Department of Correction Reschedules Oversight Hearing on Jail Violence Even As Violence Spikes to Record Levels
Prompted by the rescheduling of a City Council oversight hearing examining jail violence because the Department of Correction was unable or unwilling to testify, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, Chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee, and Norman Seabrook, president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, discussed the violence plaguing the City’s jails during a special edition of Real Time, Real Talk hosted by Norman Seabrook on WWRL 1600 AM. They were joined by Deputy Wardens’ Association President Sidney Schwartzbaum and Correction Captains’...
Read MoreEMS Responders Join Council Member Crowley to Demand Change in Longstanding Policy That Exacerbated Problems During Hurricane Sandy
Prior to a City Council Oversight Hearing examining the City’s disaster management plan before, during, and after Hurricane Sandy, EMS members, led by Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors Local 2507 President Israel Miranda and Uniformed EMS Officers Union Local 3621 President Vincent Variale, joined Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley, Chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee, to illustrate failed policies and planning that put responders at increased risk during the storm. Poor administrative planning and an unmanageable span of control made it difficult for EMS...
Read MoreCity Council’s Efforts to Keep Firehouses Fully Staffed Help Spur Record Low Fire Fatalities in New York City
Fire fatalities in New York City were a record low in 2012. The City recorded 58 deaths from fires, down from 66 in 2011. The new record was met thanks to the exceptional work of the members of the FDNY. Demand for Fire Department services is also at an all-time high, according to FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano, which is one of the main reasons the City Council has fought to keep firehouses completely staffed and operational during budget negotiations, despite the administration’s insistence on closing firehouses. “Our fire department is the City’s first line of defense in any...
Read MoreCouncil Member Crowley Holds Memorial Service for Veterans Buried at Hart Island
For more than two centuries, countless veterans have been buried at City’s potter field, dating back to the Civil War. Today, Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley (CD-30, Queens), Chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee, honored our veterans who are buried at New York City’s Potter’s Field on Hart Island. Since 1869, New York City has used Hart Island as a public burial ground for indigent and unclaimed people, including veterans, who are entitled to burial at a national cemetery. Today’s service was organized by Council Member Crowley with Department of Correction...
Read MoreCouncil Member Crowley Chairs Hearing on Hart Island
More than 850,000 people are buried at the city-run cemetery that has suffered from shoddy recordkeeping and confusing visitation policies On Thursday, September 27, Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley, Chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee, will hold a hearing on two bills that will increase transparency over New York City’s operation of the potter’s field in Hart Island. Since 1869, the City of New York has used Hart Island as a burial ground for the deceased who were unclaimed, unidentified, or whose relatives could not afford a private burial. More than 850,000...
Read MoreCouncil Member Crowley Honors Brave EMT Workers who Made Water Rescue in Glendale
On Wednesday’s City Council stated meeting, Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley, Chair of the Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee, honored FDNY EMTs Jimmy Guailacela and Marilyn Arroyo who rescued three people from a flash flood in Glendale, Queens. On August 15, Sister Claudia Bradshaw and Mary and Joseph Lawrence were on their way to lunch, when a sudden downpour created a flash flood at the Cooper Avenue underpass. Seven feet of water quickly covered the car, but thankfully, Mr. Guailacela and Ms. Arroyo quickly responded and rescued the passengers. At the ceremony on Wednesday,...
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In 2008 Council Member Elizabeth Crowley was elected to represent the 30th Council District covering the Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and Woodhaven neighborhoods. Elizabeth was the first female and first Democrat elected to represent that seat. She has chaired the Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee since January 2010 which oversees the Fire Department, Department of Correction, Department of Probation, and Criminal Justice Coordinator’s Office.
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