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Benjamin is from Queens, New York and is the son of Burmese Chinese immigrants.

Benjamin Chou (New York) - Ballotpedia

Benjamin Chou secures Democratic nod in District 19, takes on GOP ...

Benjamin is a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). He joined the FDNY in 2014. He also worked as an emergency medical technician (EMT). 

Benjamin's campaign for New York City Council Member, District 19, is his first entry into politics. 

Supports reducing the city's portion of the hidden property tax on Con Edison bills and demands transparency from Con Ed on property taxes.

Supports closing tax loopholes for luxury properties to ensure they are taxed based on their true worth, saying this will "bring in much-needed revenue for the City without raising taxes on middle-class homeowners."

- Demands transparency on property taxes.
- Supports closing tax loopholes for luxury properties to ensure they are taxed based on their true worth, saying this will "bring in much-needed revenue for the City without raising taxes on middle-class homeowners."

Economy

Plans to work with the NYC Parks Workforce Development unit to launch a pilot program improving sidewalks, public spaces, and other neighborhood areas.

Supports the New Yorkers for Parks campaign, which is pushing to increase parks funding back to 1%.

Plans to start the District 19 Mural Program, which will support local artists, engage local school art programs, deter graffiti, and beautify the community.

Supports the Eastern Queens Greenway and the Queens Waterfront Greenway, which will expand access to 3,000 acres of parkland.

Supports increased funding for Auxiliary units, with a focus on cycling equipment.

- Plans to work with the NYC Parks Workforce Development unit to launch a pilot program improving sidewalks, public spaces, and other neighborhood areas.
- Supports the New Yorkers for Parks campaign, which is pushing to increase parks funding back to 1%.
- Plans to start the District 19 Mural Program, which will support local artists, engage local school art programs, deter graffiti, and beautify the community.
- Supports the Eastern Queens Greenway and the Queens Waterfront Greenway, which will expand access to 3,000 acres of parkland.
- Supports increased funding for Auxiliary units, with a focus on cycling equipment.

Public Services

Supports investing in smart, sustainable infrastructure to protect communities from flooding, including restoring natural barriers, upgrading stormwater systems, and requiring flood-resilient designs in new developments.

Plans to soundproof homes under high-traffic flight paths.

- Supports investing in smart, sustainable infrastructure to protect communities from flooding, including restoring natural barriers, upgrading stormwater systems, and requiring flood-resilient designs in new developments.
- Plans to soundproof homes under high-traffic flight paths.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports increasing entry-level police salaries to attract and retain qualified officers.

Plans to launch a pilot program to provide free motion-sensor lights to homeowners and tenants across Northeast Queens, believing that better outdoor lighting can reduce nighttime crime by at least 36%.

Plans to work with the Department of Transportation to review the most dangerous intersections in the district and restore cuts to school crossing guards.

- Supports increasing entry-level police salaries to attract and retain qualified officers.
- Plans to launch a pilot program to provide free motion-sensor lights to homeowners and tenants across Northeast Queens, believing that better outdoor lighting can reduce nighttime crime by at least 36%.
- Plans to work with the Department of Transportation to review the most dangerous intersections in the district and restore cuts to school crossing guards.

Public Safety

Plans to ease congestion along Bell Boulevard by redesigning street parking, creating a parking lot or garage, updating parking signs, and introducing a valet service.

Plans to ease congestion along Bell Boulevard by working with residents and local businesses to redesign street parking, create parking lots or garages, update parking signs, and introduce valet services.

- Plans to ease congestion along Bell Boulevard by redesigning street parking, creating a parking lot or garage, updating parking signs, and introducing a valet service.
- Plans to ease congestion along Bell Boulevard by working with residents and local businesses to redesign street parking, create parking lots or garages, update parking signs, and introduce valet services.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports investing in smart, sustainable infrastructure like wetlands, oyster reefs, and marshes to protect communities from flooding.

- Supports investing in smart, sustainable infrastructure like wetlands, oyster reefs, and marshes to protect communities from flooding.

Energy & the Environment

Supports legislation to protect city retirees' access to comprehensive healthcare and prevent enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans.

- Supports legislation to protect city retirees' access to comprehensive healthcare and prevent enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans.

Healthcare

Supports raising wages for paraprofessionals in New York City Public Schools to recruit and retain skilled support staff for students with specialized needs.

Supports expanding access to free, high-quality after-school programs that include Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) preparation.

Supports fully funding the City University of New York (CUNY) system and reducing tuition.

- Supports raising wages for paraprofessionals in New York City Public Schools to recruit and retain skilled support staff for students with specialized needs.
- Supports expanding access to free, high-quality after-school programs that include Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) preparation.
- Supports fully funding the City University of New York (CUNY) system and reducing tuition.

Education

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Benjamin Chou

Plans to launch a pilot program providing free motion-sensor lights to homeowners and tenants in Northeast Queens.

Supports public service initiatives like repainting playgrounds, planting trees, and cleaning sidewalks to create good-paying jobs and enhance neighborhood safety, inclusivity, and community ties.

Supports the New Yorkers for Parks campaign to increase parks funding to 1%.

Supports public art, believing it can unite communities, enhance local aesthetics, and boost the economy.

Supports the Eastern Queens Greenway and the Queens Waterfront Greenway, but believes such projects should involve community input.

Supports reducing tuition costs for the City University of New York (CUNY).

Supports increased funding for Auxiliary units in the district, with a focus on cycling equipment to help them cover more ground as they build a greener, more connected Queens.

Supports restoring funding for school crossing guards.

Supports the Eastern Queens Greenway and Queens Waterfront Greenway projects, which would expand access to 3,000 acres of parkland and improve safety for children and families.

Plans to launch a pilot program providing free motion-sensor lights to homeowners and tenants in Northeast Queens, believing it will reduce nighttime crime by at least 36%.

Supports the Eastern Queens Greenway and the Queens Waterfront Greenway, which will expand access to 3,000 acres of parkland and improve safety for children and families.

As of August 22, 2025, Benjamin Chou’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in investing in education to protect community character and make everyday costs more manageable.

Benjamin Chou is from Flushing, New York. He attended Bronx Science High School. He has a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a master’s degree from Baruch College. He lives in Douglaston. He attends Community Church of Great Neck.

Benjamin is a firefighter. He works at the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), where he has been since 2014. He previously worked as an EMT.

Benjamin Chou's campaign for New York City Council Member, District 19, is his first entry into politics. 

Supports investing in education and community programs.

Supports building another specialized high school in Queens to reduce commute times for students.

Supports increasing entry-level police pay to attract and retain qualified officers.

Supports the Eastern Queens Greenway and Queens Waterfront Greenway projects, which will expand access to 3,000 acres of parkland and improve safety for children and families.

Plans to advocate for soundproofing homes under high-traffic flight paths.

Benjamin Chou is from Douglaston, New York. He attended Bronx Science High School, PS 94, and MS 67. He has a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a master’s degree from Baruch College. He attends Community Church of Great Neck.

Benjamin is an active-duty firefighter with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). He joined the FDNY in 2014 and has spent 11 years responding to emergencies and helping New Yorkers on their worst days. He also served as an emergency medical technician (EMT). In addition to his firefighting duties, he currently serves as president of the FDNY Phoenix Society, an organization that supports Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) firefighters.

Supports reducing the city's portion of hidden taxes on utility bills and demanding transparency from Con Edison on property taxes.

Supports closing tax loopholes for luxury properties to ensure they are taxed based on their true worth.

Supports extending the J-51 tax break for cooperatives and condominiums.

Supports ensuring city retirees have access to reliable healthcare without being forced onto Medicare Advantage or for-profit plans.

Believes in investing in education and community programs to protect local character and make everyday costs more manageable.

Supports fully funding the City University of New York (CUNY) system and reducing tuition to make higher education affordable for all New Yorkers.

Plans to ease congestion along Bell Boulevard by redesigning street parking, creating parking lots or garages, updating signs, and introducing valet services.

Supports the Eastern Queens Greenway and the Queens Waterfront Greenway, which would expand access to 3,000 acres of parkland.

Supports requiring corporations that profit from LaGuardia Airport to help fund park restoration and maintenance.

Supports investing in infrastructure to protect communities from flooding, including upgrading stormwater systems and requiring flood-resilient designs in new developments.

Plans to work with the NYC Department of Transportation to place bike lanes on "streets that make sense" and prevent "seizing land from local homeowners."

Supports Intro 1096 to protect city retirees' access to comprehensive healthcare and oppose Medicare Advantage plans.

- City Council Members work together to enact local laws, approve the city budget, and oversee land use and zoning regulations. ​
- Council Members oversee city agencies, ensuring they effectively serve the public and address community needs. ​