The NYPD Can't Do It All, Says NY State Senator Adams

NY State Senator Eric Adams, considered one of the three rising stars among Central Brooklyn‘s black politicians and rumored to be aiming for the Borough presidency, spoke briefly on neighborhood safety before the Albemarle Neighborhood Association’s (ANA) meeting last Thursday evening at the Flatbush & Shaare Torah Jewish Center.

“The Police Department can’t do it on its own." he said. "They are strained beyond belief because of the terrorist effort. The NYPD attempts to do the best it can with reduced force."

As a former NYPD captain, Senator Adams is disturbed by “the high level of violence” he sees in  the communities he represents. Last Monday he spoke at a public forum in Parkside on the rise in gun violence. He mentioned it again at the ANA meeting as well as the recent spate of sexual attacks in Sunset Park, Park Slope, and the 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning robbery at knife point of a female passenger on the F train.

To remedy this situation, Senator Adams proposes a partnership with the police and is setting up a website, OPERATION TAKE BACK OUR COMMUNITIES (TBOC) to coordinate community involvement.

Ultimately he’d like to see communities gain control of crime and violence in their area by reinvigorating an idea ANA used back in the early 70s: putting block captains in charge of 10-15 neighborhood volunteers who would pay close attention to local information to guarantee a neighborhood's safety. ”Well-informed citizens are safe citizens,” he said.

To that end, he welcomes Brooklyn D.A. Hynes launch of “Safe Stop” in response to the Leiby Kletzky murder and the new Park Slope bike patrol, organized by Jay Ruiz, that will escort women from the subway to home. [Tel: (718) 744–7592]

Senator Adams introduced himself by saying he reads and answers all his email. To reach him, write Voiceofconcern@aol.com.
In photo: Sen. Adams, Larry Jayson, ANA President, and Joy Rich, Treasurer.