Governor Hochul Announces Progress in Increasing MTA Accessibility

 

Grand St L Station Now Fully Accessible, Becoming Fourth Fully Accessible Station in 2023

Eight More Stations to be Completed by End of 2023; 30 Stations Under Construction for Accessibility Upgrades

142 Stations Accessible Systemwide

 Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority today announced the accelerated pace of completion of accessibility projects across the New York City subway system with the opening of another fully accessible station, Grand St L station in Williamsburg, Brooklyn – the fourth across the transit system in 2023. The opening followed a summer in which significant progress was made on accessibility improvements. In July, the MTA celebrated Disability Pride Month with a wide array of events and announcements including the opening of three fully accessible stations: Court Square G station in Queens, Dyckman St 1 station in Upper Manhattan, and 8 Av N station in Brooklyn.

“The Grand St L station is the most recent example of our hard work to ensure that no New Yorker has to worry about whether they can safely access public transportation,” Governor Hochul said. “The MTA shares our commitment to delivering accessibility improvements across New York City and will continue to strive to make transit accessible to all.”

The pace in which the MTA is awarding contracts for accessibility projects is five times what it was before 2020. The MTA has awarded contracts for 13 stations in 2020, 10 stations in 2021, 13 stations in 2022, and previously announced its plan to award contracts for 17 stations by the end of the year.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership significantly decreased, the MTA prioritized expanding accessibility improvements in the subway by completing 15 accessibility projects. Following today's announcement, there are 142 accessible stations and 30 stations in construction for accessibility upgrades, eight of which are expected to be complete by the end of 2023. Those stations are:

• 181 St
• Tremont Av
• E 149 St
• Lorimer St
• Metropolitan Av
• 7 Av
• Beach- 67 St
• New Dorp

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “When it comes to accessibility, the MTA is delivering on an unprecedented commitment – both in terms of dollars or number of stations – and we are going to keep going at the same pace and level of investment until we achieve full accessibility.”

The Grand St L station accessibility project was funded by a grant provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and completed as part of a design-build package of eight stations throughout the subway system, the first such bundle undertaken by MTA Construction & Development (C&D) to deliver accessibility upgrades better, faster, and cheaper. The remaining stations from that bundle are projected to open later this year.

In June, as part of the station’s accessibility design-build package, MTA Arts & Design announced new mosaic artwork commissioned by artist Glendalys Medina, Gratitudes Off Grand. The resulting work is comprised of vividly colored geometric forms–circles, diamonds, squares, and rectangles reflecting the artist’s practice inspired by Taíno, hip-hop and Latino cultures and music. Medina’s art also focuses on the way humans create sense out of the world such as the way brains organize patterns. For more on this piece, click here.

The 2020-2024 MTA Capital Plan includes a historic investment of $5.2 billion to make 67 subway stations ADA accessible, more than any capital plan in the MTA’s history and more than the last three capital plans combined. In addition, the Authority is delivering accessibility projects at an unprecedented pace, completing 21 ADA stations since 2020, double the number of ADA stations completed in the previous six years.

In July, the MTA also began rolling out innovative new wayfinding features across 11 subway stations and 24 stops along the M60 bus route in Manhattan. These tools include:

• Floor decals on subway platforms that indicate accessible boarding areas;
• Tactile subway line maps for customers with visual disabilities;
• NaviLens wayfinding signage. NaviLens is an app that uses unique codes, similar to QR codes, to provide audio and visual wayfinding guidance and arrival status information, in upwards of 40 languages. The app was tested in 2019 at Jay St-MetroTech station and on the M23 bus route.

MS-13 Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Four Murders, Multiple Attempted Murders, and Arson

 

In federal court in Central Islip, Enrique Portillo, also known as “Oso” and “Turkey,” a member of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, pleaded guilty to racketeering and firearms charges in connection with his participation in four murders, namely, the September 13, 2016 murders of teenagers Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens, in Brentwood; the October 13, 2016 murder of Dewann Stacks, in Brentwood; and the January 30, 2017 murder of Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla in Central Islip; as well as his participation in four attempted murders, including the discharge of a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun in connection with one of the attempted murders; and arson.  The guilty plea proceeding was held before United States District Judge Gary R. Brown.  When sentenced, Portillo faces up to life in prison on the racketeering charge and a 10-year, mandatory minimum sentence on the firearms charge.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Rodney K. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the guilty plea.

“The defendant pleaded guilty to participating in four extremely brutal murders, including two teenage girls slaughtered while walking home, that have left permanent scars in the Brentwood community which for too long has suffered acts of violence and destruction carried out by the MS-13 with machetes, knives, guns and fire,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “I am confident that justice for the victims will be delivered when Portillo is sentenced for his savage crimes.  This Office will not rest until all MS-13 gang members are held to account for their utter lack of respect for human life and the rule of law.”

“As part of his desire to gain status within MS-13, Portillo repeatedly acted with complete disregard for human life, killing four individuals along with multiple other attempts.   Today’s guilty plea stands as a warning to anyone willing to attempt to gain standing through senseless acts of violence — you will face the consequences.  The FBI Long Island Gang Task Force will not allow vicious criminals to go unchecked and cause our community to live in fear of violence,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Smith.

“These senseless and barbaric killings, including those of teenagers Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens, shook our communities and reverberated around the nation,” stated SCPD Commissioner Harrison.  “It is my hope that this guilty plea will provide the victims’ families some peace while also demonstrating our commitment to dismantling these criminal enterprises. I commend the work of the Long Island Gang Task Force on this case and Eastern District of New York for their continued success in prosecuting these vicious gang members.”    

According to court filings and statements made during today’s guilty plea proceeding, Portillo was a member of the Sailors Locos Salvatruchas Westside (Sailors) clique of the MS-13.  He committed the following crimes in order to maintain and increase his membership and status in the gang:

July 18, 2016 Attempted Murders of John Doe #1 and John Doe #2

On the evening of July 18, 2016, Portillo and other members of the MS-13, who were driving around Brentwood, armed, in search of rival gang members to attack and kill, observed a group of men on Apple Street.  Believing these men to be members of a rival gang, Portillo and two other MS-13 members exited the car and attacked the group.  Portillo fired a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun at one of the men (identified as John Doe #1), and then used a machete to hack at another (identified as John Doe #2).  Another MS-13 member fired at the group of men using a .38 caliber handgun.  Although John Doe #1 was struck with a bullet, he survived.  John Doe #2, who was attacked with a machete, also survived, but was severely disfigured as a result of this attack.      

September 12, 2016 Arson in Brentwood

During the summer of 2016, Sailors clique members of MS-13 were regularly having altercations with rival gang members based in a neighborhood on Freeman Avenue in Brentwood.  On September 12, 2016, the MS-13 members set fire to a car parked in the driveway of one of the houses in that neighborhood.  Portillo and other MS-13 members drove to that house, where Portillo and two others poured gasoline on a car parked in the driveway and then set it on fire.  The car exploded and ignited another parked car.  

September 13, 2016 Murders of Kayla Cuevas and Nisa Mickens

On September 13, 2016, Portillo and several other MS-13 members brutally murdered 15-year-old Nisa Mickens and 16-year-old Kayla Cuevas, both students at Brentwood High School.

In the months leading up to the murders, Cuevas was involved in a series of disputes with members and associates of the MS-13.  Approximately one week before the murders, these disputes escalated when Cuevas and several friends were involved in an altercation with MS-13 members at Brentwood High School.  After that incident, the MS-13 members vowed to seek revenge against Cuevas.  On the evening of September 13, 2016, Portillo and other members of the Sailors clique of the MS-13, who were driving around Brentwood in search of rival gang members to attack and kill, spotted Cuevas and Mickens walking on Stahley Street in a residential neighborhood.  Recognizing Cuevas, they quickly sought and obtained the requisite permission to murder the teen girls.  Portillo and others then jumped out of the car, chased and attacked both Cuevas and Mickens, wielding baseball bats and a machete, striking each of the girls numerous times in their heads and bodies, causing their deaths.  Mickens, whose body was discovered later that evening on Stahley Street, not far from Cuevas’s home, sustained significant sharp force trauma to her face and blunt force trauma to her head.  Cuevas, whose body was discovered the following day behind a house adjacent to where Mickens’s body was found, sustained significant blunt force trauma to her head and body and multiple lacerations.

October 13, 2016 Murder of Dewann Stacks

On the evening of October 13, 2016, Portillo and other members of the MS-13 were once again driving around Central Islip and Brentwood in search of rival gang members to attack and kill.  That night, they spotted 34-year-old Dewann Stacks and, believing him to be a rival gang member, decided to kill him.  Portillo, armed with a baseball bat, and two other MS-13 members, both armed with machetes, attacked Stacks, beating and hacking him to death on American Boulevard, a residential street in Brentwood.  Stacks sustained severe sharp and blunt force trauma to his face and head, leaving him nearly unrecognizable.

January 30, 2017 Murder of Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla

On the morning of January 30, 2017, members of the Sailors clique of MS-13 spotted 29-year-old Esteban Alvarado-Bonilla inside El Campesino Deli in Central Islip.  Alvarado-Bonilla was wearing a football jersey bearing the number “18,” which led the MS-13 to conclude that he was a member of a rival gang, and they plotted to kill him.  Portillo identified Alvarado-Bonilla to other MS-13 members as their target, and kept watch over him to ensure that he remained at the deli.  Other MS-13 members then arrived at the deli to commit the murder.  At approximately 10:30 a.m., a masked MS-13 member entered the deli, approached Alvarado-Bonilla from behind, and shot him multiple times, killing him.  One of the bullets pierced through Alvarado-Bonilla’s head and struck the chest of a female employee of the deli, who was standing directly in front of him.  The deli employee survived the gunshot wound.

September 26, 2017 Attempted Murder of John Doe #3 in Federal Prison in Brooklyn

In the summer of 2017, while Portillo was in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, MS-13 members were regularly having altercations with members of the Young Gunnaz, or YGz, a rival gang.  On September 26, 2017, Portillo encountered an individual (identified as John Doe #3), a YGz member, on his unit and tried to kill him by using a shank to stab him in the neck, and by beating him with metal locks tied to a braided bed sheet.  John Doe #3 survived the attack. 

May 30, 2019 Attempted Murder of John Doe #4 in Federal Prison in Brooklyn

On May 30, 2019, while Portillo was in federal custody at the MDC in Brooklyn, he encountered an individual (identified as John Doe #4), a member of the Bloods street gang – a rival of the MS-13 – in his unit’s common area.  Portillo tried to kill him by stabbing him with a shank.  John Doe #4 survived the attack.    

This conviction is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13, a violent, transnational criminal organization.  The MS-13’s leadership is based in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States.  With numerous branches, or “cliques,” the MS-13 is the most violent criminal organization operating on Long Island.  Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York.  A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted of federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults.  Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 65 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders.  These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. 

Council Leadership Team Urges Federal Government to Provide Expedited Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers

The New York City Council leadership team – Speaker Adrienne Adams, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Majority Leader Keith Powers, Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers, Finance Chair Justin Brannan, Council Member Gale Brewer, and Council Member Rafael Salamanca – released the following joint statement urging immediate action by the federal government to provide expedited work authorization for asylum seekers. The statement follows months of advocacy by the Council urging federal action, including its September 2022 letter, June 2023 letter, and Washington, D.C. visit to meet with federal officials on city priorities.

“As an increasing number of people seeking asylum in the United States arrive in our city, it is critical that they be permitted to work legally to support themselves, their families, and our city. For months, the Council has advocated for expedited federal work authorization, so that our newest arrivals can enter the workforce and achieve the self-sufficiency they desire. People seeking asylum can contribute immensely to our economy, and it is imperative that we facilitate this outcome. We join our colleagues in government and stakeholders across our city in urging action by the federal government to expedite work authorization that removes barriers to employment.” 

Russian-German National Arrested For Illegally Exporting To Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics With Military Applications In Violation Of U.S. Export Controls

 

Arthur Petrov Allegedly Participated in a Russia-Based Illicit Procurement Network That, Subsequent to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Illegally Procured Large Quantities of Sensitive Microelectronics for a Russian Company That Supplies Manufacturers for the Russian Military

  Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Matthew S. Axelrod, the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement of the Commerce Department, announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging ARTHUR PETROV with export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering offenses based on PETROV’s alleged participation in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.  PETROV was arrested on August 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the United States. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Arthur Petrov is alleged to have participated in an international illicit procurement network based in Russia, using shell companies to smuggle shipments from U.S. distributors of microelectronics with military applications through intermediary countries in order to conceal the ultimate destination of these sensitive materials: Russia.  As alleged, Petrov knew that the transactions and shipments were in contravention of U.S. export controls relating to Russia.  Efforts to illicitly supply Russia with U.S.-sourced military technology represent an affront to national security and will continue to be met with criminal prosecutions by this Office.”

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “As alleged in the complaint, Arthur Petrov conspired to smuggle U.S. microelectronics technology with military applications to Russia, the type of components used by the Russian military in its unjust invasion of Ukraine.  The Justice Department will not tolerate efforts to circumvent our export control laws to fuel the Russian war machine and those who try will find no refuge from U.S. justice. We thank our partners in the Republic of Cyprus for their law enforcement cooperation and continued support.” 

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: "After Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, we allege Petrov participated in a global scheme to use shell companies from around the world to establish a clandestine procurement network and supply Russia’s military industrial complex with critical U.S. technology, including types of microelectronics recovered in Russian military equipment on the battlefield in Ukraine.  Petrov and his co-conspirators knowingly misrepresented their business activities to evade export controls in order to procure and transship components associated with Russian guided missiles, drones, and electronic warfare devices.  This is yet another example of Russia using illicit procurement networks to not only advance their military, but ultimately harm the national security of our country.  The FBI is resolute in its commitment to stopping Russia from rearming its military with U.S. technology.  Along with our international partners, we will bring to justice anyone who evades sanctions or violates the laws of the United States.”

Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod said: “Those who evade our export control restrictions to support Putin’s brutal war machine will be held accountable.  In conjunction with today’s criminal action, we are issuing a Temporary Denial Order to shutter this alleged illicit procurement network’s access to the type of U.S. microelectronics embedded in Russian missiles and drones that have been used in its unprovoked war against the Ukrainian people.”      

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

ARTHUR PETROV is a dual Russian-German national who has resided in Russia and Cyprus and works for LLC Electrocom VPK (“Electrocom”), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.  PETROV and two co-conspirators (“CC-1” and “CC-2”), who are Russian nationals also working for Electrocom, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas.  They have fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom.  To carry out the scheme, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia.  The technology that PETROV and his co-conspirators have procured in contravention of export controls during the course of the conspiracy have significant military applications and include various types of electronics components that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones, and electronic warfare and communications devices.

To perpetrate the scheme, PETROV first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (“Astrafteros”), which he operates.  PETROV procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact the components are destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military.  The microelectronics that PETROV has procured as part of the conspiracy include, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits that are on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and cannot lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department.  Invoices provided to PETROV by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits are subject to U.S. export controls.

To evade these controls, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 worked together to transship the controlled items procured by PETROV using pass-through entities operated by CC-1 and CC-2 in third countries.  CC-1 and CC-2 then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia.  At all times, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia.  During the course of the conspiracy, PETROV, CC-1, and CC-2 procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications.

PETROV, 33, a dual Russian-German citizen who has resided in Russia and Cyprus, is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”), which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; three counts of violating the ECRA, which each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; three counts of smuggling goods from the United States, which each carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division and the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce.  Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché offices in Poland, Germany, and Athens, Greece; the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance.  The Cyprus Police also provided critical assistance in effecting the defendant’s arrest and detention at the request of the United States.

This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

This action was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force.  Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.  The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

The charges in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

VCJC News & Notes 9/1/23

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders

Shabbos

Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.
Here are the times you need:  
Shabbos Candles Friday date @ 7:10 pm
Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely. 
Shabbos Ends Saturday date @ 8:13 pm
Kiddush given in memory of Ted Meyrowitz by his sister Harriet Schwartz.

Sad News

We have just learned that Joel Garfinkle, a long time active member of the VCJC who moved to N. Mexico, passed away on 8/30/23.  He is survived by his wife, Bonnie.  Our condolences to her and the family.

The office will be closed Monday, 9/4, in observance of Labor Day

Book of Remembrance, Membership Dues, High Holiday seats

Flyers have been mailed out for Holiday Greetings, Holiday tickets and

Membership dues.  Your quick response would be appreciated!
You can purchase tickets and pay dues online.

The Book of Remembrance flyers have been mailed out. Please respond BEFORE SEPTEMBER 6th.  

If you are unable to come into the office or mail a check, you can use the general donation form on our website and specify that it is for the Book of Remembrance. Use the second drop down form and fill it in, including the content of your Book of Remembrance listing or “use the same as last year”.  Don’t forget to also use the PayPal link to make your payment.

1st Night of Selichot

Saturday September 9th 8:45PM

Services to be Held at:

KCI 

3220 Arlington Ave

Riverdale, NY 10463

 

If you would like to attend services and need transportation to the shul please contact the office via phone or email (vancortlandtjc@aol.com) or you can visit the office during regular hours and give them your name.

 

Please try and notify the office by September 7th.

If you are planning to attend services and want to volunteer to transport people to the shul please notify the office.

Lulav & Etrog Sets for Sale

Have your Lulav and Etrog Set delivered directly to the Shul.  Sets Available at 4 Different Price Points

$30.00

$37.00

$46.00

$56.00

 

If you are interested in ordering a Lulav & Etrog Set through the shul, you can call or email (vancortlandtjc@aol.com) the order to the office or come and visit the office during regular office hours.  Please specify the number of sets you wish to order and the price point of the sets you want.  If using email please make sure to include your name in the email.

All orders must be received by September 15th.

If you will not be in shul for the first days of the Sukkot Holiday and still want to place an order let the office know so we can arrange for you to pick up your set before the holiday begins.

Payment does not need to be made at the same time as submitting your order

Meet & Greet with Rabbi Lowenthal, Sunday 9/10/23 at 1 PM
See the poster below.

Our mailing address is:

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463

Speeding, Injuries, and Traffic Fatalities Declined in Areas With Speed Cameras During First Year of 24/7 Enforcement

Speeding dropped an average of 30%, building on prior success of speed camera program

Sharp declines in injuries recorded on corridors across City 

NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced that speeding, injuries, and traffic fatalities declined in areas with speed cameras during the first year of 24/7 enforcement. Speed camera violations dropped an average of 30%, with the most dramatic drop occurring on Houston Street in the East Village, where speeding declined by 96%. In addition to the reduction in speeding, injuries also declined along corridors across the city.

“One year ago we launched 24/7 speed camera enforcement, and the results are in: the program has reduced speeding, decreased the number of injuries, and made our streets safer,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Speeding happens most often on nights and weekends, and expanded enforcement has been a highly effective tool to keep New Yorkers safe.”

One of the biggest benefits of expanded speed camera enforcement has been in the reduction of traffic fatalities in previously unprotected times. Since Mayor Eric Adams “flipped the switch” to kick off 24/7 speed camera enforcement, traffic fatalities on city streets dropped by 25% in speed camera zones during expanded hours. Previously, speed cameras were only legally permitted to operate on weekdays between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Speeding dropped the steepest at the following locations*:

• 96 percent on Houston Street (Manhattan)
• 84 percent on Cropsey Avenue (Brooklyn)
• 74 percent on North Conduit Boulevard (Brooklyn)
• 79 percent on Seagirt Boulevard (Queens)
• 83 percent on Union Turnpike (Queens)
• 68 percent on Bruckner Boulevard (Bronx)

*Data as of 6/30/2023

Following 24-hour operations, NYC DOT also recorded steep declines in traffic injuries during overnight and weekend hours at camera locations across the city, including a*:

• 45 percent injury reduction on Tremont Avenue (Bronx)
• 33 percent reduction on Kings Highway (Brooklyn)
• 19 percent reduction on Hylan Boulevard (Staten Island)
• 16 percent reduction on Queens Boulevard (Queens)
• 18 percent reduction on Amsterdam Avenue (Manhattan)

*Data as of 7/31/2023

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES “TEXT WITH ERIC,” NEW INITIATIVE TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH NEW YORKERS VIA SMS

 

Presidents Biden and Obama, Others Have Also Used Community Platform to Facilitate Two-Way Communication with Constituents

 

New Yorkers Can Sign up to Text With Mayor Adams Online

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced “Text with Eric,” a new initiative that will facilitate two-way communication directly with New Yorkers via text message about updates from the administration and services the administration has unlocked for New Yorkers. People who sign up will receive SMS communications directly from the Adams administration with information about new initiatives and policies, local events, and more, and will be able to respond themselves to share their thoughts with the city. These messages will be facilitated through Community, an SMS engagement platform, which is also used by President Joseph Biden, former President Barack Obama, and many other notable figures, companies, and organizations.

 

“Hit me up, New York — I’m at 917-909-2288,” said Mayor Adams. “We want to hear from you about how the city is doing, and we want to let you know about all the great things happening across the five boroughs. This is the most accessible administration in history, and we’re excited to be in touch with you in so many ways.”

 

“News organizations are realizing all the ways they can utilize 21^st century technology and how they can adapt to meet their consumers where they are. It’s time our city government does the finally does the same,” said Deputy Mayor for Communications Fabien Levy. “We’re committed to speaking to New Yorkers everywhere we can about all that is going on in the greatest city in the world. And this new platform will allow us to do just that, while helping us get the feedback we need to deliver the best product we can to our city’s residents.”

 

“This administration is constantly pursuing new avenues to use technology to communicate directly with New Yorkers on issues that matter to them,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. “Today's launch of ‘Text with Eric’ marks a bold next step in these efforts, ensuring that news straight from the source is readily available at our residents’ fingertips. I am proud to support this effort to raise awareness of all the great work this administration is getting done on behalf of New Yorkers.”

 

Today’s announcement builds on a series of actions taken to fulfill Mayor Adams’ vision of making the Adams administration the most accessible administration in city history. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams launched “Hear from Eric,” an email-based direct communications program designed to reach New Yorkers where they are about local issues and priorities. He also kicked off “Talk with Eric,” the administration’s second series of at least nine community town halls following last year’s successful series of eight “Community Conversations on Public Safety.” Additionally, Mayor Adams hosted his first episode of “Hear from the Mayor” — a live, call-in radio show where New Yorkers can discuss issues they care about with the mayor — in July, and further episodes will air semi-regularly. Finally, Mayor Adams has also hosted 14 episodes of the “Get Stuff Done-Cast,” a podcast where he highlights the amazing things New Yorkers from all walks of life are doing to push New York City forward every day.

 

One of Mayor Adams’ key priorities for 2023 is ensuring that New Yorkers can access the services that the administration secured for them in 2022, and a select list of several of the administration’s 2022 accomplishments are available online. Notably, Mayor Adams secured $4 billion in funding for child care and significantly increased benefits that single parents and married couples receive from the Earned Income Tax Credit.

 

Governor Hochul Directs New York State Landmarks to Be Lit Purple and Silver in Recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day

 

Lighting Honors Those Lost to Overdose, Overdose Survivors and Providers Who Assist People Struggling with Addiction

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that multiple landmarks and bridges across New York will be illuminated in purple and silver to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day. The event, recognized around the world, focuses on ending overdose and stigma, remembering those who have died, and acknowledging the grief of family and friends left behind.

“Like many New Yorkers, I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact addiction and substance use has on families,” Governor Hochul said. “As we recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, I encourage all New Yorkers to join us in supporting overdose survivors, remembering those lost to addiction, and celebrating the health care providers who work every day to help individuals in their battle against addiction.”

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James V. McDonald said, “To recognize overdose awareness day is to acknowledge the urgency of our shared responsibility to prevent the tragedies that lead to an overdose. In our pursuit of a healthier future, we must not only grieve those we've lost but also channel our sorrow into actions that will help save others. Every life is precious and embracing harm reduction programs stands as a beacon of compassion and pragmatism.”

Office of Addiction Services and Supports Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham said, “The opioid and overdose epidemic has affected individuals, families, and communities across New York State. This observance is a reminder of the impact that this crisis has had, and gives us a chance to recognize those who have been touched by addiction, as well as offer our support and come together to stop more overdose deaths. New York remains committed to addressing this public health emergency, and working with our partners to bring vital help and support to all New Yorkers.”

The Department of Health fosters an environment of compassion and support by providing access to resources such as free naloxone from community statewide overdose prevention programs including, free fentanyl and xylazine test strips. We empower individuals to make safer choices and embark on journeys of healing.

OASAS continues to support overdose prevention efforts across the state, including educational efforts through the Project COPE initiative, which offers information on how to obtain and use naloxone, how to get fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and how to find help for individuals impacted by addiction. The agency also offers free virtual naloxone trainings. A schedule of these training sessions can be found on the OASAS website.

These 14 landmarks and bridges will be illuminated in purple and silver:

• One World Trade Center
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall

New Yorkers are encouraged to attend a local overdose awareness activity promoted on the Community Calendar of Overdose Awareness Day Events. In addition, on September 13, 2023, join New York State's third annual statewide Overdose Awareness Days cosponsored by the State's Department of Health and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. You can learn more here about the event.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can also be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.