STATEMENTS FROM BRONX ELECTED OFFICIALS TO THE SHOOTING< AND KILLING OF POLICE OFFICER MIOSOTIS FAMILIA

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ

  "Our hearts are heavy this morning as we mourn the loss of New York City Police Department Officer Miosotis Familia. Officer Familia was a member of the 46th Precinct here in The Bronx who was shot and killed last night following an unprovoked attack.

"Officer Familia was a dedicated servant to our city, and the news of her passing is incredibly tragic. Please keep her family, friends and colleagues in the 46th Precinct and the entire police department in your prayers today during this difficult time," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

STATEMENT FROM IDC LEADER STATE SENATOR JEFF KLEIN

New York City lost a brave woman who for 12-years as an NYPD officer put her life on the line to protect all of us and keep us safe from harm. My deepest condolences go out to the family of Police Officer Miosotis Familia and her extended family in blue. This chilling, deliberate assassination of an officer on duty in The Bronx is a reminder of the risks our officers face every day while on the job.

Our city, our state, and our fellow New Yorkers mourn the death of Officer Familia, and we thank every member of the NYPD who puts themselves in harm’s way for doing their jobs to protect the public.

Statement from State Senator Marisol Alcántara

Police Officer Miosotis Familia died this morning serving her community and her country. She was a Dominican-American woman, a mother of three, a 12-year veteran of the force, a former nurse and a former Red Cross worker. She tended to her aging mother as well as her children. Everywhere she went, she served her community, whether through healing the sick or through keeping her neighbors safe as a member of the New York Dominican Officers Association. While attacking a police officer is always a fundamental breach of the rule of law and common decency, the unprovoked nature of this attack is especially disturbing. She deserved better, and I extend my condolences to her family, to The Bronx, to the New York Dominican community, to the city at large and to all who were touched by Officer Familia’s extraordinary life.

STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA

  "I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Police Officer Miosotis Familia, a 12-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, who tragically passed away earlier today after being fatally shot in a heinous and senseless attack. This is another sobering reminder of the daily dangers faced by our men and women in blue while on duty.

Let's keep Officer Familia, her three beloved children, her loved ones and all members of our City's Police Department in our thoughts and prayers on this sad day. Today, without a doubt, our City has lost one of its Finest."

Statement by The Bronx Democratic Party

  We are deeply saddened by the news of the fatal shooting that took the life an on-duty NYPD Officer. Miosotis Familia, 48, was a beloved mother of three and a 12 year veteran of the force who had just recently returned to full duty in the 46th Precinct last month. 

Let this be clear, an attack on the NYPD is an attack on all of us, is an attack on our justice system.

The Bronx Democratic Party condemns the event that lead to the death of Officer Miosotis Familia as an affront to our City, the courageous force that is the NYPD and to all of our values. We join together with the NYPD and the rest of our community to mourn the senseless and tragic death of one of our own. 

Statement from Assembly Member Michael A. Blake

“Today, we mourn the tragic death of NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia and pray for her family as they cope with this terrible loss. Familia, a mother of three, was a 12 year NYPD veteran who kept our community safe until her life was taken in a horrific manner.

Senseless acts of violence like this one rock us to our core.  No one should be subject to a merciless shooting. Once again, we have a sobering reminder of the need for gun reform, mental health awareness, and improved community and police relations in our country. Nothing should lead to this tragic level of violence. Whether it is an officer or a citizen, we all deserve to go home safely.

I commend the men and women of the NYPD for their swift response in taking out the assailant before he could cause further harm, and, I pray for the speedy recovery of the bystander who was shot in the exchange of fire.”

Statement from Assembly Member Victor Pichardo

  “Officer Miosotis Familia was a 12 year veteran of the NYPD who proudly served in the Bronx and worked to keep our neighborhoods and streets safe. This tragic, senseless act of violence has no place in our society. 

      “To Officer Familia’s family, friends, and brothers and sisters in the NYPD and the 46th Precinct, including those who bravely responded to the call and prevented further loss of life, I offer my deepest condolences and prayers in this dark and horrific time.”

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER JUMAANE WILLIAMS   

  "My prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer Miosotis Familia, who was killed by senseless gun violence in the Bronx this morning. There is nothing that can be said or done to ease the pain after such a tragic and sudden lost. 

"Police officers put their lives on the line everyday while working to ensure public safety. Regardless of the national discourse taking place around police-community relations, we must remember there are countless honest, well-intentioned police officers who wake up every day intending to do the best job they can for the people they have taken an oath to protect. Officer Familia woke up and got ready for work as she has done for years. It is with tremendous sadness that she will not be returning home.

"Unfortunately the seemingly unfettered access to guns and our penchant for violence continues to stain who we are as city, state and nation."

MAYOR DE BLASIO, COMMISSIONER O’NEILL HOLD MEDIA AVAILABILITY AT ST. BARNABAS HOSPITAL

  Mayor Bill de Blasio: You know just a few hours ago the city was celebrating our Independence Day, and it’s one of those days we look forward to all year. The NYPD did an extraordinary job keeping this city safe, and then just as that was ending tragedy struck and it’s such a painful reality at just the end of a very, very good thing.

A female police officer attacked out of nowhere, clinging to her life now. She is a 12-year veteran of the NYPD, member of the 4-6 Precinct. The Commissioner and I met with her family and it’s a very, very difficult moment for all of them.

I ask all New Yorkers to keep our officer and her family in your prayers and in your thoughts. She was on duty serving this city, protecting people, doing what she believed in, and doing the job she loved. And after this shocking and sudden attack, her fellow officers came to her aid immediately.

Everyone here at St. Barnabas Hospital has done extraordinary work in every effort to save her. And I want to express my appreciation to all the men and women of the NYPD and all of the medical staff and all of the employees of this hospital who are trying right now in every way they can to help our officer.

I also want to thank the community leaders who are here tonight or on their way – Councilmember Gibson, District Attorney Clarke – and just remind all New Yorkers that our officer’s family is in deep pain right now and so are all of the men and women of the NYPD, her extended family. Commissioner –

Commissioner O’Neill: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. A female police officer was shot and critically injured while sitting in a marked NYPD command vehicle near the corner of Morris Avenue and 1-8-3 Street in the Bronx around 12:30 am.

The officer was assigned with a partner to a mobile command post when the suspect fired through the vehicle’s window, striking her in the head. Her partner immediately radioed for assistance. An anti-crime team consisting of a sergeant and a police officer, who were in uniform, encountered a male subject running on Morris Avenue approximately one block from the scene of the shooting.

As they confronted him, he drew a revolver, the officers fired at him, striking and killing him. A silver revolver was recovered at the scene. We’re in the process of confirming the identity of the deceased.

During the encounter with the suspect another individual, believed to be a bystander, was struck by a bullet. That person is in stable condition.

The female officer was transported to this hospital – St. Barnabas Hospital – where she is listed in extremely critical condition. I want to thank the medical staff here at St. Barnabas for their efforts. Further details will be made available as they become available.

We are conducting an extensive search of video at this time.

Based on what we know right now, it is clear this was an unprovoked attack on police officers who were assigned to keep the people of this great city safe.

The police officer is a 12-year veteran to the job and she’s assigned to the 4-6 Precinct. You’ll hear from the PBA. Pat Lynch is going to say a few words. Pat –

Pat Lynch, President of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association: Thanks, Commissioner. You know, once again we’re here in this hospital as a police officer struggles for her life upstairs. This kind of violence against police officers cannot stand. We need the public’s help. When you see someone that’s making threats, doing something against police officers, you need to let us know. You need to be our eyes and ears.

We also have to remember the hundreds of police officers that are here now with their heads bowed in sorrow hoping for a miracle. Well, we need to support them as well because when they leave this hospital they’re going to get behind the wheel of a radio-car and patrol your neighborhood.

We want to thank them for the response. When a 13 comes over from a police officer, it’s all hands on deck. They were equally courageous as they rushed into danger themselves to get our hero police officer here to the hospital.

But as always, we can’t do it by ourselves. We need each and every one of your help. We need the media’s help. We need the folks on the street corner. We need the people in the apartments. We also need your help to watch our backs as we watch yours.

Family Festival Honoring Father Louis R. Gigante

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 

District 32 Bronx County, New York 

You should know that together with Councilman Rafael Salamanca, Assembly Members Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepulveda, Mr. Salvatore Gigante, Jr. from SEBCO, Father Jose Rivas from St. Athanasius Church, Freddy Perez Entertainment and members of the community, we would like to invite you to an Outdoor Family Festival.

Is important for you to know that this Saturday, July 8th starting at 12pm, we will be celebrating an outdoor Family Day Festival in honor and recognition of the work, achievement and contribution of Father Louis R. Gigante to the redevelopment of Simpson Street and the Hunts Point Area of Bronx County.

This will be a completely free Festival to all attendees, and will take place at La Placita of Father Gigante, located at 878 Tiffany Street in Bronx County, right in front to Saint Athanasius Church, and will be offering live music, food and entertainment for our children and families.

It is important for you to know that years ago, when the South Bronx was burned to the ground and where crime was the order of the day, it was Father Louis Gigante who started the reconstruction of the Simpson Street and the Hunts Point Area in the Bronx.

Back in those times, the Simpson Street area was the home of prostitution, crime and drugs, to the extent that the local Police Precinct was given the name Fort Apache. In fact, Paul Newman and Rachel Ticotin filmed a movie in the area named “Fort Apache, The Bronx.”

I personally recommend to you my reader, to see that movie so you can see how the area of Simpson Street used to be.

In fact, I especially urge those people who are always complaining that no one does anything for them to watch this movie so they can learn about the housing benefits and commodities we all have because God used Father Louis R. Gigante as the head of elected officials, community leaders along with the late Sister Miriam Thomas, to make Simpson Street and the Hunts Point Area a place where people wants to live now.

Father Louis R. Gigante, who was a priest of Saint Athanasius Church, created two organizations: SEBCO, Southeast Bronx Community Organization, and SISDA, Simpson Street Development Association.  These two organizations were the main instruments in the re-development of the area.

It is for these reasons that we the elected officials representing the area, together with community leaders and organizations, have organized this Outdoor Family Festival.

The official ceremony where Proclamations and Certificates will be presented to honor and recognize the work and many contributions of Father Louis R. Gigante will be at 3:00 pm.

You are all invited to come and join us for this special Outdoor Family Festival to honor Father Louis R. Gigante.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

Bronx Democratic Party Annual Dinner

Akira Himekawa Comes to NYCC

New York Comic Con
October 5 - 8
Javits Center NYC

Bronx Community Board No. 8 - Special Monday July 10 Traffic & Transportation Committee Meeting

NOTICE OF MEETING

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

DATE:             Monday, July 10, 2017 

                      (please note day and time)

TIME:              7:00 PM

PLACE:           Kingsbridge Heights Community Center

                      3101 Kingsbridge Terrace

                      Bronx, NY 10463

AGENDA

                                                 

1.     Presentation by NYC Department of Design & Construction to modify its scope of work for the West 229th Street step-street reconstruction by removing the temporary staircase during reconstruction in order to expedite the completion date for the project by 6 months.

2.     Application for unenclosed sidewalk café 

# 8513-2017- ASWC – 

Blackstone Bar & Grill, 3713 Riverdale Avenue.

3.     St. Jemuel Back to School Rally – Block Party – with full street closure on September 2, 2017, to be held on Webb Avenue between West 197 Street and Reservoir Avenue/2836 Webb Avenue.

4.     Follow-up by the Traffic & Transportation Committee on Broadway Corridor recommendations.

5.     Review of Minutes.

6.     Old and New Business.

Michael Beltzer City Council Candidate 18th Council District

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This is in no way to imply that this blog or the writer of this blog is endorsing or working with the above candidate. This posting is for informational purpose only, as has been done for other candidates in this race and other races.

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES RECORD NUMBER OF SUMMER JOBS IN LADDERS FOR LEADERS

Pro-bono ad campaign helps secure a projected 600 employers this summer, up from 475 in 2016

  Mayor de Blasio and Office of Strategic Partnerships Director Gabrielle Fialkoff today announced that for the third consecutive year, New York City has placed a record number of young adults in high-quality, paid summer internships through the Ladders for Leaders program. A pro-bono ad campaign urging employers across the City to hire local talent helped secure 600 participating employers this summer, as projected, up from 475 in 2016.

"New York City is a hub for talented youth,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Through the Ladders for Leaders program, not only do we help our young people explore potential career paths, we also introduce them to the very people who may hire them one day - and the annual increase in employers shows just how mutually beneficial that is."

“The Center for Youth Employment continues to support NYC’s youth with better access to employment and job skill enrichment opportunities,” saidFirst Lady Chirlane McCray, who serves as Chair of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “With more than triple the number of projected interns from when the program began, the Ladders for Leaders Program is a rapidly growing workforce pipeline for our City agencies and participating business partners.”

“Providing meaningful work experiences early on is a great way to help young people – it also helps us to grow the pipeline of future professionals right here in New York City,” said Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. “I am proud of this year’s unprecedented progress in giving so many talented young people the critical skills needed to take part in the workforce through the Ladders for Leaders program.”

“Our aim with Ladders for Leaders is twofold: to put as many youths as we can on the road to success by connecting them to employers in the City’s most thriving industries and to provide employers with a strong, homegrown workforce,” said Gabrielle Fialkoff, Senior Advisor to the Mayor and Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships. “The continued growth of this program shows that employers agree that we must work together to increase access and opportunity for all young people across the City. We look forward to finding innovative ways to do so.”

“DYCD is proud to work with the Mayor’s Fund to ensure our Ladders for Leaders participants get even more unique job opportunities to help them build the necessary skills to succeed and advance in any career path,” said Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong. “Ladders for Leaders is training our homegrown talent pool to compete and succeed in the 21st century marketplace. Helping our young people get first-hand, real world job experience with the most dynamic companies in the City will go a long way toward building the next generation of leaders who will make meaningful contributions to our global economy.”

Since 2014, Ladders has grown from 89 participating employers to  600, and from 475 interns in 2014 to over 1,600 projected for this summer. This growth has been driven by a team of dedicated staff at the Center for Youth Employment (CYE), an initiative of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, in partnership with the City’s Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) and increasing interest from local industry to support pathways to work exposure and experiences for young adults. CYE aligns employers’ summer hiring needs with the interests and skills of prospective interns.

These most recent gains are the result of a targeted multi-media advertising campaign unveiled in March, calling on New York City’s employers to hire interns. This first-of-its-kind campaign served as a call-to-action for employers across the City to hire local talent. The campaign garnered widespread interest among employers allowing the program to expand into new business sectors.   

The record gains are also the result of an ongoing sector-based approach to employer engagement and recruitment. In spring 2016, the Center for Youth Employment launched a series of “Industry Partnerships, ” targeting businesses in five key NYC sectors: real estate, fashion, media and entertainment, hospitality and travel and tourism. These partnerships brought together the public and private sectors to create meaningful pipelines into NYC’s growing industries, offering workplace exposure, experience and training for young adults. Continuing to tap into private sectors representing the strongest career pathways in New York City, this year the City is expanding the program to support pathways into two new local industries: Technology and Healthcare. Thirty-four percent of last summer’s  interns received full-time job offers, setting hundreds of students on a successful career path and providing homegrown expertise for NYC companies.

Growing the Ladders for Leaders program is a prime example of Mayor de Blasio’s commitment to increasing access to a good job for all New Yorkers and creating more opportunities for underserved communities.  The program provides a turn-key solution for companies seeking to engage with and invest in local talent, giving the youth crucial early career training and creating a strong workforce pipelines for companies looking to foster diversity and inclusion.

The NYC Center for Youth Employment, an initiative of the Mayor’s Fund, is focused on expanding and improving New York City’s programs to help youth and young adults add skills, gain work experience, build networks and explore potential career paths.

Ladders for Leaders, part of the City’s Department of Youth and Community Development Summer Youth Employment Program, is a competitive summer internship program connecting businesses of all sizes to local, high-achieving high school and college students. Applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average, undergo a rigorous review process and receive 30 hours of training prior to their internship. They are guaranteed a minimum of 25 hours of work per week in the six week program.

The print and broadcast ad campaign – the first of its kind geared toward employers – was driven by pro-bono, public-private partnerships with Discovery Communications as part of its annual “Creating Change” pro-bono initiative, Young & Rubicam (Y&R), Clear Channel Outdoor, OUTRFRONT Media, JCDecaux and iHeart Media. It featured two 30-second public service announcements and a print ad campaign. The PSAs ran across city broadcast channels (NYC Life/NYC Gov) and Taxi TV and featured alumni from Ladders. An accompanying radio spot played on iHeart Media Online, WNYE 91.6 FM and New York City’s on-hold messaging reel. Original print and digital ads appeared via LinkNYC kiosks; Clear Channel Billboards; OUTFRONT Media Digital Billboards; and in JCDecaux bus shelters across all five boroughs.

Growth in Ladders for Leaders was driven by the Center for Youth Employment (CYE), which was launched in May 2015 by Mayor de Blasio, to expand, improve and coordinate publicly funded programs that help prepare New York City’s young adults for steady work and career success.