In Public Service – January 2, 2020

Felder organizes active shooter drill

In response to the recent attacks on Jews in Brooklyn, a lawmaker representing a predominantly Jewish district has sponsored an active shooter drill.

State Sen. Simcha Felder, joined by Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein and Councilmembers Chaim Deutsch and Kalman Yeger, held an active shooter drill training for yeshiva school administrators. Officers from the NYPD Counterterrorism Bureau’s SHIELD program, a unit dedicated to private sector security, presented the training program.

“We are witnessing a chilling, escalating rise in hate crimes. The overwhelming attendance at this training confirmed how seriously the community is taking this critical call to action,” said Felder, a Democrat representing Borough Park and parts of Midwood and Flatbush

Felder urged residents to call the city’s anti-terrorism hotline, 1-888-NYC-SAFE, if they see suspicious activity. If they witness someone being attacked, they should call 911 immediately, Felder said.

Gounardes announces Neighborhood Reading Challenge

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes has announced the start of his 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge in which he is seeking to set a neighborhood-wide goal of reading 10,000 books this year.

Gounardes, a Democrat representing Bay Ridge and Southwest Brooklyn, has pledged to read 25 books and said he will share his reading selections on social media.

Readers can join the 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge by visiting gounardes.nysenate.gov or by obtaining a “Reading Challenge” bookmark at Gounardes’ district office at 8018 Fifth Ave.

The materials will also be available at several satellite locations, including FIAO Il Centro at 8711 18th Ave. and the Gerritsen Beach Library at 2808 Gerritsen Ave, along with all of the libraries and schools in Gounardes’ district. The 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge is for all ages and will include local schools, libraries, senior centers and other civic groups. 

“The 2020 Neighborhood Reading Challenge is a way to bring neighbors together over a shared love of reading and learning,” Gounardes.