Myrie Announces Rent Relief News
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) announced yesterday in his newsletter that residents that lost income due to the COVID-19 crisis, you may be eligible for rent relief.
A new state program that launched yesterday will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord, he said.
“It is important to look into this program now because it will only be open for two weeks. It is NOT a first-come, first-serve basis, so you have the entire application period to get the information you may need and apply,” wrote Myrie.
For eligibility and to apply, visit https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP or call Myrie’s office for more info at 718-284-4700.
Brooklyn DA Gonzalez Announces Street Safety Bureau Creation
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez yesterday announced the creation of a Street Safety Bureau to assist in police investigations of traffic violence cases, with emphasis on protecting bicyclists and pedestrians, respond to scenes of serious collisions in real-time and coordinate support services for victims and their families.
Bureau members will also work directly with legislators to assist in drafting and revising bills to combat vehicular violence, attend Safety Board meetings and host regular meetings with traffic safety groups such as Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets.
Much like in homicide cases, prosecutors now get involved in the investigation of collisions with fatalities at an earlier stage. An attorney is dispatched to a scene of a crash and assists police in identifying evidence, speaks to witnesses while their memories are fresh, documents relevant information, drafts warrants and makes initial contact with victims and their families.
When appropriate, the Bureau sends a social worker from the Victim Services Bureau to the hospital. Support remains available to victims whether the incident proceeds as a criminal matter or not, like services currently provided to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
A newly-appointed Deputy Bureau Chief, who’s been an avid cyclist for the past 15 years, will meet on a regular basis with advocates and other stakeholders to answer questions and discuss strategies to improve safety by promoting better laws, identifying collision hot spots and pursuing other ideas and initiatives.
“We must do all we possibly can to battle traffic violence in Brooklyn to decrease the number of cyclists and pedestrians who are killed and maimed by drivers. With my new Street Safety Bureau, we aim to achieve that in a number of ways: adding resources to assist in collision investigations early on, partnering with advocates on safety initiatives and working with legislators to improve vehicular laws,” said Gonzalez.
“We need to invest resources and shift our focus regarding these cases – they are often not accidents but preventable tragedies, caused by dangerous, reckless and unlawful driving. Now more than ever, as vehicular traffic in the city is expected to increase in light of the pandemic, protecting all who use our streets is paramount.”
Lander Lauds De Blasio on Child Care Announcement
City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Gowanus, Kensington) quickly applauded Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement yesterday that the city is planning to provide quality, safe, free childcare options for 100,000 children this fall.
The announcement follows the release of the Mayor and Chancellor’s preliminary school reopening plan, which utilizes a cohort-based blended learning system with both remote and in-person education for students.
“I’m glad to hear that City Hall is taking seriously the need to rapidly scale up child care supervision and enrichment so that families will have support on the days students will be learning remotely. Finding the space and the staffing needed to serve the 100,000 children each day who will need supervision and age-appropriate enrichment activities while they are not in the classroom is a huge undertaking, but essential to supporting working families,” said Lander.
“Ensuring that employers make reasonable accommodations for parents and pushing for funding at the federal and state level to help child care centers manage the high costs of reopening safely will also be critical to making the fall work for all families. The Mayor’s announcement today is a good step forward to fill the gaps in the proposed staggered school schedule, and these further steps will be needed to ensure that the fall does not deepen the inequality divide in our city,” he added.
The Administration is working to identify locations and maximize available space for childcare in schools, community centers, libraries, cultural organizations, and more. New Yorkers with available space that could potentially be utilized for childcare should visit www.nycsca.org/realestate/sites.
Cuomo Tells Restaurants No Food No Liquor
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday announced new regulations for bars and restaurants statewide that they must only serve alcohol to people who are ordering and eating food and that all service at bar tops must only be for seated patrons who are socially distanced by six feet or separated by physical barriers.
As part of the ‘Three Strikes and You’re Closed’ initiative, any establishment that receives three violations will be closed for business. Egregious violations can result in immediate loss of liquor license or closure before a third strike. Additionally, any establishment facing disciplinary charges by the State Liquor Authority will have its name and location posted publicly and updated on a weekly basis. If the state is alerted to similar noncompliance in other regions of the state, these restrictions will be extended to those areas immediately.
“As we continue our science-based phased reopening, the number of hospitalizations and our rate of positive tests remain steady and low,” said Cuomo. “But we need to remember our success fighting this virus is a function of our own actions. Mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing – basic as they may seem – are critical to controlling the spread of this virus. Especially now that we are seeing spikes in cases throughout the country, this is not the time to let up – especially on compliance enforcement. We know the prescription and we know it works – we just need to be smart and do it.”
Clarke calls for Immediate Senate Action on Gun Violence
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-Central Brooklyn) pressed the U.S. Senate to take stronger action on gun control legislation following the uptick in gun violence throughout Brooklyn, New York City and across America:
“I’m incredibly saddened over the last few weeks to see the increase in gun violence throughout the place I call home, as well as across our country. Too many of our young people have been deprived of the chance to grow old and to lead the lives they deserve. Too many children in our community go to sleep each night without a father or a mother because bullets stripped away their lives. These tragic shootings must come to an end,” said Clarke.
“However, what these incidents have shown us is that our current approach to preventing shootings is not working. Gun violence does not occur in a vacuum, and our solution must be multifaceted. I am grateful for the work of community-based organizations, and those on the frontlines, that work to stop gun violence in areas particularly vulnerable to it. This effort will not be easy, but we must ensure that our communities are safe for all to live, work and play.”
Specifically, Clarke is calling on the Republican-led Senate to pass the legislation that already passed the House that prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses in good faith
Richardson Recovering From Medical Procedure
Assemblymember Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Garden) announced yesterday that she underwent an outpatient medical procedure that will keep her out of the office while she recovers.
“As I attend to my healthcare, I will be unable to attend events and meet with my wonderful constituents, but that doesn’t mean our work will stop,” said Richardson. “While I recover, my dedicated staff will be in the office and in the community, continuing our hard work for the people of the 43rd Assembly District. I expect to fully recover from this procedure and I look forward to getting back to work and seeing you all again soon.”
For immediate inquiries, constituent services or general information please contact Richardson’s office at 718-771-3105 or email District43@nyassembly.gov. KCP wishes Richardson a speedy recovery.
