Statement: Council Member Ben Kallos on East River Helicopter Crash Near Gracie Mansion
 

"My deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers go out to the victims of the helicopter crash near Gracie Mansion. As a concerned resident and representative of this neighborhood, I will do my part to ensure that this type of tragic incident never happens again.

The City must convene a permanent working group with the Federal Aviation Administration, State Department of Transportation, and other relevant agencies at every level of government along with industry and residents to investigate issues brought on by the helicopter taxi and tourism industry. The City must then come back within 90 days with recommendations to limit environmental impacts and improve safety for passengers. 

I will also be pushing the boundaries of preemption by Federal and State laws governing aviation as we seek to find a way to use New York City laws to keep our residents and tourists safe.

The number one priority must always be safety and the necessary equipment for that must always be available to preserve lives."