Tannousis, Reilly Call on Hochul’s Domestic Task Force to Get to Work
Assemblymembers Michael Tannousis (R,C- Staten Island/Brooklyn) and Michael Reilly (R,C- Staten Island) yesterday joined colleagues in the Republican Conference to call on Gov. Hochul and state leaders to immediately call a meeting of the state Domestic Terrorism Task Force (DTTF).
The legislators delivered a letter to Rossana Rosado, commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, urging the DTTF to hold its overdue first meeting and begin the process of fulfilling its requirements.
The letter from Republicans comes after this weekend’s tragic incident in Buffalo that left 10 individuals dead and 3 wounded. In April, a mass shooting on a subway in Brooklyn left 10 victims wounded when a gunman opened fire. The DTTF was established in 2020, and has yet to have its first meeting.
“Without execution and enforcement, the laws passed in the state Legislature are ineffective,” said Tannousis. “More than two years since the establishment of the Domestic Terrorism Task Force, the organization responsible for preparing and protecting New Yorkers from horrible acts like the ones that recently occurred in the Brooklyn subway and in Buffalo, has yet to have a single meeting. That is unacceptable and a failure of our state government.”
“I’ve said many times that the laws we pass in this Chamber don’t always transition to what is happening in the real world,” said Reilly. “The fact that the Governor’s Domestic Terrorism Task Force has not met even once since its creation two years ago, or that it has failed to produce a crucial report on the matter, is a direct failure to comply with state law.”
Zinerman, Jeffries Rally to Keep Bed-Stuy & Crown Heights Safe from Violence Trend
Assembly Member Stefani L. Zinerman (D-Brooklyn) and U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn, Queens) today joins the Power 56 Collective – a group of violence interrupters, faith-based, and youth organizations to host a rally against domestic terrorists, gun violence, political violence, police brutallity, human trafficking and violence in all forms.
Ralliers will be equipped with tools to support a healthy community and asked to share implementable solutions to relieve tension and keep the peace in the district. The rally comes amid a recent trend of hate crimes, racist attacks and violence in and around the 56th Assembly District is creating anxiety and unrest for residents.
It is time to take a proactive “We Keep Us Safe” stand and integrate holistic practices to stop the violence and keep peace, the lawmakers said in a release..
The rally is slated for 5 p.m., today, May 19 at the Fulton Plaza Mini Mall at the intersection of Fulton Street & Utica Avenue in Brooklyn.
Meeks, Schumer Urge Communication On Rockaways Beach Closure
U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Queens) and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) yesterday wrote U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lieutenant General Scott A. Spellmon and NYC Parks Department Commissioner Susan M. Donoghue reiterating the importance of community engagement with Rockaway residents and businesses regarding the needed groin construction on the beach.
“It is imperative that both the East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet Coastal Storm Risk Management project is completed, and the concerns from residents and businesses are heard.
We are proud to have delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to strengthen the Rockaway Peninsula against future storms that threaten this community and erode its beaches, which are so critical to the local economy and quality of life,” the lawmakers wrote.
“In 2018, in the wake of the closure of beaches from Beach 91st St. to Beach 102nd St. due to significant erosion, we worked with all stakeholders to facilitate the dredging and re-nourishment of that area in time for the following beach season.
“Once again, we are prepared to apply the full resources of our offices to facilitate a successful beach season for residents, visitors, local concessionaires, and beachgoers alike. We strongly encourage the Army Corps, in conjunction with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, to hold a community meeting to publicly discuss the construction plans for the project and subsequent beach closures.
“As our offices have repeatedly stated, we expect both the Army Corps and NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to be maximally responsive to the Rockaway community, as well as flexible in accommodating legitimate concerns about potential disruptions from any proposed beach closures. We cannot underscore enough the importance of connecting with communities, like the Rockaways, early and often on projects impacting their livelihoods and quality of life.”
Felder’s Vehicle Inspection Reminder Bill passes Senate
Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) announced yesterday that the Senate passed his legislation (S3687-A) that aims to help remind New Yorkers when their annual vehicle inspection is due and provide a five-day grace period for vehicle inspections.
Currently, the DMV does not provide any written notice to motorists if their vehicle inspection is about to expire. Under this legislation, DMV would be required to notify motorists via postal mail thirty days before their vehicle inspection certificate is set to expire, unless they request to receive the notification by e-mail. The bill also creates a five-day grace period after the vehicle inspection expires before a ticket can be issued.
“For many over-worked, busy New Yorkers, the last thing on their mind is getting their vehicle re-inspected. In fact, the first time they realize their vehicle inspection has expired is when they return to find a hefty ticket on their parked car,” said Felder. “In today’s busy world, we can all use a little help remembering and this bill would simply require the State to help remind New Yorkers to get their vehicles inspected.”
Stavisky, Rozic to Memorialize NYPD Detective Anastasios Tsakos with LIE Overpass Renaming
State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens) today will join various units of the New York City Police Department to memorialize the one year anniversary of the passing of Detective Anastasios Tsakos who was killed in the line of duty on April 21, 2021.
Tsako was fatally struck by a drunk driver on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. He was posthumously promoted and served 13 years with the NYPD as a highway officer assigned to Highway Unit 3.
To honor his service and memory, Stavisky and Rozic have introduced legislation that would rename the Long Island Expressway overpass along Francis Lewis Boulevard as “Detective Anastasios Tsakos Memorial Bridge.”
The event is slated for 10:30 a.m., today, May 19 at Francis Lewis Boulevard & Horace Harding Expressway at the corner of St. Francis Preparatory in Queens.
