|
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Bronx River Art Center (BRAC) - Bronx River Sounds 2023 brings Jazz to the Bronx this weekend!
MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES “COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY” TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE CITY GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP
Over 60 Senior Administration Officials and Agency Heads to Be Paired with Young People to Offer Hands-On Experience in Government and Civic Engagement
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the city’s inaugural “Commissioner for a Day” initiative that will provide young people from across the five boroughs with the opportunity to experience the inner workings of city government and civic engagement from members of the Adams administration. Over 60 agency heads and senior leaders in the administration will be paired with a New Yorker between the ages of 13 and 24 for half a day, where they will attend meetings, learn about policy, and, after, hear directly from Mayor Adams.
“Thanks to all participating in ‘Commissioner for a Day,’” said Mayor Adams. “By shadowing a commissioner or senior member of this administration, young New Yorkers are seeing what it takes to run the greatest city in the world. This is where leadership begins, and I hope every young person is inspired to go into public service in the years to come. There is no higher calling than serving your fellow New Yorkers, and today I’m proud of every participant for coming in to see for themselves how we do it.”
“The young people attending ‘Commissioner for a Day’ represent the next generation of New York City’s changemakers, eager to learn firsthand about civic engagement and creating change within our city,” said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “Our mayor, myself, and leaders across the administration are opening our doors to engage with young people, learning from and with them, all in an effort to show the importance of city government. I am confident that among our over 70 participants we’ll find future commissioners, government officials, and even chief of staffs in the making.”
“‘Commissioner for a Day’ is a one-of-a-kind engagement initiative that gives young people — many of whom have been impacted through the criminal justice system, are living in foster care, or who otherwise have not been afforded these kinds of leadership development opportunities — the tools they need to exercise their civic muscle, sharing their insights with and learning from city government’s most powerful leaders,” said New York City Chief Engagement Officer Betsy MacLean. “As the city’s first-ever chief engagement officer, I am proud to lead this initiative and set an important precedent about who’s at the table as we work together to shape our city’s future.”
“Commissioner for a Day” is led by the Office of Engagement and the city’s chief engagement officer. Participants were nominated by the New York City Administration for Children Services, the New York City Department of Education, the New York City Department of Homeless Services, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, and the New York City Police Department. The program intentionally sought out a diverse group of participants, including young people in foster care and probation, as well as those who are justice-involved and those currently experiencing homelessness.
UPDATED AIR QUALITY HEALTH ADVISORY ISSUED FOR LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY METRO, LOWER HUDSON VALLEY, UPPER HUDSON VALLEY, EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO, CENTRAL NEW YORK AND WESTERN NEW YORK
In Effect for Wednesday, June 7, 2023
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for the Long Island, New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York regions for Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter
The advisory will be in effect from 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.
DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern.
FINE PARTICULATE MATTER
Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.
When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high.
New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy saving and pollution-reducing steps:
- use mass transit instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities.
- conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
- turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
- use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
- close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
- limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
- set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
- purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
- reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking.
Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website. To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up for DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service.
The Wednesday, June 7, Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of the following: Long Island which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties; New York City Metro which includes New York City, Rockland, and Westchester counties; Lower Hudson Valley which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Ulster, and Sullivan counties; Upper Hudson Valley which includes Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Washington counties; Eastern Lake Ontario which includes northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego, and Wayne counties; Central New York which includes Allegany, Broome, southern Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, southern Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates counties; and Western New York which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates
Dear Neighbor,
Thank you for joining us for another week in review!
Happy Pride Month! We stand with our LGBTQIA+ community and condemn all forms of hatred. Recently, we have seen unprecedented attacks on the rights of trans people across the country; but New York will always be a haven for all people regardless of their sexuality or gender and we will continue to fight against violence directed towards the LGBTQIA+ community.
Last week, we hosted our annual Pride Month Flag Raising and Awards Ceremony at Bronx Borough Hall to commemorate the start of Pride Month and celebrate the achievements and contributions of our LGBTQIA+ community. Take a look at our video recap, here.
We also joined with Bronx students during our first Bronx Youth Council (BYC) meeting! BYC is comprised of students from across the Bronx and curates a space for meaningful youth input. The youth is our future! The Council will act as an advisory board to the Borough President´s Office and will be tasked with researching policy issues and assisting in planning youth-centered events while learning the ways government and advocacy work together to create lasting change and promote civic engagement. For pictures from our first meeting, click here.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.
In partnership,
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson
 |
 |
 |
IN THE COMMUNITY
In honor of Pride Month, we hosted our annual Pride Flag Raising & Awards Ceremony at Bronx Borough Hall. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this year’s celebration a memorable one. Thank you also to our sponsors for making this important event possible.
A huge congratulations to our incredible honorees for their achievements and commitment to the Bronx and our LGBTQIA+ community. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
You know the love is real when I make it all the way over to Queens!
I was honored to join with my fellow Borough Presidents, Queens BP Donovan Richards and Manhattan BP Mark Levine and local organizations for the 2023 LGBTQ+ Business Convening at LaGuardia Community College to help LGBTQ+ and allied businesses connect, discover and thrive in their field! The convening consisted of six panel discussions and a bonus fireside chat focused on inclusion and customer and employee experiences.
Thank you to everyone who joined us!
 Congratulations to Bronx Community College’s Class of 2023! It is always an honor to join with Bronx Community College in celebration of the next generation of leaders. We are so excited to see all that you will accomplish in the new chapter of your lives. Thank you for having me. UPCOMING EVENTS
|
Jury Convicts Federal Correctional Officer for Sexual Abuse of Two Female Inmates
A federal jury convicted a federal correctional officer of five counts involving sexually abusive conduct against two female victims who were serving prison sentences. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers presided over the trial.
John Bellhouse, 40, formerly of Pleasanton, California, was initially charged with sexual abuse of an inmate on Feb. 17, 2022. A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on Sept. 29, 2022, charging Bellhouse with two counts of sexual abuse and three counts of abusive sexual contact. The charges involved conduct that was alleged to have occurred against two female inmates from December 2019 to December 2020. On Monday, a jury convicted Bellhouse of all counts.
“Correctional Officer Bellhouse committed an egregious breach of trust by using the cover of the BOP facility’s Safety Office to sexually abuse individuals in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “This guilty verdict is yet another warning that any Bureau employee who abuses their authority will be held accountable. The Department of Justice is committed to rooting out sexual assault within the BOP and continuing to prioritize cases involving sexual abuse of individuals in BOP custody.”
“The heinous crimes in this case destroyed the sense of safety and security every human being is entitled to,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “While he was a federal corrections officer, the defendant sexually abused two victims in his care over the course of a year, an unimaginable violation of the most basic human rights. Today’s conviction demonstrates that the FBI remains unyielding in our protection of all people no matter where the crime occurs or who commits it.”
“Bellhouse violated vulnerable women under his custody and care, and a jury held him accountable for these despicable acts. Four other FCI Dublin employees, including the former Warden and Chaplain, have been convicted of sexually abusing inmates. Our investigation of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin remains ongoing, and we will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of BOP employees,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz.
“As an officer in a federal correctional facility, Bellhouse had an obligation to ensure the safety of all the persons serving their sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “Instead, Bellhouse used the power entrusted to him to serve his own corrupt purposes. The sexual abuse of inmates will not be tolerated, and Bellhouse will now face the consequences for committing his despicable crimes.”
Bellhouse was employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California (FCI Dublin), an all-female low security federal correctional institution. Trial evidence showed that Bellhouse sexually abused and committed abusive sexual contact against a victim beginning December 2019 through October 2020. The victim was incarcerated and serving a prison sentence at FCI Dublin under Bellhouse’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority. The trial evidence demonstrated Bellhouse engaged in oral sex with the victim in the prison Safety Warehouse and Safety Office and that Bellhouse touched the victim’s vagina and breasts in the prison Safety Office.
The trial evidence also demonstrated Bellhouse committed abusive sexual contact against a second victim between October and December of 2020. Trial evidence showed that the acts occurred in the Safety Office at the FCI Dublin Camp.
Bellhouse was convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a ward and three counts of abusive sexual conduct. Each count of sexual abuse carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison. Each count of abusive sexual conduct carries a maximum term of two years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Judge Gonzalez Rogers scheduled Bellhouse’s sentencing hearing for Aug. 30. Bellhouse remains out of custody pending his sentencing.
The DOJ OIG and FBI investigated the case.
Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation Into Civilian Death in The Bronx
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Samuel Williams, who died on May 29, 2023, after a motor vehicle incident involving members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on May 28, 2023.
On the evening of May 28, NYPD officers attempted to stop Mr. Williams, who was allegedly driving a dirt bike on a street in the Bronx. During the encounter, there was a collision between Mr. Williams’ bike and an unmarked NYPD vehicle at the southwestern corner of University Heights Bridge and West Fordham Road. Mr. Williams was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries the next day.
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.
These are preliminary facts and subject to change.
Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Canadian Wildfires Impacting State's Air Quality - and Recommends School Districts Cancel Outdoor Activities Due to Ongoing Impact of Canadian Wildfires
"Over the past several days, my team and I have been closely monitoring air quality and providing updates to New Yorkers as haze and smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to spread throughout the state. The State Department of Environmental Conservation and State Department of Health have issued air quality warnings since Monday, and according to the most recent forecast, much of the state outside of the North Country is expected to be in an air quality index of unhealthy to very unhealthy today. Additionally, my administration has been in contact with the cities of Syracuse, Rochester and New York. I support their decisions and the decisions of other districts to suspend outdoor school activities and strongly urge those who have not yet done so to follow suit."
Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health provided an update today on the effects of ongoing Canadian wildfires on New York's air quality. More than 100 wildfires currently burning in Quebec are causing hazy conditions across much of the state. An Air Quality Health Advisory is in effect until tomorrow for Long Island, New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, Upper Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, and Central New York regions.
"When many New Yorkers walked outside today, the hazy skies caused by wildfire smoke were hard to miss," Governor Hochul said. "New York State experts are monitoring our air quality every day to ensure New Yorkers have the latest information about current air quality in their communities and what they can do to protect themselves. I encourage New Yorkers, especially those sensitive to air quality, to take appropriate steps to help limit risk of exposure."
Earlier today, a media availability was held with DEC and DOH experts to provide updates on the effects of the ongoing wildfires on air quality. Last week, a DEC Forest Ranger and expert wildland firefighter was deployed to assist with efforts to contain wildfires raging in eastern Canada. New York State often deploys highly trained wildland firefighters to help battle fires as part of interstate and international firefighting compacts. The DEC Forest Ranger is serving as the crew boss of an interstate Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact crew comprised of firefighters from Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine to assist efforts in Nova Scotia. This is the first time a New York State Forest Ranger has been deployed to Canada since wildfires in Quebec in 2005.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "When these historic wildfires started in Canada, DEC meteorologists were closely monitoring weather patterns and other data to help inform air quality forecasts. DEC and our partners at the Department of Health will continue to keep the public informed with the latest on air quality alerts, and I also continue to hope that all the responding firefighters, including our Forest Ranger, remain safe while working to get these blazes under control."
Fine Particulate Matter
Fine particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g. vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
Exposure can cause short-term health effects, such as irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. People with heart or breathing problems, and children and the elderly may be particularly sensitive to PM 2.5.
When outdoor levels are elevated, going indoors may reduce exposure. If there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking) levels inside may not be lower than outside. Some ways to reduce exposure are to minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high. Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website.
Here in New York, dry conditions along the Lake Ontario Plains, Leatherstocking Region, and Southern Tier are resulting in a "high" fire danger rating. A high fire danger means all fine, dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes, including unattended brush and campfires. Fires may become serious and controlling them difficult unless attacked successfully while still small. The remainder of New York State is at a moderate level of fire danger. An updated fire danger map is available on the DEC website. While the statewide burn ban is no longer in effect, brush burning should only be done when absolutely necessary. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.
Open burning is prohibited in New York, with these exceptions:
- Campfires or any other outdoor fires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed.
- Small cooking fires are allowed.
- Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. Disposal of flags or religious items in a small-sized fire is allowed, if it is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation.
- Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned.
- Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished.
For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.