Lessons Learned
While On The Beat
By Eric L. Adams
Teaching the Value of a
Dollar at an Early Age
Eric L. Adams
COURIER L 12 IFE, JUNE 7–13, 2019 M
Truck driver injures two
pedestrians in Bath Beach
BY AIDAN GRAHAM
A truck struck two people and
wreaked havoc in Bath Beach on May
31, according to authorities.
The vehicle drove onto the sidewalk
and collided with a 26-year-old pedestrian,
before smashing into a restaurant
at the corner of Bay 34th and 86th
streets at 2 p.m., cops said.
The driver of the truck then backed
out of the restaurant wreckage and
attempted to fl ee the scene of the accident,
according to a police spokeswoman.
DRUG BUST
Investigators identifi ed 34-year-old
Waldemar “Wiz” Valentin as the head of
the drug ring, which operated out of the
Days Inn Motel — located at 1766 E. 49th
Street in Marine Park — and the Harbor
Motel — located at 1730 Shore Parkway
in Bath Beach.
Prosecutors charged Valentin with
operating as a major traffi cker, attempted
assault, assault, intimidating a
witness and conspiracy.
Four other members of Valentin’s organization
face charges, as well.
Brandice “Bee” Williams, 35, was
charged with criminal sale of a controlled
substance, and conspiracy; Phillip
Patsuriya, 24, faces charges of conspiracy,
attempted assault and assault;
Michael “Mikey” Baca-Velazquez, 20,
and Anastasia Spivak, 21, were each
charged with conspiracy.
During the later months of the investigation,
prosecutors shifted their focus
to an offshoot of the Valentin ring,
which operated out of the Marlboro
Housing project in Gravesend, according
to police.
Throughout the two-year wiretap
probe, cops documented more than 175
narcotics sales, which the suspects allegedly
used to fund lavish lifestyles of
designer clothes and high-end shopping
sprees, investigators said.
One suspect, 31-year-old James
Sease, allegedly purchased a $5,000
Chanel bag using a stack of $20 bills. At
the time of his arrest on May 3, police
recovered numerous luxury goods and
more than $19,000 in cash from Sease’s
home.
Prosecutors also accused the traffi
ckers of using violence to suppress dissidents.
In one instance in May 2018, Valentin
and Patsuriya entered a Staples department
store in Sheepshead Bay and
violently assaulted a man who they suspected
of stealing drugs from them, cops
said.
Following the assault, Valentin told
Pasturiya that he would harm the victim’s
family if he spoke to police.
“I already put my people’s on so they
know where he lives, who his moms and
all that,” he said.
All 14 suspects have been arrested
at various times over the last three
months, according to authorities.
Brooklyn’s top prosecutor commended
the work of the Special Narcotics
Prosecutors and committed to bringing
other drug traffi ckers to justice.
“The epidemic of opioid use continues
to destroy the lives of too many
members of our communities and their
families,” said District Attorney Eric
Gonzalez. “I remain committed to working
with my law enforcement partners
in holding accountable those who endanger
lives by selling these dangerous
substances.”
Continued from page 1
The ill-planned getaway was foiled
when the driver hit a second pedestrian
and crashed into a pillar of the
elevated subway line across the street
from the shattered Mylasian restaurant,
cops said.
First responders took the fi rst victim
to Coney Island Hospital, and the
second to Maimonides Hospital, authorities
say. Both victims are in stable
condition.
No arrests have been made, and the
investigation remains ongoing.
Offi ce of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor
As a child, I knew lean times –
times when I had to forego things
my classmates had and could afford.
At one time or another I’ve heard
“sorry, but those sneakers are just
too expensive, and we can’t afford
to buy those right now.” “I made
so many mistakes as a young man
because I never had a background
in basic financial education, and I
wasted so much money.
I believe we need financial
education taught to every young
New Yorker so they can have an
early start on establishing a bright
financial future. Teaching these ‘soft
skills’ is foundational, like ensuring
the gears of a machine are properly
oiled, to closing the inequality gap
and helping create self-sufficient
families. Recently, I put my support
behind S.2452/A.1357, legislation
that would establish a financial
education curriculum in grades 9
through 12 across New York State.
At least five states currently require
a personal finance course to graduate
high school, including Alabama,
Missouri, Tennessee, Utah, and
Virginia; in September, New Jersey
will require all middle schools to
offer financial education.
Since arriving at Brooklyn
Borough Hall, I’ve committed to
improving the financial literacy
of all Brooklynites, including
an understanding of how money
works, how one earns and
manages it, and how to invest
or donate to help others in need.
Partnering with organizations in
the financial services, grassroots,
and small business communities,
my administration has organized
and supported hundreds of free
educational opportunities across
the borough since 2014, which
have taught nearly 4,500 residents
the necessary skills to make wise
everyday financial decisions. I
declare every April to be Financial
Education Empowerment Month
in Brooklyn, highlighting the
importance for families to make
smart budgeting decisions, avoid
financial scams, and monitor their
expenses. Still, these efforts are no
substitute for classroom instruction
at an early age, helping young men
and women avoid the pitfalls that can
handicap their opportunities.
It is of the utmost urgency that
our children and grandchildren
learn to navigate the world of
personal finance at an early age.
Implementing a financial education
curriculum has been demonstrated
to improve students’ credit scores
and increase savings rates. This
is particularly impactful when we
consider the number of millennials
who are concerned about their
finances. A 2016 survey from Bank
of America found that only 16
percent of Americans between ages
18 to 26 are very optimistic about
their financial future, which for
many includes part of the trillions
of dollars in student debt that our
nation’s borrowers carry. Perhaps
even more alarming, a 2018 report
by Economic Well-Being of U.S.
Households indicated that a full forty
percent of American households did
not have enough money to cover a
$400 emergency expense. Many
more families are struggling on top
of that when we note differences in
education levels, race, ethnicity and
geography.
As borough president, I realize
that Brooklyn cannot thrive if its
families can’t survive on their
finances. All Brooklyn families also
want their children to thrive, and be
assured their children will be able
to survive and overcome challenges
that they may face in the future, by
getting a head-start on financial
literacy. That’s why a holistic 21st
century education needs to include
financial education.
Eric L. Adams is borough
president of Brooklyn. He served 22
years in the New York City Police
Department (NYPD), retiring at the
rank of captain, as well as represented
District 20 in the New York State
Senate from 2006 until his election as
borough president in 2013.