On the Sidewalks of New York is a weekly feature at Human Events wherein Jacqueline Toboroff, a native New Yorker, will share her observations and candid commentary on the goings-on in our nation’s largest city. Wherever you live, and whatever you feel, there is no escaping the fact that New York City matters.
Two of the main issues plaguing New York City today are crime and dysfunctional education. Given the three men wedded to the task of keeping us safe and ensuring a scholastic recovery, the chances of ameliorating these problems seem unlikely. The trifecta is elected Mayor Adams and the lesser-known Adams’ appointees, the Banks Brothers, Philip and David.
Crime control falls under the dominion of both Mayor Adams and Philip Banks, Deputy Mayor of New York City, a post superior to the police commissioner. The first six weeks of the Adams mayoralty have not been encouraging. True, de Blasio begat and bequeathed to Adams the crime mess. This is compounded by newly elected Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who can’t see a felony short of an axe murder, and with whom Adams identified throughout the campaign. Topping off the challenge is New York State’s no cash bail.
In Manhattan, all 22 police precincts report increases in major crime, year to date, we’re at 46.5%. Adams first tried brushing off crime by saying it isn’t an issue, it’s just people’s “perception of fear.” Within a day, that “perception” became a reality with another subway attack. Faced by reporters seeking answers, he pulled the race card out of his sleeve, charging the reporters of being white, saying “[his] story is being interpreted by people that don’t look like [him]”, a la Lightfoot. The population of America is less than 13% black. The governance and policing in most of the urban centers of America is far above this representation. In Manhattan, for example, the NYPD is majority minority, so what are the grounds for using the race card? Adams would like us to accept that crime is a result of racism, (the discredited “root cause” argument). Crime consists of 7 majors; murder & non negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny, grand larceny or motor vehicle, all of which have spiked. Adams and Banks, what is your plan?
So far, the test pilot program seems to be “Michelle.” Just one sample of the conundrum in Manhattan can be sharply illustrated by her recent arrest. She appeared in court on her 96th arrest for shoplifting (she calls it “professional theft”, implying it’s her work), in a red shirt she stole. In the past, Michelle has been a no show to court 27 times. Now, the judge agreed to release her under the supervision of Center for Alternative Sentences and Employment Services. Michelle’s confidence belies the problem. We either have laws or we don’t. They either apply to everyone or they don’t work. And right now, an argument can be made that the criminals are in charge.
It’s ironic that our new Deputy Mayor, tasked with reshaping the NYPD, was himself in 2018 an “unindicted co-conspirator in a police corruption scheme.”
Carmen Best, floated as first choice for police commissioner, declined the position rather than report to Banks. She confronted the autonomous 51st state, CHOP / CHAZ, a carved out fenced and fortified area in the downtown business section of Seattle - she’s dealt with a lot! Ultimately, Keechant Sewell was appointed as police commissioner. But, it is Banks who is really in charge.
The second Banks brother, David, has also been appointed by Adams, to the position of New York City Schools Chancellor. He was endorsed by previous chancellor, Meisha Ross Porter, who was marred by scandal during her brief tenure. Her mission was to revamp schools based on race. She said, “When I am selecting principals, teachers or leaders — after we make the list, we look at it and we count: how many women, how many people of color, and why. Who we chose, and why,” She’s accused in two lawsuits of discriminating against Jews and older, white educators. Anyone following the plummet of New York City Schools can blame Porter for helping to facilitate the crash. Both private and public schools have gone from teaching to activism. Race is injected into nearly all aspects of school life under the false symbols of CRT and white supremacy. Masks and spacing are the tools used for mind control in order to implement the new agenda. Porter’s support of Banks, based on her own record, is hardly the Seal of Good Housekeeping, but there are other red flags.
It has come to light that the Teachers College, Columbia University (this place deserves its own article) and Eagle Academy Foundation (a network of public all-boys' schools) whereby Banks was CEO and president until stepping down to fill his current position, stand to receive a $6.5 million dollar contract. This is decided by a 15-member education panel, 9 of which were selected by Mayor Adams. Teachers College and Eagle Academy will split the $6.5 million “to develop a comprehensive k-12 black studies curriculum that acknowledges the history and contributions of African Americans.” This is on the heels of another sizable contract to United Way of New York City, a nonprofit organization, connected with Eagle Academy Foundation, to offer a “Education Equity Action Plan” and black studies program. Heading the transition team is Adams’ appointee Sheena Wright. Wright was arrested in 2013 and is David Banks’ significant other!
Who in the Adams administration can hold anyone accountable? The key players are inexorably linked, giving each other contracts, titles, and power positions. This syndicate seems perfectly positioned to take down NYC rather than saving it, while self-policing and monitoring and if questioned, ready to scream racism.
Jacqueline Toboroff
IG @jacquelinefornyc
Twitter @jacquetnyc
www.parentsrising.net
