🌱 Flatbush Crime Rises + Working Families Backs Jelanie DeShong

Welcome back, Ditmas Park-Flatbush! Here's everything you need to know to get this Saturday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cold. High: 35 Low: 27.

Here are the top four stories today in Ditmas Park-Flatbush:

1. After the Brooklyn Democratic Party voted to endorse Brian Cunningham, the Working Families Party announced its backing of Jelanie DeShong for the 43rd Assembly District, to fill the seat previously occupied by Diana Richardson. DeShong is also supported by State Senator Zellnor Myrie, US Rep. Yvette Clarke, and Borough President Antonio Reynoso. (Brooklyn Paper)
2. Crime is up significantly across the neighborhood this year compared to last–with a 56% increase in Flatbush's NYPD precinct and 126% in East Flatbush. The neighborhoods have seen a total of three murders and seven cases of rape since the start of 2022. (Brooklyn Reader)
3. Two women who went to elementary school together in Flatbush 73 years ago were unexpectedly reunited in Florida. (The Daily News Online)
4. The NYPD found a 65-year-old woman, identified as Angelina Grimes, dead in her home in a Lenox Road apartment complex, on Wednesday night. (WPIX 11 New York)

Today in Ditmas Park-Flatbush:

• Free Diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure screening, at 1927 Fulton Street at the corner of Howard Avenue. (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
• Black History Month Dance Workshop and dance show at 1404 Brooklyn Ave. (12 p.m.)
• Kings Theater hosts historic tour. (1 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Dolores Swirin-Yao, an East Flatbush mother with a dyslexic teenage son, is excited by the city's decision to build a school for dyslexic children, but says that in the short-term the education system needs to be reformed, so that the parents of disabled students aren't forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars for private education without knowing if they will be reimbursed. (Chalkbeat New York)
• Ditmas Park Assemblyman Robert Carroll urges his colleagues to support climate change legislation like the Build Public Renewables bills, in order to significantly reduce New York's reliance on fossil fuels. (Gotham Gazette)
• Equality For Flatbush succeeded in helping the tenants of a Crown Heights building win money through a civil lawsuit, working alongside Brooklyn Movement Center and Take Root Justice NYC. (Twitter)

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Events:

• The OMNI Ensemble Continues its 39th Season (February 26)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month (February 28)
• Get A ‘Taste Of Paradise’ During This Exclusive Event At Atlantis (February 28)
• Freedom Party® NYC Mar 4! (March 4)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you soon!

— Dashiell Allen