Support and Advice Offered to Opponent on Assembly Legislation to Protect Roosevelt Islanders

Advice Based on Candidate’s Experience Passing Legislation as a Chief of Staff in the Assembly to Improve Likelihood of Passage Legislation to Create CCRB for Roosevelt Island’s Public Safety Department

 

New York, NY – Candidate Ben Kallos offered his Assemblymember opponent for City Council in the Upper East Side support and advice to improve the likelihood of passing legislation to protect Roosevelt Island residents from ongoing concerns with the Public Safety Department (PSD). Because the PSD is run by independent Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), it is not subject to the NYPD’s Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB).  The legislation in question, New York State Assembly Bill Number A.956, would create a statewide CCRB with oversight that includes RIOC’s PSD.

The legislation was originally introduced as A.10618 nearly three years ago on April 12, 2010, amid previous allegations of abuse by RIOC’s PSD, but has languished in committee while alleged abuse has continued, prompting Kallos to intervene.

“Our campaign is about getting results, which often requires more than one plan of action,” explained Kallos. “We need to try many courses of action to ensure legislation doesn’t languish in committee for years.  Legislation is rarely the only answer, which is why we are also pursuing an investigation by the New York State Inspector General.”

In January, Kallos issued a letter to the state Inspector General requesting the creation of an oversight body consisting of residents and an investigation into the attack of 20-year-old Roosevelt Island resident Anthony Jones by members the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department after a Daily News report that officers “beat [Jones] to within an inch of his life simply for standing in front of a building,” according to Jones’ family.

While Ben Kallos served as his Chief of Staff, Assembly Member Jonathan Bing secured the passage of 13 bills in the Assembly, six through both houses, and five signed into law.  In stark contrast, last year, according to the New York Public Interest Rights Group (NYPIRG), out of 71 bills introduced by Kellner, only 2 passed the Assembly, with none passing both houses and none becoming law.

“While we pursue an investigation of the allegations by the New York State Inspector General, it is worth extending an olive branch and the benefit of my experience to get improved legislation passed to prevent history from repeating itself,” continued Kallos.

Procedural solutions offered by Kallos include:

• Force a committee vote on the legislation.
• Force a vote on legislation on the floor of the Assembly.
• Author legislation narrowly tailored to serve Roosevelt Island.
• Public hearing and solicitation for improvements.

Policy solutions offered by Kallos include:

• Create a CCRB specifically for RIOC PSD, not for police statewide. Require the appointment of Roosevelt Island Residents.
• Include experienced law enforcement professionals, just as the current CCRB does.
• Require cooperation by the RIOC PSD.

“Public safety on Roosevelt Island is more important than partisan politics,” stated Ben Kallos. “I hope that we can get past politics and do what’s right for our constituency.”

The letter is available in a PDF.

 

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