News From State Senator Jeff Klein

KLEIN BILL TO  SENTENCE VANDALS TO CLEAN UP THEIR OWN HANDIWORK PASSES SENATE & WOULD ENHANCE GRAFFITI PENALTIES

Legislation would create new Class-E felony &
require diversity education for hate-fueled graffiti

State Senator Jeff Klein announced that his comprehensive bill to clean up graffiti passed the State Senate today.

The legislation (S.849) would take a multi-faceted approach to tackling vandalism by enhancing penalties through the creation of a new, heightened crime — making graffiti in the first degree. The crime would address graffiti that promotes gang activity or is placed on religious property, making it a Class-E felony.

“Graffiti creates blight, damages property, and causes financial hardship for business owners and the community. My legislation will provide relief to graffiti victims, while giving these vandals an up-close look at the damages that they caused. By allowing judges to order vandals to clean up their own mess, allowing for diversity education to counteract hate-fueled graffiti, and creating a new Class-E felony for graffiti that encourages gang activity or targets religious property, this multi-faceted approach combats every aspect of this ever-rising crime,” said Senator Klein.

The bill would also hold vandals directly accountable to their victims, and require diversity education for hate-fueled graffiti. In order to ensure that vandals fully comprehend the severity of their crime, this legislation would allow a judge to sentence a vandal to clean and repair the property they damaged. Additionally, the bill allow a judge to require a vandal to complete a diversity training program for graffiti that is used as a tool of harassment based on race, religion, gender or other related factors.

The bill passed the Senate by an overwhelming majority, and has been sent to the Assembly where it is carried by Assemblyman Michael Benedetto.

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN LAUNCHES COUNTDOWN TO FITNESS

State Senator Jeff Klein and Urban Health Plan launched the Spring Countdown to Fitness program at Harding Park Community Center on Thursday. Over 100 people participated.

“The Bronx bears the dubious distinction of being the unhealthiest county in New York State and we must change that. I’m proud that through my grant, Urban Health Plan is bringing an exciting fitness program to our residents. Countdown to Fitness, which is free of charge, promotes increased physical activities, offers healthy cooking demonstrations, and encourages participants to adapt to a healthier lifestyle through educational seminars. Last year’s evaluations reflected significant improvement in healthy lifestyle habits for the participants, and I’m confident that we’re going to see the same positive results over the next ten weeks,” said Senator Jeff Klein.

Senator Klein allocated $50,000 in state funding for this ten-week fitness and wellness program held by Urban Health Plan, which kicked off in the fall. The spring Countdown just started with twice-a-week sessions.

Participants take Zumba, kickboxing and dance classes; learn how to make healthy and delicious recipes like baked apples, sauteed cauliflower and cucumber blueberry salad; and learn about immunizations, heart disease, cancer screenings and stress management.

As the program kicks off, baseline metrics are taken (blood pressure screening, weight check-in, and body mass index measurement) and at the conclusion those personal health statistics help each participant assess their success.  Last year’s evaluations reflected significant improvement in healthy lifestyle habits for the participants.