Lancman Demands Investigation Into Why NYPD is Declaring Large Percentage of Rape Cases in Queens as “Unfounded”
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, yesterday issued the following statement calling for an investigation into why the Police Department is declaring such a large percentage of rape cases in Queens as “unfounded.”
Lancman’s statement comes after the Appeal reported yesterday about concerns that the NYPD is prematurely closing cases without a thorough investigation, while “research shows only 2 to 10 percent of reported rapes are actually false…27 percent of rapes reported in Queens were deemed unfounded in 2015.”
It also comes as reported rapes are up nearly 25 percent for the year, including 22 percent in Queens, according to NYPD statistics.
“It is alarming that the NYPD is declaring so many rape allegations in Queens as ‘unfounded,’ seemingly in many cases without doing a thorough investigation, at rates substantially higher than the rest of the City, and far beyond percentages reported across the country,” said Lancman. “This indifference to victims and the safety of the broader public demands investigation, as these statistics should have sent alarm bells ringing throughout law enforcement.”
Addabbo Spends Time Being Principal At PS 47 In Broad Channel
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) last week visited P.S. 47 in Broad Channel where he got to be the “Principal for the Day”.
“The role of a principal today has truly changed from years past. They must wear so many different hats throughout the course of a single day,” Addabbo said. “They must be financial wizards to make sure the school is getting the correct funds to the right programs. Principals have to be social directors, as well as detectives, when something goes wrong in the school. It is an extremely hard job.”
Addabbo also got the chance to visit some of P.S. 47’s classrooms, where he saw how the teachers and children were hard at work, learning about various subjects. The senator also saw a school in need of capital improvements.
In the past Addabbo has stated his intention to work with both the city and the state to eventually build a brand-new school on the site at P.S. 47.
“I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, I believe P.S. 47 needs a new building,” Addabbo said. “It is unfair to students, faculty and staff that P.S. 47 lacks a gymnasium, lunchroom, library, auditorium and stage, and instead uses a multipurpose room. Having a new building would help increase the student population at P.S. 47 and bring in state-of-the-art technology that is needed to help students reach their full potential. I look forward to continuing to push this initiative.”
Katz, Queens Borough Cabinet To Hear Presentation On Fire Prevention
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the Queens Borough Cabinet, in the wake of recent serious fires, today will hear a presentation from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) regarding fire prevention and safety during the holiday season, including best practices for fire safety awareness.
In addition, the Mayor’s Office and the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) will deliver a presentation on initiatives underway encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions, such as increasing the number of electric vehicles in the city’s municipal fleet and adding additional publicly-available electric vehicle charging stations.
The Queens Borough Cabinet is composed of the district managers of each Community Board in the Borough and representatives from city agencies. It focuses on city service delivery and agency responsiveness across the borough and hears presentations on these issues from city officials and others.
The presentation is slated for 9:30 a.m., today, Dec. 18 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens
Sanders Hosts Anti-Terror Attack & Mass Shooting Survival Training For Clergy
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. ((D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) tomorrow will host a free special safety training session, where top defense experts will teach clergy and faith-based leaders how to protect themselves and their congregations should they encounter a mass shooter or terror attack.
“Although we would like to believe that we will never be the victim of a terrorist attack or mass shooting, we live in dangerous times and it is best to be prepared for the unthinkable. In light of such recent incidents victimizing religious institutions, it has become increasingly important to prepare the faith-based community for such a catastrophe,” said Sanders.
Confirmed guests include: Roger Parrino, Commissioner of the Division of Homeland Security, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), NYPD Shield, and 5-Towns Karate.
The event is slated for between 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., tomorrow, Dec. 19 the Greater Rescue Church of Christ, 110-51 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica.
