News From Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman

Rebuilding and Revitalizing NY Neighborhoods Beset By Vacant Homes

This week, the Attorney General announced a $4 million pilot program that will empower local communities to transform abandoned properties into safe, affordable housing. These vacant "zombie" homes are stark reminders of the long-term effects of the 2008 housing crisis. Through the program's funding and the oversight of local land banks, community members can renovate zombie homes into rental housing to revitalize their communities. The funds to rebuild neighborhoods statewide were made available by the Attorney General's settlements with Citigroup and Bank of America.

Taking Dangerous Synthetic Drugs Off The Streets

The Attorney General sued a New York based online retailer, Legalherbalbud.com, for allegedly selling synthetic marijuana--otherwise known as K2. A recent uptick in New York sales of these dangerous drugs has caused a dramatic rise in emergency room visits across the state, straining local hospitals and endangering public safety. The online company sued by the AG illegally promoted its products as “legal highs”, “herbal incense” and “potpourri,” with packaging seemingly targeted at kids, with images and names such as “The Incredible Hulk,” and “Scooby Snax.”

Have a question, comment, or complaint? Click here. You can also learn more about the various initiatives of the Attorney General's office by visiting our website at ag.ny.gov. You can also call our General Hotline: 800-771-7755. 

Morrison Avenue Festival

It was a slow start for the Morrison Avenue Festival with cloudy skies at times. Freddy Perez was the person who put together this event, an below are some of the early photos I was able to get before I left early.

Above - There were many food vendors.

Below - Francisco is carving the Gyro Meat.

Above - There were several Pina Colada tables set up.

Below - The early contingent of the Bronx Young Democrats of the Bronx are set up on the sunny side of the street.

Above - Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo greets some of the people at the festival.

Below - 78th Assemblyman Jose Rivera is taking video of the crowd, with associate Aldo Perez.

At this point the event coordinator Mr. Freddie Perez went on stage and called up Assemblyman Marcos Crespo. Assemblyman Jose Rivera was allowed inside the metal barrier behind him, along with up to a dozen people. I asked to go inside the metal barrier since I had my NYPD Press photo identification on me, but was denied access by one of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. staffers. I was told to wait even though almost the entire staff of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. know me, and I was denied access inside to take photos at that time of Assemblyman Crespo and Mr. Freddie Perez on stage. Did the others have NYPD Press Identification you may ask? The answer is that I recognized only one reporter, and no one else had NYPD Press credentials on them as I did. When Mr. Freddy Perez came off stage I told him what happened, and he seemed not to be concerned about what just had happened. I left to come back a little later bringing his brother Mr. John Perez. It seemed now that other elected officials had come including State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who were now on stage. It appeared that I was allowed then to go inside the metal barrier, and the photos are below.

Above - Mr. Freddie Perez thanks the crowd for coming, as he calls up the elected officials to come on stage.

Below - The original TEAM DIAZ. State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. between Assemblymen Marcos Crespo and Luis Sepulveda.

Above and Below - As things got going the crowd grew as you can see. 

Above - It looks like Assemblyman Jose Rivera is repeating those words to State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. when Rivera was the Bronx Democratic County Leader, as the current Bronx Democratic County Leader looks on.

Below - Mr. Freddie Perez has five-hundred dollars in his hand as a reward for the person who can answer correctly a question about a video of State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. 

Above - The first person got the answer wrong, but still received fifty dollars for her effort. Yes that is Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda with his son Julian in his arms.

Below - The Bronx Young Democrats moved to the shady side of the street, ans were joined by several other members including Mr. Anthony Perez (white shirt in the back row) who is the executive Director of the Bronx Democratic County organization.

BRONX MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX TRAFFICKING AND WILL BE DESIGNATED SEX OFFENDER

 Also Pleads Guilty to Slashing Inmate in Rikers Island: Faces Up to 11 Years Bronx District 

  Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a 35-year-old Bronx man has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking related to a prostitution business he operated with his cousin, as well as an assault that took place while he was jailed in Rikers Island. 

   District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant forced a runaway girl into prostitution on the streets of Hunts Point, and in Brooklyn and Queens, by instilling fear of physical injury. Sex trafficking is a despicable offense and this victim is slowly trying to recover from her exploitation. 

   “The defendant also pleaded guilty to slashing an inmate while he was incarcerated, contributing to the culture of brutality at Rikers Island that we have been battling for the last eight months.” 

  District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Shakiem Washington, 35, of 374 East 209th Street, pleaded guilty yesterday, August 15, 2016, to Sex Trafficking and second degree Assault before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood. Washington faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison for Sex Trafficking, and four years for Assault, to run consecutively, when he is sentenced on September 1, 2016. He will also be designated a sex offender and receive three years post-release supervision.

   According to the investigation, Washington’s cousin Daniel Washington found the girl, then 18 years old, in early 2011 in Atlantic City, where another pimp had abandoned her. Daniel Washington handed her over to Washington, who forced her to work as a prostitute until June, 2011. An investigation was conducted by Bronx Vice Detective Rose Muckenthaler.

  On August 10, 2015, while in the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island, Washington participated in an attack with three other inmates on another inmate, slashing him in the face with a sharp object.  

The Walking Dead, Doctor Who and More at New NYCC Venue

GUESTS         EVENTS            THE FLOOR            ABOUT

CB 8 Special August PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Meeting

BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD NO. 8

5676 Riverdale Avenue, Suite 100 • Bronx, New York 10471-2194

Telephone: 718-884- 3959 • Fax: 718-796- 2763

E-Mail: bx08@cb.nyc.gov

MEETING NOTICE

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

DATE: Thursday, August 25, 2016

TIME: 7:00 PM

PLACE: 50th Police Precinct

3450 Kingsbridge Avenue

AGENDA

1. Introduction of Committee Members and Guests

2. Approval of Public Safety Committee minutes for July, 2016

3. Fire Report

4. NEW Applications Liquor License or Beer/Wine License:

    1 - Doppio Toro, LLC, 3625 Kingsbridge Avenue

    2 -  A1 & J1 Rest. Inc., 5977 Broadway

RENEWAL Applications Liquor License or Beer/Wine License:

Five Kids Five Inc. DBA Riverdale City Grill, 3541 Riverdale Avenue

5. Miscellaneous Business

Joseph O’Brien, Chair,  Public Safety Committee

BROOKLYN COUNCILMEMBERS WILLIAMS, MILLER RESPONDS TO HIT-AND-RUN INVOLVING DOLLAR VAN DRIVER

  Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader, and Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Chair of the Committee on Civil Service & Labor, released the following joint statement after 47-year-old Angel Sagardia and his wife Samantha Sagardia, 50, were run down by a dollar van driver in a Ford Omnibus on Aug. 13. The hit-and-run took place on Flatbush Ave., near Kings Plaza mall in Marine Park. 

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS 

"First, I'd like to offer prayers of peace and comfort to the family of the victim. Losing a loved one is never easy, especially when their death is tragic and unexpected.

"Once again, we have seen an unnecessary death caused by an illegal commuter van. These drivers continue to create unsafe conditions for residents in areas who are forced to use this unregulated industry because they lack other transportation options. 

 

"This is an example of what can happen when rogue drivers are left unchecked and unregulated. Incidents like this tarnish the perception of the commuter van industry. Commuter vans provide a valuable service to communities throughout the city, who are starved of reliable transit options. We are calling for stepped up enforcement not only for the family of Sagardia, who were so tragically affected by this accident, but also for the families of those affected by incidents that have happened before in Brookyln and in Queens. 

 

"We are committed to passing legislation that will make sure rogue drivers are taken off the street and allow room for the good acting members of this industry to operate in a safe, fair and regulated space. The Commuter Van Act will encourage drivers who are licensed by TLC, and discourage those who are unlicensed. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families in their time of mourning and we urge the City Council to pass our legislation that would regulate drivers who are operating illegally and look at ways which will enhance the quality of life for residents living in transportation deserts.

"It is only through these measures and enforcement that we will be able to minimize the number of senseless tragedies like the one that claimed the life of Angel Sargadia."

Queens Councilman - You Can't Take Away a Parking Lot in My District For Affordable Housing

Hi, My name is Jimmy Van Bramer. I am the Democratic Majority Leader in the City Council. There is a proposal to take away a 230 space parking lot in my council district for Phipps Houses to build a 209 unit affordable housing building, which will have 200 parking spaces as reported.  

I am opposed to the project as proposed, and will either not have it not be built or changes will be made that I approve. My fellow council member Ydanis Rodriguez stopped a similar proposal in Upper Manhattan., so why can't I do the same thing here in Queens. Councilman Rodriguez is only the Transportation Committee Chair, while I am the Democratic Majority Leader.