MAYOR ADAMS, NYPD COMMISSIONER CABAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS HIGHLIGHTING NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF COLUMBIA/CITY COLLEGE PROTESTS INCLUDED UNAFFILIATED PARTIES

 

29 Percent of Individuals Arrested at Columbia Protests on April 30 Were Unaffiliated With School

 

60 Percent of Individuals Arrested at City College Protests on April 30 Were Unaffiliated With School

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Edward A. Caban today released additional details surrounding the arrests of 282 individuals two days ago who participated in violent protests and unlawful conduct at Columbia University and The City College of New York (CCNY). On April 30, 112 individuals were arrested at a protest at Columbia with charged ranging from burglary, obstructing governmental administration, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, trespassing, and disorderly conduct (including obstructing vehicular/pedestrian traffic/failure to disperse); approximately 29 percent of these individuals were not affiliated with Columbia. Also, on April 30, 170 individuals were arrested at a protest at CCNY with charges ranging from burglary, assault on a police officer, obstructing governmental administration, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, trespassing, and disorderly conduct (including obstructing vehicular/pedestrian traffic/failure to disperse); 60 percent of these individuals were not affiliated with CCNY.

 

“The world is watching New York City, and our message to them has been clear: We will not be a city of lawlessness, and we will not allow our youth to be influenced by those who have no goal other than spreading hate and wreaking havoc on our city,” said Mayor Adams. “As the anti-Israel protests began to escalate, it became abundantly clear that individuals unaffiliated with these schools had entered these different campuses and, in some cases, were even training students in unlawful protest tactics, many which we witnessed escalating into violent conduct. What is now even clearer is the extent to which outsiders were actually present. Nearly half of those arrested at Columbia and City College were not affiliated with these schools. Free speech and peaceful protest remain the fabric of our society, but that is not what we have been witnessing on these campuses. There is nothing peaceful about barricading buildings, destroying property, dismantling security cameras, or calling for the destruction of an entire people, and we will not allow what should be peaceful gatherings to turn into violent spectacles.”

 

“The situation on our college campuses over the past few weeks has been dynamic and fast developing — but one constant has been the incredible work of the men and women of the New York City Police Department,” said NYPD Commissioner Caban. “What we have seen, and what has been made clear by the evidence emerging after this week’s arrests, is that professional, external actors are involved in these protests and demonstrations. These individuals are not university students, they are not affiliated with either the institutions or campuses in question, and they are working to escalate the situation. We saw a shift in tactics, and the safety of all students, school faculty, staff, and the public became a real concern. These once peaceful protests are being exploited by professional outsiders, and our young people are the ones most at risk. The right to protest is critical to our democracy, and the NYPD’s job is to protect that right. But we will never tolerate violence, property damage, or the disruption of emergency services. All people in our city have a right to public safety, and that is what the NYPD is committed to providing.”

Approximately 29 percent of arrests at Columbia University and 60 percent

of arrests at CCNY included individuals unaffiliated with these schools. Source: NYPD.

Since Tuesday night’s arrests, the NYPD has been investigating which individuals were affiliated with the different schools and which were not. Most arrested did not cooperate with the NYPD and would not provide information — slowing down the process of identifying whether they had any affiliation with Columbia or CCNY. At many of the encampments set up on these campuses, protestors listed a set of their own rules — apparently without school authorization — for entering the encampment, one of which included not talking to or divulging any information to members of the NYPD.

An example of “Gaza Solidarity Encampment: Community Guidelines” at Columbia University.

Language states: “7. We commit to never share the names or details of anyone we miss in this camp.

We keep us safe, which includes refusing to comply with any demands if the NYPD of Columbia admin try to force us to disclose the identities of any fellow campers.”

Another example of “Gaza Solidarity Encampment: Community Guidelines” at Columbia University. Language states: “7. We commit to not share the names or details of anyone we meet in this camp space with someone in the administration as we realize they could be targeted, and this could cause them great harm. We keep us safe, that includes refusing to comply with any demands if the NYPD, Private Investigators, or Columbia Admin try to force us to disclose the identities of any of our fellow students!”

An Instagram post shared from CCNY’s Students for Justice in Palestine page.

Language states: “DO NOT ENGAGE WITH COPS, ZIONISTS, OR THE MEDIA.”

 

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly $60 Million Awarded to Create New Housing in 500 Accessory Dwelling Units

State ADU Plus One Program Provides Funding Across the State for New Structures, Garage Conversions, and Basement Apartment Legalizations

Initial Funding Awards Will Assist Homeowners on Long Island, in Westchester County, Ulster County, and Town of Amherst

Governor Hochul announced that $59 million has been awarded to local governments and non-profit organizations in the first two rounds of the State’s $85 million ADU Plus One program, which increases housing supply by providing resources for low- and middle-income homeowners to build or improve an accessory dwelling unit on their property. Funding awarded to date will ultimately lead to the creation of roughly 500 ADUs across the State, and homeowners in Long Island, Westchester County, Ulster County, and the town of Amherst are set to begin construction on the first two dozen ADUs under Round One of the program.

“The lack of affordable housing opportunities impacts every community across the State,” Governor Hochul said. “The ADU Plus One program creates more affordable housing options for New Yorkers while also helping property owners. By bringing together government, municipalities, nonprofits, and homeowners, we're building a stronger and more affordable future for all New Yorkers."

The ADU Plus One program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal, provides up to $2 million in grants to municipalities and nonprofit organizations that are committed to building or improving safe, high-quality accessory dwelling units. Funds are disbursed to single-family homeowners who currently live in the primary unit and who earn no more than 100 percent of the Area Median Income. Homeowners outside of New York City may receive up to $125,000 per unit in the form of a grant, while homeowners in New York City may receive up to $175,000. Municipalities and their non-profit partners work directly with homeowners to build out the ADUs, including by converting garages or other ancillary structures, constructing new detached units, and undertaking work related to legalization of basement apartments.

In the first funding round, HCR awarded $22 million to program administrators working in partnership with 17 municipalities to provide grants to individual homeowners for 200 ADUs. The $36.5 million second round of funding brings the number of municipalities participating in the program to 50 and will lead to the creation of more than 300 additional ADUs.

Ten municipalities receiving funds in the first round were also granted awards in the second round of funding due to significant interest from homeowners in these communities. A complete list of participating localities for both rounds can be found on the HCR website.

The ADU Plus One program compliments the FY 2025 Enacted Budget, which includes a transformative housing package secured by Governor Hochul to increase the state’s housing supply. The package includes: a new 485-x tax incentive to create new housing in New York City, including affordable rental housing and homeownership opportunities; an extension of the completion deadline for projects in the now-expired 421-a incentive program through 2031; authority to allow localities to adopt incentives for both mixed-income and 100 percent affordable housing outside New York City, and to support development of accessory dwelling units statewide; a new incentive to encourage affordability in commercial to residential conversions in New York City; authority to lift outdated restrictions on residential density in New York City to deliver more housing; a pilot program to enable the City to legalize existing basement and cellar apartments in certain areas of New York City; and the creation of a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 units of housing on state land. In addition, the program complements Governor Hochul's five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations.

Housing Lottery Launches For 2183 Morris Avenue In Tremont, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 2183 Morris Avenue, a nine-story residential building in Tremont, The Bronx. Designed by Badaly Architects and developed by Arben Mitaj of Euro Tech Developers, the structure yields 60 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 59 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $107,246 to $218,010.

Residences come equipped with air conditioning, hardwood floors, energy-efficient appliances, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Amenities include bike storage lockers, a shared laundry room, package lockers, and an elevator. Tenants are responsible for electricity.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are seven studios with a monthly rent of $3,128 for incomes ranging from $107,246 to $161,590; 41 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $3,345 for incomes ranging from $114,686 to $181,740; and 11 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $4,001 for incomes ranging from $137,178 to $218,010.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than May 20, 2024.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Network & Grow on 5/16: Bronx Chamber Fair at Yankee Stadium

 

Calling all Bronx businesses and job seekers!

 

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce for our Resource Fair on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the iconic Yankee Stadium!

 

This event is your one-stop shop for success -- whether you're a small business owner seeking valuable resources or to hire, or an individual looking for new career opportunities, the Bronx Chamber Resource Fair has you covered.

 

Here's what attendees can expect:

Job Seekers

•    Explore opportunities with top Bronx companies who are currently seeking new talent
•    Get a complimentary headshot and resume advice

Small Business Owners & Operators

•    Hiring? Meet attendees seeking new job opportunities
•    A variety of City agencies will be on-site offering essential business development, certification information, & other resources

All will enjoy ample networking with fellow entrepreneurs and professionals, pop-up presentations, panels, and more!

Attendees: Register here today* to secure your spot at this can't-miss event.

*Registration is required to enter the Stadium.

Attendee Registration

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Casita Maria: South Bronx Culture Festival 2024

 

Save the date for the South Bronx Culture Festival 2024: Born in El Barrio & Raised in the South Bronx.

Join us for a weekend of free performances from May 31 to June 2, 2024 to celebrate Casita Maria’s 90 years of service to the community.

Headliners include: Bronx Banda featuring Arturo O’Farrill, Bobby Sanabria MULTIVERSE Big Band and Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra.

Location: Father Gigante Plaza in front of St. Athanasius Church, 878 Tiffany St in the South Bronx.

Learn more: casitamaria.org / @casitamariabx

DEC Extends Application Deadline for Funding to Support Efforts to Improve Hudson River Tributaries

 

Funding Complements Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Address and Prevent Damage Caused by Major Flooding Events

$200,000 in Grants Available until June 21 for Culverts and Road-Stream Crossings that Improve Aquatic Habitat

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the application deadline for grants to support tributary restoration through the improvement of culverts and road-stream crossings is being extended to June 21, 2024. The funding is available for communities with road infrastructure that crosses Hudson River estuary tributary streams and is at risk of flooding.

In March, DEC announced $200,000 is available for projects that will help communities restore aquatic organism passage and habitat connectivity, reduce localized flood risks, and improve water quality for communities along Hudson River estuary tributaries. Funding for these projects is provided by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and is administered by NEWIPCC in partnership with DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program through a Request for Proposals (RFP).

Eligible road-stream crossing (RSX) must be at a location that is a barrier to habitat for river herring or American eel. RSX include bridges, culverts, arches, and other similar structures that allow water to pass under infrastructure that would otherwise block the natural flow of rivers and streams.

This RFP includes the following project types:

• Type 1: Design Plan to Replace or Retrofit RSX - Deliver final plans, spec sheets, bid documents and prepare materials for a complete environmental permit application to replace or retrofit RSX (e.g., grade controls, baffles, weirs, and other support structures) at a site that is the location of herring or eel habitat, or an aquatic barrier.
• Type 2: RSX Replacement and Retrofit Projects - Replace or retrofit RSX (e.g., grade controls, baffles, weirs, and other support structures) at a site that is the location of herring or eel habitat, or an aquatic barrier.

Proposed projects would take place within the boundary identified by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program.

The revised Tributary Restoration for Culverts and Road-Stream Crossings RFP and application is available on NEIWPCC’s website.

D.A. Bragg, D.O.I. Commissioner Strauber Announce Indictment Of Daniel Ohebshalom For Harassing Rent-Regulated Tenants

 

D.A.’s Tenant Protection Unit Brings New York’s First-Ever Harassment of Rent-Regulated Tenants Prosecution Under New Law

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. and DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber announced the indictment of DANIEL OHEBSHALOM aka DAN SHALOM (“SHALOM”), along with his companies KEYSTONE MANAGEMENT, INC.; LIBERTY VENTURES, LLC; HIGHPOINT ASSOCIATES XII, LLC; and BELMONT VENTURES, LLC, for harassing rent-regulated tenants with horrific living conditions in order to induce them to vacate their apartments and enable him to sell the buildings for significant profit. SHALOM also filed false documents with city agencies to conceal his ownership of those buildings and evade responsibility for harassing his tenants.

SHALOM and his companies are charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with multiple charges of Harassment of a Rent Regulated Tenant in the First Degree, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. [1]

“As alleged, Daniel Ohebshalom took advantage of rent-regulated tenants living in five Manhattan apartment buildings by creating dangerous living conditions in an effort to push them out. New Yorkers deserve to live in their apartments without fearing for their safety,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Landlords have the responsibility to ensure tenants’ safety. We urge anyone who believes they may be a victim of this sort of fraud to contact our Housing and Tenant Protection Unit at 212-335-3300 or Danyhousing@dany.nyc.gov.”

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “This defendant created unlivable and dangerous conditions for the tenants in his rent-regulated apartments, a pattern of neglect that was intended to push them out, according to the charges. DOI is proud to partner with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and to work with its Housing and Protection Unit on this important case.  Together we will not hesitate to pursue criminal charges against landlords who flout the City’s housing and safety codes, leaving tenants in unacceptable circumstances.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, SHALOM owns five Manhattan properties, including:

•    331 East 14th Street
•    410 West 46 Street
•    412 West 46 Street
•    705 West 170 Street
•    709 West 170 Street

SHALOM allegedly neglected the buildings with the intended goal of systematically driving out the rent-regulated tenants from their homes so that he could sell the buildings for significant profits.

Each of the five buildings for which false documents were filed had unaddressed violations and dangerous conditions. These conditions included a lack of heat and hot water in the winter months; leaks that persisted without repair and ultimately caused ceilings to collapse, including on a young child; and building front doors that lacked locks and other security measures.

SHALOM was warehousing unsecured vacant apartments and failed to provide the buildings with necessary heat, despite repeated warnings from the fuel delivery service that the amount of oil ordered was insufficient to heat the properties.

SHALOM neglected the buildings and lied about their ownership with the intent of driving rent regulated tenants from their homes. He openly discussed with business partners his strategy of “engineering vacancies” of rent regulated apartments. In doing so, he could combine, renovate, and set, higher rents for those units, or empty the building entirely. In either scenario, the building would command a higher price if sold. Consistent with this goal, SHALOM contracted with a real estate firm to sell adjacent buildings at 410 and 412 West 46th Street. In 2015, there was a fire at 412 West 46th Street, and the building had remained uninhabited since then. The buildings were jointly offered for sale at a price of $11.7 million.

SHALOM’s buildings were regularly cited by city agencies for unsafe conditions, requiring that a responsible party file paperwork certifying that the conditions had been corrected. SHALOM obscured his ownership of the properties by refusing to sign paperwork that was required to be filed with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (“HPD”) as a person responsible for the properties. Instead, he used a business associate’s two young employees to sign the documents as responsible persons for the properties. In doing so, SHALOM thwarted HPD’s enforcement efforts, prolonging the neglectful conditions within SHALOM’s buildings. In addition, tenants seeking redress for the numerous habitability issues, relied on the falsely filed documents and named individuals, who in fact, had no connection to the buildings, rather than SHALOM, ensuring the failure of their efforts.

Manhattan D.A.’s Housing & Tenant Protection Unit

In October 2022, District Attorney Bragg launched the Office’s first-ever Housing & Tenant Protection Unit, which targets systemic criminal harassment of tenants and abuse of government programs by landlords and developers. Areas of focus are harassment of rent-regulated tenants, deed fraud, and defrauding of government subsidy programs by landlords and developers. The Unit focuses on long-term investigations into systemic, structures, and organized criminal activity among landlords and developers.

Tips and complaints can be submitted to the Unit’s hotline at 212-335-3300 or email Danyhousing@dany.nyc.gov. The Office is a safe place to report crime regardless of your immigration status.

Assistant D.A.s Chikaelo Ibeabuchi (Chief of the Housing & Tenant Protection Unit), and Hope Korenstein (Deputy Bureau Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau) are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Kofi Sansculotte (Bureau Chief of the Financial Frauds Bureau) and Jodie Kane (Bureau Chief of the Rackets Bureau and Acting Chief of the Investigation Division). The following people provided assistance with this investigation: the Financial Frauds Bureau’s Lana Wong (Senior Financial Investigator), Sofia Albi (Paralegal), Emily O’Brien (Investigative Analyst), and Victoria Grevenberg (Housing Coordinator); the Forensic Accounting & Financial Investigations Bureau’s Hermeet Kaur (Principal Financial Investigator), Irene Serrapica (Principal Deputy Bureau Chief), and Robert Demarest (Bureau Chief); Investigation Bureau’s Samuel Morales (Investigator), Ethan Ellsworth (Investigator), Genesis Cornielle (Investigator), Daniel Clark-El (Supervising Investigator) and Jonathan Reid (Assistant Chief of the Investigation Bureau); New York City Department of Investigation’s Emily Caswell (Investigator), and Michael Morris (Inspector General, Squad 3).

District Attorney Bragg thanked the Department of Investigation for its assistance.

Defendant Information

DANIEL OHEBSHALOM aka DAN SHALOM

Charges:

• Harassment of a Rent Regulated Tenant in the First Degree, a class E felony, eight counts
• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, twenty-nine counts
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, three counts

KEYSTONE MANAGEMENT, INC.

Charges:

• Harassment of a Rent Regulated Tenant in the First Degree, a class E felony, eight counts
• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, twenty-nine counts
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, three counts

LIBERTY VENTURES, LLC

Charges:

• Harassment of a Rent Regulated Tenant in the First Degree, a class E felony, two counts
• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, six counts

HIGHPOINT ASSOCIATES XII, LLC

Charges:

• Harassment of a Rent Regulated Tenant in the First Degree, a class E felony, two counts
• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, eleven counts

BELMONT VENTURES, LLC

Charges:

• Harassment of a Rent Regulated Tenant in the First Degree, a class E felony, four counts
• Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a class E felony, twelve counts
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, three counts

[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.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on College Campus Safety

Governor Hochul: “Students have a First Amendment right to speak their mind, protest, whether or not we agree with their political views. But when that protest evolves into violence, vandalism, destruction of property, even harassment, a line has been crossed.

Before I talk about the topic of the day, which is retail theft, I also want to talk about something that is very much on everyone's mind, and that is what happened last night on our college campuses here in the City of New York.

Yesterday, I also addressed New Yorkers about what has been unfolding on our college campuses over the last couple of weeks. I reiterated that students have a First Amendment right to speak their mind, protest, whether or not we agree with their political views. But when that protest evolves into violence, vandalism, destruction of property, even harassment, a line has been crossed.

And in public and in private, we have been urging the protesters to de-escalate the tensions, follow the rules set by their universities, allow a sense of normalcy to return to their campuses. And as I called for de-escalation of their activity, they decided to take a different approach. They escalated the violence and vandalism yesterday – continuing to occupy a building at Columbia, barricading the doors, refusing entry of others who were lawfully entitled to go there, attempting to break into other buildings, causing massive destruction on that campus as well as the City College campus – smashing windows, again vandalizing property.

Let me be clear: there is no circumstance where violence or vandalism is tolerated or acceptable, whether you're on a college campus or walking the streets of New York. Targeting Jewish students for harassment or abuse because of the actions of the Israeli government is also anti-Semitic and wrong, glorifying the acts of Hamas on October 7th is reprehensible, as well as any under any circumstances, racist or Islamophobic rhetoric towards your political opponents is not acceptable.

Universities have always been a place of robust debate. I know, I was once a university student, but free expression has its limits when individuals have a right to be free from harassment – the rest of the campus. They should not be living in fear because you're claiming an exercise of your rights. They should not be afraid of harassment or violence. But that's what was starting to happen on our campuses over the last couple of weeks.

So, we must protect the safety of the entire campus community, including the thousands of students who simply want to finish up, conclude their studies, take their exams, and in some cases, the privilege of walking across the stage to accept their diploma. That's the vast majority of students on college campuses, and their rights are being disrupted, and that is wrong.

That is one of the reasons why university administrators made the difficult decision to call in the NYPD for additional support. I will say this, the NYPD had a plan. They arrived on campus and acted professionally and fairly. It could have been far worse. They managed it in an extremely professional way.\

As I said yesterday, the State of New York has also offered assistance to universities and the City of New York as they address these issues and particularly the universities throughout the state as they prepare for their commencements, which as I said, everyone is entitled to participate in a live commencement ceremony. We'll continue being there to support the students, the faculty, the staff, and support all New Yorkers who deserve to live in safety.