Sheepshead Bay church holds memorial for woman set on fire at Coney Island subway station
The service comprised of leaders of multiple faiths honored the life that Dabrina "Debbie" Kawam lived prior to her death.
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Members of the First Baptist Church in Sheepshead Bay Sunday held a memorial service for Dabrina "Debbie" Kawam, the woman who died after being set on fire last month at a Coney Island subway train station.
The service comprised of leaders of multiple faiths honored the life that Kawam lived prior to her death. The leaders also called for public safety changes city-wide and in the subway.
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"Recidivism is not new, mental health is not new. We have colossally failed in both for a very long time," said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams as he spoke at the service.
The event's organizers said they wanted Kawam to be remembered and are calling for a law in her name to add universal fire extinguishers inside MTA Train cars.
"That's her legacy of not being forgotten, so every time someone rides and sees a fire extinguisher, they can remember the life that Debbie Kawam lived," said Rev. Kevin McCall. "This will protect riders, MTA employees and even police."
Speakers said the tragic death outlined multiple policy failures in the city that must be addressed to prevent future incidents.
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"She should have been able to receive the help she needed during her life. She should have been saved from a brutal and public death," said New York State Sen. Zellnor Myrie.
Kawam's family, though initially anticipated to arrive, did not attend the service.
