Brooks-Powers questions Tisch on gun violence, social media, and Rikers
Councilmember Brooks-Powers thanks NYPD for recovery efforts for a drowning victim, raises concerns about gun violence surge in Southeast Queens, and asks about social media monitoring for teen takeovers. She also asks about NYPD coordination with DOC on Rikers population.
Thank you.
Councilmember Brooks-Powers?
Thank you, and thank you, Commissioner.
I first want to thank you, Patrick Gordon, Ryan, for bringing the team back out when we unfortunately lost 18-year-old Brandon Figueroa at sea in Rockaway.
It was meaningful.
The mother was definitely appreciative.
I'm hopeful that the body that came ashore yesterday is Brandon's body.
But we know that PD is still maintaining regular communication with us.
So thank you.
Absolutely.
I also want to thank Chief Obey and her division for the work that they've been doing, including Police Officer Marion Manick, who has been amazing since your visit to Southeast Queens.
Regarding the illegal truck parking in Southeast Queens, it has been tremendous.
So thank you for that.
That makes me so happy to hear.
And then I'm going to just ask you three questions.
If I need to repeat anything, let me know.
So first, Southeast Queens has seen a surge in gun violence in the last few months, including the tragic shooting of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre in the Deputy Speaker's District, which is a neighboring district to mine.
As summer approaches and our youth are out of school, how is NYPD prepared to prevent these types of tragic shootings from happening in the first place?
Often these violent outbursts are the result of organized takeovers that spread on social media.
I'm curious to know how the NYPD is detecting these social media trends and getting ahead of potentially violent incidents and how
NYPD is communicating to the local precincts when viral social media trends pop up in specific geographies.
I'm not smart enough to remember all of these.
Can we do them one at a time?
Well, because of the interest of time.
Okay, okay.
So say them and then you'll help me.
And I'll repeat whatever I need to.
So from the end of December 24 to October 25, NYC admitted on average 49 more people to jail each month and it discharged.
the jail population by around 500 people.
As we approach the transition to borough-based jails, our city must work to reduce the incarcerated population.
I wanted to know how NYPD specifically is working with Department of Corrections, MOCJ, the DAs, and other agencies to work towards a common ground and ensure we can successfully close Rikers.
So just wanting to know that coordination is happening there.