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This week on Power &amp; Politics, Rich Barrabi and guests discuss how the Long
Island Rail Road’s police unit will keep riders safe amid growing safety concerns.


Also, the effort on Long Island to aid Puerto Rico after
Hurricane Fiona unleashed her fury on the island.

This week on Power & Politics, Rich Barrabi and guests discuss how the Long Island Rail Road’s police unit will keep riders safe amid growing safety concerns.

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Power & Politics Full Show: LIRR getting its own police unit; helping hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico

this week on News Twelve's Power and politics. It feels like it's the eighties all over again keeping commuters safe. It's just nice to have the boys in blue nearby just in case the L I double R. Getting its own police unit. It's very scary sometimes how the new unit will protect riders in response to growing safety concerns. Plus I lose everything in in Puerto rico. So you can imagine how I feel right now helping hurricane ravaged Puerto rico. We actually started speaking about this prior to the storm coming the effort here on Long Island to pitch in and pick up the pieces after Hurricane Fiona unleashed her fury on the island. Today we're discussing it all and more with our guests. Long Island M. T. A board member, Sammy chu and Suffolk legislator Sam Gonzales. News Twelve's power in politics begins right now and welcome to this week's edition of News Twelve's Power in politics. I'm rich Merab if you ride the rails, they're going to be a little more, little more crowded soon. But most of you won't mind the M. T. A. Will be deploying a dedicated unit of police officers to ride along on L. I double R. Trains. It's in response to growing safety concerns among railroad riders and employees. News twelve's Danielle Campbell has more on this boost in police presence and the protection it's expected to provide. It's very scary sometimes Laura Conway who for years has commuted to her job as a legal assistant in new york city says she often does not feel safe on the train lisa from Babylon agrees. I'm always surrounding myself with people and making sure that I'm okay and look for the police officers wherever I can just in case. And according to numbers just released by the M. T. A lisa and laura are right to feel concerned. The M. T. A. Releasing a report that showed during the first half of 2022 major crimes on the Long Island Railroad were up 71% as a result starting this january M. T. A. Police officials say 60 train patrol officers will ride L. I double R trains and metro north trains during morning and evening rush hours. A big part of the plan includes police officers walking through the entire train where they will be a to speak with commuters and hear their concerns. Many of the commuters at the Babylon train station that we spoke with who were heading to work were relieved to hear about the plan to have M. T. A. Police officers ride the rails. I agree with it 100%. It is, it is tough commuting and it feels like it's the eighties all over again. So I'm appreciative of any extra support we can get on the trains. Having a police officer on the train would be comforting, but it's just nice to have the boys in blue nearby just in case you never know. I think it'd be a nice thing to have to have the police presence on the trains, keep us safe, keep our commute safe and you know, we feel more comfortable in our train right in every day on our way to work. So I think it's a positive thing. I just want to get to work safely and come home safely. That's all I care about. Danielle Campbell News 12 Long Island. And again those changes will take effect in january. Joining us now is Suffolk County's representative on the M. T. A. Board Sammy, chew of Lindenhurst Sammy chew. Thank you for being here. We appreciate it. Thanks Trish. Thanks for having me. So you're new to the board. Obviously a lot going on as it relates to mass transit people returning to work returning to the system. But let's talk about this issue of adding police presence on the L. I double R. What do you make of it? I I think it's a great idea. Um It's been no secret. Um It's been no secret that public safety has become a really top issue for a lot of people as it relates to the region in general, not just on the transit system. So I think it's a great thing, a move in the right direction. Um and it's important and it's clearly a top priority that we have to address. Well, this is just one of the ways it seems that the M. T. A. And the L. I. Double R. Are trying to work to bring people back into the system. It's an ongoing effort of course, since the start of the pandemic, we are seeing those numbers start to rise though. M ta chairman john Oliver says the hard work is paying off, take a listen. We've hit new records every week since Labor Day and and and several times a week. And on the different, on our different services were hitting records on the subways were hitting records on commuter railroads on metro North and Long Island Railroad last month, weekday ridership was still only at about 60% of pre covid levels, but that was up a bit. And again, those numbers continuing to increase now in september as people return to school, return back to the offices etcetera, Sammy, what do you think should be done to further accelerate the process of getting people feeling comfortable to return to the L. I double R. So I think as you mentioned, and as the clip from the chairman, um as he stated, you know, we're starting to see some encouraging figures to come in since Labor Day. We have broken ridership records on a number of occasions. Um, that's both for weekday as well as we can travel. Um, which is encouraging and that that in and of itself um, is helps when we see ridership numbers up. You know, we'll have to see how, you know, we're still in unprecedented times post covid. Um, but there's a general feeling that uh when there's more people on the system, it also creates a safer system because you know, when you have more people around, there's certain types of crimes and I would think the crimes that people are tend to be most afraid of are less likely to happen. Um, when you have more more populated trains, but I think public safety, you know, The announcement this week with adding, you know, 60 dedicated officers on trains has already, I've gotten tons of positive feedback since I've joined this board. Uh, I, I've become a bit of a help desk. I get people reaching out to me on Twitter and text and I have not large from my circle who are daily commuters and frequent commuters. So I think this is a step in the right direction and um, I think it'll definitely bear fruit in terms of bringing public safety back and bringing confidence back because there's two components of this. It's making actually making the system safer, which needs to be done. And then perhaps the harder task, which is, you know, may lag is creating a perception that it's safe. A big part of your new role here as you mentioned is advocating for people who reach out to you with questions and concerns. And one of the questions that's been out there right now is, is the M. T. A. Focusing enough specifically on the L. I double R. The M. T. A. Came under fire recently for crumbling conditions at the L. I double R. Station Valley Stream. It's a story we covered here on news 12 dangerous crumbling concrete, they're rusting metal paint, peeling away, falling on commuters in some cases on a daily basis. According to folks there. And this really has critics talking how about your colleague on the board? Nasa's David Mack, here's what he said in a meeting earlier this week. He called for a full time president of the L. I double R. We must get a president for the Long Island region. I do a green sentiment that the um, you know, the Long railroad as a large community rail, uh, does merit uh, its own president that consideration. But I will say, you know, we're going through a lot of, we do have a lot of projects. We have a big roll out of Grand Central Madison and I do have to take the opportunity to say that in my, my short time on the board when I've had issues and uh needed responsiveness from President Rinaldi, she has been there every step of the way. Well as you alluded to there in the meeting right now, Catherine Rinaldi is serving as the interim president of the L. I double R. While she also serves as the president of Metro North. The M. T. A. For its part says it is doing and continues to do rehabilitation work at that Valley Stream station. But Sammy, how about the idea of an interim L. I double R president. That right now is splitting her job her time with metro North. I mean, this is a tough job. It absolutely is. Um, and I think, you know, the title is interim president. Um and but uh President Ronaldo is serving in the capacity fully and dedicating everything. She has the position. And as I said at the meeting the other day, um she has been super responsive and all the feedback I have got, all the external feedback I have gotten uh is overwhelmingly positive and the internal feedback she is super well respected within agency, super, well respected, um extremely expressive, um respected by those who have been part of the organization for a long time. And as I said, um, at the meeting the other day, we are in a critical time. We have a lot of projects and flux, you know, um that are rolling out and coming to completion, whether it's a third track, which is, which is an enormous benefit to the system as well as Grand Central Madison which is rolling out later this year. So I think she's doing a terrific job. The title, it's you know, that the answer is inherent in title as interim, this is a solution that is the best solution right now to make sure that the system runs well and gets us through this period of transition. But as I said the other day, it's definitely and my colleague Mr MacK, um, you know, he's emphatic about it. I agree that the conversation um you know, is with merit because it is that we're on the largest commuter rail in the in the country and that's only going to grow when um when Grand Central Madison comes on board, but with all with that being said, um President Ali is doing a great job and I have every bit of confidence that it's the right um she's the right person to help us get through this period where all these infrastructure projects are coming to online. Alright, last topic here, congestion pricing, the public comment period is ending the M. T. A. Chairman, clearly gung ho about this, saying, listen, we got to reduce the gridlock. It's that bad. He's saying people who aren't buying into the fact that the traffic is an issue are basically traffic deniers. Where do you stand on this issue here as we continue to move forward? So, principally, um I agree with the sentiment, all the senators behind congestion pricing, uh you know, climate change is real. I'm in the energy space myself. I've dedicated, you know, at this point, you know, the majority of my career to helping, you know, carbon reductions and the city itself and anyone who's driven in the city. I've I've both in the last month driven in and out of the city and also taking the train. Um It's a much better experience taking the transit system. Uh you can take that as a shameless plug, but right now um at our previous meeting before the last one, we point to the T. M. R. B. They're going to come back with recommendations. Uh legislator can also agree. I'm sure the devil's in the details. We don't have anything. Our board doesn't have anything to vote on yet and it will be scrutinized. All right, Sammy chu will continue to follow up with you here about congestion pricing and a whole host of issues as we move along. Thank you for being on power and politics. So to come long Islanders opening their hearts and their wallets to help hurricane ravaged Puerto rico. The relief efforts and how you can help Suffolk legislator. Sam Gonzalez joins us next, I spoke with my cousins in Puerto rico and they said the storm is pretty bad, constantly raining and the lights are out underwater and overwhelmed parts of the caribbean and Puerto rico reeling from Hurricane Fiona's wrath. Look at that! Unbelievable. Welcome back. Days after Fiona tour through the island, Puerto rico remains devastated. More than a million people were left without power or running water roads and bridges are completely washed away as you've seen homes destroyed, crews are now frantically working to repair those critical utilities and long Islanders are also showing their support obey Short man with the group known as the burritos with troops tells us he's already begun coordinating emergency aid shipments, say it's underwater completely. The south area is bad bad back and they've been through this before. Burritos with troops hosting a supply drive today in bay shore and run con comma for a list of those drop off locations and what you can bring. Head to news 12 dot com. Suffolk County Police Department also holding a relief drive for the people of Puerto rico as they navigate the destruction collection bins are located in each Suffolk precinct as well as at police headquarters in Yap hank toiletries, nonperishable food, personal hygiene products, baby products, all requested, all needed. You can drop off donations through september 30th. Really does take a village to help out here and joining us now is Democratic Suffolk County legislator sam Gonzalez of Brentwood legislator, Thank you for being here. Good to see you again. Although I'm sorry. It's under these circumstances again. Yeah, well, thank you so much for the invitation. Thank you for allowing me to be here. Um, and yes, it is a disaster in Puerto rico once again and it seems like uh we can't catch a break. Yeah, I mean that's just it because you think back to Maria. You think back to all of these different events that have taken place and each time the people of Puerto rico are forced to rebuild the government makes promises about hardening infrastructure, but Mother nature always seems to have other plans And now it's up to folks here on Long Island across the country anywhere who can help folks in Puerto rico at this point. That's correct. Um Listen, we've now being able to go back all the way to Hurricane Sandy. Um I mean Maria, I'm sorry, and and the earthquakes and now Fiona, and you know, when you go through these devastations and you're there on, you know, boots to the ground, I, you know, it is an impression that stays in your mind. Um that is truly um horrific. Um you know, going into the ground zero's during the time. Um just, you know, it's an emotion and knowing that you have family and friends uh, in the area and deep into the countryside where much help is needed. Um and and, you know, it's just something that, you know, we have to do. And that's why we have the burrito with the troops, Jose Gonzales, which is the founder, uh, Amy Hernandez, Staff Sergeant Jaime Hernandez. Um, you know, this organization makes sure that it gets to the proper people, um way into the countryside legislator. I know, you know, the group's going down there, you're going down there. What do you expect to see? And I guess most importantly, how do you make sure that the supplies get into the hands of the people who really need it most as you point out to in remote areas to how do you get this stuff there in such a difficult time, even just to be able to navigate the countryside. Well, I know there are, there are many organizations that send supplies out to Puerto rico, but history has shown us that much of that. Um, we've seen months and months later, even years later that they're found in factories. So we have been working before Hurricane Fiona actually hit the island. And so we've been doing our logistics uh, through uh staff Sergeant Amy Hernandez and Jose Gonzales of him, Burrito with the troops. We've spoken with DHL, we have an airline ready to go. We have a 53 ft trailer at the new york auto collision and paint, which is where he burritos with the troops are headquartered. And what we do is we send that airplane um, there, but we get to the island before that airplane touches ground. And so we unloaded. We put it into trucks. We have, uh, right now, I think there are four or five jeeps um, SUVs four by fours uh, that we have already reserved. We load up and then we convoy and we convoy um through um, we're going to go specifically to the southern area of Puerto rico, which is ponce. Uh, we have uh guanica mocha, that area south where the Eye of Fiona first entered. So we have spoken with the mayors of Ponzi um, of mocha. And so you know with, with the Police Department of Arus Ebo, we are ready to go and we make sure that we already have logistically the locations that have been hit the hardest. and so we do our convoy with the trucks and our jeeps, four by fours to get deep into the country, um, that are forgotten sometimes and so that is the logistics of what we do. Well what we're going to do legislator Gonzales, we wish you all the best, We wish burritos all the best and again for those watching news 12 dot com. We're gonna post every resource we can about the effort here on Long Island to help folks in Puerto rico legislator Gonzalez, thank you for being here safe trip. It is my pleasure. Thank you still to come too much of it and nowhere for it to go. My house got flooded six times. It's not life, it's dead, it's nightmare. I have nightmares every time rains, The water woes and one north shore community that's next. Welcome back to power in politics. Tired, frustrated and fed up great neck. Residents say they've run out of patience with persistent flooding problems in this section of their community and with the villages attempts to fix them, they say their homes flood whenever there's heavy rain, the village shared the results of a study done by an engineering firm. It hired to see what can be done to resolve those flooding issues. One recommendation is to make the drainage pipes in parts of the village bigger. Another is to raise many of the homes suggestions that did not sit well with many homeowners, we flooded constantly with any little bit of rain. My car was totaled, denied in our garage. Residents also learned that raising their homes could cost upwards of $250,000. The mayor says the village doesn't have the resources to support a lot of this. So the next step will be to reach out for help from the county, the state, even the federal government. Well, here's a little food for thought. With the november elections bearing down. They went at it in 2020. We know the outcome. What would happen if donald trump and joe Biden did it again in 2024 wow. A hypothetical rematch shows 45% of those acts in a recent new york times. Sienna College poll said they would support Mr biden, 42% Said they would support Mr. Trump. President Biden's margin of victory in 2020 was 4.4% points. And as you can see, despite everything that's happened, good, bad or ugly regardless of where you stand in the political spectrum, those numbers remain largely the same. That's all the time we have this week. We'll see you again right here next week for another edition of news 12's power in politics. I'm rich, poor. Abby have a great rest of your weekend

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