NYC Council Member Mark Treyger is urging Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the entire City Council to support a bill in Albany that would increase disability pensions for police officers hired after July 2009 and subsequently injured in the line of duty. This issue is especially pressing in light of the severe injuries sustained by NYPD Officer Rosa Rodriguez while responding to a fire in a Coney Island housing complex that claimed the life of her partner, Officer Dennis Guerra. After six weeks in the hospital, including four days in a coma, Officer Rodriguez was released from Weill Cornell Medical Center last month.

Officers hired after July 2009 currently only receive about 50 percent of their salary if they suffer a debilitating injury in the line of duty, while those hired before the new tier system was created receive 75 percent of their salary. According to a report in Capital New York, the bill in Albany restoring the 75 percent benefit to all officers, regardless of hiring date, has been introduced in both the Assembly and Senate. The City Council now has the option of passing a home rule resolution that would show there is strong support in New York City for this state legislation. Council Member Treyger, who represents the Coney Island housing complex where the fatal fire occurred, is calling on the City to immediately move forward with a resolution.

“The men and women of the NYPD who risk their lives each day to protect us should not have to worry about making ends meet in the case of serious injury like that suffered by Officer Rodriguez. Restoring the pension amount for all officers is an important step we can take as a city and state to show that their heroic actions are truly appreciated. Officer Rodriguez did not hesitate before running into a burning high-rise building, and we should not wait to provide her and other officers with the support they need. I am calling on Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito and my City Council colleagues to send a message to Albany that we support restoring the pension levels for every officer, regardless of when they began their service to New York City,” said Council Member Treyger.

(YWN Desk – NYC)