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Brooklyn Daily
To the editor,
New Yorkers had better get used to a news blackout from the police department, starting with the axing of community police blotters (“Where’s the blotter? Why not ask the precincts?” online Dec. 11).
Even though this is happening just a few days before the end of the Bloomberg administration, Mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio’s new socialist government coming in will, no doubt, try to suppress increasing crime rates as they tie our brave officers hands. A wholly politically correct effort in reducing the security of its citizens, including no stop-and-frisk and no other sound tactics that have proven to put fear in certain criminal elements.
Why should they report any problems, when they are committed to the goal of “income equality” where there will be no need for crime — yeah right!
Robert W. Lobenstein
Marine Park
. . .
To the editor,
I applaud the fact police blotters were replaced this week by information about our local precincts (“Where’s the blotter? Why not ask the precincts?” online Dec. 11).
As an educator and community activist, it’s more important for residents to be actively engaged in helping to protect our local communities. In fact, all of the information regarding our local precincts and community council meetings were listed for residents to be advised of. Instead of waiting to read about local crime that might be occurring in our neighborhoods, it’s up to all of us to take the steps to prevent being victims.
In the early 1980s, a National Night Out Against Crime began in a time when we had to fight for each and every street. Also, it sent out a message that there is a partnership between the members of the community and the officers from our local precincts.
Now is the time for all residents to gather together to join local community council meetings. You will learn about the local anti-crime programs and find a treasure trove of crime-fighting strategies that will reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Also, it’s a way of building positive relationships between cops and the community. It’s designed for people who don’t normally interact with the police, and give them the opportunity to know what the police do and what’s available to them.
As 2014 rolls around, we can’t expect our streets to be safer without our involvement. Instead of waiting to read about crime in our neighborhoods, let’s try to stop it before it happens. It’s all about being proactive instead of reactive. It’s also fun to be involved. Try it, you’ll like it!Scott Krivitsky
Coney Island
. . .
To the editor,
I am too young to remember World War II. What I learned was that first Hitler controlled the media and then burned books so that his subjects would only learn what he wanted them to know.
I wonder if our new mayor, who wants us to think his policies will work to lower crime, will only let us know what crime statistics he wants us to know, not the actual crimes, but only what he lets the media report.
I enjoyed reading the police blotter to know what my fellow citizens and criminals were doing.
Name withheld upon request
. . .
To the editor,
Mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio will be taking the oath of office on New Year’s Day, as the 106th chief executive of the Big Apple. I am rather impressed with some of the new policies that he would like to enact.
The mayor-elect claims he will need aid from the federal government to prevent people from being run over and killed by motor vehicle operators. I suggest he enact an ordinance similar to one in Pheonix, Ariz., where drivers and pedestrians have to pay a fine, depending on who is at fault, or one similar to the one introduced in Los Angeles during the 1970s, where motorists had to stop to allow the pedestrian to cross.
This could save lives and help reduce the state and city from fiscal insolvency, since New York’s no-fault insurance of a maximum $50,000 is the highest of any state in the nation.
Note that drunk drivers are only a fraction of the problem. The city government is derelict about installing proper lighting, especially in front of public schools if there is no school crossing guard, thus endangering young lives.
The new mayor should also take direct control of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Apparently all it would take is a phone call, according to Andrew Stein, a former City Council president. Then, Mayor-elect DeBlasio should make adequate preparations in the event of future blizzards.
Finally, he should instruct the NYPD to watch the first movie Jerry Lewis made after his break with Dean Martin — “The Delicate Delinquent” (1957). This would help improve race relations and reduce animosity toward the police.
Elliott Abosh
Brighton Beach
. . .
To the editor,
Mayor-elect Bill DeBlasio’s recent announcement concerning his transportation agenda — when he said, “The federal government since the Ronald Reagan era has retreated from its investment in mass transportation” — may indicate his lack of understanding concerning the history of transportation funding.
Past Republican Presidents George Bush, George W. Bush, along with Democrats Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, have all consistently supported billions of dollars of assistance from Washington for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. They have been supported by a majority bipartisan coalition of both Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate. They represent both urban and suburban districts whose constituents utilize and benefit by federal investment in public transportation. Billions more have been provided by Washington as a result of 9-11 and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Billions more are on the way from Uncle Sam as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The federal government faces a $17 trillion, and growing, national debt accompanied by an on-going budget crises.
It is unrealistic for Mayor-elect DeBlasio to assume that Washington has any more money. Uncle Sam, unlike both the city and the state, has done more than its fair share to help in good times and bad. For decades, under numerous past five-year capital plans, both the city and state collectively cut billions of their own respective financial contributions. This has resulted in long-term debt. Mayor-elect DeBlasio has fellow Democrats in Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James, a future City Council Speaker along with 48 of 51 councilmembers. Starting with the upcoming July 1, 2014 municipal budget, will they work with him to support increasing the city’s capital funding to the agency?
It will be interesting to see who DeBlasio appoints to fill the four, city-based board seats, along with the next New York City Department of Transportation commissioner. Millions of daily transportation riders who are taxpayers and voters await the news.Larry Penner
Great Neck, N.Y.
Jo-Jo & Bam-bam
To the editor,
Joanna DelBuono says, “Obama is disrespected... because he lies” (Not for Nuthin’, Nov. 29). That’s nonsense! When Obama was first elected, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R–Kentucky) said the Republicans’ top priority would be to make him a one-term president. That’s disrespect.
It seems Republican hatred and disrespect of the president was there from the start. These feelings were sent to the public via the Republican propaganda mill, mainly Fox News. This TV channel is an arm of the Republican Party. Roger Ailes was chairman of the Republican National Committee — now he heads Fox News, which lies and tells half-truths. This shows disrespect for the American people.
Many Americans unfortunately swallow the propaganda without really examining the issues.Jerome Frank
Coney Island
Magical 2014
To the editor,
August 2014 will have five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays.
This happens only once every 823 years. The Chinese call this phenomenon — based on Chinese feng shui — “silver pockets full.”Joan Applepie
Mill Basin