Saturday, August 27, 2016

A.G. Schneiderman Announces During Pride Day At New York State Fair A New Office Policy Supporting Employees Undergoing Gender Transition


New Policy Aims To Ensure Inclusive, Respectful Workplace And Establishes Clear Guidelines For Supervisors And Other Staff 
    Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today attended Pride Day at the New York State Fair in Syracuse and announced that his office (OAG) has adopted policies supporting the right of employees to undergo a gender transition. The new policy, announced during the fair’s rainbow flag raising ceremony, explicitly affirms the right of employees to openly be who they are, including expressing gender identity, without fear of consequences. Employees are encouraged under the policy to work with a trusted supervisor, coworker, or Human Resources official to develop a Workplace Transition Plan. The policy requires supervisors, management, and coworkers to follow nondiscriminatory policies that support the transitioning individual, including through:
  • Appearance Standards;
  • Restroom Access;
  • Pronoun And Name Changes;
  • Name Changes On Professional Licenses And Registrations; and
  • Rights To Privacy.
“Attracting and retaining top talent starts with creating a workplace that is inclusive and respectful,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “This new policy affirms the basic rights and dignity of all of our office’s employees and will ensure a hospitable environment for our team of outstanding public servants.”
“It is great to see such leadership from state officials taking steps to make the workplace more inclusive and welcoming to transgender employees,” said M. Dru Levasseur, Director of the Transgender Rights Project at Lambda Legal. “These policies not only clarify existing legal protections, but also set a standard of respect and provide a model for the rest of the country.”
“This new policy is a clear and welcome plan helping ensure transgender state employees are able to work - and transition on the job - without fear of discrimination,” said JoDee Winterhof, Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “All New Yorkers, regardless of their gender identity, deserve to be able to live as their authentic selves and be treated respectfully in the workplace as they do so.  Now thanks to the leadership of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, his transgender employees have the peace of mind they need and deserve.”
Under the office policy, an employee may develop a Workplace Transition Plan that includes the following considerations:
  • Identifying various stakeholders (e.g., supervisors, co-workers, clients, vendors, etc.) – who are all the people in the OAG you may need to engage at some point during the transition.
  • A communication plan: when and how to inform the various stakeholders of your transition or intent to transition (e.g., a letter, a face-to-face meeting, individual discussions, your supervisor/HR explaining).
  • The date on which you want to begin your transition at work.  This is likely the point at which you will begin to present consistently with your gender identity, which may include change of name, pronouns, dress, grooming, and restroom use.
  • The date on which OAG materials will be changed to reflect your transition (e.g., OAG directory, website, ID badge, email address, telephone listing, payroll information, etc.).
  • The date on which your legal name change (if any) will take effect.
  • Changes to external professional information (e.g., Lexis ID, bar and court registrations, ECF logins, bar association information, etc.).
  • Any anticipated time off or leave required for medical treatment. Remember that the OAG’s normal sick pay and leave policies will apply.
  • Identifying OAG benefits that are available to support the transition and affected by the transition.
  • Are there any specific issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later?
  • Confirm who will be the OAG’s main point of contact (you or someone else from your Support Team) to manage the OAG’s involvement during the transition.
All employees remain subject to the Office of the Attorney General’s pre-existing Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. In addition to prohibiting various forms of work place discrimination, the policy also allows a transgender employee, regardless of whether or not they plan to medically or legally transition, to dress consistently with his or her gender identity. Any complaints or concerns raised by transitioning individuals or his/her co-workers will be handled consistent with the policy. The New York Attorney General’s Office relied on best practices from the transgender advocacy community in developing the policies issued today.
The full policy is available here.

Comic Con 2016 Guests


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October 6 - 9, 2016 | Javits Center
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New York Comic Con - NYCC
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  GUESTS   EVENTS   THE FLOOR   ABOUT   EXHIBITORS
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NYC DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION OFFICER INDICTED FOR RAPE OF INMATE IN RIKERS ISLAND JAIL


  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters today announced that a New York City Department of Correction Officer has been indicted on first-degree Rape and other charges for engaging in sex acts with an inmate in Rikers Island. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “Correction Officers or any other staff in Rikers Island cannot use their position to abuse inmates. We will prosecute any jail employee who undermines the public’s trust and tarnishes the honest, hardworking members of the Department of Correction.” 

 Commissioner Peters said, "DOI takes allegations of sex assault at Rikers extremely seriously. Today's case is part of a larger set of investigations on the issue that we are undertaking." 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jose Cosme, 36, of Brooklyn, has been indicted on first-degree Rape, first-degree Criminal Sexual Act, first-degree Sexual Abuse, third-degree Rape, third-degree Criminal Sexual Act, Sexual Misconduct, second-degree Sexual Abuse, Forcible Touching and third-degree Sexual Abuse. 

 Cosme was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ethan Greenberg, who set bail at $75,000 bond/$25,000 cash. Cosme is due back in court on September 20, 2016. If convicted of the top count, Cosme could face 50 years in prison. 

 According to the indictment, on November 30, 2015, in the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island, Cosme allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the female inmate by forcible compulsion. He also allegedly engaged in other sex acts with the inmate, who is unable to consent by reason that she is incarcerated.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Pascale, Supervisor of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Joseph Muroff, Chief of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, and the overall supervision of Maria T. Rivero, Chief of the Special Victims Division and Jean T. Walsh, Chief of the Investigations Division. 

 District Attorney Clark thanked DOI's Office of the Inspector General for the New York City Department of Correction for their assistance in the investigation. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt. 

Violent Member Of Robbery Crew Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To 70 Months In Prison


 

Robbery Crew Targeted Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, Taxi Drivers, and Deliverymen in the Bronx, Elmsford, Pleasantville, Yonkers, and New Rochelle, New York, During Month-Long Crime Spree

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Charlie Patterson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), and William J. Bratton, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that ANTHONY GREEN was sentenced on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams to 70 months in prison for being a member of a robbery crew that committed 11 commercial robberies, and numerous other street robberies of individuals, in August and September 2015.  ANTHONY GREEN personally participated in three of those robberies, and was arrested in the midst of attempting to commit a fourth.  During one of the robberies, ANTHONY GREEN assaulted a 61-year-old robbery victim, throwing the victim to the floor and beating him.  GREEN pled guilty before Judge Abrams on February 26, 2016.        
According to the Indictment and statements made at court proceedings and in court filings:
From at least on or about August 27, 2015, through on or about September 3, 2015, ANTHONY GREEN joined with his co-defendants Lennox Josephs and Cameron Green (as well as another individual) to commit at least three commercial robberies of gas stations and convenience stores in the Bronx and Elmsford, New York, and they planned to commit a fourth such robbery in Pleasantville, New York.  These robberies were the last in a weeks-long spree that Josephs and Cameron Green had been on since at least August 12, 2015, during which they robbed at least 11 commercial businesses and individuals engaged in commercial activity, such as restaurant deliverymen and taxi cab drivers.  Prior to August 27, 2015, ANTHONY GREEN had also joined Josephs and Cameron Green to commit street robberies, during which they physically assaulted victims and snatched wallets and cellphones.
During the three commercial robberies in which ANTHONY GREEN participated, the defendants wore masks and used BB guns that appeared to be real firearms.  The victims of the robberies were terrorized and in several instances subjected to physical violence by ANTHONY GREEN and his associates, including one robbery in which Cameron Green dislocated a pregnant woman’s shoulder.
Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the SPARTA Task Force, which comprises agents and detectives of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New York City Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. 
Cameron Green pled guilty on February 19, 2016, and was sentenced by Judge Abrams on July 8, 2016, to 78 months in prison.  Lennox Josephs pled guilty on March 9, 2016, and was sentenced by Judge Abrams on August 8, 2016, to 78 months in prison.

Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo in partnership with State Senator Gustavo Rivera will hold another Family Fun Day today at M.S.363.


  This event will offer fun activities for the children and information for parents on health, education and housing issues from partners like Union Community Health Center, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (IDNYC), South Bronx Healthy Families, VIP Community Services, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Department of Education, New York Public Library and more.

What: Family Fun Day

Who:  Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo
          State Senator Gustavo Rivera

When: Saturday, August 27, 2016
            11:00 am – 6:00 p.m.

Where: MS 363 School Yard
120 East 184th Street
 Bronx, NY 10468

Trains: 4 train, nearest stop: 183 Street
            Bx2, nearest stop: Grand Concourse/Field Pl

Family Fun Day in St.James Park


  Yesterday was Family Fun Day in St. James Park. This event was sponsored by Assemblyman Victor Pichardo and State Senator Gustavo Rivera. There were information tables at the event from various New York City agencies, and neighborhood non-profit organizations. The photos should tell the rest of the story. 


Above - You can see some of the informative tables that were at St. James Park.
Below - State Senator Gustavo Rivera was given the task of handing out ticket stubs for a free backpack to the hundreds of children as you see in this photo. The good senator was also able to tell parents of his work in the community. 




Above - Assemblyman Victor Pichardo smiles as he gives out a back pack to a child to get prepared for the first day of school, which starts in two weeks. 
Below - There were 1,000 back packs on hand to give out, that were made in the USA. Assemblyman Pichardo is able to catch a break for a sip of water as has given out several hundred back packs already.  





Councilman Eric Ulrich to Join NYC Transit Museum for Vintage Subway Car Ride



   Councilman Eric Ulrich will join the NYC Transit Museum Today for a ride on a vintage subway car round-trip between Beach 116th Street and Rockaway Boulevard. 

The ride will feature both BMT Standard cars and D-Type Triplex cars.  The BMT Standard cars were in service from 1916 to 1969 and featured larger windows, brighter lighting and center doors.  The 134 foot-long "Triplex" cars were ordered in 1924 and featured an enclosed passageway between cars. 

What: Councilman Eric Ulrich joins the NYC Transit Museum for a ride on a vintage subway car
Where: Begins and ends at the Beach 116th Street Subway Station (Beach 116th Street between Beach Channel Drive and Rockaway Beach Boulevard)
When: Saturday, August 27, at 11:30 am

(444k, 1044x708)<br><b>Country:</b> United States<br><b>City:</b> New York<br><b>System:</b> New York City Transit<br><b>Line:</b> IND Rockaway<br><b>Location:</b> Between 108th st and 116th St/Rockaway Park<br><b>Car:</b> BMT D-Type Triplex 6019 <br><b>Collection of:</b> David Pirmann<br><b>Viewed (this week/total):</b> 2 / 2586

System: New York City Transit
Line: IND Rockaway
Location: Between 108th st and 116th St/Rockaway Park
Car: BMT D-Type Triplex 6019 
Collection of: David Pirmann

DCP Jerome Ave Rezoning Scoping Hearing Details


  Community Board 7 was notified by the Department of City Planning (DCP) that the scoping document for the Jerome Avenue Neighborhood Study will be released this coming Monday. On Thursday, September 8th DCP will be holding a public meeting at the Davidson Community Center, 2038 Davidson Avenue, from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM to discuss the ULURP and Scoping processes. It will be informational so residents and stakeholders have a better understanding of the project’s next steps. In addition, DCP plans to hold a scoping hearing on Thursday, September 29th at 4pm at Bronx Community College to review the proposed rezoning plan based on the study. I hope you can all attend. For more information please call or visit the board office.

Andrew Sandler   District Manager
Bronx Community Board 7
229-A East 204th Street   Bronx, NY 10458
P: 718-933-5650/51