Keeping NYC Safe & Growing from Christine Quinn

Dear New Yorker, 

When the City Council began budget negotiations in February, we were presented with a preliminary budget that sought to close 20 fire companies throughout the city.  

These fire companies would have been eliminated without any consultation from the communities they serve, increasing response times in many of our neighborhoods and jeopardizing the safety and wellbeing of all New Yorkers.

We couldn't let that happen, not if there were other ways to cut back on spending without sacrificing public safety. 

This year's budget agreement not only keeps these 20 fire companies open, but it also protects funding for our City's most recent class of police recruits, who were officially sworn in this past month as the newest additions to New York's Finest.  

We would like to thank everyone who wrote letters, made phone calls, attended our budget hearings, and campaigned to help protect these critical services.

We still had to make some very painful decisions this year, but we were able to pass a fiscally responsible budget on time – one that keeps our neighborhoods and communities safe without jeopardizing our city's future.

Special thanks as well to Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Kelly, and Fire Commissioner Cassano for working with us to help keep public safety a top priority in the Fiscal Year 2012 adopted budget.

You can read more about this year's budget agreement on the City Council's website at www.council.nyc.gov. 

Thanks so much for your time.  We hope to be in touch again soon with additional news and updates on our work to keep New York City safe and growing.

Sincerely, 

Christine C. Quinn

Speaker

NYC Council

Domenic M. Recchia, Jr.

Chair, Finance Committee

NYC Council

Elizabeth Crowley

Chair, Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee

NYC Council

Peter F. Vallone, Jr.

Chair, Public Safety Committee

NYC Council