MAYOR ADAMS' STATEMENT ON SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI STEPPING DOWN FROM LEADERSHIP POST IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would be stepping down from her leadership post in the U.S. House of Representatives:

 

“As the first woman to lead a political party in Congress, Speaker Nancy Pelosi shattered the highest glass ceiling and opened doors for generations to come. For nearly four decades, Speaker Pelosi has been an immeasurable champion for justice, equity, and democratic values. It is because of her fearless leadership that we are a better and stronger nation. I, along with millions of Americans, thank Speaker Pelosi for her devotion to public service and the endless inspiration she has provided to young girls and women across the nation.”

DASHBOARD UPDATE: NYC Comptroller Releases New Monthly Data on Department of Correction Operations

 

Ahead of Nunez status conference, Lander sends letter in support of receivership over Rikers

Ahead of the status conference on Thursday in the Nunez v. City of New York matter, the New York City Comptroller’s Office released a monthly update to its Department of Correction (DOC) Dashboard, available here. The dashboard monitors pervasive issues in the City’s jails, including staff absenteeism, missed medical appointments, and incidents of violence among detained people and staff. It also tracks the jail population every month, which rose to 5,940 people in custody. The detained population remains well above the capacity of the borough-based jails intended to replace the notorious complex. 

The DOC data for October shows little progress on the key metrics available for the dashboard: 

• At the start of November, the jail population was 5,940, 1% uptick from the prior month. 
• Average daily uniformed staff headcount continues to decline, with DOC employing under 7,000 officers for the second month compared to just under 10,000 prior to the pandemic’s outset. 
• Uniformed sick leave held steady with 12% of officers on sick leave for the fourth consecutive month, and a one percentage point decline in the number of medically restricted staff. 
• Use of force within the city’s jails remains high at over 34 incidents per 100 persons in custody for the last quarter, 80% higher than the pre-pandemic average. 
• Assaults on staff and stabbing incidents increased from the prior month; stabbings are 4.5 times more frequent than the 2019 average. 
• Individuals with serious mental illness still comprise 18% of the overall population, increasing to 1,063 persons this month. 

The Comptroller’s office has closely tracked pervasive issues in the City’s jail system dating back to 2014, and in August 2022, Comptroller Lander produced the Department of Correction dashboard to provide detailed, timely metrics for the press and public to assess progress on addressing ongoing management issues at DOC. Comptroller Lander was the first citywide elected official to call for a federal receiver to oversee reforms at the jail complex, citing rising violence, deaths in custody, and lack of progress on key reforms.  

Ahead of the status conference, Comptroller Lander sent a letter to Judge Laura Swain outlining the alarming number of deaths, consistent staffing mismanagement, and overwhelming number of violent incidents. The letter notes that the Comptroller’s office settled and adjusted over $28 million in Rikers-related claims in FY 2021, a snapshot of the fiscal risks to the City posed by mismanagement of the jail system. The Comptroller urged the appointment of a federal receiver empowered to make structural and management changes in the jails. 

In the letter, Comptroller Lander expresses “serious concerns with the lack of progress made by the Department of Correction (DOC) to comply with the Nunez consent judgment to address the violence afflicting New York City jails and create a functional system that keeps both those in custody and the staff charged with their care safe. […] DOC has not demonstrated the ability to end the violence on Rikers Island, which the data shows continuing at an alarming rate.”  

Read the letter in full here. 

Yonkers Man Convicted Of March 2011 Murder

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict yesterday against DARNELL KIDD a/k/a “Black,” a/k/a “Donney,” a/k/a “Donney Black,” on one count of an indictment charging him with the 2011 murder of Jonathan Johnson, 21, in White Plains, New York.  U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román presided over the eight-day trial.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Darnell Kidd shot and killed Jonathan Johnson during a robbery.  He now stands guilty of that murder.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate gun violence and pursue justice for the victims of violent crimes.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and the evidence at trial:

On or about March 18, 2011, DARNELL KIDD murdered Jonathan Johnson by shooting him during the course of an armed robbery for marijuana in White Plains, New York.  KIDD’s co-defendant MARCUS CHAMBERS arranged by phone to purchase the marijuana from Johnson.  CHAMBERS and KIDD met with Johnson to rob him of marijuana, and during the robbery, KIDD shot and kill Johnson.

KIDD, 31, of Yonkers, New York, was convicted of one count of murder through the use of a firearm, which carries a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum prison term of life.  

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

CHAMBERS previously pled guilty for his role in the murder.  CHAMBERS was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the FBI, United States Probation Office, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, New York City Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Greenburgh Police Department, New Rochelle Police Department, White Plains Police Department, Clarkstown Police Department, and Ramapo Police Department.  Mr. Williams also thanked the White Plains Police Department and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this matter.

DEC Announces 'Operation Safe Harvest' Enforcement Initiative During Big Game Hunting Season

 

ECOs to Patrol Southern Zone to Ensure Hunters Follow Hunting Laws and Safety Guidelines

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) are advancing ‘Operation Safe Harvest’ this big game hunting season as part of a statewide initiative to ensure all hunters are following the State’s hunting laws and safety guidelines while afield. ECOs will be patrolling and conducting a variety of field operations to help ensure a safe and enjoyable big game hunting season.

“New York is fortunate to have a large population of hunters and trappers who abide by the State’s hunting laws and respect their fellow hunters and others enjoying the outdoors,” Commissioner Seggos said. “DEC’s ECOs will be out in force this season to ensure compliance, engage with new and experienced hunters, and continue their important work promoting public safety in our communities and protecting our natural resources.”

DEC’s Director of the Division of Law Enforcement Karen Przyklek said, “Many of our ECOs are avid hunters themselves and participate in New York’s cherished big game hunting seasons. Unfortunately, not everyone respects the laws and safety guidelines that come with this storied tradition. In response, I’ve directed my Officers to be on the lookout this season for the night hunters, poachers, and baiters who blatantly disregard the State’s stringent hunting laws.”

This statewide enforcement initiative began on Oct. 22 when the regular deer and bear season opened in the Northern Zone. So far, ECOs have written nearly 150 tickets, including 50 misdemeanor level charges. The upcoming regular firearms season for deer and bear in the Southern Zone, which draws hundreds of thousands of hunters to New York each year, gets underway on Nov. 19.

In addition to statewide enforcement, Officers educate hunters on New York’s hunting laws and safety guidelines, both in the field and as instructors for the New York State Hunter Education Program. New York State continues to prioritize hunter safety year-round and the 2021 hunting seasons in New York were the safest ever, with the lowest number of incidents since record-keeping began.

DEC Law Enforcement is also reminding hunters they are key partners in protecting New York deer from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Chronic Wasting Disease continues to spread in other states, and hunters are key to preventing CWD introduction to New York. CWD is always fatal to deer. If introduced, it could spread rapidly and be practically impossible to eliminate once established. Hunters can help protect New York’s deer herd from CWD by following these tips:

• If hunting any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, it must be deboned your animal before bringing it back. See CWD Regulations for Hunters. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported carcasses and parts, including whole deer and deer heads;
• Do not use deer urine-based lures or attractant scents, as these could contain infectious material;
• Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill, not just on the landscape;
• Report any deer that appears sick or is acting abnormally; and
• Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles.

The regular firearms season for deer and bear in the Southern Zone runs through Sunday, Dec. 11, and includes participation from approximately 85 percent of New York’s 550,000 licensed hunters. For a breakdown of New York’s hunting seasons visit: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/65231.html.    

NOTE: Video on Operation Safe Harvest and CWD can be found here: https://youtu.be/4QayEnpBq0g                                                                   

Bronx Fashion Week - Fashion Designer Call, Model Workshops & More!!!

 Bronx Fashion Master Model Class Facilitated by Supermodel Crystal

November 20th and December 4th at Noon

Multi-level Master Classes will be offered by our very own Creative Director and Published Professional Fashion Model Crystal taking YOU to the next level! Click on the Link on the Picture Above and Register!

BXFW WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

Learn the ins and outs of starting your journey as a Professional Fashion Model. You will develop the skill set to successfully secure and execute castings and grow confidently with this 90-minute, four-part Fashion Modeling Course facilitated by BXFW Creative Director Crystal.

We look forward to having you Join Us!

Beyond the Runway Empowering Initiatives!

Prom Drive Donation by Bronx Fashion Week

For many of our youth, the expenses associated with attending their prom alone are beyond their financial reach. This past summer, your donations helped three hundred plus Bronx students in need with prom and graduation garments.

Thank you again to our partners at the Bronx DA's office, Community Based Organizations, Validus Prep, Mott Hall, BxFW Designers, Models, Promised Land Convenant Church, Bronx Schools and my partner in giving Dawn Cuttino-Jones and Pamela Damon and the entire community at Promised Land Covenant Church for joining in this partnership mission of love and giving.

Warm regards, The Bronx Fashion Team