in Sunset Park.
Williams Denounces PBA Lawsuit Over Body Can Footage
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) denounced the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) lawsuit against releasing body camera footage yesterday.
On Tuesday, the PBA announced legal action against the City to stop the release of body camera footage citing it violates the civil rights of officers and announced their goal to end the practice. According to initial reports, the organization’s leaders stated that releasing the images is a violation of section 50-a of the state’s civil rights law because the body camera videos are considered police personnel records exempt from disclosure.
The union went on to claim that release of the videos is done in an inconsistent and arbitrary way. Last year the City released videos three times in cases of police shootings.
“Over the past several years, we as a city have made significant improvements in policing. There are two areas in which we have not advanced; accountability, where we have not improved, and transparency, where we have gone backwards. Releasing body camera footage is one of the only ways that the public is able to hold the NYPD accountable, and the PBA is seeking to strip away this tool, one which even the NYPD has agreed is beneficial, out of sheer self interest rather than public good,” said Williams.
“The PBA has lost credibility on these issues over years of railing against the very measures that have ultimately improved policing, police-community relations, and helped lead to a reduction of crime in New York City. This is just another example of an issue where they ignore evidence and the public benefit in favor of self-preservation. I would welcome the opportunity for the PBA to come to the table for productive conversations, which could lead to solutions for the mutual benefit of officers and the public,” added Wiliams.
Ortiz Applauds Passage of LGBTQ Run-Away Legislation
Assembly member Felix Ortiz (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) applauded the State Senate Children and Families Committee’s approval of the LGBT Run-away and Homeless (A.2662/S.277) bill yesterday.
Ortiz introduced the new piece of legislation back in 2014 and requires that all employees of programs and organizations’ providing care to run-away and homeless youth complete training providing instruction in issues pertaining to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. The Assembly passed the measure in the past two years by votes of 131-1 and 141-1 respectively.
Additionally, Ortiz has sponsored legislation (A.8524) allowing New York State residents to identify as “non-linear (neither male nor female) on their driver licenses and identification cards. Currently, the only gender options provided to applicants on driver’s licenses is either male or female.
“The plight of run-away and homeless youth is of rising importance in New York State. It is vital that we properly assist LGBT youth who often fall between the cracks. As we deal with gender identity, it becomes more and more important to act on these Changes,” said Ortiz.
