Adams, Clarke On Brownsville Shootings
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (D) and U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope) both mourned and expressed ongoing solutions in the wake of this weekends mass shooting of 12 people in Brownsville, which left one dead and one in critical condition.
”The horrific gun violence we experienced at Brownsville Old Timers Day last night reflects a real public health crisis in parts of our city. I want to be clear that this incident does not define Brownsville. This neighborhood wants what all communities throughout our city want: to live without fear of violence, in peace and security. Earlier today, I met with the Mayor, the NYPD, and local leaders to discuss how we can uplift this community in the wake of this mass shooting and support solutions that go into the crevices of the crisis,“ said Adams.
“I’m calling on the City to fully fund our Crisis Management System and Cure Violence program, which uses early intervention tactics to prevent incidents of gun violence before they occur. We also have to fully coordinate our multi-agency response, including the NYPD, with our violence interrupters, so they are able to play their critical role effectively.
When we say #BlackLivesMatter, this is what we have to be talking about too. We must be vigilant and organized when any Black life is put in danger or lost, whether the person behind the trigger is wearing a blue police uniform or just blue jeans. Public safety takes all of us, and we need real partnership on the ground,” Adams added.
Clarke said she is heartbroken that the community is faced with another tragedy, a mass shooting at what was supposed to be a fun, summertime neighborhood block party with neighbors, friends and family.
“These 12 victims are someone’s, brother, father, uncle, son, sister, mother, aunt, someone’s daughter. I pray for these victims and their families. Brooklyn is where I was born, raised, live and represent today and I am deeply shook that our community has been confronted with such a tragedy. I pray for healing. I pray that my colleagues in Washington will finally put politics aside to enact common-sense gun violence prevention legislation, so going forward no person will be fearful to attend community events, like last night’s Old Timers Day block party in Brownsville,” said Clarke.
“I will continue to fight for common-sense gun safety laws as Central Brooklyn’s Member of Congress. I hope this weekend’s mass shooting in Brooklyn will convince Senators, regardless of the letter behind their name, to do the decent, human thing and pass the Bipartisan Backgrounds Checks Bill that has already passed in the House earlier this year. We must continue to fight for common-sense gun safety and passage of this bill would be a monumental step in this fight.”
Adams Mourns Another NYPD Suicide
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Admas this weekend mourned the passing of New York City Police Department Sergeant Terrance McAvoy – the fifth NYPD suicide in the past two months.
“The stress and trauma that our police officers face on a daily basis, where they are frequently forced to make life-or-death decisions, are all too familiar to me as a former NYPD captain and member of the force,” said Adams.
“Meditation saved my life; and I believe it can help address the suicide crisis in the NYPD. That is why I am reiterating my call for Commissioner O’Neill to incorporate meditation and mindfulness training into the recently-announced Health and Wellness Task Force. We cannot afford to lose more officers to this epidemic.”
Schumer To Feds: Keep Honey Bees Healthy And Buzzing
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) yesterday decried a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decision to stop collecting data on honey bees that puts the species and the New York State economy at risk.
Schumer said that New York is a hive of productivity, but that this recent decision by the feds could derail much of what keeps our state competitive and robust as an agricultural hub. He called on the USDA to reverse course immediately, and instead, step-up their work on bee populations.
“Now it sure helps, but you don’t need to be a beekeeper to understand that bees pollinate the Big Apple and Long Island,” said Schumer. “Really, all you need to do is look around the city and the Island and you will see that we are a hive of productivity—and it’s because of the bees. From farmers’ markets, to farm-to-table restaurants that act as an economic boost, to Hudson Valley farming that solidifies our area as an agricultural hub, we have a lot to tout—and it is because of bees.”
Schumer said the dwindling bee population is of particular concern for New York City and Long Island, which is a hive of economic activity. For example, bees on Manhattan rooftops pollinate flowers and plants in Central Park. And according to USDA, agricultural production on Long Island alone reaches upwards of $250 million, due significantly to the work of the 450 species of wild pollinators across New York.
Eugene To Attend Kensington Dog Run Groundbreaking
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Garden), in partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance and the Kensington Dog Run Association, today will attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Kensington Dog Run – a project made possible through his funding.
“I want to thank all of our community partners who played a significant role in making this project a reality,” said Eugene. “I am truly honored to allocate funding for this new space, because it is not only an upgrade to the Parade Grounds, it also represents a significant investment in the future of the borough. Our residents voiced their interest in creating a recreational area that encouraged the safety and wellbeing of their pets, and through our strong community partnerships, we made it happen. This space will provide pet owners with a new area to play with their dogs and to keep them healthy and lively, and for that, I am most appreciative.”
The dog run will feature a dedicated space that caters to the needs of both large and small dogs, while also using synthetic grass that is softer on paws. The new area is one of several capital improvements to Prospect Park made possible through funding from Eugene, including a new Adult Fitness Area at the Parade Grounds and a new BBQ area near the Lincoln Road Entrance, both unveiled in the Spring.
The groundbreaking is slated for 10 a.m., today, July 29 at the Southwest Corner of The Parade Grounds. Coney Island Avenue at Kermit Place in Kensington.
Rose, South Bklyn Electeds To Talk Transportation Infrastructure
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) today will join fellow South Brooklyn elected officials including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember William Colton and City Councilmembers Justin Brannan and Mark Treyger to address the need for serious infrastructure investments to end the commuting nightmare.
Rose has made improving infrastructure and commuting times for Staten Island and South Brooklyn a top priority, and recently led an effort with fellow Brooklyn electeds in calling for the federal government to support a project to improve bus safety and accessibility in South Brooklyn.
The electeds will discuss South Brooklyn infrastructure and transportation at 8:30 a.m., today July 29 on 20th Avenue and 86th Street in Bath Beach.
