Eichenstein Joins NYPD Officials in Accepting Yeshiva Letters
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D-Borough Park) yesterday joined New York City Police Department (NYPD) officials in accepting letters that Boyan Yeshiva students wrote to Police Commissioner Dermot Shea to discuss safety practices.
As part of a school project, the fifth through eighth-grade students of Yeshivas Boyan in Boro Park wrote warm personal letters to Shea. Police officials joined Eichenstein at the yeshiva and delivered a presentation on personal safety, focusing on the significance of fire drills and lockdown procedures. They also offered advice on safety and security while walking in the street.
During a Q & A session, the boys engaged with the officers on a wide range of issues, including safety while walking after dark, when to call 911 for emergencies, what to do if approached by someone who is posing a threat, and how to react when confronted with danger.
“The safety and security of our children is our top priority,” said Eichenstein “I am confident that the children at Yeshivas Boyan learned some very important safety lessons today. When law enforcement works hand in hand with the community, we all feel safer and more secure. I would like to thank the NYPD for all that they do. It was very special to have them join me today and look forward to continued engagement between the community and police.”
Rose Calls for Mayor to Give NYPD Competitive Salaries
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to provide New York City Police Department (NYPD) Police Officers a competitive salary and benefits package comparative to other law enforcement officers in the region.
The push comes as contract negotiations continue between the city and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the union that represents the NYPD’s rank-and-file members.
“Staten Island and South Brooklyn are home to one of the biggest populations of dedicated New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in the city,” wrote Rose in a letter to Mayor de Blasio. “As collective bargaining agreement negotiations continue, I encourage you to provide a competitive salary and benefit package for NYPD officers that will be comparative to the other law enforcement officers who work side by side with New York’s Finest in my district, and across the city.”
Both New York State (NYS) Troopers and Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) police salary scales result in significantly higher pay than that of NYPD Police Officers. NYS Troopers have a starting salary of $56,000, which grows to over $79,000 after one year and over $94,000 after 5 years—which doesn’t include additional compensation based on their assigned region of the state.
MTA police have similar starting salaries, but their salaries grow to over $100,000 after seven years. Base salaries for NYPD police officers top out at around $85,000 after five-and-a-half years. Additionally, both NYS Troopers and MTA police have more generous pension benefits.
“Let me be clear—our MTA police and NYS troopers deserve every penny. NYPD officers deserve the same compensation for the heroic work they do every day that State Troopers and MTA officers justly receive. The current pay inequity makes recruitment and retention at the NYPD more difficult. In fact, the most recent MTA hiring class was made up of almost exclusively all NYPD officers who quit their jobs to join the MTA force. We ask our police officers every day to put their lives on the line for us—it’s time to show that we unequivocally support them,” wrote Rose.
Myrie Holds Young Voter Registration Drive
State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) and Deputy Mayor J. Phillip Thompson will host a voter registration drive Friday at three Brooklyn high schools: the High School of Human Rights, Brooklyn Institute of Liberal Arts, and the High School for Public Service.
Under legislation passed last year, 16-and-17 year-olds are allowed to pre-register to vote before they turn 18, a critical time to boost civic engagement. The law went into effect on January 1.
The kickoff for the drive is slated for 8-11 a.m., today, Jan. 31 at the Wingate Campus, 600 Kingston Avenue in East Flatbush.
Menchaca Puts Word Out on Available Census 2020 Money
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) yesterday in a newsletter let constituents know that the city created a $40 million Census Fund to help over 150 organizations across the City help New Yorkers complete the 2020 Census form.
One of these organizations is the Red Hook Initiative, which for 17 years has mentored and inspired young people living in Red Hook to become the leaders of tomorrow.
With the 2020 Census, they are living up to this mission by offering four (4) paid positions that Menchaca highly recommends constituents to apply for or share with someone who may be interested, especially if they speak Mandarin, Spanish, or both:
- Census Captain (Mandarin or Spanish a plus)
- Census Organizer (Spanish or Mandarin preferred)
- Census Organizer (Mandarin Only)
- Census Organizer (Spanish Only)
The Red Hook Initiative is interested in hiring these positions from within the district, so share widely, said Menchaca.
To apply, click here to apply online, AND/OR email a resume and cover letter to apply@rhicenter.org.
