The midterm election season is heating up across New York City with candidates going door-to-door to collect petitions for the primary contests set for June.
But remnants of last year’s November election still linger and could be a prelude to the coming months. One sign in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn is just such a harbinger.
The sign is still planted in the front yard of a three-story house on 79th Street between 4th and 5th avenues. It’s just one of dozens of the same signs that popped up in lawns and shop windows throughout the 43rd City Council District last year, where a competitive Council race was underway.
A bright yellow rectangle with black block letters, the sign pops against the browning shrubbery, fallen pine needles, and a gray brick foundation. The all-caps message is simple, and takes aim at the district’s Democratic incumbent: “JUSTIN BRANNAN DEFUNDED THE POLICE”.
Except, that didn’t actually happen. Money cut from the New York City Police Department in one city budget two years ago was restored before last year’s general election. Funding for personnel in the local precinct actually increased.
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