U.S. Transition to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Begins Saturday

 

On Saturday, the United States will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care. The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need. This initiative is part of President Biden’s comprehensive strategy to address our nation’s mental health crisis, and is identified by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra as a top priority at HHS. Since January 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration has made unprecedented investments to support the 988 transition, investing $432 million to scale crisis center capacity and ensure all Americans have access to help during mental health crises.

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, signed into law after the passage of bipartisan legislation in 2020, authorized 988 as a new three-digit number for suicide and mental health crisis. All telephone service and text providers in the United States and the five major U.S. territories are required by the FCC to activate 988 no later than July 16.

“988 is more than a number, it is a message: we’re there for you. Through this and other actions, we are treating mental health as a priority and putting crisis care in reach for more Americans,” said Secretary Becerra, who has been meeting with states across the country about the transition to 988 as part of HHS’ National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health. “There is still much work to do. But what matters is that we’re launching, 988 will be live. We are looking to every governor and every state in the nation to do their part to make this a long-term success.”

The Biden-Harris Administration increased federal investments in the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by 18-fold - from $24 million to $432 million -- to scale up crisis centers and back-up center capacity, and to provide special services, including a sub-network for Spanish language speakers. 

The $432 million included $105 million in grant funding to states and territories, provided by the American Rescue Plan, to improve response rates, increase capacity to meet future demand, and ensure calls initiated in their states or territories are first routed to local, regional, or state crisis call centers. Prior to this investment, the Lifeline, which has existed since 2005, had been long unfunded and under-resourced.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers supported by HHS through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“Recent investments made in the Lifeline have already resulted in more calls, chats, and texts answered even as volume has increased, but we know that too many people are still experiencing suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress without the support they need,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and leader of SAMHSA. “Over time, the vision for 988 is to have additional crisis services available in communities across the country, much the way emergency medical services work. The success of 988 depends on our continued partnership with states, as the federal government cannot do this alone. We urge states and territories to join us and invest further in answering the call to transform our crisis care response nationwide.” 

FCC staff first proposed 988 in a report to Congress in August 2019 as the nationwide, easy-to-remember, 3-digit dialing code for individuals in crisis to connect to suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On July 16, 2020, the FCC adopted rules designating 988 for this purpose. Recognizing the need to better support at-risk communities in crisis, including youth and individuals with disabilities, the FCC adopted additional rules in November 2021 to expand access to this important service by establishing the ability to also text 988.

 “All across our country, people are hurting.  They need help.  The good news is that getting that help just got a lot easier.  Starting tomorrow, 988 will be available nationwide for individuals in crisis, and their loved ones, to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline more easily,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “This cross-government effort has been years in the making and comes at a crucial point to help address the mental health crisis in our country, especially for our young people.”

VA administers the Veterans Crisis Line   through the Lifeline’s national network. Because of VA’s partnership with the Lifeline, the Veterans Crisis Line is affected by this transition to a new number. Veterans and their loved ones can now Dial 988 then Press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

“988 has been a long time coming and will serve as a critical resource during a crisis when every second counts. The new, shorter number will help ensure Veterans have easier access to the Veterans Crisis Line,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “This launch is a whole-of-government approach in line with the President’s call to prioritize mental health by strengthening access to crisis services, and preventing Veteran suicide, our top clinical priority.” 

In 2021, the Lifeline received 3.6 million calls, chats, and texts. That number is expected to at least double within the first full year after the 988 transition.

The United States had one death by suicide every 11 minutes in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10-14 and 25-34. From April 2020 to 2021, more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses. Studies have shown that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most Lifeline callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful.  

The 10-digit Lifeline number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) will continue to be operational after July 16 and will route calls to 988 indefinitely. Veterans, service members, and their families can also still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the current phone number 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, or by chat   or text to 838255.

More information on 988 is available at www.samhsa.gov/988 and https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988/faqs.

Governor Hochul Announces Launch of New Online Dashboards to Expand Access to Unemployment Data

 

Local Area Unemployment Statistics Dashboard, Available Here, Provides Monthly and Annual Employment and Unemployment Data

Unemployment Insurance Dashboard, Available Here, Includes Weekly Data on Unemployment Claims and Benefits

New Dashboards Support Statewide Commitment to Data Transparency, Ongoing Modernization Efforts

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of two new interactive online dashboards to improve access to unemployment data for all New Yorkers. The Local Area Unemployment Statistics dashboard, a joint effort between New York State and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides monthly and annual employment, unemployment, labor force, and unemployment rate data for New York State, labor market regions, metropolitan areas, counties, workforce investment regions, and municipalities of at least 25,000 people. The Unemployment Insurance dashboard contains weekly data on benefits paid, beneficiaries, and initial claims sorted by region, industry, and program. Data for the UI dashboard is available for New York State's 10 labor market regions, as well as out-of-state residents who were employed in New York and qualify for New York UI benefits.

"My administration has been committed to transparency since the beginning, and we will continue to prioritize advancements that allow New Yorkers to learn about what their government is doing for them," Governor Hochul said. "By making these new dashboards from the Department of Labor available to the public, it will streamline the process and allow New Yorkers to obtain data quickly and easily. This will give New Yorkers a clear picture of how our labor market is doing."

Distribution of this data will help to better connect New Yorkers to the resources and support they need. This data is used by a variety of policymakers, industry experts, and other stakeholders who will benefit from greater access. It will inform and help determine eligibility for federal assistance programs that benefit New York State. Estimates will also inform state and local budgetary processes. Private industry, researchers, the media, and other individuals use the data to assess local labor market conditions and make comparisons across geographic areas.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "These new, innovative data dashboards will not only support our long-term goal of increased transparency, but will also improve accessibility to data for State, local and federal government groups, as well as private citizens accessing the data to report on or assess labor market conditions. Initiatives like these bring New York State into the future, and show how technological innovation can further progress across our State and change the lives of the people we serve."

These new dashboards are part of an ongoing effort to modernize the New York State Department of Labor's systems and processes, increase data transparency across the department and enhance the overall customer experience. In March, Governor Hochul unveiled the Current Employment Statistics and the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics dashboards, giving New Yorkers greater access to current employment information and data trends. In June, the Governor announced that NYSDOL reached the halfway point of its 4-year Technology Implementation Plan, with developing enhancements to help the agency achieve its goal of handling 100% of customer inquiries.

Registered Sex Offender Convicted of Attempting to Sexually Exploit Minors and Distributing Child Pornography

 

Defendant, a Queens Resident, Enticed Victims by Pretending to be a Modeling Scout

 In federal court in Brooklyn, Davis Burgos-Collazo was convicted by a jury of attempting to sexually exploit five children, two counts of distributing child pornography, accessing child pornography with intent to view it, and committing a felony sexual offense involving minors while being a registered sex offender.  The verdict was returned after a one-week trial before United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen.  When sentenced, the defendant faces up to life in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“The defendant, a registered sex offender who deviously portrayed himself as a modeling scout to lure victims, repeatedly victimized minors without regard for the profound harm he was causing them.  With today’s verdict, he now faces the consequences necessary to protect the community from this serial predator,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “I urge parents and caregivers to remain vigilant about the importance of educating our children about the dangers of communicating online with strangers.”

Mr. Peace thanked the FBI-NYPD Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force for their work on the case.

“Burgos’s conviction illustrates how vulnerable our children are to sexual predators.  The heartbreaking pleas from one of his victims to be left alone should shock parents and guardians. Please talk with children about the dangers they can face online, and tell them they can ask for help if they face a similar situation,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

As proven at trial, in 2020, Burgos-Collazo used at least 26 Instagram accounts to attempt to sexually exploit children as young as nine-years-old.  The defendant enticed the victims by pretending to be a modeling scout and by using accounts with names like “future models” and “preteen beauty pics.”  In addition, after the defendant had coerced one victim into performing live sex acts for him on Instagram and she pleaded with him to leave her alone, he threatened to post a naked picture of the 10-year-old child online for her friends to see.  The FBI recovered over 100 photos and videos of child pornography on the defendant’s phone.  Burgos committed the crimes while he was a registered sex offender. In March 2006, he was convicted of raping a seven-year-old minor and attempting to sexually assault two other minors, ages 9 and 11.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

Accused Major Trafficker Indicted in Large-Scale Drug Operation near Bronx Courthouse

 

Over 40 pounds of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills, plus two loaded guns and over $320,000 cash seized

 A Bronx man was indicted as a Major Trafficker following an investigation that uncovered a large-scale drug stash house at 910 Sheridan Avenue. The residential apartment building is adjacent to the Bronx Family-Criminal Courthouse. Over $3 million dollars in drugs, including more than 40 pounds of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and approximately 1,000 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, were seized along with two guns and over $320,000 cash.

 Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Susan A. Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division, and New York City Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell announced the indictment against DUJUAN SOTO in conjunction with a scheduled arraignment before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Steven M. Statsinger.

 The indictment, filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP), contains charges of Operating as a Major Trafficker, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second, and Third Degrees, and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.

 SOTO was arrested on March 29, 2022, following a short-term investigation by DEA New Jersey Division, Enforcement Group 2, and the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Narcotics Borough Queens North.

 On the day of the arrest, agents and officers were conducting surveillance outside 910 Sheridan Avenue and observed SOTO leave the building at approximately 9:45 a.m. carrying a blue bag that appeared to contain a rectangular object. Agents and officers stopped SOTO after he entered a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in front of 190 East 162nd Street. They obtained court-authorization to search the vehicle and SOTO’s residence at 910 Sheridan Avenue, Apt. K.

 At approximately 3:25 p.m. on that day agents and officers searched the Jeep and discovered the blue bag held a U.S. Postal Service package with approximately $216,500 in alleged drug proceeds inside. A dollar figure was written on the box.

 During a search of SOTO’s residence, agents and officers recovered over eight kilograms of fentanyl (approximately 18 pounds) and over three kilograms of cocaine (nearly 8 pounds) from inside a locked closet in SOTO’s bedroom. Some of the narcotics were imprinted with a Mercedes symbol.

 The closet also contained approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine packaged inside freezer bags and over 1,000 counterfeit oxycodone and alprazolam pills alleged to contain fentanyl, as well as multiple twists containing fentanyl and cocaine.

 Underneath SOTO’s bed, agents and officers recovered two loaded 9mm pistols with additional ammunition. Agents and officers also seized over $107,100 cash, a money counter, digital scales, a vacuum sealer and two kilo presses used in packaging narcotics from the apartment.

 “The volume and variety of drugs, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and two firearms recovered, signals that this was a fully operational illegal drug packaging and distribution center. It is hard to imagine a more audacious location than a building adjacent to the Bronx Family-Criminal Courthouse to set up a storehouse for deadly drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine and the counterfeit pills that are saturating the black market in our city,” said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Brennan.

 “The NYPD and our law enforcement partners have shut down another major drug-trafficking operation in New York City,” NYPD Commissioner Sewell stated. “By dismantling such violent enterprises, and by holding accountable anyone who pushes poison on our streets, our highly skilled investigators are making all of our neighborhoods safer. I commend everyone involved from the NYPD’s Narcotics Borough Queens North, the DEA’s New Jersey Division, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for their collaboration and hard work throughout this important case.”

Defendant                    Charges

Dujuan Soto              Operating as a Major Trafficker

Bronx, NY                 CPCS 1st – 1 ct CPCS 2nd – 1 ct CPCS 3rd – 2 cts

Age: 56                      Criminal Possession of a Firearm – 2 cts 

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Construction Breaks Ground At 1761 Walton Avenue, Affordable Senior Housing Project In Bronx’s Mount Hope

 

Construction has broken ground at 1761 Walton Avenue, the site of a new mixed-use affordable housing building in the Mount Hope section of The Bronx. The project will debut as Mount Hope Walton Apartments and will eventually comprise 103 income-restricted apartments and a 9,500-square-foot community gymnasium.

The developers responsible for the project include Procida Development Group and Mt. Hope Housing Corporation.

“Mixed-use, community-focused housing developments are vital to tackling our housing shortage while also preserving neighborhoods for long-term residents, which is at the heart of ‘Housing Our Neighbors,’ a citywide blueprint for housing and homelessness,” said New York City chief housing officer Jessica Katz. These 103 new affordable apartments and the new gym will strengthen the Mount Hope neighborhood, help our neighbors experiencing homelessness, and better support the community’s current and future residents.”

Designed by Aufgang Architects, the building will top out at 14 stories and comprise roughly 102,500 square feet. The façade of the building will feature a mix of red and tan masonry and white cladding at the uppermost levels.

The building is also designed to meet the latest Enterprise Green Communities requirements for energy and water conservation. Energy-efficient facilities include high efficiency condensing boilers, variable speed pumps, high-output baseboard radiators, energy recovery ventilators, and variable refrigerant flow systems.

Within the building, the residential component will occupy about 94,000 square feet. A total of 16 units will be reserved for the formerly homeless, while the rest are reserved for households at or below 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI). Floorplans will range from one- to three-bedroom apartments.

Amenity spaces include laundry facilities, two indoor recreation rooms, an outdoor terrace, and bicycle storage.

Total development costs are estimated at $55 million. State financing for Mount Hope Walton Apartments include Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits that will generate $23 million equity and $2.6 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

Funding from New York City agencies include $15.8 million from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) through the Mix and Match program. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) also deeded city-owned land to Mount Hope Housing for the development. The New York City Council and Borough President provided $2.25 million in combined Reso A funding. Additional financing is being provided by Webster National Bank.

Statement from NYGOP Chairman Nick Langworthy on the Attack Against NYGOP Gubernatorial Nominee Congressman Lee Zeldin

 

“Tonight, Congressman Zeldin was targeted in a violent attack at a campaign rally stop in Monroe County. Thanks to the swift action of several brave eventgoers, the perpetrator was subdued. Congressman Zeldin and all of the attendees are safe, but this could have ended much worse. It’s not a coincidence that just hours earlier, Kathy Hochul fanned the flames of hate by directing her supporters to his rally schedule. This is unacceptable conduct for anyone, let alone a sitting governor. It’s not enough to condemn the attack, she must apologize and tone down her hateful rhetoric immediately.”

Three Arrested For Scheme To Steal Unclaimed Funds From The NYS Comptroller

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Daniel B. Brubaker, Postal Inspector in Charge, Postal Service Inspection Service, New York Division, and Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, announced the arrest of BAKARE DOUKOURE, SANNEH TUNKARA, and LASSANA SYLLA on mail fraud and identity theft charges arising out of their scheme to fraudulently obtain unclaimed funds held by the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds.  TUNKARA was arrested on July 19, 2022 and presented before the Hon. Andrew E. Krause, United States Magistrate Judge.  SYLLA surrendered upon learning of an outstanding arrest warrant and was presented before Judge Krause on July 20, 2022.  Earlier today, DOUKOURE also surrendered upon learning of an outstanding arrest warrant and was presented before Judge Krause.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the Complaint, Bakare Doukoure, Sanneh Tunkara, and Lassana Sylla defrauded over 100 unsuspecting New York residents out of money to which they were entitled that was held in trust by the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds. My Office and our partners in law enforcement will not stand idly by when wrongdoers target government programs designed to protect the assets of the people of this State.”

USPIS Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division Daniel B. Brubaker said: “The defendants thought no one was looking while they carried out their scheme to defraud the New York State Comptroller’s Office, and in an attempt to hide their crimes steal the identities of numerous victims. They gamed the system for over one hundred thousand dollars and tarnished the names of innocent people, all in the pursuit of their greed. However, Postal Inspectors and our law enforcement partners are ever vigilant when it comes to exposing fraudsters. We will commit every resource available to us in the fight against identity theft and fraud. Today’s arrests should also serve as a warning to anyone who uses the mail for illegal purposes: once Postal Inspectors are on the case, it’s game over for the bad guys.”

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said: “The defendants unconscionably stole people’s identities to submit claims for money that did not belong to them, stealing from those who had unclaimed funds held by the state. Thanks to the work of my investigations team, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the New York City Housing Authority’s Office of Inspector General, they have been arrested and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint filed yesterday and unsealed today[1]:

New York State’s Abandoned Property Law requires banks and other financial institutions to transfer abandoned customer funds in their custody to the Office of Unclaimed Funds after a specified period of time.  The Office of Unclaimed Funds maintains an online database in which anyone can search to see if the Office of Unclaimed Funds is holding any unclaimed funds in someone’s name.  The owner of the funds can recover the money from the Office of Unclaimed Funds by filing a claim and proving he or she is the rightful owner of the money by providing personal identifying information such as a Social Security number or an address.  New York State has approximately $17.5 billion in unclaimed money with more than 46 million account records remaining unclaimed. The Office of Unclaimed Funds returns over $1.5 million to individuals, companies, non-profit organizations, and municipalities daily.

An investigation by the State Comptroller’s Office initially discovered the identity theft and the fraud. State Comptroller investigators brought the matter to the federal authorities and worked jointly with the Postal Inspection Service and the United States Attorney’s Office to fully uncover the scheme.

From at least in or about June 2012 to in or about April 2018, DOUKOURE, TUNKARA, and SYLLA worked together in a fraudulent scheme in which they filed fraudulent claims with the Office of Unclaimed Funds for abandoned monies held in trust by the New York State Comptroller.  Bank records show that, during the relevant period, the Office of Unclaimed Funds issued approximately 170 checks made out to approximately 120 different payees that were deposited into approximately eight different bank accounts that were controlled by either DOUKOURE or TUNKARA.

In connection with the scheme, bank accounts controlled by DOUKOURE and TUNKARA were used to make purchases from online databases that collect public records on individuals, such as names, dates of birth, and addresses. DOUKOURE and TUNKARA also used stolen identities to perpetrate their scheme, including fake driver’s licenses.

DOUKOURE, 54, of the Bronx, New York, has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 4 years in prison.  TUNKARA, 38, of the Bronx, New York, has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years in prison.  SYLLA, 47, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and DOUKOURE, TUNKARA and SYLLA are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Postal Inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service, Investigators with the Office of the New York State Comptroller, and Investigators with the New York City Housing Authority’s Office of Inspector General.

[1]As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

VCJC News & Notes 7/22/22

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful! Reminders Shabbos Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar. Here are the times you need:   Shabbos Candles Friday 7/22/22 @ 8:02 pm Shabbos morning services at 8:45 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.  Shabbos Ends Saturday 7/23/22 @ 9:05 pm   Blood Drive!  VCJC is hosting a blood drive on Sunday, July 31, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm.  We need both people to donate blood and volunteers to help run the drive.   To donate:  https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/296446  To volunteer: Call the office or email Stu Harris.   Van Cortlandt Jewish Center  3880 Sedgwick Ave Bronx, NY 10463