A.G. Schneiderman Announces Guilty Plea Of Ringleader Of Criminal Network That Stole High-End Motorcycles

Juan Galarza Led Crime Ring That Stole Over $100,000 In High-End Motorbikes And Distributed Heroin

Defendant Will Be Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today the guilty plea of Juan Galarza, who led a criminal network out of New York, Queens, and Bronx counties. Today’s guilty plea in Bronx Supreme Court follows a two-year investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the New York Police Department’s Auto Crime Division, involving the dismantling of high-end motorcycles for shipment to the Dominican Republic. 

The investigation was dubbed “Operation Steal Horses” after police were tipped off to the stolen motorcycle thefts being committed by a group of individuals referred to as a “Steal Crew” by investigators. During the investigation, law enforcement officials outfitted a storage unit with covert cameras to capture the defendants’ illicit activities. The resulting indictments charged 11 defendants for their involvement in heroin sales and with possessing over $100,000 worth of stolen motor vehicles.

Galarza, 36, of Bronx County was the ringleader of this conspiracy. Galarza is scheduled to be sentenced to 7 years in prison with 5 years of post-release supervision on November 28, 2017, by the Honorable Steven L. Barrett of Bronx County Supreme Court.

“We have zero tolerance for crime – whether it’s stealing motorcycles or selling drugs – and won’t hesitate to act to protect New Yorkers. We’ll continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to bring these criminals to justice,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.

Galarza pleaded guilty to the A-II felony, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, for his role in selling heroin to an undercover police officer. Galarza also pleaded guilty to the D felony, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. 

Members of the “Steal Crew” allegedly worked by canvassing the city for in demand motorcycles, such as Ducatis, which they would break the steering columns off and then lift them off of the street and into a van for transport. Defendants would dismantle the motorcycles into parts and package them for shipment.

BRONX MAN WHO SLAMMED PUPPY TO FLOOR, INJURING HER LEG SO BADLY IT NEEDED TO BE AMPUTATED, WILL GET A YEAR IN JAIL

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal; “Sally” Recovered from the Ordeal and Found a New Home

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced to a year in jail for abusing a puppy, including slamming her to the floor resulting in rendering one of her legs useless and causing it to be amputated. 

  District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant’s abuse of an eight-month old dog culminated in a leg injury leading to amputation of the limb. Such inhumane actions warrant a jail sentence. We will not tolerate cruelty to defenseless animals.” 

  Howard Lawrence, Vice President, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement, said, “The ASPCA continues to be thankful for partners like the NYPD and Bronx District Attorney’s Office in the fight against animal cruelty in New York City. Sassy – now named Sally – was rescued from a life of cruelty and pain, provided desperately needed medical care at the ASPCA Animal Hospital, and now has a new home thanks to this collaboration. We’re grateful to the NYPD and Bronx District Attorney for bringing Sally’s abuser to justice.”

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Roberto Martinez, 25, of 946 Leggett Avenue, pleaded guilty today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary to Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal, a felony. As part of the plea agreement, Martinez will be sentenced on November 15, 2017 to one year in jail, must register as an animal abuser in the state registry and is not permitted to own an animal for five years. He was remanded pending sentencing.

   According to the investigation, on or about September 10, 2016, the defendant was observed via video surveillance lifting an approximately eight-month old, mixed breed dog then-named “Sassy” by her harness to defendant’s shoulder height. Defendant then slammed Sassy to the floor, causing Sassy to land on the backside of her body. Sassy attempted to run away from the defendant, however, her right-hind leg was unresponsive. Defendant then lifted Sassy by the neck area of her body and pushed her upwards on the staircase before entering an apartment. The defendant’s girlfriend, who owned the dog, brought her to the ASPCA, telling veterinarians the dog had fallen down stairs. Evidence of prior abuse including broken ribs was detected. The NYPD was notified and retrieved the video of the assault.

  The dog’s right hind limb was amputated on September 16, 2016.

District Attorney Clark thanked the ASPCA, specifically Dr. Alison Liu, Forensic Veterinarian, and Dr. Robert Reisman, Supervisor, Forensic Sciences; as well as NYPD Detective John Glynn of the Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad for his work on the case.

Wave Hill Events Nov 3–Nov 10

  After an action-packed October, starting with Wings over Wave Hill Day and ending with Spider Day, November opens on a wonderfully quiet note.

Another reminder that with shorter days, the grounds close earlier, too, at 4:30, instead of 5:30PM.

Sat, November 4    Family Art Project: Autumn Color Papermaking

Join visiting artist and papermaking expert Randy Brozen to create richly colored paper using red, orange and yellow pulp. Use a simple process to fashion your handmade paper into a leaf shape, or add a found leaf for fancy decoration. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sat, November 4    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Sat, November 4    Family Garden Walk

Visit favorite, family-friendly locations in the gardens on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Children ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT WAVE HILL HOUSE, NOON

Sat, November 4    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of the current exhibition in Glyndor Gallery. This fall, the entire gallery is given over to new site-responsive projects honoring the tenth anniversary of Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space. Call & Response showcases the work of 50 artists who have exhibited in this unique venue, in projects ranging from art objects created from natural materials gathered onsite, to sound pieces, outdoor installations and performance works. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

Sat, November 4    Call & Response Performance: Lauren Carly Shaw, Impression

On select Saturdays, Call & Response artists present talks, readings, live music, performance art and workshops in and around Glyndor Gallery. Through a durational performance, Lauren Carly Shawunderlines the role of the body in creating her site-specific work. Integrating into the architecture of the gallery, she enters and inhabits her work, a negative impression of her body made of foam and resin and set into a built-in cabinet. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Sat, November 4    Fall Foliage Walk

Enjoy colorful foliage at its seasonal peak. Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day shares some of his favorite trees and shrubs in their vibrant fall finery. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Sun, November 5    Family Art Project: Autumn Color Papermaking

Join visiting artist and papermaking expert Randy Brozen to create richly colored paper using red, orange and yellow pulp. Use a simple process to fashion your handmade paper into a leaf shape, or add a found leaf for fancy decoration. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

Sun, November 5    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

Mon, November 6    

Closed to the public.

Tue, November 7    Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

Tue, November 7    Gallery Tour

Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads a tour of the current exhibition in Glyndor Gallery. This fall, the entire gallery is given over to new site-responsive projects honoring the tenth anniversary of Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space. Call & Response showcases the work of 50 artists who have exhibited in this unique venue, in projects ranging from art objects created from natural materials gathered onsite, to sound pieces, outdoor installations and performance works. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM, November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesdaymornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Upcoming holiday cultural events and health activities at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center

Health & Relaxation w/Kathleen continues on Thurs. Nov. 2^nd, 9^th & 30th at 11 AM. Kathleen, a certified Yoga instructor, integrates Tai Chi and chair Yoga moves and stretches. 

Make-Up Sunday on November 5^th: enjoy a delicious meal of rosemary chicken legs or salmon salad will be served at 1:00 PM.  Soprano Sigal Chen and Jonathan Dzik, accompanist, will perform classical, Broadway and Hebrew favorites at 2 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution: $2.50 and $2.00 for the event.Call the center office 718-549-4700 for advance meal reservations by Thurs. Nov. 2nd.

Emblem Health will provide a brief health talk followed by chair zumba on Tues. Nov. 7^th and musical bingo on Tues. Nov. 14^that 12:45 PM.

Movement class with Judy Farnum, certified fitness instructor, will meet on Mon. Nov. 13^th, 20^th (*Tai Chi/Yoga) and 27th at 3:00 PM. This class combines low impact aerobics with easy-to-follow exercise routines as a fun way to 'get moving' to a wide variety of music including Classic Retro Pop, Latin Rhythms, Global Beats and more! * New more gentle movement class.

Wed. Nov. 15^th: start the day with a sumptuous breakfast followed by a shopping trip to Fairway. Thea Reznik, RN, will provide healthy shopping tips before the trip. Fee for the trip is $3.00 includes lunch. Call Cindy at the senior center office for advance registration: 718-549-4700.

Celebrate Nov. birthdays on Thurs. Nov. 16^th with Willa Bassen, guitar/vocals at 1:00 PM. Festive lunch of sole fillet or turkey salad will be served at 12:15 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution: $2.00 and $1.00 for the event. Call the center office 718-549-4700 for advance meal reservations by Tues. Nov. 14th.

On Tues. Nov. 21^st, celebrate Thanksgiving with a Mexican lunch of beef tacos or sole fillet, garden salad, rice & beans, fruit.  Acapulco 90 mariachi band (authentic & dynamic) will entertain at 1:15 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution is $3.00 and $2.00 for the event (includes refreshments). Please call in your meal reservations to the office 718-549-4700 by: Thurs.  Nov. 16^th.  

Enjoy a sumptuous Thanksgiving lunch on Wed. Nov. 22^nd at 12:15 PM followed by international entertainment by Igor, keyboard and Eva, vocals at 1:15 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution is $3.00 and $2.00 for the event including refreshments. Please call in your meal reservations to the office 718-549-4700 by: Fri. Nov. 17^th.

On Wed. Nov. 29^th, Bill Ronayne, lecturer, will present on “Mario Lanza” at 1 PM. Lunch of sole francaise or salisbury steak served at 12:15 PM. Recommended senior meal contribution: $2.00 and $1.00 for the event.Call the center office 718-549-4700for advance meal reservations by Fri. Nov. 24^th.

Doriana Castro, Senior Fitness instructor, will continue a new evidence-based Stay Active and Independent for Life (S.A.I.L.)course on Monday mornings at 10:30 AM and Friday mornings at 10 AM through November except for Fri.11/24. S.A.I.L. incorporates strength, balance, flexibility and endurance training. 

Save the Date: Make-Up Sunday on Dec. 3^rd with the East Side Trio. Lunch of turkey wings or fillet of sole served at 1 PM. Entertainment at 2 PM.

All meals at JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center are catered by Mauzone(kosher) Meal Service. We offer a daily alternate choice of main  entree. Menu is subject to change. Please call the senior center office to request the alternative meal choice between 9:30 and 10:30 AM. Refreshments are served at all special events.

         

Note: Continuing and new Health Classes & Activities:  Movement plus Tai Chi Yoga Dance, Health & Relaxation Healthy Cooking demonstrations and Healing mbira Music are funded by a Health Initiative grant from CM Andrew Cohen.

We will also be offering occasional shopping trips to Fairway along with a sumptuous breakfast and healthy tips by Thea in future.

 We are located on the first floor of the Van Cortlandt Jewish Center at 3880 Sedgwick Ave. Take the Bronx #1, 2 or 10 bus to the intersection of Sedgwick Ave. and Van Cortlandt Ave. West. For more information, please call the center office at 718-549-4700. JASA Van Cortlandt Senior Center is funded by NYC Dept. for the Aging, UJA- Federation of NY and by special legislative grants from Council Member Andrew Cohen and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

NO TENANT STANDS ALONE: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES $1M FUNDING BOOST FOR DOOR-TO-DOOR OUTREACH CONNECTING TENANTS TO FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION

Mayor’s Tenant Support Unit has already helped 14,000 New Yorkers fight harassment and eviction, secure repairs

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that his Tenant Support Unit has resolved 4,500 cases, helping more than 14,000 tenants in fast changing neighborhoods stay in their homes by getting health and safety code violations corrected and connecting tenants facing eviction and harassment to legal services groups.

TSU specialists proactively go door-to-door informing tenants of their rights, documenting and case managing tenant issues related to harassment, repairs, and eviction, and making referrals to legal support whenever necessary. 

The Mayor is also announcing that TSU is allocating $1 million to build a dedicated 15-person TSU team to conduct outreach in nine more neighborhoods to low-income tenants facing eviction in housing court, to notify them of their right to free legal representation under a new City law that provides universal access to legal representation. Click here for more information about the law. The funds will also go to launch a multilingual paid ad campaign in these neighborhoods to ensure tenants are aware of their new right.

The neighborhoods, which cover 10 zip codes, are Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, Harlem, Jamaica, Tremont, Williamsbridge, Mariners Harbor, and Port Richmond.

The TSU team will work directly with the City’s Human Resource Administration’s Office of Civil Justice to direct data-driven outreach to tenants who are facing eviction cases in court to notify them of their access to free legal services in court.

“We want to keep tenants in their homes. Rather than waiting for New Yorkers to reach a crisis or call 311, the Tenant Support Unit is knocking on doors in New York’s most rapidly changing neighborhoods to make sure tenants are aware of their legal rights and get the services they need. Make no mistake about it, as we build and protect 200,000 affordable homes across this city, we are also confronting landlords who ignore their duty to provide safe homes,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

 “No tenant should lose their home because they didn’t know their rights or didn’t have legal assistance. With the enactment of the universal access to counsel law, New York City has set a new standard as the national leader in access to justice for tenants in need,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks.  

“The Office of Civil Justice is proud to work with our legal service providers and with the TSU to ensure that tenants facing eviction know their rights and do not stand alone in Housing Court,” said Jordan Dressler, HRA’s Civil Justice Coordinator.

“The Tenant Support Unit is the City making house calls,” said Regina Schwartz, Director of the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit. “Bringing the City to the door of hundreds of thousands of tenants ensures New Yorkers are directly connected to resources that help them stay in their homes and thrive in the communities they love. We are thrilled to continue our partnerships with the HRA and legal service providers to expand this effort to additional neighborhoods.”

State Senator Gustavo Rivera said “No tenant in New York City should lose their home because they cannot access affordable and adequate legal representation,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “The comprehensive services that the Tenant Support Unit has offered at my office have helped many of my constituents avoid unnecessary evictions and get the repairs they need. I look forward to continue working with the Tenant Support Unit as they expand their services and thank Mayor de Blasio for proactively working to raise awareness of the critical legal services our City continues to offer in an effort to keep more New Yorkers in their homes.”

The Tenant Support Unit is part of a multi-pronged approach Mayor de Blasio has implemented to fight displacement. It includes a ten-fold increase in free legal services for tenants ­– totaling $62 million – that will be fully implemented this year. In addition, since 2014, the administration has locked in more than 52,000 apartments into long-term affordability agreements that help low-income families stay in their homes for decades to come and has financed the construction of more than 25,000 new affordable homes. 

Prior to this administration, very few tenants had legal representation in Housing Court, estimated at just 1% in 2013 by state court officials. This resulted in high incidences of evictions and unchecked tenant harassment. To help close the gap, the Administration dramatically increased the availability of City-funded legal services for low-income tenants, increasing funding for legal assistance for tenants facing eviction and harassment from $6 million in 2013.

The program successfully increased tenant representation in Housing Court to 27% in 2016, and has provided more than 50,000 households with legal services since 2014. At the same time, residential evictions by marshals declined by 24 percent, allowing 40,000 people to remain in their homes during 2015 and 2016.

Last February and to compliment the bill that was eventually signed into law, the Administration agreed to more than double this financial support, dedicating an additional $93 million at full implementation for a program to provide access to legal representation to all low-income tenants facing eviction proceedings in Housing Court earning up to 200% of the federal poverty line and brief legal assistance for all tenants facing eviction in court whose income is above that level.  In total and once the program is fully implemented, the City will spend $155 million annually to cover the costs of the initiative. Beginning this month, the program also started providing legal services to NYCHA tenants in administrative proceedings to terminate their tenancy. There are approximately 3,200 cases that go through NYCHA administrative hearings annually.

The program will serve 400,000 tenants when it is fully implemented in five years.

Modeled after the outreach program for Pre-K for All that successfully enrolled tens of thousands of children in free, full-day Pre-K, the Tenant Support Unit reaches New Yorkers directly. Since it launched in July 2015, specialists from the unit have knocked on more than 180,000 doors and made more than 72,000 phone calls to tenants, identifying 6,828 cases that needed help. Of the total 4,500 cases have been resolved so far, and agencies and legal service providers are addressing the remainder. 

Key efforts of the Tenant Support Unit:

·         Know Your Rights: Specialists are trained to educate tenants about their fundamental rights in multiple languages, ensuring tenants are not intimidated or deceived into accepting a buyout offer or illegal surcharges on their legal rent.

·         Securing Repairs: Specialists help tenants document complaints about inadequate heat or hot water, infestations and mold, and work directly with HPD's Division of Code Enforcement to secure necessary repairs.

BP DIAZ & THE BRONX TOURISM COUNCIL ENCOURAGE RIDERS TO TAKE PART IN TOUR DE BRONX 2017!

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted a press conference at Woodlawn Cemetery to encourage cyclists to participate in the upcoming Tour de Bronx, the largest free cycling event in New York State, which will take place on Sunday, October 22, 2017.

The Tour de Bronx was established in 1994 by the office of the Bronx Borough President and The Bronx Tourism Council as a means to promote a healthier lifestyle, encourage alternate modes of transportation and as a way to see the borough and its attractions.

“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who plans on participating in the event as he has done in the past. “The Tour De Bronx not only emphasizes maintaining a healthy lifestyle, complementing our ‘#Not62’ initiative to improve the overall health of our borough, but it also highlights our historical sites, beautiful waterfronts and vibrant neighborhoods, showcasing the best we have to offer to both our residents and visitors from around the world. We welcome riders from across the region and around the globe to see The Bronx as they have never seen it before.”

Participants come from all over the country and choose from two possible routes; a 25-mile ride or a 40-mile route; taking riders through different areas of The Bronx, including Clason Point along the East River, Castle Hill, Morrisania, Pelham Bay Park, historic Fort Schuyler on the Throggs Neck peninsula, the nautical community of City Island, and more. Both routes culminate at the iconic New York Botanical Garden, where riders receive a complimentary souvenir T-shirt and enjoy a live musical performance and refreshments as they relax from the day’s event.

The Tour De Bronx has grown exponentially since its inception. In 2016 the event saw a record-breaking 8,000+ registrants. This year, The Bronx Tourism Council has partnered with Ride with GPS, a route-mapping tool designed for cycling and walking. This app will, not only, alert riders where to turn using voice navigation, it will also indicate neighborhoods and give a brief history of various parts of the borough as riders make their way to the end point.  

“We’re thrilled to partner with The Bronx Tourism Council to help promote the longest-running free cycling event in New York. With easy-to-use maps and voice navigation, riders will stay on course to appreciate the rich culture and history of the Bronx,” said Kevin Prentice, director of support & business development at Ride with GPS.

“This is a highly-anticipated event for many cycling enthusiasts and casual riders alike. Utilizing the GPS technology Bronxites and visitors will experience the borough in a more fun and unique way,” said Olga Luz Tirado, executive director of The Bronx Tourism Council.

The Tour de Bronx is made possible by Montefiore Medical Center; Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center; St. Barnabas Health System; and Mercy College. Additional support is provided by The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation; The Business Initiatives Corporation of New York; The Coca Cola Company; Domino’s Pizza; The Nature’s Bounty Co.; the Castle Hill Y; Woodlawn Cemetery; the New York Botanical Garden; and Fordham University.

The event is also supported by the New York City Department of Transportation; the New York City Fire Department; the New York City Police Department; The New York Department of Sanitation and Transportation Alternatives.

Log onto www.tourdebronx.com to register or for more information.

Wrong On Red: A.G. Schneiderman Releases New Report Detailing Red Light Camera Violations By School Buses

A.G. Investigation Found Nearly 1,500 Red Light Camera Violations By Westchester And Suffolk County School Bus Companies – Yet Bus Companies Have No Legal Obligation To Report Them

During National School Bus Safety Week, A.G. Schneiderman Calls For State Action To Close Safety Loophole

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that an investigation by his office into school bus safety identified nearly 1,500 red light camera violations by school bus companies in Westchester and Suffolk Counties – highlighting a serious gap in State laws that are meant to ensure the safety of over 2.3 million New York children who ride school buses every day.

Today, during National School Bus Safety Week, Attorney General Schneiderman released a new report: “Wrong on Red: Report on School Bus Traffic Light Violations”. The report details the findings of his investigation and calls for changes to state law to close the safety loophole by requiring bus companies to report red light camera violations to the state and school districts, and use those violations in their assessments of drivers.

“Every morning, more than two million New York children are put on school buses by families that trust they’ll be safe. Unfortunately, New York law has a safety loophole big enough to drive a school bus through,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Bus companies can rack up red light camera violations – yet have no legal obligation to report them to the state, or even use them as part of their evaluation of drivers. It’s time for action to protect our kids by requiring bus companies to report red light violations to the state and the school districts they serve, and to use those violations in driver evaluations. We must crack down on the problem now, before it turns tragic.”

The Attorney General’s office collected and analyzed data from 15 randomly selected school bus companies operating in Westchester and Suffolk counties. The investigation found that in Westchester County, in 2016 alone, the sampling of school bus companies subpoenaed by the Attorney General received almost 300 red light camera ticket violations. In Suffolk County, the subpoenaed companies received nearly 1,200 red light camera ticket violations from 2014 through 2016. Under existing State Law, these violations are not required to be reported to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles as part of the State’s oversight of school bus company safety.

The State’s Vehicle and Traffic Law (Article 19-a) provides State oversight of school bus companies, yet it does not require school bus companies to report any information relating to tickets issued for red light camera violations.  The law states that upon request by the DMV, school bus companies are required to submit driving reports that include miles traveled, convictions and accidents, and the number of convictions and accidents per ten thousand miles traveled; however, that does not include red light camera tickets. School bus companies are also required to review employees' driving records at least once every 12 months, and consider any evidence that the bus driver violated applicable provisions of the vehicle and traffic law. Yet again, this language does not mandate that school bus companies report red light camera tickets to the DMV. Under existing law, a bus driver can receive an infinite number of red light camera tickets and remain as a school bus driver.

Red light cameras are intended to capture offenses not witnessed by a police officer. Since it’s often too hard to prove who was driving the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle is assessed the fine from a red light camera violation. If a school bus driver got three red light tickets from a police officer within an 18-month period, they would get nine points on their driver’s license and be disqualified from driving a school bus for a year. However, if that same driver got three red light camera tickets in the same timeframe, there would be no repercussions – since the tickets are sent directly to the bus company.

This loophole means it is unlikely that drivers or bus companies face any real repercussions for running red lights – as companies can shield themselves and their drivers from liability by not reporting red light violations to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

As part of this investigation, Attorney General Schneiderman subpoenaed nine school bus companies in Suffolk County and six bus companies in Westchester County.

• Between 2014 to 2016, the nine Suffolk bus companies amassed 1,199 red light tickets, including 368 in 2014, 409 in 2015, and 422 in 2016. Within those nine companies, there were 154 bus drivers who were repeat offenders.
• In 2016, the six Westchester County companies amassed 296 red light tickets, with 20 drivers who were repeat offenders.

There are, on average, 115 fatal crashes involving school buses every year across the country, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s 2017 Report on School Safety. Fortunately, school bus crashes make up a low percentage of all fatal motor vehicle crashes because of protections already in place, such as licensing, training, vehicle standards, and vehicle inspections. However, by failing to include red light camera tickets as part of a school bus company’s driving history, school children are unnecessarily put at risk. 

In calling for this safety loophole to be closed, Attorney General Schneiderman is proposing the following changes in state law:

• School bus companies should be required by law to maintain copies of all red light camera violations received by the school bus companies and its school bus drivers.
• School bus companies should be required by law to report the number of red light camera violations in the annual affidavit of compliance filed with the DMV.
• School bus companies should be required by law to consider red light camera violations in its annual assessment of its drivers; and drivers who accumulate three red light camera violations should be disqualified from driving for a one-year period.
• School bus companies should be required by law to provide an annual report to the school districts that they service of their driver’s records, including a record of the red light camera violations issued and who was driving.

The matter was handled by Suffolk Regional Office Head Assistant Attorney General Kim Kinirons, Westchester Regional Office Head Assistant Attorney General Gary Brown, and Assistant Attorneys General Rachael Anello and Jennifer Gashi, under the supervision of Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Offices Marty Mack.

 “As a father, I wanted to know when I sent my children off to school in the morning, they were safe and secure on the bus. We can never be too careful when it comes to our children’s safety, but the Attorney General’s investigation into school bus driving records indicates additional steps need to be taken at the state level to ensure that safety. I applaud his efforts to require the consideration of red light camera violations in assessing the safety record school bus drivers and school bus companies,” said Congressman Eliot Engel.

Click here to watch video of Yonkers red light violation (Central Park Ave. at Arlington St. on June 7, 2016 at 1:24 pm).