MTA-PBA Endorses Malliotakis

By MARLENE GOMEZ

Republican candidate for mayor Nicole Malliotakis was endorsed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Police Benevolent Association Thursday afternoon at a press conference in Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall.

The MTA-PBA represents some 640 officers who are responsible for protecting the commuters and transit tracks of Metro North and the Long Island railroads.

“We believe that Nicole Malliotakis is going to be the next mayor of New York City,” said the union’s president Michael O’Meara under the ornate chandeliers of the bustling space. “We wholly endorse her and we believe she is the best candidate to help us do our job properly and protect the people of New York City.”

He then read a public statement that flung barbs at current boss of City Hall: “Unlike De Blasio, she truly cares about working with Governor  Cuomo to fix the problems that are affecting the MTA.”

O’ Meara targeted  homelessness as a top concern on the transit system.  “My members interact with the homeless every day, and look forward to a NYC Mayor that will work with our state officials in addressing these issues,” said O’Meara.

Malliotakis, wearing a bold green blazer, beamed at the endorsement of the minor public union, which has little sway over the electorate.

“Homelessness has gotten out of control under Bill De Blasio” she said. “There are rules, there are laws. We have to ensure they are being followed.” Later she added, “We are in  We need a mayor who is going to be serious about addressing the quality of life issues that are plaguing our city.”

She vowed to work closely with the governor to help fix the transit crisis and make sure all members of the law enforcement have the tools they need to get their jobs done.

Malliotakis also said she would fight Washington for resources for law enforcement and to increase the current canine unit for transit hubs.

“I’ve come to know Nicole through her work in the assembly. I’ve always known her to be someone the law enforcement can rely on to have an open ear and a sympathetic way about her in dealing with our issues,” said O’Meara.

With the election scheduled for Tuesday, Malliotakis faces an uphill climb, trailing de Blasio in a recent Baruch College poll by 33 percentage points.