Lancman Calls On Mayor To Speed Up Closing Of Rikers
City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D-Hollis, Holliswood, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Richmond Hill), Chair of the Committee on the Justice System, issued the following statement in response to the Lippman Commission’s One-Year Progress Report on Closing Rikers Island:
“This report confirms that Rikers Island can be shut down in less than ten years — but only if the de Blasio administration commits to vastly expanding supervised release, improving the mechanics of paying bail (including completing the much delayed online bail payment system), and investing in the criminal justice reforms proposed by both our public defenders and district attorneys,” said Lancman.
““As the report spells out, too many people are needlessly run through our Court System, predominantly brown and black New Yorkers; too many people are stuck on Rikers, solely because they are too poor to pay bail or cannot pay bail in a timely manner; and too many people are left waiting to have their day in Court.
“Our justice system is long on inequities and inefficiencies, and short on actual justice for New Yorkers. Rikers Island represents all that is broken with our justice system. This moment calls for bold action from the Mayor and City government,” he added.
Ulrich Applauds PBA for Push to Block Release of Herman Bell
City Council Member Eric Ulrich (R-Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, Woodhaven) yesterday hailed the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) which represent’s the NYPD’s rank-and-file cops for trying to block the parole of convicted cop killer Herman Bell.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his handpicked parole board granted Bell parole last month.
“I applaud the PBA for standing up for the families of Herman Bell’s victims to ensure that justice is truly served. Each and every day, police officers risk their lives to protect our city. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his handpicked parole board should be ashamed they ever let a cop killer out of prison. It is my hope that the PBA successfully blocks Bell’s release. No one convicted of murdering a police officer in cold blood should ever be allowed to walk free,” said Ulrich.
Avella Calls on Parks to Finish the Job
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Floral Park, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Kissena Park, Briarwood) and local residents yesterday called on the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to finish cleaning up the damage done to local sidewalks by city trees following the recent nor’easter storms.
Avella and the group of residents stood together at a press conference to bring attention to a destroyed sidewalk and tree stump left behind after DPR did not finish the job of cleaning up the affected areas after the storm knocked down a tree. DPR removed the tree relatively quickly but has yet to come back and repair the sidewalk or remove the stump almost a month later.
While at this location, and in a letter to the Mayor and DPR Commissioner, Avella pointed out that he has personally witnessed at least two other locations with the exact same issue in his district.
“It is disgraceful that the City would leave these conditions untouched and put an entire neighborhood in harm’s way. The hazards presented by these sidewalks and stumps are on par with some of the worst conditions I have ever observed in my time as an elected official. I appreciate that DPR was quick to remove the fallen tree but they really need to come back as soon as possible to finish this job. It is unacceptable that residents in New York City are asked to live with a sidewalk that is unusable for this long,” said Avella.
Cuomo Hails Passage Ensuring Equal Access Diaper Changing Stations
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) yesterday announced the passage of legislation in the FY 2019 Budget to ensure equal access to diaper changing stations and to provide lactation rooms in state buildings that are open to public.
The policy is part of the Governor’s 2018 Women’s Agenda.
“New York proudly leads the nation in fighting for the rights of working parents, and by ensuring access to these amenities, we will help ensure all New Yorkers can give their children the care they need at this critical stage of their lives,” said Cuomo said. “This legislation supports our efforts to make New York the nation’s model for working parents, and helps make it a stronger, fairer and more equal state for all.”
