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Friday, November 18, 2022
Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use
MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS LEGISLATION TO FIGHT RATS, BUILD CLEANER CITY
Legislation Will Create Rat Mitigation Zones, Codify Later Trash Set-Out Times to Reduce Rodents
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed four pieces of legislation to fight rats and build a cleaner city. The legislation will create rat mitigation zones to build on successful mitigation efforts, codify Mayor Adams’ announcement to drastically reduce the time that trash sits on city curbs, and reduce rats in construction areas and other buildings with large rodent infestations. Taken together, these bills will reduce rats across New York City and build a cleaner and more welcoming city for all New Yorkers.
“Today I’m proud to sign four bills to help create a cleaner and more welcoming city for New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. Last month, I announced a once-in-a-generation change to reduce the amount of time black bags sit on the curb and just last week we announced our ‘Get Stuff Clean’ initiative. This legislation doubles down on our efforts and is another important step to put a dent in our rodent population. Rat-free streets are vital to vibrant neighborhoods and our city’s economic recovery, and I thank the City Council for their partnership in keeping our city squeaky clean.”
“Today's bills represent another battle won in the war on rats,” said Deputy Mayor of Operations Meera Joshi. “Together with the City Council, New York City is expanding extermination efforts, reducing time for trash bags to be on the street, and finally ending the rodents' all you-can-eat buffet."
“Everywhere I go, people say thank you for prioritizing the cleanliness of our neighborhoods and I always tell them the same thing – I couldn’t do it without our sanitation workers, without our mayor, and without our partners on the City Council, many of whom have made this a priority after too many years of letting cleanliness fall by the wayside,” said New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “The bills signed into law today will make a meaningful difference in the appearance of our city and in its recovery.”
“Every New Yorker has the power to promote a rat-free New York City and these bills will support residents and make our neighborhoods cleaner,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Rat mitigation zones give rats no safe quarter, and the tools in these bills empower all of us send rats packing!”
“Construction activity is essential to grow and properly maintain the buildings in our city,” said Acting New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Kazimir Vilenchik, P.E. “But construction work is also responsible for driving rodents from their hiding holes out onto our city street and sidewalks. By building upon existing regulations to mitigate rodent populations in and around construction sites, this new legislation is a decisive step towards turning the tide in our fight with the four-legged menace.”
Mayor Adams signed the following bills into law today:
- Intro 414-A requires DOHMH to issue an annual report on the success of rat mitigation measures in rat mitigation zones. Additionally, DOHMH will report on current and planned rat mitigation measures in each zone, including public outreach measures that are conducted.
- Intro 442-A ensures that before a permit authorizing certain construction work that is subject to rodent extermination is issued, the applicant certify that a licensed exterminator was retained to effectively treat the premises for rodent extermination.
- Intro 459-A requires DOHMH designate rat mitigation zones no later than April 1, 2023. This bill will also provide that DSNY may determine, by rule, the times during which buildings must set out their garbage and recycling for collection.
- Intro 460-A requires buildings that receive two or more rodent-specific housing maintenance code or two or more rodent-specific health code violations to use approved rodent-resistant containers for at least two years.
The city continues to expand initiatives to address rats and increase cleanliness. Last week, Mayor Adams announced $14.5 million in new funding this fiscal year for the ‘Get Stuff Clean’ initiative to clean more than 1,000 ‘No Man’s Land’ neglected areas around the city, increase litter basket service, expand camera enforcement against illegal dumping, and bring on additional rat exterminators — resulting in faster and more reliable cleaning of every corner of the city.
Three Former NYPD Police Officers Plead Guilty to Bribery Scheme
In Exchange for Bribes, Two NYPD Officers Steered Damaged Vehicles to a Tow Truck Company Operated by a Former NYPD Officer
James Davneiro, a former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, pleaded guilty to conspiring to participate in a scheme to steer vehicles damaged in automobile accidents to a licensed tow trucking and automobile repair business company in contravention of NYPD’s Directed Accident Response Program (DARP) in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes (the “Tow Truck Scheme”). On November 15, 2022, former NYPD officer Michael Perri pleaded guilty to conspiring to participate in the Tow Truck Scheme. On November 16, 2022, former NYPD officer Giancarlo Osma pleaded guilty to conspiring to participate in the Tow Truck Scheme.
At the time that they participated in the Tow Truck Scheme, Davneiro and Osma were NYPD officers assigned to the 107th Precinct in Queens, New York. Perri was also an NYPD officer assigned to the 107th Precinct at the outset of the scheme, but subsequently retired in June 2020 and began operating a licensed tow trucking and automobile repair business that received the damaged vehicles pursuant to the Tow Truck Scheme. Davneiro resigned from the NYPD in November 2021 and Osma resigned on November 16, 2022.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, NYPD, announced the guilty pleas.
“These three officers abused the public’s trust and disgraced their NYPD badges by lining their pockets with bribes,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “This Office will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate and prosecute corruption by those who are sworn to enforce and uphold the law.”
“The investigators of our Internal Affairs Bureau left no stone unturned in this case because there is zero tolerance in the NYPD for corruption of any kind,” said NYPD Commissioner Sewell. “We worked tirelessly in this case, alongside our partners in the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office, to ensure that those who swore to serve and protect the public but violate that trust face severe consequences.”
According to court filings and facts presented at the plea proceeding, between May 2020 and May 2021, Davneiro and Osma received thousands of dollars of bribe payments from Perri in exchange for steering vehicles damaged in automobile accidents to a licensed tow trucking and automobile repair business operated by Perri, instead of using the NYPD’s DARP, as legally required. DARP requires the NYPD to identify appropriate licensed tow trucking and automobile repair businesses to respond to automobile accident scenes and remove damaged vehicles.
This plea took place before United States District Judge Rachel P. Kovner. When sentenced, each of the defendants faces up to five years in prison. As part of their respective pleas, Davneiro has agreed to forfeit $25,000, Osma has agreed to forfeit approximately $26,011, and Perri has agreed to forfeit approximately $158,277.
CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Warns Against Price Gouging Ahead of Major Snowstorm
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert reminding consumers and businesses in Western New York and the North Country against price gouging amid a forecasted snowstorm and declared state of emergency. A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, freezing rain, and gusty winds in Western New York and the North Country. New York’s price gouging statute prevents businesses from taking advantage of consumers by selling essential goods or services at an excessively higher price during market disruptions or a declared state of emergency.
“Taking advantage of consumers during emergencies will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General James. “As New Yorkers prepare for the heavy winter storm, this is a reminder that retailers cannot hike prices to profit off emergencies. I urge New Yorkers to remain vigilant as the storm passes and encourage anyone who believes they are a victim of price gouging to contact my office immediately.”
New York law prohibits businesses from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services that are vital to their health, safety, or welfare for an unconscionably excessive price during times of emergencies. The price gouging statute covers New York state vendors, retailers, and suppliers, and includes essential goods and services that are necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of consumers or the general public. These goods and services include food, water, gasoline, generators, batteries, flashlights, hotel lodging, and transportation options. Contract services for storm-related damage, both during and after a natural disaster, are also covered by the state’s price gouging statute.
Consumers should protect themselves when hiring contractors to perform storm-related services by considering the following tips:
- Shop around – Get at least three estimates from reputable contractors that include specific information about the materials and services to be provided for the job.
- Get it in writing – Insist on a written contract that includes the price and description of the work needed.
- Don't pay unreasonable advance sums – Negotiate a payment schedule tied to the completion of specific stages of the job. Never pay the full price up front.
- Get references – Check with the Better Business Bureau, banks, suppliers, and neighbors. Always contact references provided to you.
- Know your rights – You have three days to cancel after signing a contract for home improvements. All cancellations must be in writing.
When reporting price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), consumers should:
- Report the specific increased prices, dates, and places that they saw the increased prices, and the types of formula being sold; and,
- Provide copies of their sales receipts and photos of the advertised prices, if available.
New Yorkers should report potential concerns about price gouging to OAG by filing a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755.