Local pols clash with college safety officers

Bronx Councilman Andrew Cohen clashed with a representative from Manhattan College in a Sept. 8 meeting of the 50th Precinct Community Council.

The representative, assistant director of public safety David Erosa came to the meeting to address community concerns over noisy students on weekends. He was answering a round of questions from residents and from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, when Mr. Cohen interjected.

“We have heard this before, though – every year you say you’re going to do something and you say you’re going to something,” he said at the meeting. “What are you going to do to solve this problem so it stops happening?”

Mr. Erosa responded that Manhattan College was doing its best to organize students and the community to enforce the school’s “Good Neighbor Policy,” which details how students are expected to act on and off campus.

“You’re organizing the community very well, every year more and more people come out here,” Mr. Cohen said. “You need to take responsibility for this intersection.”

The encounter became heated, with each one shouting at the other from across the room.  Deputy Inspector Terence O’Toole, the precinct’s commanding officer, stopped the dispute.

Mr. Erosa said college employees “cannot patrol the streets.”

“If we see students walking the streets in groups, we call 311. We cannot stop a student on 238th and Waldo and say ‘Hey, what’s your name.’ We are not peace officers,” he said. 

Espaillat trying to create a political dynasty

State Sen. Adriano Espaillat is having a big year politically.

He won a victory that many hailed as historic in the primary race to replace 46-year incumbent Rep. Charles Rangel. This made Mr. Espaillat all but certain to become the first Dominican-American member of Congress after the general election in November.

Since then, he has spent much of his time emboldening political allies, as well as fellow Dominicans, by endorsing and aggressively campaigning for candidates like Marisol Alcantara, a union organizer running to replace him in his own district.  

However Mr. Espaillat is also trying to play kingmaker in the Assembly by campaigning for Carmen De La Rosa, Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez’ former chief of staff, in a race against 5-year incumbent Assemblyman Guillermo Linares.

Mr. Espaillat seems to be trying to build a political powerhouse at the city, state and federal level filled with longtime political allies like Mr. Rodriguez and well-placed surrogates in Albany like Ms. Alcantara and Ms. De La Rosa. 

It remains to be seen if this move will pay off for him. 

Dinowitz receives top score from environmental group

Mr. Dinowitz received a perfect score from one of the nation’s top environmental protection agencies, the EPL/Environmental Advocates, which scores New York state legislators annually for their environmental policies.

In a statement, he cited his support and sponsorship of bills like Child Safe Products Act, the NYS Climate and Community Protection Act, Hoosick’s Health Law and the Hazardous Waste Loophole.

“I am grateful to the Environmental Advocates of New York for recognizing my commitment to the environment and sensible legislation to protect it. I am incredibly proud of my record on environmental issues,” Mr. Dinowitz said in a statement. “As long as I am in office I will continue making the environment a top priority of mine, and I look forward to working with EPL/Environmental Advocates of New York to create”