Felder, Golden, Dilan On Florida High School Shooting
State Senators Simcha Felder (D-Borough Park, Flatbush, Midwood, Bensonhurst), Marty Golden (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) and Martin Malavé Dilan (D-Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Cypress Hills, East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant) yesterday all responded to the latest school shooting which left 17 killed at a Florida high school.
“Yesterday’s tragedy, the 40th since 2000, highlights once again why we need to take a cold, hard look at my 2 bills, languishing in Albany, that would safeguard our schools and protect our children,” said Felder. “One (S6798) requires the entrance of every school be manned by a trained, armed police officer. The second (S6272) requires all schools to include emergency response drills for all situations including active shooters or other lethal attacks.
“We have suffered the worst tragedy imaginable and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. However, I am calling on all of us to make necessary changes in school security and student/personnel training with immediacy. Our hearts are in the right place, but without taking decisive action we are failing, and the price of failure is unthinkable,” he added.
Golden, a former New York City police officer, said he argued earlier this year that the state needed to provide funding for threat detection systems and dedicated members of law enforcement for every school statewide. Currently, there is scanner technology that is inconspicuous, yet allows for the precise scanning of more than 500 people per hour, he said.
“This scanning technology is far beyond traditional metal detectors, which are slow, bulky, and inconvenient. These “smart” scanners allow for different levels of sensitivity for different situations. In fact, this technology based scanning system has the ability to detect objects with iron, nickel, cobalt, their alloys and electrically conductive metals such as copper. These systems are unobtrusive, and have the ability to detect other high-risk items in addition to firearms,” said Golden.
“The recent school shooting in Florida highlights the need for this technology to be in New York State’s schools before there is a tragedy. Schools have become soft targets when it comes to security. By putting this technology in our schools, along with a member of law enforcement, we will be giving parents and students peace of mind,” he added.
Dilan pleaded for lawmakers to again take up measure for a more reasonable gun control policy.
“We are past thoughts and prayers. They are words, no different from the empty promises to end this violence. We need reasonable people at the table that want to end these shootings. That includes advocates and people from both sides of the debate. Today, as we mourn 17 more innocent victims, I am pleading with gun owners. Please demand a resolution. Please don’t make blocking responsible measures the mark of successful gun policy. Please, pick up a newspaper or turn on the news and see what happens if we continue on this course. Please help stop it,” said Dilan.
Treyger Renews Call For State Law Pertaining To Police Sexual Contact
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend) along with Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) and Public Safety Committee Chair Donovan Richards (D-Queens) yesterday called on the state senate to pass legislation prohibiting sexual contact between police and people held in custody.
Currently, a state statute exists that prohibits sexual contact between corrections or parole officers and the individuals in their custody. However, it does not explicitly indicate the legality of such contact between police officers and those who they detain or take into custody.
Treyger introduced a resolution, now Res. 177, shortly after a related incident in October 2017. Two NYPD officers were ultimately charged with rape after engaging in sexual activity with an 18-year old woman whom they had taken into custody.
“The power dynamic that exists between a law enforcement official and an individual in their custody precludes any possibility of meaningful consent being given free from coercion. Our laws must be aligned with basic common sense and decency,” said Treyger. “I call on the State Senate to pass this legislation, and I thank Speaker Johnson and my colleagues for their support.”
Savino Reminds Union Members Of Tax Deductions
State Sen. Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Sunset Park, Staten Island), the vice chair of both the Senate Standing Committee of Finance and Codes, yesterday again reminded constituents that with two months until tax returns are due, that if they are in a union in New York, they can now deduct their dues and shop fees on their taxes next April.
“It is important to be mindful of this year’s tax changes as we are all headed to our accountants before the April deadline” said Savino. “If you are a middle class New Yorker in a union, this is another way you can save. This is something myself and the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) worked tirelessly on, and we are excited to see the results.”
This tax break is estimated to help over 500,000 New York Union Workers save approximately $35 million each year. As union rights have become increasingly under attack, Savino noted that she and the IDC have led the way in historic legislation to protect working class rights.
Cuomo Responds To Cornegy Letter For More State Oversight on NYCHA
Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s office yesterday reiterated the governor does have the authority to declare a state of emergency to expedite the process for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to install boiler and hot water heating systems in developments under their jurisdictions.
The reiteration was a repsonse to a letter that City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) wrote yesterday to Cuomo’s Corporation Council David Alphonso, asking for the state to possible declare a state of emergency over NYCHA, in which about 80 percent of its 390,000 residents have suffered heat and hot water outages this winter.
“The state stands ready to help in any way possible and has provided more than $300 million dollars in financial assistance to NYCHA. This level of support from the State is unprecedented and historic. There are over 150 Public Housing Authorities in the State, and NYCHA is the only one to get significant State financial aid. However, we also agree with the Councilman that the problem is not merely funding, but even more so the management’s ability to actually perform the necessary repairs. As we understand, NYCHA’s current timeline to actually implement repairs it is approximately three years. Given the urgency of this matter, that is three years too long,” said Alphonso.
Persaud Welcomes Lt Gov To Her District
State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetowne, Ocean Hill) this week welcomed Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul to experience first-hand how the district functions and to discuss common interests.
First, Hochul met with Persaud, staff members and key leaders in the district including Assembly Member Jamie Williams, District Leader Melba Brown, Maria Garrett and Paul Curiale. Then, Hochul joined Persaud on a site visit to hear from seniors on what is going on in the neighborhood in Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA) at The Hebrew Educational Society (HES).
“I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul for gracing the district with her presence. It is my hope that this visit will give impetus to focus on the unique needs in the district.” said Persaud.
CM Williams Resolution Supporting Ragbir Gets Council Approval
City Council Member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) this week saw the city council approve his resolution in support of Ravi Ragbir, an immigrant rights activist who was recently detained by ICE and still faces imminent deportation.
Resolution 0182 calls on Congress to pass HR 4937, a private bill from Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan) that would grant Ragbir legal permanent status, and in the case of his deportation, a legal right to return to the United States.
“I stand with Ravi, and I’m heartened that the city council stand with him as well,” said Williams. “As Donald Trump and ICE aggressively target immigrants for immoral deportation, we in New York have a moral obligation to stand against this xenophobia– not just for Ravi Ragbir, but for the thousands of immigrants under threat who lack the widespread support that Ravi has rightly received.”
Menchaca Cuts Ribbon On Center Helping Home Health Care Aides
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook, Borough Park) today will help cut the ribbon of Royal U, a multi-million dollar facility that will be providing year-round, free salon/beauty services, training and ESL classes to prospective home health aides, a workforce comprised mostly of women, immigrants and minorities.
Public Advocate Letitia James and City Council Member Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect heights, Crown Heights) will join Menchaca. Royal Care, a home health care service provider committed to delivering its employees with fair and livable working conditions, is organizing the event.
The ribbon cutting ceremony is slated for between 8:30-11 a.m., today, Feb. 16 at the Royal U building, 6317 14th Avenue in Brough Park.
