Page 9 - qt edition #16 April 17, 2025

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9

NYC Council Votes to Establish a Citywide Strategy For NYS Inspector General Releases
Public Bathrooms With Goal of Over 2,100 by 2035 2024 Workers’ Compensation
Fraud Report
(Continued from page 8) Introduction 480-A, sponsored action. And they’re part of this
by Council Member Julie Won, Council’s broader commitment to (Continued from page 7) Managing Investigator Jane Seely,
Strengthening Transparency would modify the Public Over- ensuring city government works investigators Jackie Desautels,
and Oversight of NYPD’s Tech- sight of Surveillance Technology better, communicates clearly, and “We are grateful to the Inspec- Amy McMullen, Jim Pescetti,
nology Uses (POST) Act to require the NYPD protects both New Yorkers and the tor General’s Office for their dedi- and Mario Rubino, Investigative
Introduction 168-A, sponsored by to publish Impact and Use poli- urban landscape that makes our cation to ensuring a fair workers’ Nurse Lisa Lingenfelter, and
Majority Leader Amanda Farias, cies for each distinct surveillance neighborhoods healthier, greener, compensation system in New York Senior Investigative Counsel &
would require the New York Po- technology it uses and make and stronger for generations to State,” said New York State Work- Director of Report Writing Jona-
lice Department (NYPD), upon clear which entities use the data come.” ers’ Compensation Board Chair than Masters.
request, to provide the Depart- gathered from their technologies, Waiving Civil Service Exam Clarissa M. Rodriguez. “Their The Offices of the New York
ment of Investigation (DOI) with how the data is protected, and the Fees for High School Students and important work to uncover fraud State Inspector General:
an itemized list of all surveillance potential impact of such technolo- First Time Applicants and hold bad actors accountable Fostering confidence in New York
technologies currently used by gies on protected groups. Introduction 671-A, sponsored by protects workers and employers State government by promoting in-
the Department, and provide “In a time where our consti- Council Member Carmen De La alike, and upholds the integrity of tegrity and transparency through
information on all data access tutional and privacy rights are Rosa, would authorize the Depart- the system for all New Yorkers.” oversight of covered agencies,
and retention policies for data uncertain, Intro. 480 will ensure ment of Citywide Administrative The Inspector General thanked their employees, and those doing
collected by such technologies. In NYPD surveillance practices are Services (DCAS) to waive the members of the WCFIG Triage business with the State.
addition, the legislation requires held accountable to the public,” civil service examination fee for Team for their work over the To report wrongdoing, call
the NYPD to provide DOI with said Council Member Julie Won. high school students in New York past year, including Attorney- 1-800-DO-RIGHT (367-4448) or
semi-annual updates on all newly “As New York City residents, City and for individuals who are In-Charge Bryan Richmond, visit ig.ny.gov.
acquired or discontinued surveil- we deserve to know how we are first time applicants.
lance technologies and updates being tracked, what surveillance “High attrition levels, PEGs, USTA Announces Recipients Of
to any data access and retention tools are being used, and when cuts, and an average 5% vacancy
policies established in recently our data is being shared. My bill, rate across the board already make The 2025 USTA Althea Gibson
executed contracts for surveil- along with the full package of it hard for the City’s municipal HBEU Scholarship
lance technologies. legislation amending the POST workforce to staff up enough
“With Intro 168, we’re clos- Act, safeguards us from potential to meet the service demands of
ing long-standing inefficiencies safety risks and diminishing civil our city -- financial barriers to (Continued from page 7) proceeds in growing the game. It
in the City’s surveillance over- rights.” entry should not be a factor in owns and operates the US Open,
sight laws,” said Majority Leader Streamlining Tree Maintenance our hiring process,” said Council college graduates to reunite and one of the highest-attended an-
Amanda Farias. “The original Introduction 800-A, sponsored Member Carmen De La Rosa. socially engage with one another nual sporting events in the world,
POST Act was a necessary first by Council Member Nantasha M. “Fees for exams can range from through a weekend of activities, along with approximately 100 Pro
step, but gaps in transparency Williams, would require the De- $40 to $101, not including the including live music, food, ten- Circuit events throughout the U.S.,
were revealed after the bill was partment of Parks and Recreation costs of study materials, trans- nis, and other entertainment. The and selects the teams for Davis
enacted and showed us that it (DPR) to develop criteria by which portation, and other underlying next HBCU Springcoming is Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and the
didn’t go far enough. This bill they prioritize tree maintenance, costs that come with applying to scheduled for May 2-4, 2025, in Olympic and Paralympic Games.
gives the Department of Investi- taking into account the likeli- a job. Inaccessible fees should not Los Angeles. The USTA’s philanthropic entity,
gation real oversight — requiring hood of potential harm to nearby deter high school students or new The USTA is the national the USTA Foundation, provides
a detailed list of all surveillance or adjacent structures, whether a applicants seeking civil service governing body for the sport of grants and scholarships in ad-
tools, data access policies, and tree or limb that has already fallen careers, especially since multiple tennis in the U.S. and the leader dition to supporting tennis and
regular updates on new or retired is still capable of causing harm, exams are required for 80% of in promoting and developing the education programs nationwide
technologies. This legislation and the proximity of a damaged City government positions. We growth of tennis at every level to benefit under-resourced youth
ensures transparency, account- tree or limb to nearby buildings. are optimistic about Intro 671’s -- from local communities to the through the National Junior Ten-
ability, and public trust are at the The Department would also be positive outcomes and a fairer highest level of the professional nis & Learning (NJTL) network.
center of how these technologies required to post a description of application process for future civil game. A not-for-profit organiza- For more information about the
are used in New York City.” the criteria used to prioritize tree servants, who are urgently needed tion, it invests 100 percent of its USTA, go to USTA.com
Introduction 233-A, sponsored maintenance on its website. in New York City.”
by Council Member Crystal Hud- “I’m proud to stand here today Authorizing the Speaker to CUNY Appoints Veteran CUNY
son, would require the NYPD to with my colleagues as we advance Take Legal Action against Sanc- Educator Claudia Schrader as Eighth
publish on its website a written two pieces of legislation rooted in tuary Law Violations and Trump
policy that establishes procedures something simple but powerful: Administration Attacks President of York College
and regulations for the Depart- the public’s right to information,” Resolution 836, sponsored by
ment’s use of facial recognition said Council Member Nantasha Speaker Adrienne Adams, would (Continued from page 4) nity College. During her five-year
technologies. The legislation M. Williams. “Int 800 requires authorize the Speaker to take tenure, the college opened its first
would also require the NYPD the Department of Parks and Rec- legal action to defend against the system,” said CUNY Chancellor satellite location and launched
to conduct annual audits of the reation to develop clear criteria Adams Administration’s violation Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “She initiatives such as KCC FLEX, one
Department’s use of facial rec- for prioritizing tree maintenance. of Sanctuary Laws and the Trump has already brought that energy of CUNY’s earliest online hybrid
ognition technology, share their When government has informa- Administration’s attacks on the to the York College community, degree programs, to provide adult
findings with DOI, and post them tion about how services work, who City of New York. and I have no doubt that she will learners with an affordable, flex-
on the Department’s website. gets access, or where resources On Tuesday, First Deputy May- continue to raise the bar for a ible way to obtain a college degree.
“The use of facial recogni- go, that information should be or Randy Mastro’s issued Execu- campus that has a proud history Under her leadership, Kingsbor-
tion technology as a surveillance available to the people it serves. tive Order 50 to re-establish the of aspiration and achievement ough twice advanced to the final
tool is growing rapidly in New That’s how trust is built, and that’s ability for ICE agents to operate throughout its nearly 60-year his- round of 10 schools competing for
York City,” said Council Member how government becomes more on Rikers Island for criminal en- tory. President Schrader brings the highly prestigious Aspen Prize
Crystal Hudson. Its use in policing responsive to the people it serves.” forcement. Local Law 58 of 2014, the added benefits of stability for Community College Excel-
raises concerns, from wrongful Introduction 978-A, sponsored however, has clear guidelines that for CUNY and York at a time lence. Schrader was also selected
arrests due to inaccuracies in the by Council Member Nantasha prohibit the use of office space on of pressing challenges in higher by Aspen’s College Excellence
software to the broader normal- M. Williams, would require the Rikers for the enforcement of civil education.” Program as one of 25 recipients
ization of increased surveillance 311 Customer Service Center, in immigration enforcement. The “I am profoundly grateful for the of its New Presidents Fellowship.
and the erosion of privacy rights. coordination with the DPR, to executive order was announced opportunity to serve as president Earlier in her career, Schrader
These harms are not felt equally; provide 311 customers who sub- on the same day that top I.R.S. of York College, a vital anchor in served in leadership posts at two
they disproportionately impact mit tree pruning-related requests officials resigned after the agency the City University of New York,” other CUNY colleges: She was
the communities most affected with certain information, includ- took steps to share protected tax said President Schrader. “As we provost and senior vice president
by over-policing—particularly ing links to relevant maps and records for deportation efforts navigate this critical moment in for academic and student success
Black and Latino men. Intro 233 information about a program to in a departure from decades of higher education, York’s role as a at Bronx Community College;
requires the NYPD to develop a train and certify volunteers in the practice. The potential of the ex- powerful driver of economic mo- and associate provost at Medgar
clear policy outlining the depart- pruning of trees. ecutive order was first announced bility has never been more impor- Evers College, where she also
ment’s procedures and regulations “Int 978 is about making sure in February following Mayor tant. I look forward to continued held a tenured appointment as an
for the use of facial recognition New Yorkers have direct access Adams’ meeting with border czar collaboration with our dedicated associate professor of education
technology, conduct regular au- to online links to tree inspection Tom Homan and after Department faculty and staff, vibrant students and served as her department’s
dits of its use, and publish both maps and pruning schedules, as of Justice officials interfered in and external stakeholders to foster deputy chair. She has also been
the policy and audit results on the well as resources for those inter- his criminal case, of which Judge educational excellence, deliver on associate provost at William Pat-
department’s website, making this ested in volunteering to maintain Dale Ho later wrote in a ruling our mission and ensure that our terson University in New Jersey.
information accessible to all New our trees when they call 311,” said that Mayor Adams attempted to college remains a cornerstone Born and raised in St. Croix,
Yorkers. As technology evolves, Council Member Nantasha Wil- gain dismissal of his indictment of innovation and opportunity U.S. Virgin Islands, Schrader
the government has a responsi- liams. “These bills are about more “in exchange for immigration in Southeast Queens, NYC and earned her bachelor’s degree at
bility to ensure it doesn’t come at than trees. They are about mak- policy concessions.” The Trump beyond.” Rutgers University and three grad-
the expense of our civil liberties. ing sure New Yorkers navigating administration has also taken sev- Prior to her appointment at uate degrees in education — two
Intro 233 is about transparency, concerns right outside their front eral actions that threaten funding York, Schrader was the first master’s and her doctorate — from
accountability, and protecting the doors, have the tools and transpar- African American president of
privacy rights of all New Yorkers.” ency they need to get answers and (Continued on page 10) CUNY’s Kingsborough Commu- (Continued on page 10)