Cohen calls justice reform misguided

Northwest Bronx Councilman Andrew Cohen has blasted a new law reducing penalties for quality-of-life crimes such as public urination, open alcohol containers and littering. The recently passed Criminal Justice Reform Act also changes those crimes from criminal to civil offenses.

“The package of so-called summons reform legislation known as the Criminal Justice Reform Act passed by the City Council simply goes too far,” Mr. Cohen said in a May 27 press release. “Littering, excessive noise, safety in our parks and public urination are already eroding the quality of life in the northwest Bronx and across New York City. Downgrading the seriousness of these offenses sends the wrong message.”

Civil offenses do not require defendants physically to appear in court. Previously, if a suspect did not appear in court, a bench warrant would be issued for his or her arrest.

There were 1.5 million such warrants open in the city before the passage of the law, according to Mr. Cohen.

More medical marijuana

The state Assembly last week passed two bills that would expand patient access to medical marijuana.

The legislation would allow more medical professionals to sign up to prescribe marijuana for medicinal purposes, such as nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants, as well as public access to a complete list of medical marijuana providers throughout the state.

Northwest Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called the bills a step in the right direction.

“If we believe that medical marijuana use is something valuable for the people who would be using it — and keep in mind we are not talking about smoking it here — then it should be equally accessible to those people,” he said in a phone interview. “This is not about giving people free access to marijuana and gateway drugs and all that other stuff; this is about trying to help people who are desperately ill and in terrible pain.”

Bronx state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, whose district includes part of Kingsbridge, had his eye on the legislation as well.

“We now need to take a look at how we can build on the Compassionate Care Act to ensure New Yorkers that are in need are able to gain access to treatment,” he said in an email statement.

Engel applauds deal

Rep. Eliot Engel, whose district includes Riverdale, applauded the recent deal ending a strike by Verizon workers. On Monday, Verizon and the Communications Workers of America announced new contracts including a pay hike of more than 10 percent over the next four years. There was also a promise to add 1,400 union jobs, according to news sources (see story, page A3).

“The terms agreed to in principle will improve standards of living for families, strengthen the middle-class, and improve job opportunities for American workers,” the congressman said in a statement. “Not to mention, it will also benefit the consumer and improve service. It’s a win all around.”

‘Flypocalypse’ fears

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer says the country’s airports are “just too clogged.” He is calling on the Transportation Safety Administration to hire 600 more agents and increase the hours of many others from part- to full-time.

“We desperately need to convert thousands of part-time TSA officers to full-time TSA officers in order to ward off the impending ‘flypocalypse’ that will ensue when the busy summer travel season soon begins,” Mr. Schumer said in a statement. “Congress should quickly approve this request and TSA should prioritize the hiring and conversion of these officers at local New York City-area airports.”

The statement added that LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports recently received a green light for 72 extra TSA officers each, thanks to the senator’s efforts.

“With out of control wait times at our nation’s airports, more could and should be done to help unclog the lines and improve security,” Mr. Schumer stated.