Governor Hochul Urges Caution as Severe Thunderstorms Continue to Threaten Upstate New York

 

Portions of Western New York, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier Regions at Greatest Risk of Impact Thursday Evening into Friday

Heavy Downpours and Strong Winds May Cause Flash Flooding, Downed Trees and Power Outages

Most Severe Weather Not Expected to Impact Eastern Portion of the State, But Localized Heavy Downpours Possible

Flood Watch to go into Effect on Friday Afternoon and Evening for Parts of the North Country and Capital Region

Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers, especially those in the western half of the state, to prepare for the potential of severe thunderstorms beginning Thursday evening into Friday. While the majority of the state may see varying levels of rainfall, the most severe weather is expected to impact parts of the Western New York, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions. Areas in the Mid-Hudson, Capital and North Country regions that have been inundated with severe thunderstorms and flash flooding in recent weeks are forecast to have the lowest risk of severe weather, but locally heavy downpours are possible in areas that experienced recent flooding. As Governor Hochul and her administration keep a close eye on this weather system and stand ready to support local partners’ response to any impacts, New Yorkers are reminded to monitor their local forecasts, ensure their households are prepared for sever weather, and to never drive through flooded roadways.

“My team is closely tracking the forecast for the rest of this week as Mother Nature continues to bring severe weather our way this summer,” Governor Hochul said. “We are prepared to respond to this storm and will assist local governments upon request with personnel and equipment should flooding or power outages cause destruction.”

Beginning Thursday evening, rain and thunderstorms will begin moving into the state. Parts of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties are forecast to have higher risk of severe thunderstorms than other areas of the state west of Syracuse. This system has the potential to produce severe weather, including damaging winds in excess of 58 mph, hail of up to one inch in diameter, localized flash flooding and isolated tornadoes.

A Flood Watch was issued for portions of the North Country and Capital Region starting Friday afternoon and continuing through late Friday night, as showers and thunderstorms are expected to produce up to three inches of rain or locally higher amounts in some places.

For a complete listing of weather alerts and forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website at alerts.weather.gov.

Severe Weather Safety Tips

Disaster Supplies

Have disaster supplies on hand, including:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Checkbook, cash, credit cards, ATM cards

Flash Flooding

• Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way.
• If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
• Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

Lightning

• Follow the 30-30 rule: If the time between when you see a flash of lightning and hear thunder is 30 seconds or less, the lightning is close enough to hit you. Seek shelter immediately. After the last flash of lightning, wait 30 minutes before leaving your shelter.
• Lightning hits the tallest object. If you are above a tree line, quickly get below it and crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
• If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

Tornado

• If outdoors and a Tornado Warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.
• If at home or in a small building, go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
• If in a school, hospital, or shopping center, go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.
• If in a high-rise building, go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use elevators — use stairs instead.

For more information on personal preparedness and how to stay safe during severe weather, visit: dhses.gov/safety.

MAYOR ADAMS, PARKS COMMISSIONER DONOGHUE, DOT COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $40 MILLION INVESTMENT IN SAFER, MORE VIBRANT DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN

 

Projects Totaling More Than $40 Million Will Deliver Public Space and Street Safety Improvements Along Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue and Across Downtown Brooklyn

 

Project Delivers on Commitments in Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda” and “New” New York Action Plan

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue, and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced a more than $40 million investment to deliver vibrant public spaces and street safety improvements along Fulton Street and across Downtown Brooklyn. This project will deliver streetscape improvements, transportation and public space upgrades including improved bus service and new public art, and pedestrian and roadway user safety enhancements — supporting the continued recovery of Brooklyn’s largest economic hub. The project is part of Mayor Adams’ $375 million investment in creating exciting, new public spaces across all five boroughs outlined in his “Working People’s Agenda,” and builds on the goals of the “New” New York panel for the growth of the city’s commercial districts.

 

“Downtown Brooklyn is our most populous borough’s largest economic hub. And today, we are bringing it into the future with more than $40 million for green space, efficient transportation, and safe streets that hard-working New Yorkers deserve,” said Mayor Adams. “This is how we reimagine our city, reinvigorate our neighborhoods, and revitalize our business districts: with more room to walk, to bike, and to enjoy retail and restaurants safely. And with our $375 million investment in vibrant, new public spaces, building on the work of the ‘New’ New York panel, we are delivering more public space in every single borough.”

A rendering of Fulton Street under the Adams administration’s new plan. Credit: NYC Parks

 

“We are committed to focused, coordinated work that results in more public space and safe streets for all New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “I commend the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, NYC Parks, and DOT for their quick work, which will make the ‘Midtown of Brooklyn’ the benchmark for successful mixed-used communities.”

 

“Over the course of developing the recommendations from the ‘New’ New York panel, experts from business, transportation, public health, education — any and all sector in New York City — all agreed on the importance of vibrant, dynamic public spaces as the connective tissue that make our cities fun, livable, and competitive,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I am thrilled by today’s announcement, an investment that will advance the agenda of the Adams administration and the ‘New’ New York panel, further transforming Downtown Brooklyn into a place for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”

 

“With new street trees, tree pits, and seating on the way to Fulton Street, Downtown Brooklyn is about to get even more beautiful,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “I’m grateful to Mayor Adams, our partners at our sister agencies, and the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership for their dedication to beautifying this vibrant corridor. This project shows how multiagency collaboration and public-private partnerships can enhance our public spaces for the benefit of all New Yorkers, and I look forward to seeing Fulton Street’s transformation in person.”

 

“Downtown Brooklyn is becoming an exciting example of variety of the ways the city can redesign our streets to prioritize safe and efficient transportation options. We’re building protected bike infrastructure, dedicated bus lanes, and adding pedestrian space to create a welcoming, vibrant commercial hub,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “We thank Mayor Adams, the Parks Department, and the Downtown Brooklyn Alliance for their partnership in reimagining our streets.”

 

“In the ‘Making New York Work for Everyone’ action plan, published by the ‘New’ New York panel, we recommended meaningful investments in the public realm to improve biking, enable pedestrian access, and improve public transit, and here is the city making exactly such an investment,” said Richard R. Buery, Jr., co-chair, ‘New’ New York panel; and CEO, Robin Hood. “As a native of Brooklyn, I am thrilled with the announcement, and I know that a reimagined, dynamic, safe public realm will benefit all New Yorkers.”

 

“To stay competitive and to thrive, cities must evolve, and part of this evolution is making meaningful investments in more dynamic public space,” said Daniel Doctoroff, co-chair, “New” New York panel; and former CEO, Sidewalk Labs. “I applaud Mayor Adams’ continued leadership on the public realm, evidenced by the city’s focus on Downtown Brooklyn and the upgrades that will go directly to making the area a globally relevant urban space where people want to live, work, play, and study.”

 

Fulton Streetscape Improvements

 

As part of the project, NYC Parks will reinvigorate Fulton Street to support its active commercial uses by adding street trees, improving tree pits, and adding seating — all contributing to a more attractive streetscape. In addition to this $8 million project, leveraging ongoing private development within the neighborhood will expand the reach of these treatments.

 

Flatbush Avenue Pedestrian and Safety Upgrades

 

DOT is working with partner agencies on the design for a major, $32 million capital project to expand pedestrian space and improve traffic safety at five intersections of Flatbush Avenue between Livingston Street and Pacific Street. The project will widen sidewalks with concrete extensions and shorten crossing distances — creating safer, more pedestrian-focused intersections — while adding street furniture and street trees to beautify the corridor.

 

The project includes building a raised shared street at the corner of Ashland Place and Hanson Place, along the Williamsburg Savings Bank frontage, to create a pedestrian-focused node at the Atlantic Terminal and complement plans for a protected bike lane along Ashland Place and Navy Street. A shared street, also known as a “pedestrian-priority” street, is a roadway designed for slow travel speeds where pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists all share the right of way.

 

Downtown Brooklyn Transportation and Public Realm Improvements

 

Ashland Place and Navy Street Protected Bike Lanes: Filling a critical gap in Brooklyn’s bicycle lane network, DOT will install protected bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements on Ashland Place and Navy Street, between Hanson Place and Flushing Avenue, and a slow street on Hanson Place, between St. Felix Street and Ashland Place, later this year. The project plan includes converting Ashland Place to one-way northbound, between Hanson Place and DeKalb Avenue, and converting Hanson Place to one-way westbound, between St. Felix Street and Ashland Place.

 

Livingston Street Bus Priority Project: This summer, DOT will create two-way, dedicated bus-only lanes on Livingston Street between Flatbush Avenue and Boerum Place, with physical protection and bus boarding islands east of Gallatin Place. The project will make commutes faster and more reliable for 50,000 daily bus riders along the corridor. For general traffic west of Gallatin Place, Livingston Street will remain two-way; east of Gallatin Place, general traffic will be westbound only, with metered parking along the north curb. Additional pedestrian islands and painted pedestrian space will be created to shorten crossing distances and improve pedestrian safety.

 

Fleet Place and Willoughby Street Intersection Upgrade: This project will reconfigure the parking field at Fleet Place and Willoughby Street to install standard parallel parking spaces — creating a large painted pedestrian space that will feature asphalt art, shortening the crosswalk distance by 75 percent, and allowing for a new stop-controlled crosswalk across Willoughby Street. Implementation is scheduled for July.

 

These improvements deliver on a key commitment in Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda,” which included a $375 million investment to create extraordinary new public spaces across the city. The administration has marked milestones in other major public space projects through that investment this year, including Broadway Junction in Brooklyn and the Arches and Broadway Vision in Manhattan. The Fulton Street project also builds on “Making New York Work for Everyone,” the action plan put together by the “New” New York panel that Mayor Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul convened in 2022.

 

These projects will also build on a series of DOT projects to reimagine Downtown Brooklyn streets to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and mass transit, and enhance traffic safety.

 

“The city’s investment in Downtown Brooklyn’s public realm demonstrates a profound commitment to the neighborhood and the realignment of our streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and mass transit users,” said Regina Myer, president, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “Downtown Brooklyn has become a thriving mixed-use neighborhood, and these improvements will further enhance the downtown experience for shoppers, office workers, and residents alike. With the beautified, safer streets afforded by this plan, we solidify Downtown Brooklyn as a nationwide leader in creating a people-first downtown. Thank you to Mayor Adams and the city for helping us spearhead a dynamic infrastructure that champions the needs of Brooklynites.”

 

“We applaud Mayor Adams and the city’s Parks and Transportation departments for delivering on these promised streetscape and safety improvements to Downtown Brooklyn,” said Eric McClure, executive director, StreetsPAC. “Planting more trees seems like a simple thing, but as we grapple with the increasingly severe effects of climate change, there are few things we can do that are better for the environment and for enhancing public space. In addition, pedestrian-safety and public-realm upgrades along Flatbush Avenue, the reimagining of Ashland Place and Hanson Place, and the implementation of major bus improvements on Livingston Street will benefit the tens of thousands of people who work, commute, shop, and recreate in Downtown Brooklyn every day. We can’t wait to see these changes take shape.”

 

“These projects are great examples of how combining a variety of diverse, people-centered treatments can all work together to make a more livable place,” said Jackson Chabot, director of advocacy and organizing, Open Plans. “The expanded sidewalk space and micro mobility infrastructure will make it safer for people moving through Downtown Brooklyn and the additional seating and shade will inspire them stick around. These types of spaces pay dividends for health, happiness, and local business; they’re the key to a better future in New York.”

NYC Comptroller to UPS CEO: Extended Strike Could Damage Country’s Highest Volume Parcel Company Long-term

In letter to CEO, Comptroller Lander urges company to fairly negotiate & effectively address part-time employees’ concerns 

Two weeks before the International Brother of Teamsters and UPS’ negotiation deadline, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander wrote to United Parcel Service (UPS) CEO Carol Tomé, urging the company to effectively address part-time employee pay concerns in contract negotiations. Part-time employees make up nearly 50% of UPS employees and perform crucial roles as package handlers, loaders and unloaders throughout the parcel system.

The letter expresses the critical need for resolution amidst the potential ripple effects on the nation’s economy of the looming August 1 deadline. “We fear that an extended strike could have long-term damaging effects on the company, destroying shareholder value and long-term returns,” Comptroller Brad Lander states in the letter.

Comptroller Lander cautions UPS on the potential for an extended strike to diminish long-term shareholder returns, a move that would negatively impact New York City’s pension funds whose shares are valued at $191,067,415 as of June 30. Comptroller Lander wrote, “The UPS approach to service delivery, sustainability, and collaborative human capital management… has reliably delivered not just packages to America’s doorsteps, but strong shareholder value over many years.” He urges the company to make an offer that both addresses the real concerns of its part-time employees and delivers for its customers, employees and shareholders, including nearly 800,000 New York City public employees, retirees and beneficiaries.

Failing to reach a resolution threatens to not only slow delivery times for consumers, but also cause supply chain breakdowns for vulnerable industries like small businesses and hospitals. A 10-day strike could reportedly cost the US economy $7.1B in losses.

Read New York City Comptroller’s letter to UPS CEO Carol Tomé.

MAYOR ADAMS AND COMPTROLLER LANDER ANNOUNCE NEW REFORMS TO CUT RED TAPE, MAKE IT EASIER FOR NONPROFITS TO GET PAID ON TIME

 

New Reform for Discretionary Contracts to Save Nonprofits Nine Months of Contracting Process Time

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, and the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofits today announced a new reform for discretionary contracts that will eliminate red tape and make it easier for nonprofits that contract with the city to get paid on time. The innovative reform eliminates a total of nine months of discretionary contracting process time for nonprofits every year, beginning in the out-years for applicable contracts. Instead of requiring nonprofits that receive New York City Council discretionary spending to register a new contract every year, the new reform allows nonprofits to enter into multi-year contracts without needing to complete the entire procurement process annually. An estimated 73 percent of nonprofit discretionary providers that receive city funding will now receive expedited payments. The reform builds on the Adams administration’s early success in achieving an 80 percent timely registration rate for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) human services contracts and helps ensure that contracts with nonprofits are registered and paid in an efficient manner, a key goal of Mayor Adams and the comptroller’s Joint Task Force to Get Nonprofits Paid On Time.

“This reform is critical for ensuring that nonprofits that work with the city can get registered and paid on time,” said Mayor Adams. “It means nonprofits will be able to spend less time navigating government bureaucracy and more time delivering meals, providing shelter, and offering legal services to vulnerable New Yorkers. This is what it looks like to ’Get Stuff Done’ for our vital human services partners.”

“Discretionary contracts fund after school, diversion to incarceration, and senior programs that contribute to the long-term thriving of our city,” said Comptroller Lander. “Knocking down barriers for nonprofit discretionary will allow these life-altering programs to stand up faster and sustain operations. This is a key step to get nonprofits paid on time and honor the essential services they provide for New Yorkers.”

"The Adams administration is committed to streamlining services so that all New Yorkers and, importantly, our nonprofit partners can thrive," said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. "The multi-year contract will save our valued nonprofit partners time, allowing them to focus their efforts on serving our communities rather than being burdened with contract inefficiencies. With leaders like Directors Lisa Flores and Karen Ford pushing our human services agencies to reach unprecedented timeliness numbers, this administration will continue to ‘Get Things Done’ for our nonprofit partners." 

“Nonprofits have always been there to provide vital services to New Yorkers in need and it is time that they get paid on time for their work,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar. “Too often, nonprofits were burdened with trying to make payroll or keep the lights on because of bureaucratic red tape. Today’s announcement brings our city one step closer to building a newer, more commonsense process that works for everyone.”

“We are thrilled to jointly announce the multi-year council discretionary contract model and our success in achieving over 80 percent timeliness for FY24 human services contracts,” said New York City Chief Procurement Officer and Mayor’s Office of Contract Services Director Lisa M.Flores. “These initiatives highlight the key tenets of procurement reform established by the Joint Task Force — ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for our nonprofits right now to get them paid for the services they deliver, while simultaneously creating long-term structural reforms that will improve the process going forward. Our results on FY24 timeliness demonstrate our continued commitment to this sector, and we believe the Council discretionary reform will have a positive impact on our provider partners for years to come.”

“The Office of Nonprofit Services was created by Mayor Adams to respond to needs of the sector and create real systemic change, and today’s announcement is this office following through on that mission,” said Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services Director Karen Ford. “For too long, we heard from nonprofits that the current system was broken. Together, this office worked across city government and with the Comptroller’s Office to bring long overdue reform and change. Under this new system, nonprofits can focus on their critical work and services, instead of navigating government bureaucracy.”

Last year, New York City procured $37.9 billion in goods and services with $20.3 billion — 54 percent — in human services alone. However, 99 percent of nonprofit discretionary awards were registered six months or more after their start date due to the retroactive nature of discretionary award contracts. These awards are not designated and cleared for contracting until after the intended start of services at the start of the fiscal year, creating a lag between service delivery and payment. With today’s announcement, even more nonprofits will be able to get paid earlier and on time in the out-years of City Council awards.

The multi-year contract will be implemented through the PASSPort system for all providers with discretionary awards and processed by the respective city agencies. It will not provide a guarantee of funding each year, which is determined annually by the City Council.

Nonprofits have long served as critical lifelines for disenfranchised and marginalized residents and entire communities and therefore deserve to be properly compensated in a timely manner.” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “The Joint Task Force to Get Non-Profits Paid on Time will be crucial in the months and years ahead to ensure these dedicated workers are able to continue strong in uplifting and advocating for those coming to them for help. I want to thank Mayor Eric Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander for their collective labor to eliminate the delays that exist and place the futures of too many of them in harm’s way. I look forward to working closely with them to ensure our Bronx nonprofits continue to thrive under this program.”

"Our city's nonprofits provide a vast array of essential services that New Yorkers across the five boroughs rely on, and it's critical to ensure these organizations are able to do business with the city without unnecessary burdens," said New York City Speaker Adrienne Adams. "Though the council's discretionary application and award process will not change, qualifying nonprofit providers will benefit from multi-year contracts that will help support on-time delivery of payments. This is one of several necessary steps, including expediting hiring and fully staffing agencies, to help clear the bureaucratic hurdles that impede the prompt delivery of payments to our non-profits. I thank Mayor Adams, Comptroller Lander, City Council staff, and the entire Joint Task Force to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time for their work to help the City streamline discretionary contracts.”

"As nonprofit leaders, we know firsthand how challenging it is to navigate the city's procurement process,” said Wesner Pierre, chief executive officer, Partnership with Children. “The current system is laden with bureaucracy, complex and time-consuming, which presents a significant obstacle for nonprofits that are trying to provide essential services to New Yorkers. This much-needed reform that enables nonprofits to enter into multi-year contracts will free up our organizations to focus on our mission and to serve our communities more effectively, provide greater fiscal stability for our organizations, and will allow us to plan for the future more boldly. The critical work of our nonprofit organizations across this city has to continue, communities and families need support irrespective of government delays in funding, and this reform allows us to do that with greater confidence that our city government is working with us as a partner in continuing to make this city great. Thank you to Mayor Adams, Comptroller Lander, Mayor’s Office of Contract Services, and the Mayor's Office of Nonprofit Services for your visionary leadership and for ensuring the nonprofit sector, which is the lifeblood of New York City, is seen and supported."

“Nonprofits are the life-blood of the social services sector in New York City, said Lisette Nieves, president, Fund for the City of New York. “Instituting contract reforms such as multi-year discretionary awards recognizes that the efforts of the nonprofit sector should be focused on the providing services versus managing lengthy procurement processes. We applaud this reform!”

“We applaud Mayor Adams, the administration, Speaker Adams and the New York City Council and Comptroller Lander on this new initiative to streamline the discretionary awards process for hundreds of human services organizations that rely on this funding,” said Phoebe Boyer, president and chief executive officer, Children’s Aid. “These discretionary awards by the City Council are important investments in the communities we serve.  This new process will address one of the long-standing challenges experienced by the sector. We look forward to continuous improvements to the contracting process to ensure that services and programs can continue without disruption across this city for years to come.”

D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment of Trio in Murder of Innocent Bystander Who Was In Town For Birth of Grandchild

 

Reda Girgis, Visiting from Egypt, was Killed Outside of Washington Heights Deli

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of JONADEL LAKARD, 23, KELWIN SANCHEZ, 19, and RAHEAM STEED, 22, for the drive-by shooting and murder of 66-year-old Reda Girgis in front of a deli in Washington Heights. The defendants are all charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. SANCHEZ is charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree; LAKARD and STEED are each charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.[1]

“As alleged, the defendants participated in a retaliatory shooting, killing an innocent bystander,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Mr. Girgis, a soon-to-be grandfather excited to share in a joyous time with his family, was taken away from them far too soon. The defendants also posed a significant threat to others in the community when, without any regard for innocent bystanders, they allegedly sprayed bullets out of a moving vehicle. Our office will pursue accountability against those who use guns to terrorize our streets.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, Mr. Girgis, who lived in Egypt, was in New York City visiting his son and daughter-in-law, who were expecting a child. On May 23, 2023, at approximately 7:00 p.m., LAKARD, SANCHEZ, STEED and another individual drove by a deli near West 162nd Street and Broadway. A couple minutes later, they drove past the deli again and fired shots from the passenger side towards several young men whom they considered to be rivals. Mr. Girgis, who was standing close by, was shot in the head and immediately collapsed to the ground as others ran for safety. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The defendants fled the scene in their vehicle. On June 7, 2023, search warrants were executed by members of the New York City Police Department on STEED’s and LAKARD’s apartments. Officers recovered a firearm from LAKARD’s apartment and clothing he appeared to be wearing at the shooting. Officers also recovered firearms from STEED’s apartment. SANCHEZ was arrested outside of his home wearing what appeared to be the same clothes from the shooting.

Assistant D.A.s Tricia Phillips (Deputy Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Jeannie Campbell-Urban (Human Trafficking Unit) are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Samuel David (Chief of Trial Bureau 80) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). They were assisted by Alexandra Schwartz (Trial Preparatory Assistant), Matthew Ballou (Investigative Analyst) and Jonah Altman (Summer College Intern).

D.A. Bragg thanked NYPD Police Officers from the 33rd Precinct, Detectives from the 33rd Detective Squad, Homicide Squad, Manhattan North Homicide and Enhancement Team, and Warrant Squad, and members of the Joint Task Force.

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

POLICE COMMISSIONER CABAN APPOINTS REBECCA WEINER AS NYPD DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF INTELLIGENCE AND COUNTERTERRORISM

 

Weiner Becomes First Woman to Hold Position in NYPD’s 178-Year History

Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban today announced the appointment of Rebecca Ulam Weiner as Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism for the New York City Police Department. Weiner is the first woman to serve in this capacity in the police department’s 178-year history.

A 17-year veteran of the NYPD, Deputy Commissioner Weiner has overseen investigative, analytical, operational, and engagement efforts across the domains of counterterrorism, counterintelligence, criminal intelligence, violence mitigation, infrastructure and event protection, and geopolitical.

“It gives me great comfort to know that Deputy Commissioner Weiner will lead the NYPD’s singular intelligence and counterterrorism team,” said Police Commissioner Caban. “Her entire career has prepared her for this moment, and New York City is fortunate to have her. I am certain she will be relentless in the nonstop work of protecting all New Yorkers.”

“Police Commissioner Caban and I are honored to announce the appointment of Rebecca Ulam Weiner as the NYPD’s new Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism—the first woman in NYPD history to serve in this role,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Deputy Commissioner Weiner has an impressive resume covering nearly every civilian title in her field, and New York City is fortunate to have someone of this caliber and experience looking out for our safety. Protecting our nation’s security is also in Deputy Commissioner Weiner’s blood. Her family was on one of the last boats out of Poland before the Nazis invaded, after which her grandfather immigrated to the United States and faithfully served this country as a mathematician on the Manhattan Project. Today, she is following in her grandfather’s legacy and protecting our city and our nation’s security – this is the American Dream. Deputy Commissioner Weiner is a true-blue New Yorker who has taken on the job of protecting our city and our nation. I look forward to working with her, Commissioner Caban, and everyone else at the NYPD as we continue to keep our city the safest big city in America."

About Deputy Commissioner Weiner

Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Ulam Weiner began her career with the NYPD in 2006, overseeing the department’s Counterterrorism Operations and Analysis Section, and developing an internationally recognized intelligence and threat-analysis program. She also served as the first representative of local law enforcement on the Director of National Intelligence's National Intelligence Council, where she focused on transnational crime and terrorism. Weiner also previously served as legal counsel to the NYPD Intelligence Bureau's Intelligence Analysis Unit and as team leader for the Middle East and North Africa, overseeing intelligence collection and analysis related to threats associated with those regions.

Most recently, Weiner became the civilian executive in charge of the NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau. There, she oversaw investigative, analytical, operational, and engagement efforts across the domains of counterterrorism, counterintelligence, criminal intelligence, violence mitigation, infrastructure and event protection, and geopolitical risk. She developed policies and strategic priorities for the Intelligence & Counterterrorism Bureau and publicly represented the NYPD in matters involving counterterrorism and intelligence.

Before joining the NYPD in 2006, Deputy Commissioner Weiner was an international security fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs; a biotechnology consultant at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; and a science & technology research associate at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Weiner graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts in History & Literature, and she graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2005 with a Juris Doctorate. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia’s School for International and Public Affairs and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York in 2006.

Statement of Comptroller Brad Lander on City’s Plan to Limit Shelter Stays to 60 Days

 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the following statement in response to the Mayor’s plan to impose a 60-day limit on adult shelter stays:

“The Mayor’s announcement today doesn’t just undermine the right-to-shelter, but the defining role of New York as a beacon of promise, inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty.

“Right to Shelter is the reason that New York City has fewer people sleeping on our streets every night than other major U.S. cities. Limiting the length of shelter stays for asylum seekers will put more people on the streets and strain other city services including hospitals and sanitation.

“Rather than seeking permission to gut the right to shelter, the City should ask the Court instead to clarify that this right, grounded in the New York State Constitution, applies to all municipalities and counties across the state. That’s the fastest way to increase shelter capacity and secure more support from Albany without turning our back on who we are.”

Governor Hochul Announces Creation of the New York State Council on Community Justice to Further Improve Effectiveness and Fairness of the State's Criminal Justice System

 

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado Convene Advisory Council to Review Existing State Policies and Programs and Propose New Measures to Strengthen State's Efforts to Advance Equity, Reduce Disparities, and Decrease Recidivism to Make Communities Safer and Stronger

Council Includes Local and State Criminal Justice Practitioners, Leaders from Community-Based Organizations, and Professionals in Higher Education

Governor Hochul Also Issues Proclamation Designating July 16 Through July 22 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week in New York State to Recognize the Important Work of These Professionals

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the creation of the New York State Council on Community Justice, an advisory group of state and local stakeholders that will recommend measures to further improve the effectiveness and fairness of the state's criminal justice system. Convened by Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado, the Council will review existing State policies and programs and propose new measures to strengthen the State's efforts to advance equity, reduce disparities, and decrease recidivism to make communities safer and stronger. The council includes local and state criminal justice practitioners, professionals from community-based organizations, and leaders in higher education.

"This advisory council will help identify issues within our criminal justice system and recommend solutions with the goal of ensuring that programs and services are evidence-based, effective and provide justice-involved individuals with the help they need to thrive," Governor Hochul said. "I commend these professionals for stepping up to serve their community and look forward to working with them."

"This is the work of making our communities stronger, fairer, and safer," said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. "This is the work of making our communities whole. I am honored to chair this council, as we work to develop strategies, policies, and practices that will set our justice system on the right path for generations to come."

Governor Hochul also issued a proclamation designating July 16 through 22 as Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week in New York State to recognize the important work done by those professionals.

The Council met in New York City for the first time this afternoon and is expected to meet on a quarterly basis. Its members will work closely with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and state Commission of Correction, among other agencies. The Council will assess the state's work in prevention, diversion, corrections, and re-entry, and propose ways to modernize policies, programs and initiatives so they focus on rehabilitation and treatment, rather than incarceration, and better assist individuals released from prison so they can lead productive, crime-free lives. The goal is to further inform the state's work to keep New Yorkers safe and deliver an equitable justice system that works for all, particularly communities that have been historically and disproportionately harmed.

Governor Hochul has made public safety her number one priority, securing the most criminal justice system funding in a generation; and increasing investments to improve opportunities for young people and families and strengthen communities. The Council's work is another component of Governor Hochul's comprehensive plan to fight gun violence and violent crime, improve community safety and increase public trust in the criminal justice system.

While New York State has the lowest incarceration rate in the country when compared to other states with more than 10 million residents, racial disparities in its criminal justice system persist. From 2016 through 2020, people of color comprised 33 to 34 percent of New York's adult population but represented between 66 to 71 percent of all felony prison sentences. The Council will consider the ways in which the state can foster opportunities and remove obstacles to health and mental health care; employment; housing; and social services and supports, for example, and propose new measures and/or changes that both improve public safety and the effectiveness and equity of the justice system.

The Council aims to build upon the work of the state's Council on Community Re-Entry and Reintegration, which helped remove barriers individuals face when returning home after serving prison sentences. Chaired by Commissioner Rosado since before she entered state service, that Council focused on removing barriers faced by the approximately 25,000 individuals annually returning to their communities after serving prison sentences. Its work helped lay the groundwork for restoring the right to vote for people on parole; removing outright bans on occupational licenses; implementing fair-chance hiring at state agencies; and prohibiting discrimination at state-financed housing based solely on an individual's criminal record, among other initiatives.

In addition to Lieutenant Governor Delgado, Commissioner Rosado, and Acting Commissioner Martuscello, the following state officials will serve on the Council on Community Justice: Allen Riley, Chair of the state Commission of Correction; Darryl Towns, Chair of the state Board of Parole; Jamie Frank, SUNY Associate Vice Chancellor for Policy Implementation; Joseph Zayas, state Office of Court Administration Chief Administrative Judge; Karol Mason, President of John Jay College of Criminal Justice; and Marcos Soler, Governor's Deputy Secretary for Public Safety. Leaders from the following agencies and community organizations round out the council's membership: Bard Prison Initiative, Bronx District Attorney's Office, Center for Community Alternatives, Center for Employment Opportunities, Center for Justice Innovation, Columbia Justice Lab, Common Justice, The Doe Fund, Erie County District Attorney's Office, Fortune Society, Hour Children, Hudson Link, Independent Commission on New York City Criminal Justice and Incarceration Reform, LEAD National Support Bureau, Legal Action Center, The Legal Aid Society, New York State Defenders Association, Osborne Association, REFORM Alliance, Vera Institute of Justice, and Women's Prison Association.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services is a multi-function criminal justice support agency with a variety of responsibilities, including law enforcement training; collection and analysis of statewide crime data; maintenance of criminal history information and fingerprint files; administrative oversight of the state's DNA databank, in partnership with the New York State Police; funding and oversight of probation and community correction programs; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; support of criminal justice-related agencies across the state; and administration of the State's Sex Offender Registry. Follow the agency on Facebook and Twitter.

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is responsible for the care, custody, and treatment of individuals sentenced to state prison, working with these incarcerated individuals to ensure successful re-entry into the community and supervising those who are placed on parole. That's our Department's mission and it's the guide we follow to carry out the very serious responsibility entrusted to us. Follow DOCCS on Facebook and Twitter.