BP Adams To Host Rat Summit Amid Growing Infestation Problem
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will host the Rat Summit, a town hall-style public forum on the growing rodent infestation problem across the borough this week.
According to data compiled by RentHop on 311 calls, Brooklyn experienced the highest number of calls made to operators on the issue of rats or rat sightings, at 7,253 compared to 4,507 for Manhattan.
In addition to voicing their concerns, Rat Summit attendees will learn about rat mitigation, obtain free City resources, and receive a “Rodent Academy” short course conducted by members of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), who will share steps on preventing rat infestations.
The event is being held in partnership with Council member Robert Cornegy, Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) and Brooklyn Community Board 3 (CB 3) at Restoration Plaza in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the neighborhood that was found to have the largest number of rat complaints across the entire city, with 1,265 logged in 2017 alone.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., Thursday, June 28, at Restoration Plaza, at 1368 Fulton Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Cymbrowitz, Ampry-Samuel Tour Ocean Bay Apts
Assembly member Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach), Chair of the Assembly’s Housing Committee, and City Council member Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-Brownsville, East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant),Chair of the City Council’s Public Housing Committee, led a tour of public housing apartments as a start of a working partnership between the New York State Assembly and New York City Council at improving conditions in public housing.
As part of the first stop on the initiative the duo visited the Ocean Bay Apartments in Far Rockaway, Queens. Ocean Bay is the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) first conversion under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), which allows housing authorities to access private capital to meet capital needs while also protecting long-term affordability.
Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) is New York City’s implementation of RAD, which includes collaboration between NYCHA, residents, the community and housing advocates.
In June 2017, NYCHA, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, and HUD announced
$560 million in federal, state, city, and private investment in Ocean Bay to finance essential
infrastructure upgrades, support state-of-the-art resiliency and security systems, and the
renovation and preservation of the complex, which is home to nearly 4,000 residents. The lawmakers toured the grounds and explored the improvements to infrastructure, amenities, and apartments.
“Affordable housing is critical to our city and NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in North America. As leaders in State and City Housing, our goal is to ensure that all NYCHA tenants are able to live in safe, quality housing and that the serious issues that came to light are resolved moving forward,” said Cymbrowitz.
“Residents throughout NYCHA and at Ocean Bay were long overdue for funding and
attention to some of the most critical needs causing the most serious of problems in their
Homes. RAD, which was implemented by President Obama in 2011, and recently expanded to Ocean Bay, thoroughly addressed those needs through renovations. Residents now have homes they can be proud of,” said Ampry-Samuel.
Treyger, Seniors Demands Renewal, Expansion of Speed Safety Camera Program
City Council member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) will join Southern Brooklyn seniors, street safety advocates and agency officials today to demand the renewal and expansion of New York City’s speed safety camera program.
The New York State Senate bill 6046C – which would extend and expand New York City’s school-based speed safety camera program – has the support of a broad coalition of schools, hospitals, religious institutions, senior organizations, and New York City elected officials. The group will gather to call on the State Senate to reconvene and vote on this legislation.
In New York City school zones where speed cameras have been deployed, speeding dropped by 63 percent and pedestrian injuries fell by 23 percent in the first two years. New Yorkers are demanding this life-saving technology be not only reauthorized, but also expanded to more school zones in the city. The bill would continue the program until 2022 and allow the City of New York to expand the program from 140 cameras to 290.
Eighty-nine percent of New York City seniors support speed safety cameras, according to a 2016-17 poll. Seniors are among the most vulnerable users of our streets; in New York City, people over the age of 65 comprise 14 percent of the population, but half of pedestrian fatalities on city streets.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, June 27, at The Lodge Senior Center, at 7711 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst.
Brannan’s Opioid Education Bill Gets Signed Into Law
City Council member Justin Brannan’s (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) first bill regarding opioid education was signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio this week.
The bill addresses the ongoing opioid epidemic by making available opioid education for New York City students. The measure, Int. 618-A, requires the city to create and distribute age-appropriate educational materials about the effects of opioid abuse, which will be given to students across New York City schools at the beginning of every school year.
Additionally, Resolution 197, which was also recently passed by the City Council, calls upon New York State to require the Department of Education (DOE) to include opioid education in its public school curriculum. Now passed by the Council, the bills will go into effect on time to reach students at the beginning of next school year.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuses, most individuals with a substance abuse problem begin using before the age of 18, and the National Center for Health Studies has reported that opioids cause more overdoses in youth aged 15-19 than any other drug category. Brannan has been confident that his bills can help address rampant misinformation and ultimately save lives.
“It’s too bad that legislation like this is even necessary, but I’m always glad when we can act together and protect our city’s kids. Kids are pretty smart. Unfortunately, right now some just don’t know how easy it is to get hooked or how misusing prescription drugs can send them very quickly down a very dark path,” said Brannan.
“If we provide the right information, I have no doubt it will save some lives. I believe that educating from an early age is the best way to combat the disease of addiction—knowledge is power,” added Brannan.
Deutsch Announces Capital Parks Funding
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Midwood) announced his capital parks funding plan yesterday that is set to improve at least nine different playgrounds and public spaces across District 48.
Deutsch’s district includes 14 parks and playgrounds, many of which will be receiving upgrades within the coming months. During the last five budget cycles, Deutsch has been able to secure capital funding totaling more than $20 million for his parks.
Public spaces set to receive upgrades include:
–Asser Levy Park $5.2 million, which has already started construction and will receive upgrades to the playground, drainage system, as well as, newly added special exercise equipment for seniors and people with disabilities. The project is slated to be completed during the Fall of 2018.
–Babi Yar Park $1.2 million, which will begin construction in the Fall of 2019 and will include reconstruction of the playground, with new play equipment for the local children.
–Manhattan Beach Park: Courts $1.5 million, this project has been completed and includes renovated basketball and handball courts set to re-open this upcoming Spring.
–Manhattan Beach Park: Dog Run- $650,000, construction on the project will begin this Fall and will serve as a fun space for dogs and their owners.
–Manhattan Beach Promenade – $2 million, which combined with a $4 million allocation from Governor Andrew Cuomo, will get a renovated promenade that will provide protection against moderate flooding.
–Homecrest Playground – $2.3 million (with Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz), which has gone 30 years with no upgrades will get a complete overhaul starting in the Fall of 2019.
–Bill Brown Playground – $2.6 million, which has is slated for completion within the coming months and will include a comfort station.
–Mellet Playground – $2 million, a proposal is set to be issued in the coming year and will include installation of new play equipment and other features in the playground.
–Kelly Park – $2 million
“This fiscal year, I was able to secure $2 million for Kelly Park, in partnership with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. This funding will go towards installing new play equipment for children in the playground. A renewed community park or playground is coming soon to your neighborhood!” said Deutsch.
