Metro Briefs

Continued from page 3 program, created in 2018 to boost the representation of women in statues across the city.

Nationwide survey of Afro Latino organizations

The Creative Justice Initiative and Afrolatin@ Forum are looking to establish connections among Afro Latino/a/x organizations that are committed to preserving, documenting, and promoting the legacies and traditions of Afro Latino roots and diaspora communities.

They have created an online survey for Afro Latino-oriented organizations to participate in.

Anyone who knows of a group that is helping to connect or service Afro Latinos may encourage them to take this survey: https:// bit.ly/afrolatinaoxorganizationsassessment.

NYS Court Assistant examination

The New York State court system is seeking court assistants for positions in Supreme, County, District, City, and other courts throughout the state. Court assistants perform clerical tasks related to courtroom proceedings. They have a starting salary of around $54,768 to $59,403, depending on location, with 20 paid vacation days the first year, 13 paid holidays annually, health insurance, retirement benefits, and opportunities for promotion.

An applicant must have a high school diploma or the equivalent and two years of clerical experience (or four years of clerical experience), and be a U.S. citizen and New York State resident; 30 college credits may be substituted for each year of work experience.

Continued from page 3

Historically, falls are a concern in the vertically-built New York City, accounting for 12% of deaths for children under 15 during the late 1960s. Such numbers spurred the public health campaign “Children Can’t Fly,” which prompted many of the policies seen today.

City law requires landlords and homeowners to install approved window guards in any apartment with children under 10, and encourages tenants with children to be aware of window safety to prevent falls. One- and two-family homes are not covered. The city first implemented the window guard law in 1976. There were over 100 falls every year prior, according to the city.

Even with the law in place there were still a relatively high number of window falls into the 1980s, prompting then Councilmember Fernando Ferrer to introduce a bill that would hit landlords who failed to install window guards with fines and possible jail time.

“I am extremely grieved by the unfortunate accident that claimed the life of a four-year-old in East Flatbush,” said Councilmember Farah Louis.“My heartfelt condolences goes out to the family and the Open Eye Church of God, where the family fellowships.”

The building where Jonathan died had window guards that the child somehow bypassed, said the councilmember’s office. The building’s ownership told the Daily News there was recorded documentation of the installation, which was reportedly signed by the tenant. It is also described as pre-war with “lots of natural light” from a StreetEasy listing from two years ago.

Louis vowed to work with the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation Development (HPD) and the Department of Buildings (DOB) to ensure apartments with kids under 10 are inspected for proper window guards.

“Safety is a top priority, and we must do everything possible to avoid tragedies like these,” said Louis.

Assemblymember Monique ChandlerWaterman added that as a mother she could not fathom how Jonathan’s mother, Marie Nicole Rene, was feeling about her son’s death.

“The Assembly District 58 Public Safety

Task Force members are already on the ground using their expertise and experience to provide mental health and other support services to Gabriel’s mother and the community reeling from this traumatic incident,” she said in a statement.

The councilmember’s office said that while the investigation is ongoing, they will be organizing resources for the Pierre family along with the local Crisis Management System (CMS) team. The family also set up their own GoFundMe to help with young Jonathan’s burial.

Outside of New York City, multi-story falls are a problem nationwide for toddlers. Just this week, a 3-year-old girl fatally fell from a balcony in Southside Chicago. Last Wednesday, a 3-year-old boy was injured from falling from a second-story home in Northern California.

Ariama C. Long and Tandy Lau are Report for America corps members and write about politics and public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep them writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1.

To take the exam, file on the NYS Courts Careers website at https://ww2.nycourts.gov/careers/exams.shtml before Thursday, August 10. You will receive a link to schedule an exam appointment.

The NYS Court Assistant Examination will be administered at test centers statewide between Wednesday, October 11, and Wednesday, November 1. More information regarding the exams can be found at https://ww2.nycourts. gov/exam-information-content-and-development-exams.

Kayak with us

Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse offers free family-friendly kayaking throughout the summer in Brooklyn Bridge Park on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Family Program runs on Sundays from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. through September. Kayakers can paddle off Pier 4 Beach for up to 20 minutes. The boathouse will provide the boats, paddles, and life vests. For more information, visit https://www.bbpboathouse.org/ kayaking/#make-reservation.

––Compiled by Karen Juanita

Carrillo

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