BP Adams Calls For Policy Reform For Disciplining Violent Offenders
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Corrections Officers Benevolent Association (COBA) President Elias Husamudeen will call on the City to reform its corrections policy for disciplining violent offenders today.
Adams and Husamudeen will specifically ask for a reexamination of the city’s approach to ending punitive segregation for all inmates 21 years old and under, including non-violent and violent inmates alike.
The event comes off the heels of Saturday’s brutal ambush of Jean Souffrant, a corrections officer at the George Motchan Detention Center on Rikers Island, by four inmates who are all under 21 and are awaiting trials on charges including a number of violent crimes; Souffrant suffered bleeding on his brain and a fractured spine near his neck.
Adams, a 22-year veteran of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), will also discuss the need to advance both justice and safety as dual imperatives at the event. He and COBA President Husamudeen, joined by more than a dozen union members, will note the security risk that jail violence poses to corrections officers, inmates, and the general population; inmate-on-inmate slashing and stabbing incidents were up 26 percent last year compared to 2016.
The event is slated for 9 a.m., today, Feb. 14th, at Brooklyn Detention Complex, at 275 Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn.
Cumbo Hosts Senior Valentine’s Day Brunch
City Council member and Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo (Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Crown Heights) alongside Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (Clinton Hill, Fort Greene) will hosts a Senior Valentine’s Day Brunch today.
The event will feature a special health presentation in observance of American Heart Month. In addition, attendees will be treated to a delicious meal, a presentation by MetroPlus and a musical performance by M.S. 113-Ronald Edmonds Learning Center students.
According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.9 million deaths each year, which is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.
About 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of 1 death every 38 seconds.
The event is slated for 12-noon to 3 p.m.,today, Feb. 14, a Shirley Chisholm State Office Building, at 55 Hanson Place (9th Floor) in Downtown Brooklyn.
Brannan Offers Immigration Help
City Council member Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) announced that his office, in partnership with the CUNY Citizenship Now program, will offer free immigration help starting this week.
The event will give local residents the ability to receive free and confidential assistance completing applications for citizenship, family-based petitions, work authorization and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
From July 2016 through June 2017, 6,288 participants were served by the CUNY program in City Council offices throughout the city. In that time, 2,609 citizenship applications were completed.
“With the uncertainty in Washington, immigrants often do not know where to turn. I want to make sure they know they are welcome in my office and that we will do whatever we can do to help them,” said Brannan.
“I often remember my great-grandparents who came here from Italy. People spat at them, made fun of how they talked, the way they ate. We owe it to the next generation of immigrants to help them in their journey to make a better life here in America,” added Brannan.
The event is slated to start this Thursday and immigration services will be provided on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CM Brannan’s Office located at 8015 5th Avenue in Bay Ridge. Walk-ins are welcome but those interested are urged to make an appointment through the Councilman’s office at 718-748-5200 or by emailing AskJB@council.nyc.gov.
Treyger Introduces Legislation For Disabled Students, Regulation of Massage Parlors
City Council member Mark Treyger (D-Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend) will introduce two bill, one protecting disabled students and another bill regulating massage parlors today.
The first piece of legislation, will require every school to disclose how many students aren’t receiving all of their legally required services, such as speech therapy or instruction from certified special education teachers.
According to reports, citywide, more than a quarter of students with disabilities only receive some of the services they’re entitled to, or none at all according to data from a Department of Education report.
Treyger will also re-introduce legislation aimed at illegal massage parlors. The measure would double down on requiring massage therapy businesses to apply for and receive from the Department of Consumer Affairs a legitimate license in order to operate in the city, and further ensure that any person applying for a license is employing practitioners who are licensed pursuant to state education law. The bill was originally introduced by former-City Council member Vincent Gentile.
Mosley State of the District Address
Assembly member Walter T. Mosely (Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Crown Heights) will hold his State of the District Address next week.
Mosley will reflect back on 2017 and address his agenda for 2018 including his initiatives toward education, housing and legislation. Most recently, Mosley has been championing immigration and civil rights issues as President Donald Trump continues to push for immigration reform and border security.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., today, Feb. 28, at St. Joseph’s College, at 245 Clinton Avenue (between Willoughby & Dekalb Avenues) in Clinton Hill.
Golden “Survivor of the Bravest” License Plate Bill Passes Senate
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I,Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park and Midwood) announced that his legislation (S. 226), that would authorize the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to issue “Survivor of the Bravest” license plates, passed the State Senate yesterday.
The license plate would be issued to family members of firefighters killed in the line of duty and would celebrate the sacrifice made by the firefighters in communities throughout New York State. The bill will now move to approval by the Assembly where it is sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island).
“The “Survivor of the Bravest” license plates will recognize the many contributions, the bravery and the valuable service performed by firefighters. These license plates would be a small token of our appreciation to the family members of these incredible public servants and recognize all those who have lost their lives while protecting New Yorkers,” said Golden.
“The attacks of September 11th took the lives of many firefighters who were called upon to rescue victims and protect New Yorkers. I urge my colleagues in the State Assembly to follow the Senate in passing this bill, so to give another way for the families of all of New York’s Bravest to heal and pay tribute to their heroic firefighters,” added Golden.
Clarke Meets BK Postmaster Among Ongoing Postal Issues
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) met with the Brooklyn Postmaster for USPS yesterday in the wake of constituent complaints.
According to local residents, the Ninth Congressional District has been suffering from poor postal service in recent weeks. Clarke met with the Postmaster Anthony Impronto to gather firsthand evidence of the issues and help to improve service.
“The meeting was a good first step. I walked away with an even greater understanding of the systemic issues plaguing the USPS. I expressed my concerns about delivery, efficiency, and service, including the suspension of mail service for nearly a week last month, which affected many seniors and people with disabilities. I also specifically raised concerns about unique issues faced by residents of affordable housing buildings. My staff is also exploring legislative options which we will share with the community and the Postmaster,” said Clarke.
“Ultimately, Mr. Impronto and I had productive and open dialogue. I look forward to working with his team in the coming months and will continue to hold him accountable until the concerns of my constituents are addressed,” added Clarke.
