NYC Comptroller & New York Appleseed Map Out Blueprint for Inclusive, Integrated School Mergers to Help Meet Lower Class Size Mandate

 

Report highlights Arts & Letters 305 United in Fort Greene/BedStuy as example of racially integrated school merger of an overcrowded school & underfunded school 

As New York City works to comply with the State Legislature’s mandate to lower public school class sizes, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York Appleseed co-authored Intentional and Inclusive School Mergers, a report to showcase a viable, cost-effective solution for New York City that centers diversity, equity, and excellence through inclusive and intentional school mergers. To illustrate this approach, the report features a case study of the merger that created Arts and Letters 305 United in District 13 (Brooklyn) in 2020 with interviews of parents, students, and faculty, as well as an analysis of citywide data to identify opportunities for utilizing the merger approach.

As the country’s largest public school system, New York City has a broad spectrum that includes severely overcrowded schools with very large class sizes, and schools facing declining enrollment and losses of per pupil funding that can make it difficult to provide a full panoply of resources and services. In order to comply with the state mandate to reduce class size and re-balance the number of students in classrooms, lawmakers and policymakers will need to employ various methods, likely including building new schools and additions, shifting school zone boundaries, altering programming and enrollment, and employing more teachers. Consolidating schools should be among the proposals to reduce class sizes, where it can be rooted in equity rather than a means to perpetuate school segregation.

“As New York City works to meet the class size mandate, the Department of Education has an opportunity to promote intentional and inclusive school mergers that reduce class size, improve student outcomes, and advance the vision of a less segregated school system,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “Seventy years after Brown v. Board, New York City’s schools remain segregated due to decades of redlining, gentrification, and unequal access to schools with screened admissions. The merger that created Arts & Letters 305 United in 2020 is a model that can combat inequity, pool school resources to achieve better outcomes, and allow schools to meet the class size mandate. Inclusive and intentional school mergers are not only a cost-effective way to lower class size (given the price of land and construction), they also ensure that benefit goes to a more diverse array of students. This solution is a win-win.”

Student enrollment is on the decline in New York City Public Schools overall, but those declines are falling even more acutely in Black communities. Between 2012 and 2022, while overall student enrollment declined by 12 percent, Black student enrollment declined by 32.5 percent—and in Central and Southeastern Brooklyn and Northern Manhattan, Black student enrollment declined by 45 percent or greater. As enrollment declined, the amount of used space decreased; schools in District 16 in Central Brooklyn utilize 45 percent of their available space.

Enrollment declines reduce the funding a school receives. Every school receives $225,000 in foundational Fair Student Funding (FSF) to cover a principal and other core staff, but the number of students (and however many students who live in poverty, temporary housing, have disabilities, or are English Language Learners) determines the rest of the school funding. Schools with more students have far more funds for a wide array of specialist staff and programs (e.g. arts, music, social and emotional learning) that smaller schools cannot afford.

“As one of the most segregated school systems in the country, the New York City Public Schools should take every opportunity to advocate for and advance truly integrated schools. With the new class size mandate, there’s a timely chance to deepen school integration efforts by exploring solutions like intentional and inclusive school mergers. Our report offers the necessary depth and lens for equity to ensure all proposed future school mergers are intentional in prioritizing real integration and actively involve school communities in decision-making, feedback, and engagement,” said Nyah Berg, executive director of New York Appleseed. 

The report does an in-depth examination of the merger that created Arts and Letters 305 United in District 13. District 13 in Brooklyn is in the middle of the pack concerning class size law compliance—61 percent of classes in the district were above the class caps in the 2021-22 school year (the same as the citywide average). The district underwent a rapid gentrification over that last decade: the number of Black students declined by 40 percent while the number of white students increased by 63 percent. In 2019, Arts & Letters operated at over 130 percent capacity while being co-located with P.S. 20, another school that was also at over 130 percent capacity. In comparison, P.S. 305 was under-enrolled, operating at only 36 percent capacity. By January 2020, the gap grew wider with Arts & Letters reporting 145 percent capacity and P.S. 305 reporting just 16 percent.

The merger decision process happened during Spring 2019 and was deliberate about framing the process through a lens of equity and integration. According to the interviews conducted for this report, school and district leaders made intentional choices to involve the community in the decision-making process for how the merger would take place and conducted engagement that did not shy away from addressing the apparent racial and socioeconomic differences and parent involvement between the two schools.

Both communities reflected on the merger process bringing much-needed resources. For students and families from Arts and Letters, those resources were often space-related—finally having slightly smaller class sizes and room for push-in and/or pull-out services. For the 305 community, every parent and staff member interviewed noted that the merger drastically expanded the offerings and extracurriculars available to students and families.

With 70 percent of New York City public schools are intensely segregated, the demographics of over- and under-utilized schools creates opportunities to utilize mergers to reduce cost, improve school financial viability, foster greater school integration, and improve student outcomes.

The report recommends the following to the Department of Education (DOE):

• Identify school merger opportunities to attain class size compliance and better school integration including reducing racial and socioeconomic dissimilarities and/or isolation within school districts, closing the opportunity gaps, and ensuring greater access for under-enrolled and under-resourced schools. The report’s analysis provides a framework for the City to conduct such analyses using real-time enrollment and demographic data.
• Create new opportunities for school consolidations by organizing grades bands into lower (PreK – 2nd grade) and upper (3rd – 5th grade) for age-appropriate programs and services, eliminating admissions methods like middle school screens and gifted & talented programs that could hinder consolidation, and coordinating DOE departments to plan and execute school mergers.
• Support school community engagement by facilitating an internal School Merger Working Group that prioritizes equity and excellence and ensuring compliance with Local Law 225 of 2019 to establish diversity working groups in every district by the end of 2024.

The report also recommends the following for individual school mergers:

• Schools must continue to follow through with investments into the 5 “Rs” of the Real Integration framework. The 5 Rs establish that truly integrated schools are those that (1) achieve Racial, ethnic, and economic diversity in composition, (2) appoint leadership Representative of this diversity, (3) facilitate Relationships across people of different backgrounds, (4) practice Restorative justice, and (5) share equitable access to Resources and opportunities.
• DOE’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department must provide and incentivize staff and faculty with community-building opportunities well in advance of the completed merger.

• DOE should fund and all staff and faculty should participate in culturally responsive professional development opportunities well-before and after the merger process.
• Schools must involve students and families in the merger decision-making and planning process, clearly communicating school merger objectives and prioritizing transparency.
• Students and families must receive ongoing support from school and district leadership through the provision of spaces to engage in courageous conversations across community lines.

Read the full report here.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES UP TO $15,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO ARREST AND CONVICTION AGAINST THOSE WHO VANDALIZED WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL IN CENTRAL PARK

 

Up to $10,000 From NYPD Crime Stoppers and Up to $5,000 From Mayor Adams Will Be Awarded for Information Leading to an Arrest and Conviction

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was joined by officials from the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (NYC DVS), New York City Police Department (NYPD), New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) to condemn the recent vandalism of the 107th Infantry Memorial in Central Park and offer a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Up to $10,000 will be awarded by NYPD Crime Stoppers, with an additional amount of up to $5,000 put up with Mayor Adams’ personal money.

 

“I love this city and this country,” said Mayor Adams. “It is painful to see a memorial to bravery being vandalized by cowards in the name of protest — one of the very freedoms those enshrined in this memorial died to protect. I will not stand by while people desecrate memorials to those who fought for democracy and human rights, or disrespect the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who have served their country.”

 

“The statue that was defaced in Central Park last night holds the memory of a generation of WWI soldiers — sentinels who were lost defending the freedoms that we as Americans hold dear,” said NYC DVS Commissioner James Hendon. “Men and women fought so that Americans could speak out without fear of reprisal from their government, leaving their loved ones behind to join a cause greater than themselves. We must endeavor to respect and honor their legacy, understanding that the cost of war is too great for us to forget the sacrifices of our fallen. It is a commitment that that transcends life itself.”

 

“Defacing a monument honoring the service of Americans is beyond the pale,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “The vulgarity demonstrated by those responsible for these acts reflects more on them than it does the people they are attempting to denigrate.”

 

“Our city’s public monuments honor our heroes and our heritage, and defacing them will not be tolerated,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “NYC Parks is proud to be home to the city’s largest outdoor museum and we’re thankful to our staff and our partners at the Central Park Conservancy for acting quickly to keep these treasured amenities looking their best so we can continue to honor them for generations to come.”

 

“I’m saddened by the desecration of a hallowed memorial honoring the legacy of great American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “The 107th United States Infantry memorializes soldiers who died in World War I. Last night’s acts were heinous and will not be tolerated in New York City. Our city’s veterans are one of our greatest assets and we will always support and honor them.”

 

Hundreds of protestors gathered on the Upper East Side, which resulted in more than two dozen arrests, along with numerous desk appearance tickets and summonses for disorderly conduct. In addition to the vandalism of the 107^th Infantry Memorial, protestors also vandalized the monument honoring Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman at Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan. NYC Parks is currently working with the Central Park Conservancy to immediately finish cleaning the memorials.

 

New Yorkers who have information regarding a crime committed or a wanted person can:

• Call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 800-577-TIPS
• Submit an internet tip
• Download the Crime Stoppers Mobile App

The Crime Stoppers Program offers rewards for anonymous information provided to the 800-577-TIPS hotline that leads to the arrest and indictment of a violent felon. This public/private partnership between the NYPD and the New York City Police Foundation has been an invaluable crime-fighting tool since the program's inception in 1983. Calls to Crime Stoppers have helped solve more than 5,300 violent crimes, including over 1,400 murders and attempted murders. Over $2 million in rewards have been approved to 800-577-TIPS callers.

U.S. Charges Russian National with Developing and Operating LockBit Ransomware

 

Alleged LockBit Developer Created and Operated Most Prolific Ransomware Variant Under Aliases “LockBit” and “LockBitSupp”; U.S State Department Offers Reward Up to $10M; U.S. Department of Treasury Designates LockBit Administrator for Sanctions

The U.S. Justice Department unsealed charges against a Russian national for his alleged role as the creator, developer, and administrator of the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in September 2019 through the present. At times, LockBit was the most prolific ransomware group in the world.

“Earlier this year, the Justice Department and our U.K. law enforcement partners disrupted LockBit, a ransomware group responsible for attacks on victims across the United States and around the world,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We are now going a step further, charging the individual who we allege developed and administered this malicious cyber scheme, which has targeted over 2,000 victims and stolen more than $100 million in ransomware payments. We will continue to work closely alongside our partners, across the U.S. government and around the world to disrupt cybercrime operations like LockBit and to find and hold accountable those responsible for them.”

“As part of our unrelenting efforts to dismantle ransomware groups and protect victims, the Justice Department has brought over two dozen criminal charges against the administrator of LockBit, one of the world’s most dangerous ransomware organizations,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Working with U.S. and international partners, we are using all our tools to hold ransomware actors accountable—and we continue to encourage victims to report cyberattacks to the FBI when they happen. Reporting an attack could make all the difference in preventing the next one.”

Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev (Дмитрий Юрьевич Хорошев), also known as LockBitSupp, LockBit, and putinkrab, 31, of Voronezh, Russia, is charged by a 26-count indictment returned by a grand jury in the District of New Jersey.

“This indictment of LockBit developer and operator Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev continues the FBI’s ongoing disruption of the LockBit criminal ecosystem,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The LockBit ransomware group represented one of the most prolific ransomware variants across the globe, causing billions of dollars in losses and wreaking havoc on critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. The charges announced today reflect the FBI’s unyielding commitment to disrupting ransomware organizations and holding the perpetrators accountable.”

The indictment against Khoroshev unsealed follows a recent disruption of LockBit ransomware in February by the U.K. National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Cyber Division, which worked in cooperation with the Justice Department, FBI, and other international law enforcement partners. As previously announced by the Department, authorities disrupted LockBit by seizing numerous public-facing websites used by LockBit to connect to the organization’s infrastructure and by seizing control of servers used by LockBit administrators, thereby disrupting the ability of LockBit actors to attack and encrypt networks and extort victims by threatening to publish stolen data. That disruption succeeded in greatly diminishing LockBit’s reputation and its ability to attack further victims, as alleged by the indictment unsealed today.

“Dmitry Khoroshev conceived, developed, and administered Lockbit, the most prolific ransomware variant and group in the world, enabling himself and his affiliates to wreak havoc and cause billions of dollars in damage to thousands of victims around the globe,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “He thought he could do so hidden by his notorious moniker ‘LockBitSupp,’ anonymous and free of any consequence, while he personally pocketed $100 million extorted from Lockbit’s victims. Through relentless investigation and coordination with our partners at the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the FBI and abroad, we have proven him and his coconspirators wrong. Today’s indictment marks a significant milestone in the investigation and prosecution of LockBit, which has already led to charges against five other LockBit affiliates—two of whom are in custody awaiting trial—and a major disruption of the now discredited LockBit operation.”

In addition, as previously announced, law enforcement developed decryption capabilities that may enable hundreds of victims around the world to restore systems encrypted using the LockBit ransomware variant. Victims targeted by this malware are encouraged to contact the FBI at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov/ to enable law enforcement to determine whether affected systems can be successfully decrypted.

According to the indictment and other documents previously unsealed in the District of New Jersey:

Khoroshev and the LockBit Ransomware Group

Khoroshev allegedly acted as the LockBit ransomware group’s developer and administrator from its inception in or around September 2019 through May 2024. Khoroshev and his affiliate coconspirators, grew LockBit into what was, at times, the most active and destructive ransomware variant in the world. The LockBit ransomware group attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries, including 1,800 victims in the United States. LockBit victims included individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. Khoroshev and his co-conspirators extracted at least $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in broader losses, such as lost revenue, incident response, and recovery.

Khoroshev allegedly designed LockBit to operate in the “ransomware-as-a-service” (RaaS) model. In his role as the LockBit developer and administrator, Khoroshev arranged for the design of the LockBit ransomware code itself, recruited other LockBit members—called affiliates—to deploy it against victims, and maintained the LockBit infrastructure, including an online software dashboard called a “control panel” to provide the affiliates with the tools necessary to deploy LockBit. Khoroshev also maintained LockBit’s public-facing website—called a “data leak site”—for the publication of data stolen from victims who refused to pay a ransom.

As alleged in the indictment, Khoroshev—as the LockBit developer—typically received a 20% share of each ransom payment extorted from LockBit victims. The affiliate responsible for an attack would receive the remaining 80%. During the scheme, Khoroshev alone allegedly received at least $100 million in disbursements of digital currency through his developer shares of LockBit ransom payments.

LockBit infrastructure seized by law enforcement through the February 2024 disruption allegedly showed that Khoroshev retained copies of data stolen from LockBit victims who had paid the demanded ransom.

Khoroshev and his affiliate co-conspirators had falsely promised those victims that their stolen data would be deleted after payment. Moreover, after the February 2024 disruption, Khoroshev allegedly communicated with law enforcement and urged them to disclose the identities of his RaaS competitors—whom Khoroshev called his “enemies”—in exchange for his services.

Khoroshev is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and related activity in connection with computers; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; eight counts of intentional damage to a protected computer; eight counts of extortion in relation to confidential information from a protected computer; and eight counts of extortion in relation to damage to a protected computer. In total, those charges carry a maximum penalty of 185 years in prison. Each of the 26 counts charged by the indictment also carries a maximum fine of the greatest of $250,000, pecuniary gain to the offender, or pecuniary harm to the victim.

The LockBit Investigation

With the indictment, a total of six LockBit members have now been charged for their participation in the LockBit conspiracy:

• In February 2024, an indictment was unsealed in the District of New Jersey charging Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims throughout the United States, including businesses nationwide in the manufacturing and other industries.
• In June 2023, a criminal complaint was filed in the District of New Jersey charging Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov, a Russian national, in connection with his participation in the LockBit group. Astamirov is currently in custody awaiting trial.
• In May 2023, two indictments were unsealed in Washington, D.C., and the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Matveev, also known as “Wazawaka,” “m1x,” “Boriselcin,” and “Uhodiransomwar,” with using different ransomware variants, including LockBit, to attack numerous victims throughout the United States, including the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Matveev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at tips.fbi.gov/.
• Finally, in November 2022, a criminal complaint was filed in the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Vasiliev in connection with his participation in the LockBit ransomware group. Vasiliev, a dual Russian-Canadian national, is currently in custody in Canada awaiting extradition to the United States.

The FBI Newark Field Office is investigating the LockBit ransomware variant.

Trial Attorneys Jessica C. Peck, Debra Ireland, and Jorge Gonzalez of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, David E. Malagold, and Vinay Limbachia for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the charges against Khoroshev.

The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust, Office of International Affairs, and National Security Division also provided significant assistance.

Additionally, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced that it is designating Khoroshev for his role in launching cyberattacks. For more information, visit https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2326. 

Authorities in the United Kingdom and Australia also announced sanctions against Khoroshev.

The Department of State also announced a reward of up to $10 million for information that leads to the apprehension of Khoroshev. Information that may be eligible for this award can be submitted by email at fbisupp@fbi.gov, Telegram at @LockbitRewards, Signal at @FBISupp.01, and tox B0B98577F0541160C745B464E42C9AB782B036682FAD59D5F228EA75BF71691BE68A8E08BD55. The reward announced supplements a previous reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of any individual who holds a leadership position in the criminal group behind LockBit ransomware. For more information on this reward, visit Reward for Information: LockBit Ransomware-as-a-Service. 

Victims of LockBit should contact the FBI at https://lockbitvictims.ic3.gov for further information. Additional details on protecting networks against LockBit ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov. These include Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisories AA23-325A, AA23-165A, and AA23-075A.       

An indictment is merely an allegation. Under U.S. law, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Trinitarios Gang Leader Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murdering A Confidential Informant

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WILLIAM JONES, a/k/a “Principe,” was sentenced to life in prison for the December 2019 murder of Frederick Delacruz.  JONES, who was a high-ranking member of the Trinitarios gang, lured Delacruz from the Bronx to Suffolk County, New York, where JONES shot and killed Delacruz next to a cemetery because Delacruz was acting as a confidential informant for law enforcement.  JONES was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos after being convicted by a jury following an eight-day trial in October 2023. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “William Jones executed Frederick Delacruz in cold blood because Delacruz had the courage to cooperate with law enforcement. Now, Jones will spend the rest of his life in a federal prison.” 

According to court filings and the evidence presented in court during the trial:

WILLIAM JONES was a high-ranking member of the Trinitarios, a racketeering enterprise that has engaged in a pattern of murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, fraud, and witness tampering and retaliation.  On December 28, 2019, JONES and other Trinitarios lured Frederick Delacruz from the Bronx, New York, to Suffolk County, New York, where JONES shot and killed Delacruz because Delacruz was acting as a confidential informant for law enforcement.

Delacruz is the second known person whom JONES has murdered.  On October 18, 1993, JONES shot and killed Audrey Walker with a TEC .9mm assault weapon in the lobby of the Manhattan apartment building where Walker resided.  On October 26, 1994, JONES was convicted after a bench trial in New York County Supreme Court of intentional murder in the second degree. JONES was sentenced to nine years to life in prison.  He was released on parole on September 8, 2008.

JONES, 45, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted at trial of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder through the use of a firearm.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Suffolk County Police Department.  He also thanked the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

Governor Hochul and National Weather Experts Recognize Hurricane Preparedness Week in New York State

More Than $11 Billion in State and Federal Recovery Funds Provided to Communities Impacted by Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Since 2014

$25 Million Allocated in 2024 State Budget to Help Local Governments Support Emergency Response

New Yorkers Urged to Prepare for Potential Hurricanes Now

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the beginning of Hurricane Preparedness Week in New York State. The Director of the National Weather Service, the Administrator of the FEMA Office of Response and Recovery, the Director of the National Hurricane Center and hurricane experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced this milestone alongside DHSES Commissioner Jackie Bray at the Albany Airport. There have been 15 tropical storm systems that have directly impacted New York State since 2012, and their frequency has doubled over the last six years. With the growing number of storms, the need to prepare for their impacts is more important than ever. As part of Hurricane Week which runs through May 11, officials toured a USAF Reserve WC-130J hurricane hunter aircraft and a NOAA WP-3D Orion aircraft, which are used to collect and analyze hurricane data.

“Every New Yorker who experienced Hurricanes Irene and Sandy knows the tragic, unpredictable nature of these storms, and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to protect our state against extreme weather events to come,” Governor Hochul said. “We have invested billions into storm preparedness and recovery efforts, and we will take every step necessary to ensure New Yorkers are protected.”

Last year, there were 20 named storms in the Atlantic basin, which ranked fourth for most-named storms in a year since 1950, according to NOAA and the National Hurricane Center. The NOAA will release the 2024 Hurricane Outlook on May 23 for the Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June 1 through November 30.

Since 2014, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) has issued more than $11 billion in federal and state funds to communities impacted by hurricane and tropical storms Irene, Lee, Sandy, Isaias, Ida and Fred. Funds were used for emergency protective measures, debris removal and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure.

Governor Hochul has made preparing New Yorkers for expected storms a priority. This year’s budget allocated $15 million for the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) to assist local and county partners with protecting public infrastructure and mitigating the effects of weather events by helping supply generators, water pumps and flood barrier technology. An additional $10.4 million was allocated to the Office of Emergency Management to expand the State’s regional presence, increase local planning and training, provide additional tabletop exercises and build out analytic and geospatial capabilities.

In December 2023, Governor Hochul announced the creation of New York’s State Weather Risk Communication Center (SWRCC) at the State University of New York at Albany. The Center is a first-of-its kind operational collaboration between university researchers and state emergency managers and serves as a clearinghouse for critical weather information. It also works to develop tools to help emergency managers make informed decisions to help protect communities and examines how communicating extreme weather risks to the public can be improved.

Hurricane Safety

Hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to impact any part of New York State throughout hurricane season, so it is important that you know how to receive timely alerts that will help you stay safe. The best way to receive timely weather alerts is to sign up for NY-Alert, a free service that provides weather and other emergency-related alerts.

Take the following steps to ensure you and your loved ones are protected:

• Develop a household disaster plan and know how to always contact family members. Identify an out-of-town friend or family member to be the “emergency family contact” and make certain all family members have the contact info.
• Designate an emergency meeting spot – a familiar location where family can meet if the residence cannot be accessed.
• Know the hurricane and storm risks in your community.
• If you live near coastal areas, learn about your area’s storm surge history and your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans, including safe routes inland and the location of official shelters.
• Know where to relocate pets during a storm – most shelters will not allow pets.

Keep the following supplies on-hand:

• Enough non-perishable food and water supplies for 10 days.
• Battery-operated radios and flashlights and an ample supply of batteries.
• A first aid with supply of medicines.
• Important documents: Insurance policies, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. in a waterproof container.
• Cash, checkbook, credit cards and ATM cards.
• An emergency contact list of people and organizations who may need to be called: schools, doctors, providers, and insurance contacts.

Take the following preventative measures:

• Obtain and store materials, such as plywood, necessary to properly secure your home.
• Repair loose and clear clogged rain gutters and down spouts.
• Secure or bring inside lawn furniture and other loose, lightweight objects such as garbage cans and garden tools that could become projectiles in high winds. Also keep trees and shrubbery trimmed of dead wood.
• Review insurance policies to determine extent of coverage before a storm strikes.
• Determine where to move boats in an emergency.
• Be aware of local weather conditions by listening to National Weather Service broadcasts on NOAA Weather Radio and reports from local television and radio stations.
• Know how to turn off the power, heat and water at home.

For more information, visit the DHSES Safety and Prevention page.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON'S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S REMARKS ABOUT BLACK CHILDREN IN THE BRONX

"Yesterday, while at a conference on Artificial Intelligence, Governor Hochul made remarks that included “there are black kids in the Bronx who do not know what a computer is.”

"While I recognize that Governor Hochul misspoke in framing her remarks, it’s disappointing and hurtful to hear. As a borough, let me share with you all the ambition, brilliance, and talents of our scholars. Our African American young children are bright and are beacons of hope. When we see them excel and shine, we see our future.

The Bronx has seen incredible investments in education and technology as we believe in access to digital equity. Our administration last year, in partnership with our colleagues in the City Council, invested $20 million in our Bronx schools.

As we move forward, let us be reminded that our words are powerful and while not intentional, can have a harmful impact on our children and families. My colleagues and I look forward to a visit from Governor Hochul so we can show her firsthand what we see in Bronx classrooms every day. While we talk the talk, we must walk the walk. Investments in programs and resources matter and can make an impact and difference in the educational outcomes of our students and their families. Let us be about action more than misguided words."

Statement from NYGOP Chair Ed Cox on major ruling

  

NYGOP Chair Ed Cox released the following statement following this morning’s ruling in Marjorie Byrnes et al v. The Senate of the State of New York et al, which removed the so-called “Equal Rights Amendment” from the November ballot. The proposed amendment would permit children to make permanent, life-altering sex change decisions without the need to consult with parents and allow biological males to compete on girls’ sports teams.  In addition, the proposed amendment would legalize “reverse discrimination” programs, such as allowing payment of reparations for slavery or admissions to academic institutions based on race.  

“Once again the legislature and Gov. Hochul are found to have violated the state constitution. In their rush to pass this amendment, the legislature never held a single hearing on the proposal, never consulted with outside constitutional experts, and falsely asserted this amendment was necessary to protect abortion rights in the state.

“Gov. Hochul and the legislature disrespect the people of the state when they so cavalierly adopt a constitutional change without following the explicit procedures set forth in the constitution for amendments. They previously violated the constitution with the illegal gerrymander of congressional and state Senate districts. She and the legislature need to be reminded of their oaths to uphold the constitution and not to violate it.  Assemblywoman Byrnes and the other plaintiffs are to be congratulated for upholding the state constitution in the face of its violation by the governor, attorney general and the legislature.”        

CONSUMER ALERT: THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE’S DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION REMINDS NEW YORKERS TO WEAR THEIR BIKE HELMETS

 

During National Bike Safety Month this May, New Yorkers are Urged to Wear Helmets to Reduce the Risk of Severe Head Injury and Save Lives 

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics

For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is reminding New Yorkers of all ages of the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bike. May is National Bike Safety Month, and as the weather begins to get warmer and individuals have more opportunities for outdoor activities, New Yorkers are urged to make safety a priority by wearing helmets, which will reduce the risk of severe head injury and save lives.

“New Yorkers are always on the move. Whether for transportation or for recreation, wearing a helmet is one of the most effective ways a cyclist of any age can reduce the risk of serious injury,” said New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “The NYS Division of Consumer Protection encourages all New Yorkers to bike safely by wearing and buckling a properly fitted helmet.  

In New York State in 2022, there were 7,523 bicycle crashes and 50 fatalities. In more than half of these crashes, the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. Twenty-eight of those bicyclists who were killed were not wearing proper headgear.

Stay Safe by Choosing and Wearing Helmets Safely:

• Pair the activity to the helmet. Different activities can result in different impacts to your head. Use a helmet that fits the activity, so if an accident occurs, you are better protected.
• Make sure it fits. Bike helmets should have a snug but comfortable fit on the rider's head. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also has a guide on properly fitting bicycle helmets, helmet certifications and laws and more.
• Buckle up! A helmet only works when it is worn properly for the duration of an activity. Make sure your helmet has a chin strap and buckle that lays flat and stays fastened. Wear your helmet level on your forehead, not tilted back.
• Wear helmets that conform to regulations. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees standards for helmets used for many activities, including bike riding. When buying a bicycle helmet, look for a label that says it is certified by the CPSC or meets CPSC safety standards. Don’t add anything to the helmet, such as stickers, coverings or other attachments that didn’t come with the helmet upon purchase. These could affect the helmet’s performance.
• After a crash or injury, replace. Once a helmet protects a person from a fall, it should no longer be used. Any damage to a helmet can reduce its effectiveness. Replace it before the next ride.
• Replace your helmet when needed. You should follow the manufacturer’s guide for when to replace your helmet. If no guidance is provided, helmets should generally be replaced within 5-10 years of purchase if properly cared for and stored. If there are cracks in the shell, worn foam lining or other such imperfections that may occur during regular use, you should consider replacing it.

More details and tips from the CPSC are available here.

Ride Responsibly:

• Follow the same rules and responsibilities as motorists.
• Bicyclists should ride with the flow of traffic, while walkers should go against traffic.
• Ride in a safe environment away from traffic in a path, park or trail.
• Check out the full list of NYS Department of Motor Vehicle’s tips on how to share the road safely whether driving, biking or walking.

Explore New York’s Bicycle Trails:

Learn more about New York State’s Bicycle Trails. New York State has a wide variety of cycling opportunities and information available for New Yorkers. Learn more about our state's extensive network of both on- and off-road bicycle facilities and educational resources.

• Check out the New York State Department of Transportation's Bicycle Program Website, a gateway for everyone to discover the wide variety of cycling opportunities and additional bike safety information.
• Read the latest blog from ILoveNY.com, which highlights 12 Amazing Trails for Every Level of Cyclist.
• Explore the Empire State Trail, the longest statewide multi-use trail in the country spanning 750 miles from Buffalo to Albany, and from New York City through the Hudson and Champlain Valleys to Canada.
• Visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website for information on trails in State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, Unique Areas and Forest Preserve land in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.rious injury.