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Friday, March 6, 2020
Wave Hill events March 19-March 26
Sat, March 21
How do you protect yourself? Take a cue from nature and mimic the protective armor of turtles, armadillos, lobsters, sturgeon and hedgehogs. Parade in your armor and choreograph a boundary dance, showcasing what you’ve learned from animals about how to protect yourself. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.
Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM
Sun, March 22
How do you protect yourself? Take a cue from nature and mimic the protective armor of turtles, armadillos, lobsters, sturgeon and hedgehogs. Parade in your armor and choreograph a boundary dance, showcasing what you’ve learned from animals about how to protect yourself. Free with admission to the grounds.
Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM
Sun, March 22
Design and plant a fanciful, miniature landscape in a glass container with a selection of diminutive plants, perfect for home or office. Director of Public Programs Laurel Rimmer provides plants, materials and personal assistance in this popular annual workshop. Go green! Bring your own glass container and receive an extra plant or ceramic critter for your terrarium. Ages eight and older welcome with an adult. $50. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center.
Wave Hill House, 1PM
Sun, March 22
Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-In Sunday. This Sunday, participating artists are Maya Ciarrocchi and Sal Muñoz. Free with admission to the grounds.
Glyndor Gallery, 1–3PM
Sun, March 22
Garden highlights walks offer an intimate look at our living collections. Wave Hill Garden Guides help you explore the grounds and make sure that you do not miss any seasonal floral wonders. Free with admission to the grounds.
Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2–3PM
Mon, March 23
Wave Hill is closed.
Wed, March 25
After being shown a glimpse of the horticultural world, Uziel Crescenzi dove right in. He changed his major from architecture to plant science and transferred to the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill. Since graduation he has interned at the Arnold Arboretum, Wave Hill and The American Gardener, experiences that prompted him to complete the Master of Landscape Architecture program at The City College of New York, Bernard Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, this past June. Crescenzi’s talk will focus on the insights he has gained—so far—concerning public and private horticulture and environmental assessment. Wave Hill’s annual horticultural lecture series is held at the New York School of Interior Design. Individual tickets: $30, with a 10% discount for Wave Hill Members. Seating is limited, and advance reservations are recommended, online at wavehill.org. Student tickets available lecture evening only, at the door, space permitting and with a valid student ID.
New York School of Interior Design, 6–7:30PM.
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 – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings 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/
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. 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.
Thursday, March 5, 2020
MAYOR DE BLASIO PROVIDES UPDATES ON NEW YORK CITY’S COVID-19 RESPONSE
Mayor Bill de Blasio today updated New Yorkers on the City’s response efforts regarding COVID-19. As community transmission increases, the Mayor is reminding New Yorkers to take basic precautions while going about their lives: wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, stay home if you are sick and call your doctor if you experience the following symptoms: fever, cough and/or shortness of breath.
“As New York City continues to see more cases, I am reminding New Yorkers to remain vigilant, but not alarmed,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are continuing to do everything in our power to keep New Yorkers safe and healthy, and are asking our federal partners to help us increase testing capacity so we can get the job done faster.”
Travel, Testing and Self-Isolation:
The Department of Health is asking New Yorkers who return from the following countries to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution: China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, and Japan.
In addition, the Health Commissioner has ordered any educator, healthcare worker, or first responder employed by the City of New York, New York City Department of Education, and the New York City Health + Hospitals Corporation who the Department determines presents a danger of infection to others, in accordance with accepted public health guidelines or information about the contagious period of COVID-19 shall submit to testing for COVID-19 by the Department or a medical professional. Criteria can be found here.
The Commissioner may order any educator, healthcare worker or first responder required to be tested by this order who declines to submit for such testing to self-quarantine at home, or such other location determined by the Department, until such date as the Department determines such person no longer presents a potential danger of infection to others, in accordance with accepted public health guidelines or information about the contagious period of COVID-19.
The Department of Health is monitoring 2773 New Yorkers for home isolation, as of this morning.
The Mayor has called on the federal government to provide more test kits to increase the City’s testing capacity and allow private companies to develop alternative, automated testing approaches for COVID-19.
Department of Education Updates:
The Department of Education has sent principals updated guidance regarding cleaning, travel, and symptomatic staff and student protocol. If a student is symptomatic while in school, they will be separated from other students and their parents will be notified to pick them up. If a staff member is symptomatic, they will be advised to leave work and go to the doctor. Additional guidance is being shared with schools including: ensuring adequate supplies via communication with building managers, daily announcements on PA systems for staff and students, identifying private rooms within schools to isolate staff or students who may present symptoms, and advising students and teachers to remain home and contact a doctor if sick.
Police Department Updates:
Four NYPD officers have self-isolated since returning from the following four countries: China, Italy, Iran, and Japan. All four are asymptomatic and have not been back to their precincts since returning to the United States.
Fire Department Updates:
The FDNY Incident Management Team has been activated. IMTs are federally trained teams of first responders responsible for overseeing large-scale long-duration incidents and emergencies. The FDNY IMT consists of more than 180 FDNY members from all ranks in the Department with specialized training in incident command, rescue operations, logistics and planning.
One team will assist New York City Emergency Management with their creation of an Incident Action Plan regarding COVID-19. A second team will assist in the planning and development of a strategy associated with COVID-19 for the FDNY.
Department Of Correction / Correctional Health Updates:
In order to protect the safety and wellbeing of all those living and working in DOC custody, DOC, in partnership with CHS, is proactively walking through various emergency scenarios designed to test our readiness, identify vulnerabilities, and remedy issues before they have a chance to occur.
All DOC housing units, dayrooms, and common spaces are cleaned and sanitized once per day with shower areas cleaned three times per day.
Transport buses will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Any transport bus that is transporting a person who is symptomatic of a respiratory illness will be sanitized immediately after transporting that individual. DOC’s environmental health unit is providing additional sanitation and sanitization training to all institutional aids and sanitation work details.
Any uniformed staff member who shows up to work with respiratory ailments will be sent home and required to provide a doctor’s note with clearance of COVID-19 or flu in order to return. Staff have also been instructed to refer any person in custody who is exhibiting respiratory symptoms to CHS for evaluation.
Administration for Children Services Updates:
ACS is revising and recirculating emergency protocols for each of the three ACS-operated congregate facilities (Children’s Center, Crossroads Juvenile Center, Horizon Juvenile Center). ACS has developed and is implementing an infectious disease protocol for our three congregate care facilities. ACS has also disseminated DOHMH COVID-19 guidance to all 34 ACS borough locations and ensuring that these locations (including the three congregate care facilities) have adequate cleaning supplies and protective equipment.
Ferry Updates:
Staten Island Ferry:
Ferry crews are conforming to cleaning schedules similar to the MTA and ensure that each ferryboat is subject to deep cleaning of all surfaces and touch points once every 72 hours.
DOT ferry terminals are cleaned around the clock and we are preparing for supplemental cleaning on the boats throughout the day. In addition, they will continue with cleaning regime in all public areas of the terminals. DOT crews have also been handing out flyers at the Whitehall terminal to educate people on the virus.
NYC Ferry:
NYC Ferry crews are cleaning and servicing each vessel daily and are performing hourly inspections of high use areas such as restrooms and concession areas. As an additional precautionary measure, crews will wipe down these high use areas regularly. In addition, graphics advising hand washing and cough covering will go up on the digital screens inside all NYC Ferry vessels, as well as messaging on social media.
Housing Preservation and Development / Housing Development Corporation Updates:
The City’s housing agencies, Housing Preservation and Development and the Housing Development Corporation, have shared the most up-to-date information from the Department of Health with all of the buildings they touch through their many programs, including 1.5 million homes in privately owned housing, serving approximately 3.75 million New Yorkers.
Department for the Aging Updates:
DFTA has issued a third guidance to all City contracted and non-contracted senior providers on cleaning and readiness. DFTA is also developing a plan to visit over 600 senior congregate settings weekly to ensure implementation of congregate setting protocols. DOHMH, DFTA, NYCHA, HPD, HDC, NYCEM, and PEU are having daily meetings regarding the City’s elderly population.
Human Resources Administration / Department of Homelessness Services Updates:
HRA distributed educational materials on safe hygiene practices to their community partner and provider network. DHS convened shelter medical directors to discuss homeless shelter guidance and protocols to inform planning for shelter preparedness.
If New Yorkers Experience Discrimination:
The City Commission on Human Rights is monitoring and responding to potential bias incidents due to fear and stigma around COVID-19 which may manifest themselves as harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, nation of origin, or other protected classes under the NYC Human Rights Law. The Commission has a dedicated East Asian Communities Liaison with strong community relationships who is in constant communication with community members across the city. If you experience any discrimination, dial 311 and ask for the Commission on Human Rights.
NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for February 2020
For the month of February 2020, major index crime in New York City saw an overall +22.5% increase when compared to the same period in 2019. There was a -20.0% decrease in the number of murders this month (20 v. 25). The City saw a +7.1% increase in shooting incidents (45 v. 42). Robbery, assault, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto all saw increases.
Criminal justice reforms serve as a significant reason New York City has seen this uptick in crime. To combat the increased victimization of New Yorkers, the NYPD is leveraging multiple strategies, including:
- Redeployment: The NYPD has identified 15 areas where there is an uptick in street crime and is redeploying resources in real time, including moving more vehicle and foot patrols.
- Staffing surge: The Department is increasing police presence by reassigning police officers from administrative roles to enforcement positions. This effort will include the use of overtime as needed.
- Focus on youth: There continues to be an uptick in youths committing robberies against other kids. Part of our new youth strategy includes a Youth Forum. For the third time, NYPD officials will meet this week with outside partners from the District Attorney's offices, the Department of Probation, the Department of Education and Corporation Counsel regarding effective enforcement and prevention strategies to address rising youth crime.
"Every single day, in real time, we are monitoring individual crimes, evaluating crime trends and redeploying accordingly," said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. "Each number represents a victim. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with New Yorkers and our law enforcement partners to zero in on the drivers of crime and deliver justice for the victims. The men and women of the NYPD are relentless in their efforts to overcome challenges and provide New Yorkers with the level of safety they deserve."
"While crime is at a record low in New York City, there is more work to do to ensure that every New Yorker feels safe in their neighborhood. We will continue to use precision policing to target enforcement and deepen our work with communities to fight crime," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Impact of criminal justice reforms on crime year to date: In the first 58 days of 2020, 482 individuals who had already been arrested for committing a serious (felony) crime such as robbery or burglary were rearrested for committing an additional 846 crimes. Thirty-five percent, or 299, were for arrests in the seven major crime categories – murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto – that is nearly triple the amount of those crimes committed in the same 58 days in 2019. All of people were arrested for offenses that prior to Jan 1 and bail reform, could have landed them in jail.
These are arrests – and they do not reflect completely the number of crimes committed by these alleged felons. On top of this – if you add in the "DPs" or decisions to decline to prosecute for these crimes, there are 803 crimes (11.3% of all felony arrests that are no longer eligible for bail) that were not prosecuted, compared to 527 in the same period last year (6.7% of all felony arrests that are no longer eligible for bail).
Key highlights from this month's crime statistics:
- Murder is down (20 v. 25) -20.0% in February 2020 when compared to February 2019.
- Year-to-date, burglary, assault, grand larceny, and grand larceny auto have all seen increases.
- There were 42 shooting incidents in February 2019, compared to 45 shooting incidents in February 2020, resulting in a +7.1% increase.
- For the month of February, rape decreased by -6.0% (125 v. 133). Rape continues to be underreported. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The NYPD Special Victims Division's 24-hour hotline is 212-267-RAPE (7273).
- Citywide hate crimes are down -2.0% this year as of March 1, 2020.
Statistics on Index Crimes
Note: Due to the leap year, the data compares a 29-day period in 2020 with a 28-day period in 2019. There were 237 additional crimes on February 29| February 2020 | February 2019 | +/- | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 20 | 25 | -5 | -20.0% |
| Rape | 125 | 133 | -8 | -6.0% |
| Robbery | 1,182 | 891 | +291 | +32.7% |
| Assault | 1,413 | 1,294 | +119 | +9.2% |
| Burglary | 904 | 759 | +145 | +19.1% |
| Grand Larceny | 3,495 | 2,821 | +674 | +23.9% |
| G.L.A. | 493 | 305 | +188 | +616% |
| TOTAL | 7,632 | 6,228 | +1,404 | +22.5% |
Additional Statistics on Transit/Housing Crime and Shootings, 2019-2020
| February 2020 | February 2019 | +/- | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Transit
| 266 | 189 | +77 | +40.7% |
Housing
| 347 | 351 | -4 | -1.1% |
Shooting
Incidents | 45 | 42 | +3 | +7.1% |
February Rape Breakdowns
| CompStat Year | Count | Occurred Same Year | Occurred Previous Year | Occurred 2 Years Prior | Occurred 3 Years Prior | Occurred 4 Years Prior | Occurred 5+ Years Prior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020
| 125 | 89 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
2019
| 133 | 95 | 24 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
2018
| 122 | 83 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
2017
| 88 | 66 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
2016
| 110 | 79 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
2015
| 80 | 56 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Hate Crimes Statistics Summary from January 1, 2020 – March 1, 2020
| Motivation | 2020 | 2019 | +/- | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Asian
| 0 | 3 | -3 | -100% |
Black
| 10 | 3 | +7 | +233% |
Disability
| 0 | 0 | 0 | ***.* |
Ethnic
| 0 | 0 | 0 | ***.* |
Gender
| 2 | 1 | +1 | +100% |
Hispanic
| 1 | 0 | +1 | ***.* |
Muslim
| 0 | 3 | -3 | -100% |
Other
| 7 | 2 | +5 | +250% |
Religion
| 2 | 3 | -1 | -33% |
Semitic
| 36 | 41 | -5 | -12% |
Sexual Orientation
| 4 | 6 | -2 | -33% |
White
| 2 | 3 | -1 | -33%% |
Grand Total
| 64 | 65 | -1 | %-2 |
Note: All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revisions, or change.
MAYOR DE BLASIO CALLS ON CDC TO SEND NEW YORK CITY MORE COVID-19 TESTING KITS AND FDA TO APPROVE TESTS DEVELOPED BY PRIVATE HEALTH INSTITUTIONS
Mayor Bill de Blasio today urged the CDC to increase the City's supply of COVID-19 testing kits. Mayor de Blasio also called on the FDA to expedite the approval of all appropriate testing approaches developed by private institutions. With approval of these test methods and kits, the City could see testing capacity across the city increase by nearly ten times what it is now, and lower the time it takes for test results to be available.
"Quick detection is vital to stopping the spread of the virus,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We need the CDC to step up so our experts can do their job and protect New Yorkers. Our single greatest challenge is the lack of fast federal action to increase testing capacity, and without that, we cannot beat this epidemic back.”
Previously, the CDC sent New York City two test kits to begin testing locally at the City’s Public Health Lab. The City has requested additional testing kits from the CDC and will continue to do so in order to meet the City’s commitment of testing as many people as possible.