Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez speaks during a news conference,
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in New York. Associated Press /Mary Altaffer/ File
Caribbean Life, JANUARY 14-20, 2022 3
By Nelson A. King
Newly-elected Brooklyn Borough
President, Antonio Reynoso on Monday
announced that he was bringing
on Assemblymember Diana Richardson
as deputy borough president.
In her new role, Reynoso, a former
New York City Council Member, said
Richardson, the daughter of Aruban
and St. Martin immigrants, will
be focused on addressing food insecurity,
reducing gun violence, and
supporting Brooklyn’s Community
Boards and ensuring they are reflective
of the communities they serve.
Reynoso said Richardson is a lifelong
Brooklyn resident and a committed
public servant.
Since 2015, she has served the 43rd
Assembly District in Central Brooklyn
that comprises the neighborhoods of
Crown Heights, Flatbush, Wingate,
and Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
Reynoso said that, during Richardson’s
tenure, she has championed
progressive change in the areas of
housing, criminal justice reform,
education and healthcare.
He said Richardson led the fight
on gun violence in the New York
State Legislature and recently passed
the Community Violence Intervention
Act of 2021, which secures funding
for state-wide Cure Violence Programs.
In addition, Reynoso said Richardson
“championed” 15 pieces of legislation
signed into law, and led the
fight to pass New York States’ Police
Reform Act of 2020, and the Housing
Stability and Tenant Protection Act
(HSTPA) of 2019.
Richardson has also “delivered millions
of dollars in aid to the public
schools in her district — funding capital
and technology improvements,
and advocating for civic education,”
Reynoso said.
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric
Gonzalez, together with New York City
Police Commissioner, Keechant Sewell,
announced on Wednesday a Gun Buyback
event for Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022,
from 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, at Vanderveer
Park United Methodist Church,
3114 Glenwood Rd., in Flatbush, Brooklyn
.G
onzalez said the event is hosted
in partnership with the church’s pastor,
the Rev. Melvin D. Boone, and the
GodSquad.
“My Office has been employing a
multi-pronged strategy to bring down
the levels of gun violence in Brooklyn,
focusing on the most violent individuals
and building strong community partnerships.
Saturday’s gun buyback event
will provide an opportunity for everyone
to turn in a firearm and receive cash
and an iPad – a simple action that can
help reduce the number of lethal weapons
on our streets,” Gonzalez said.
“I encourage anyone who is in possession
of a gun or rifle, or knows of
someone who is, to come out, get some
money and help make Brooklyn safer,”
he added.
Commissioner Sewell said, “The
NYPD gun buyback programs are an
integral element in the department’s
ongoing, intelligence-driven efforts to
reduce violence and remove illegal firearms
from the city’s streets.
“These programs rely upon both the
continued collaboration of residents
who participate and the commitment
of the department’s prosecutorial partners,”
she said. “The NYPD encourages
everyone to please take part in
this effort, which is another example of
our work together to keep one another
safe.”
Pastor Boone said, “There is much
work to be done to improve the safety
and quality of life in minority communities.
“It will take a concerted effort from
law enforcement, community members
and organizations to bring about real
and lasting change,” he said. “At Vanderveer
Park United Methodist Church, we
choose mutual respect and cooperation
over confrontation.
“We believe this is the best approach
to transform dangerous streets into
thriving neighborhoods,” Rev. Boone
added. “It is our pleasure to work with
our partners in this effort.”
Pastor Edward-Richard Hinds, Executive
Director of the 67th Precinct Clergy
Council/The GodSquad, said, “Guns
are our number one public enemy. Let
us get them off the streets.
“We are pleased to partner with
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez
in reducing the number of firearms
on our streets,” he said. “Public safety
is a shared responsibility and so, as the
clergy leaders in East Flatbush host
the gun buyback program in one of
our churches, we remain committed
to creating programs to reduce gun
violence, offer resources for our youth
and ultimately create safer communities
for all.”
The Brooklyn District Attorney said
that his office, along with the NYPD,
will offer money in the form of a $200
bank card and an iPad for each operable
gun or assault rifle turned in.
He said iPads are subject to availability
on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gonzalez said all transactions will be
anonymous, “no questions asked.”
Gonzalez said the bank cards will be
issued after each firearm is received and
screened by officers on-site.
“Guns should be unloaded and packaged
in a paper or plastic bag or a box
when brought to the event,” he said. “If
transported by car, the guns must be
kept in the trunk. Both working and
inoperable weapons will be accepted.”
Gonzalez said participants will
receive $25 for operable rifles, shotguns
and air guns.
“Unlimited numbers of guns can be
turned in, but participants will receive
maximum of $600 in bank cards and
one iPad per person,” he said. “No
identification is required, and the firearms
will be accepted with no questions
asked.”
The Brooklyn District Attorney said
active or retired law enforcement officers
and licensed gun dealers are not
eligible for this event.
Vanderveer Park United Methodist
Church is located a short distance from
the Flatbush Avenue-Brooklyn College
Subway Station (2, 3, 4, and 5 lines),
the B6 Bus at Glenwood Road/Nostrand
Avenue, and the B41 bus at Flatbush
Avenue/Glenwood Road.
Brooklyn Borough President, Antonio
Reynoso with his newlyappointed
Deputy Brooklyn Borough
President, Diana Richardson.
Offi ce of Assembly Member Diana
Richardson
Brooklyn DA, NYPD to host gun
buyback event at Flatbush church
Brooklyn
BP taps
Richardson for
Deputy BP
Keechant Sewell, the fi rst black female
NYPD commissioner, listens
to Mayor-elect Eric Adams speak at
the Queensbridge houses in Long
Island City, Queens on Wednesday,
Dec. 15, 2021, in New York. Associated
Press/Brittainy Newman