Lancman, Advocates to Demand NYPD Release All Fare Evasion Data
City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D-Briarwood, Cunningham Park, Flushing, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Fresh Meadows, Hollis, Holliswood, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Richmond Hill) and advocates for fare beaters are holding a press conference today to demand the NYPD comply with Local Law 47 of 2018 and release all fare evasion arrest and TAB (Transit Adjudication Bureau) summons data.
The City Council in December 2017 unanimously passed Lancman’s legislation, Intro. 1664, requiring the NYPD to report quarterly the number of arrests and summonses issued for subway fare evasion.
The legislation specified that the data must be broken down into the following categories: subway station where enforcement action took place, transit bureau district, and race, sex, and age group of the individual who was arrested or issued a TAB summons. The NYPD’s first quarterly report was due on January 30, 2018, but to date has released none of the data to the public.
As per published reports, the NYPD has also refused to comply with the law’s requirement that fare evasion data be provided for all of the over four hundred subway stations in the five boroughs. Instead, the NYPD has insisted that they will only release data for the top 100 stations, a limitation that would prevent full disclosure of the Department’s enforcement activity.
The press conference is slated for 11:30 a.m. today, April 19 outside the City Hall R Train Stop on Warren Street and Broadway in Lower Manhattan.
Kim Takes Schneiderman To Task For Crypto Exchange Investigation
Assemblyman Ron KIm (D-Whitestone, Flushing, Murray Hill) yesterday took New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman to task for launching an investigation into the policies and practices of platforms used by consumers to trade virtual or “crypto” currencies like bitcoin and ether.
Schneiderman’s investigation of 13 major virtual currency trading platforms comes as Kim has pending legislation to regulate the burgeoning industry, which he feels could become a strong economic engine to New York’s economy. He feels the investigation is an overstep of the judicial branch to usurp the legislative branch.
Virtual or “crypto” currency trading platforms match buyers and sellers of virtual currencies. Sometimes referred to as “exchanges,” these platforms are a key point of entry into the virtual currency market for professional and retail investors alike. They serve as repositories for sensitive personal information and custodians of vast sums of virtual and government-issued (or “fiat”) currency.
“I believe an open and transparent legislative process is the solution to monitor cryptocurrency activity in New York. Unilaterally passed regulations, like the BitLicense, and investigations are not the way to govern an emerging sector that would bring transformative technology to New York,” said Kim.
“My current legislation, A9899, is the first step to bringing long-term monitoring mechanisms to this rapidly growing industry and to protecting consumers and investors while embracing innovation and encouraging job growth and economic development, particularly in the places in New York State that need it most. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve these goals,” he added.
Peralta Announces State Funding for Elmcor and Elmhurst Senior Centers
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) yesterday announced that he helped secure $50,000 in state funding for Elmcor Senior Center and another $50,000 state allocation for Elmhurst Senior Center to provide services and activities to the elderly.
Peralta made the announcements during visits to both senior centers.
“Seniors are the foundation of our communities, and at the same time, they are some of the most vulnerable people. For me, it is extremely important that we provide seniors with all the services they need. As they face many difficulties, senior centers are places for them to socialize, enjoy quality time and have access to a wide variety of services,” said Peralta. “I am glad I was able to help secure state funding for the organizations that run the senior centers.”
Sanders Launches Second Home & Business OwnershIp Classes
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-South Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Springfield Gardens, the Rockaways) is inviting the public to participate in his second series of classes for the Madam C.J. Walker Institute covering home and business ownership
“Come join us in celebrating the kickoff of the second round of classes of the Madam C.J. Walker Institute. This event is for the next group of applicants who successfully applied and were selected to be a part of Senator Sanders Financial Boot Camp,” said Sanders in a release.
“This event will be full of free resources and discussions designed to promote wealth by bringing industry experts directly to you. We are committed to helping applicants achieve their dreams of ownership. Don’t miss the opportunity to get the blueprint on what it takes to go to the next level.”
The event is slated for 6:30 p.m., tonight, April 19 at the Avenue by The Bay Community Center, 7416 Beach Channel Drive in Arverne. You must RSVP by calling 718-523-3069.
