Around Brooklyn: Rose alleges anti-Semitism

September 22, 2020 Editorial Staff

Visitors to the Coney Island Boardwalk practiced social distancing on Wednesday, March 18. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

The Coney Island Boardwalk. Photo: Lore Croghan/Brooklyn Eagle

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Rose alleges anti-Semitism

U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) hosted a virtual forum last week on efforts to combat anti-Semitism with United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr.

“I am proud to be the first Jew to ever represent this Congressional District, and I am proud to be working with you,” Rose said to Carr. “We have a mayor here in New York City who called out Jews for congregating during COVID and ignored people who were getting together in Central Park in far greater numbers. Not too long ago, we had people in our communities afraid to wear their kippah, afraid to go to shul in the 21st century. Now we have people calling to defund the police right when we need our officers out there protecting the community.”

Student says college conspired with Cumbo

A Medgar Evers College student recently filed a lawsuit claiming the school colluded with Councilmember Laurie Cumbo to punish her for criticizing the legislator at a community meeting last year. In April 2019, Sakia Fletcher attended a meeting on the school’s campus, intending to criticize Cumbo on her position on the redevelopment of the Bedford Union Armory. Fletcher, who was student president-elect at the time, got into an argument with Cumbo that was captured on YouTube. The lawsuit claims that security escorted Fletcher out of the room, and the next day the college suspended her for 10 days after a closed-door hearing, according to Fox News.

Man run over by train

A 40-year-old man was struck and killed by a Q train during the evening rush hour on Monday, disrupting service for more than an hour. Police say the man, whose name was initially withheld, was struck by the train at 6:30 p.m. at the Cortelyou Road station. Officers and firefighters rushed to the scene, found him underneath the train and declared him dead. Police say they believe the man jumped in front of the train, and that he was not the victim of a crime.

Cops’ vehicle crashes into parked car

Two police officers were injured after their unmarked car crashed into a parked van in Cypress Hills. The incident happened Sunday night at Autumn Avenue and Etna Street. The officers reportedly swerved to avoid another car and crashed their vehicle. No one was inside the parked van they crashed into, police said. The cops were taken to Jamaica Hospital with minor leg injuries, according to ABC News.

Brownsville group opposes pipeline

The Ocean Hill-Brownsville Coalition of Young Professionals has come out against National Grid’s planned North Brooklyn Pipeline, which it terms a “fossil fuel, cancer-causing pipeline.” The group, in a statement, said that Phase 1 of the pipeline, under Linden Boulevard and Junius Street, is still being constructed. “The pipeline has been strategically placed in poor, Black/Brown and immigrant communities with the assumption that we would be too sick, too oppressed, too distracted to care.” The group adds that based on public documents, National Grid and Con Edison plan to start pushing gas through the pipeline as early as next month.

Restaurant crisis continues, Hospitality Alliance says

Even as New York City restaurants plan to open for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity, a new survey released Monday by the New York City Hospitality Alliance found that nearly 9 in 10 restaurants and bars could not pay full rent in August. According to the survey, 60 percent of all landlords have not waived rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew Rigie, executive director of the group, said, “Even before the pandemic, when operating at 100 percent occupancy, these small businesses were struggling to stay open. Now we’re seeing widespread closures, approximately 150,000 industry workers are still out of their jobs, and the overwhelming majority of these remaining small businesses cannot afford to pay rent.”

Eugene introduces new legislation

City Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) last week introduced five pieces of legislation at the City Council Stated Meeting that he says will better protect underserved New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies. Resolution 1416 calls on the United States Department of Homeland Security to halt all deportation proceedings for the length of the COVID-19 pandemic. Resolution 1417 calls on the United States Department of Homeland Security to place a moratorium on all removal proceedings for employment-based status holders that suffered a loss of employment during or due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Resolution 1418 calls on the United States Congress and the president to sign legislation that would permit employment-based status holders to retain lawful status, after loss of employment. Introduction 2075 is a local law to provide public school students with mobile hot spot devices. And Introduction 2076 is a local law to require the commissioner of buildings to recommend updates to the construction codes to facilitate the conversion of buildings into temporary hospitals in the event of a public health emergency.

Teen shot at on basketball court

A 15-year-old youth was struck by a bullet on the wrist on a basketball court in Red Hook on Saturday night. The incident took place at 8:45 p.m. in front of 135 Richards St. Officials from the 76th Precinct say an unknown assailant began firing at another group, but instead hit the teen. The teen was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in stable condition. Police suspect the shooting was gang-related, according to amNewYork.

Cop seek thief who robbed S. Brooklyn stores

Police are searching for an armed robber who they say has robbed two southern Brooklyn businesses this month. He first robbed the Hai Rong Mini Market convenience store on 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst on Sept. 1, when he pointed a gun at a clerk and stole $500, police said. A week later, on Sept. 7, he entered the Knoon Wing Restaurant on Fourth Avenue near 60th Street, flashed a gun and made off with $1,000. Police describe the suspect as a Black man between the ages of 20 and 30, according to the Brooklyn Paper.

Thief steals $1,100 worth of tools from synagogue

Police are trying to find a man accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of construction tools from a synagogue on 12th Avenue in Borough Park. Police say the man was seen on video breaking in through the front door. He allegedly stole $1,000 worth of construction tools before fleeing on a bicycle. Police say the man was between 30 and 40 years old, according to CBS News.

Cars collide on Brownsville Street

At least five people were injured when two cars collided on a street in Brownsville, sending one onto the sidewalk. The crash took place after 7 p.m. on Monday at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Thomas Boyland Street. After the two cars, a white sedan and a gray Mercedes, hit each other, one jumped onto the curb and struck three people on the sidewalk. The white car, which was trying to do a U-turn before the collision, then slammed into a building. FDNY spokespersons said five people suffered with minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals, according to NBC News.

Cops seek 14-year-old boy

Police are searching for a 14-year-old boy from Brooklyn who has been missing since Thursday. Miguel Rodriguez was last seen at his home on Eastern Parkway near Rochester Avenue in Crown Heights that afternoon. He is 5-foot-4, weighs 115 pounds and was last seen wearing dark clothing, according to 1010 WINS.

Compiled by Raanan Geberer.