Press Release
Contact:
Sondra Peeden: Phone 646 808-4793 Email: speeden@council.nyc.gov Angelica Toussaint: Phone 718 206-2068 Email: atoussaint@councilil.nyc.gov
COUNCIL MEMBER RUBEN WILLS INTRODUCES THE “COMMUNITY VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT” TO COMBAT CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES
JAMAICA, NEW YORK – February 26, 2013 On Wednesday, February 27th 2013 Council Member Ruben Wills will hold a 10am press conference on the steps of City Hall to announce his groundbreaking legislation to establish a “Community Violence Prevention Act” due to the prevalence of violent crimes in New York City.
Ruben Wills stated “I have introduced legislation to combat the proliferation of violent crimes decimating our community. The socioeconomic impact of violence is costly. Families are fearful that simply sending their children out to play could result in harm, if not death. It’s time to make common sense legislation to reduce this senseless violence and make tragedies like these less possible.”
The Community Violence Prevention Act, is co-sponsored by Council Members Comrie, Ferraras, King, Reyna, Williams, and Ulrich, as well as supported by Steven Banks of the Legal Aid Society, I LOVE MY LIFE Foundation, and the Million Mom March. Additionally, we will be joined by representatives of student leadership from the City University of New York, Roman Charnolusky, Steve Campbell, Anthony Blake and Mark Melendez.
“This is an idea worthy of serious consideration. Rather than look at the problems in any community piecemeal, this idea would ensure that different agencies and elected officials would come up with a comprehensive plan to prevent violence,” said Council Member Peter F. Vallone Jr.
Council member Andy King shared, “The Community Violence Prevention Act further enables your legislative leaders to start implementing smart, targeted solutions to the growing epidemic of unwarranted violent behavior by our neighbors in all New York communities. In particular, we can take measures to stem any correlations between youth and incidences of violence in our communities. Youth and violence should not be synonymous. Therefore, when this legislation is passed, it will provide alternatives to criminal activity while stamping out the root of behaviors which are subversive to the safety of our neighborhoods.”
This legislation designates the prevalence of violent crimes as a complete attack on normalcy. Violent crimes are costly; murders, rapes, assaults, and robberies impose concrete economic costs on the victims who survive as well as the families of those who lose their lives, in the loss of earnings and their physical and emotional tolls. Violent crimes impose large costs on communities through lower property values, higher insurance premiums, and reduced investment in high-crime areas. This legislation will create a system by which city agencies and social service organizations will be funded to address crime. A panel of experts will implement programming and monitor crime incidents in New York City as well as make the necessary recommendations on the impact of violence on the community. The panel will activate a dedicated funding stream provide intervention, community monitoring, and harm reductions programs.
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