BP Reynoso Promises to “Infuse CB12 with Resources”

By Yehudit Garmaise

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, in his third week in office, joined the monthly Zoom meeting of Community Board 12 on Jan. 25, to sincerely thank the volunteers, many of whom did not miss one meeting last year, “for their work for the greater good of NYC” and to tell them that he will make good on his campaign promises “to infuse the community board with resources.”

In fact, Reynoso, who said he was “motivated to get to work,” said last night that he is putting together “a comprehensive plan for this neighborhood.”

To do so, Brooklyn’s new borough president wanted to hear from CB12 members on “the needs they have related to transportation, education, and development.”

Reynoso said that he was aware of that the streets in the community could be hard to navigate and that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) “had work to do in this district, and that is a top priority, and something I am going to be paying attention to as the former DSNY chairman.”

Reynoso said he will be “sharing whatever resource, influence, and power I have to be able to assist you to ensure clean streets.”

Reynoso also said that the community’s safety is a priority for him.

“I believe a community makes itself safe,” said Reynoso, “but with the increase in hate crimes: especially anti-Semitism in New York City, I want to make sure the resources are available to the community, and everyone feels safe.

“If that means more cops on the streets, then I want to have that conversation. 

“I want to thank the Shomrim for the work they do around the community to keep us safe, and I want them to know they have an ally in me. I want to do everything I can do give them resources so that they can do their jobs.”

Instead of isolated ideas that cannot take off on their own, Reynoso wants to see community-board visions for what communities want to see in the next 10 years.”

“I am really excited for that self-determination,” said Reynoso, who noted that the local council members “fight very intently for the community,” and he hoped to “match that energy” and provide support for the work they will do together.

“I want you to all spread love: it is the Brooklyn way.”