Kallos Introduces New DV Legislation
City Council Member Ben Kallos (D-Yorkville, Lenox Hill) introduced a bill yesterday that would force the City to disclose certain statistics about domestic violence.
The bill would mandate disclosure on the number of victims who are injured or killed despite having orders of protection, and those who were injured or killed after calling law enforcement.
“Domestic violence is an underreported problem in New York City,” Kallos told the Daily News. “However, underreporting of incidents by survivors is just the tip of the iceberg. The City also has a serious issue with the differing criteria for reporting domestic violence by the NYPD and District Attorneys’ offices which have to make decisions on who to charge and what to charge them with.”
Rosenthal Commends Declawing Ban
Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal (D-Upper West Side, Hell’s Kitchen) released a statement earlier this week lauding Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) for banning cat declawing in New York.
On Monday, Cuomo signed a bill outlawing the practice, making New York the first state in the union to do so. Rosenthal, who authored the bill, couldn’t have been happier.
“Declawing is cruelty, plain and simple, and with so many low-cost and pain-free alternatives available, there is no reason to allow this barbaric practice to continue, not here in New York or anywhere,” said Rosenthal. “It’s a wonderful day for the cats of the state and the people who love them. Now that my bill has become law, New York has been catapulted onto the leaderboard of humane states, and we expect other states to quickly follow in out footsteps.”
Johnson Mourns James E. Davis
City Council Member Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) released a statement yesterday paying respects to the late City Council Member James E. Davis (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights).
Davis was assassinated on July 23, 2003, at the young age of 42. Yesterday marked the 16th anniversary of his death.
“Sixteen years ago today, the City Council lost one of our own in a senseless killing inside City Hall,” said Johnson. “Brooklyn Council Member James E. Davis, a 41-year old former police officer and outspoken anti-violence advocate, was assassinated during a Council Stated meeting. Today, the Council honored James’s memory in a moment of silence and recommitted ourselves to fighting against all forms of violence. His death was a terrifying reminder that gun violence can occur at any place and any time and to any person.”
Mark Levine: “Upgrade Our Infrastructure Once and For All”
City Council Member Mark Levine (D-Manhattan Valley, Manhattanville) released an urgent reminder on Twitter that the City needs to upgrade its infrastructure in anticipation of climate change.
The tweet was released in the wake of a string of disasters, including a major blackout over the weekend and a torrential rainstorm on Monday that left swaths of Brooklyn flooded.
“In the past nine days NYC has had two major black-outs, multiple serious subway fails, and now widespread flooding on streets,” Levine said in a tweet. “And climate change is coming. If we don’t upgrade our infrastructure once and for all this city will become unlivable.”
