Lancman Bill Requiring Bail Bond Agents Disclose Costs Passes City Council
City Council Member Rory 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) yesterday saw his legislation that would require bail bond businesses to conspicuously post signage relating to costs for their service pass the city council.
UNder the measure, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) will oversee the design of the signage, which will disclose firstly the maximum premium or compensation that can be charged for giving bail bond or depositing money or property as bail; secondly, that such premium or compensation represents the maximum amounts, excluding collateral, that a bail bond agent can charge for services; and thirdly that a consumer may make a complaint to DCA or the relevant state agencies if such premium or compensation charged is in conflict with the State’s insurance law.
“People desperate to get their loved ones out of Rikers Island will sign contracts, pay premiums, and put down collateral, often without realizing what laws regulate those companies or are supposed to protect them as consumers,” said Lancman.
“My bill is an important step forward towards treating bail bonds as the dangerous consumer financial products they have always been and informing vulnerable New Yorkers of the laws that already protect them. The city must do everything in its power to ensure that bail bond businesses follow the rules the state has already laid out,” he added.
Vallone Bill Requiring More Council Oversight Of DIFTA Passes Council
City Council Member Paul Vallone (D- Alley Pond Park, Bay Terrace, Bayside, College Point, Douglaston, East Elmhurst, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Little Neck, Whitestone), yesterday saw his legislation that would require the Department for the Aging (DFTA) to annually report to the City Council Speaker, post on its website, and provide data about the participants, programming, services, costs, and budgets of each of DFTA’s 249 senior centers pass the city council.
“The fact that the core of Department for the Aging’s service portfolio is the agency’s citywide network of 246 contracted senior centers frequently providing educational programs, congregate and home delivered meals, recreational programming, along with a variety of essential services, truly speaks to the importance of these centers and the population they serve,” said Vallone.
“This bill will provide not just greater transparency, but also better understanding and insight for our senior centers in the hope that we can help adequately provide essential services to the population that needs it the most,” he added.
Richards Bill Requiring DOC To Report Use Of Any Electric Shock Device Passes Council
City Council Member Donovan Richards (D-Arverne, Bayswater, Broad Channel, Cambria Heights, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Howard Beach, Jamaica, JFK Airport, Laurelton, Rockaway Beach, Rosedale, South Ozone Park, Springfield Gardens), yesterday saw his legislation that would require the Department of Correction (DOC) to issue quarterly reports on the use of devices capable of administering an electric shock pass the city council.
“We should be using every tool in our disposal to limit attacks on our Corrections officers and emergency service workers, but at the same time, we should be keeping a close eye on the use of electric shock devices in our jails to ensure an increased use doesn’t result in increased abuse,” said Richards.
“Int. 779-A, would require the DOC to report on their officers’ use of Tasers and provide the public with the necessary transparency that should come along with any use of force by law enforcement. I’d like to thank Speaker Johnson and Council Member Powers for this support on this legislation,” said Richards.
Sanders Seeks Security Volunteers For Caribbean Carnival
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D- Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale, parts of Far Rockaway is seeking volunteers to work security at the upcoming Caribbean Carnival in the Rockaways.
Those who volunteer will receive FREE security training and become eligible for security guard certification.
The 2nd Annual Caribbean Carnival in the Rockaways is slated for between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, August 18, kicking off at the Beach 20th Street and Seagirt Blvd. in Far Rockaway. It will feature a parade of floats, steel pan bands, moko jumbies, and masqueraders that will culminate with live performances at Bayswater Park, located at 701 Beach 32nd Street.
For more information on becoming a security volunteer call Senator Sanders’s Office at 718-327-7017.
Van Bramer Joins Nixon, Ramos To Shed Light On Dangerous Subway Conditions
City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside) today will join gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon and State Senate candidate Jessica Ramos today at a press conference concerning new reports that reveal the desperate and dangerous state of the subways.
Near the 7 platform at the Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street stop in Queens, they will highlight a Daily News report that found that half of the 7 train fleet failed inspection last year – inspections that were only undertaken after 2 derailments occurred on the line in 2017.
Following the Van Bramer will join the candidates for a trip on the 7 line to Woodside station to greet riders.
The press conference is slated for 9:15 a.m., today, July 19, near the 7 platform at Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street in Jackson Heights.
