Cuomo Announces Raise The Age Law Goes Into Effect
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) yesterday announced that the Raise the Age law is now in effect. The law removes 16-year-olds who have committed a criminal act as of midnight today from the adult criminal justice system and places them in age-appropriate settings where they can receive needed services and treatment to avoid recidivism.
Those 16-year-olds who are arrested for non-violent offenses will have the same opportunities for diversion and community-based services as youth 15 and under. Meanwhile, 16-year-olds charged with serious offenses will be processed as adolescent offenders in a Youth Part of criminal court and placed in specialized secure detention facilities for adolescents instead of adult jails. The law will extend to 17-year-olds on October 1, 2019.
“At a time when President Trump and this federal government are taking us backward, New York is moving forward with bold criminal justice reform,” said Cuomo. “By raising the age of criminal responsibility, New York is putting an end to an injustice that falls disproportionately on people of color and once again proving that we are the progressive beacon for the nation. In New York, we will never stop fighting for a more equal and more just society for all.”
The legislation was passed as part of the FY 2018 Budget, and marks a major accomplishment in the Governor’s efforts to ensure a more fair and equitable justice system.
Lancman Says Use Of DOC Staff Undermines Raise The Age Legislation
City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D-Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, Jamaica), chair of the Committee on the Justice System, said yesterday that the city’s use of Department of Correction staff in juvenile correction facilities undermines Raise the Age legislation that went into effect yesterday.
The law removes 16-year-olds who have committed a criminal act as of midnight today from the adult criminal justice system and places them in age-appropriate settings where they can receive needed services and treatment to avoid recidivism.
“While Raise the Age is critical reform for New York’s criminal justice system, I have serious concerns that the city’s use of DOC staff in juvenile correction facilities will fundamentally undermine goals and spirit of this landmark legislation. Officers trained in adult jails should not be supervising kids,” said Lancman.
Addabbo To Host Mobile Office Hours This Week
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) will host mobile office hours for his forest Hills constituents on Thursday.
“Since being elected to the Senate, I have made it a priority to hear from my constituents, and these Mobile Office Hours are the perfect way for them to meet with me,” Addabbo said. “I understand that many residents cannot make it into one of my three district offices during normal business hours, so I do my best to make myself available to them after working hours and right in their neighborhood. I encourage everyone to come out to my Mobile Office Hours and meet with me.”
During Addabbo’s Mobile Office Hours, residents will be able to bring any personal or community issue that they may be facing to the Senator’s attention.
This week’s mobile office hours are slated for between 5:30-7 p.m., this Thursday, Oct. 4 at the North Forest Hills Library, 98-27 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills.
Additional mobile office hours are currently scheduled for future dates and locations throughout the district. For more information on these dates and locations, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach Office at 718-738-1111.
Ulrich Brings Aging Mastery Program To The Rockaways
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Park, Roxbury, South Ozone Park, West Hamilton Beach, Woodhaven) is pleased to announce that he has partnered with the National Council on Aging and Kingsborough Community College to bring a new Aging Mastery Program to the Rockaways.
The 10-week program, which Ulrich funded, is designed to offer community residents over the age of 50 with the skills and tools that are essential for their overall health and wellness.
Participants can expect to learn about sleep, exercise, financial planning, healthy relationships, medication management, civic engagement and much, much more.
Tuition fess, which are regularly $80, will be waived for Rockaway residents over the age of 50. Classes will be held on Thursdays, starting October 4 at Seaside Library, 116-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Rockaway Park. Registration is officially open.
To register, or for more information, call Susan Lavin at (718) 368-5079.
De Blasio’s Public Engagement Unit To Hold Free Events In Queens
Mayor de Blasio’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) will hold free events throughout Queens this month with individualized and in-person assistance related to tenants’ rights, affordable housing, homelessness prevention and reduction, healthcare, and civic engagement.
The Tenant Support Unit engages and provides assistance to New Yorkers who may be at risk of displacement or experiencing harassment in zip codes covered under the Human Resources Administration’s Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection legal service funding. In addition, TSU proactively engages New Yorkers who may be eligible for the Department of Finance’s Rent Freeze programs to assist them through the application process. Outreach specialists go door to door to inform tenants of their rights, identify any housing-related issues and connect them with a range of resources, such as anti-eviction legal assistance, to keep them in their homes.
In addition, outreach specialists partner with elected officials and community groups to hold weekly office hours and attend local events. Learn more at nyc.gov/tenantsupportunit and nyc.gov/rentfreeze.
The Home Support Unit partners with landlords and brokers to identify apartments for New Yorkers transitioning out of shelter with rental subsidies. HSU partners closely with the Human Resources Administration, the Department of Homeless Services and community-based providers to match prospective tenants to apartments, coordinate viewings and navigate landlords and brokers through the City’s leasing process.
Specialists remain engaged with the landlord even after lease signing to ensure new tenants are supported and have access to resources that help them remain stably housed. Learn more at nyc.gov/homesupportunit.
GetCoveredNYC is a city-wide initiative to enroll New Yorkers in health insurance and provide them with access to primary and preventive care at NYC Health and Hospitals. In this regard, the city runs a city-wide public information campaign to promote the importance of coverage and how New Yorkers can receive free in-person enrollment assistance by calling 311, texting ‘CoveredNYC’ (‘SeguroNYC’ in Spanish) to 877877, or visitingnyc.gov/GetCoveredNYC.
For more information on these programs and services, New Yorkers can call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov.
The Queens Village Republican Club Meets
The Queens Village Republican Club will have their next meeting with an optional dinner.
This is a dinner meeting, but the purchase of dinner is not required (but definitely recommended). For $40, you get a four-course dinner with a choice of nine entrees. Soda, coffee/tea and dessert are all included along with tax and tip. Cash bar is available. This restaurant receives the highest praise. There’s metered municipal parking across the street.
The meeting/dinner will have Micah Morrison, the award-winning investigative reporter for the watchdog group Judicial Watch as their guest speaker.
The meeting/dinner is slated for 7:30 p.m., this Thursday, Oct. 4 at At Nancy’s Restaurant, 255-41 Jericho Tpke in Floral Park. Payment must be made in advance. For reservations: call Jim Trent at 718-343-8830 and leave a message or e-mail:jtrent8830@aol.com.
