Police Commissioner Sewell Appoints Mark T. Stewart as NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs

 

 Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell on Wednesday announced she has appointed Mark T. Stewart to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs at a moment of critical importance in the department’s ongoing mission to protect all New Yorkers and ensure a safe, just and prosperous city.

Mr. Stewart’s appointment places him in charge of the Police Department’s Community Affairs Bureau, giving him responsibility for building new, strong relationships between NYPD officers and the New Yorkers they are sworn to serve in every neighborhood. This role will allow him to lead the NYPD in forging cooperation between the police and community leaders in order to identify key safety issues affecting the public and create meaningful solutions.

Mr. Stewart will work to ensure the NYPD rededicates itself to building trust with the city’s communities, in part by listening to new ideas that will help move New York City forward.

“I welcome Mr. Stewart, I thank him for his public service, and I look forward to working with him as we fulfill our vision to reflect the values and concerns of all the city’s citizens,” said Police Commissioner Sewell. “I am confident that his leadership will not only inspire those within the Police Department, but reflect his deep passion for and commitment to all of the people of New York City.”

About Deputy Commissioner Stewart:

Deputy Commissioner Stewart previously served as the Coordinating Supervising Rackets Investigator for the New York County District Attorney, Violent Criminal Enterprise Unit, from June 2010 to February 2022. He also assisted in the investigating and prosecuting violent gangs and illegal firearms traffickers.

Prior to his appointment as the Coordinating Supervising Rackets Investigator, Deputy Commissioner Stewart served as a Senior Rackets Investigator, from April 2006 to June 2010, in the New York County District Attorney, Central Investigations Unit.

Deputy Commissioner Stewart is a retired NYPD detective with two decades of crime-fighting experience. From July 1984 to November 1988, he served as a New York City Transit Police Officer. He was promoted to Detective in November 1988, where he was assigned to the NYPD’s Transit Major Case Squad. Deputy Commissioner Stewart was promoted again, to Detective Second Grade, in December 2000, and assigned to the 6th Precinct Detective Squad. He retired from the NYPD in 2004.

DEC SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON INTERSTATE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR STRIPED BASS

 

Comments on Proposed Management Actions to Rebuild Striped Bass Stocks Due April 15

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public input on the development of Draft Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). The Draft Amendment proposes new options to the FMP to help rebuild the stock and significantly update the management program. DEC encourages New Yorkers to review proposed changes, participate through in-person or virtual webinar events, and provide comments to ASMFC by April 15, 2022.

“From Long Island’s saltwater beaches to the rocky shores along the Hudson River, striped bass are an iconic and historic fishery for New York anglers,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “DEC is committed to working collaboratively with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and neighboring states as this plan is developed to ensure striped bass are managed sustainably using the best available science and data.”

DEC is hosting two public hearings in New York’s Marine and Coastal District to solicit New Yorkers’ input on the development of the Draft Amendment. Meeting spaces have limited seating capacity and DEC encourages fishing clubs and organizations to send key representatives to provide public comments. Hearings are scheduled:

Wednesday, March 16, 6 to 8 p.m., DEC Division of Marine Resources, 123 Kings Park Blvd, Kings Park; and

Wednesday, March 23, 6 to 8 p.m., DEC Region 3, 21 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz.

In addition, audio from the hearings will be livestreamed and participants can listen to the hearings via links available on DEC’s website. Those joining the livestream will be limited to listening only and are encouraged to submit written comments to ASMFC. Public written comments will be accepted until April 15, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, and should be sent to Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (fax) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Draft Amendment 7).

ASMFC is hosting additional virtual webinar hearings during March for the public to review the proposed options and provide comments. A recording of the hearing presentation is available on ASMFC’s YouTube page. For more information, visit ASMFC’s website.

MAYOR ERIC ADAMS MAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE JUSTICE-RELATED ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Economic and Workforce Development: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. This is a historic day for our city and a historic day for Sunset Park. First, I'd like to thank our partners the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Equinor, BP (British Petroleum), and the Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) for helping make today happen. I would also like to acknowledge some very special guests. We have the Norwegian Consul General Heidi Olufsen; our DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) Commissioner and Chief Climate Officer Rohit Aggarwala; our Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, for joining us today. We also have Councilmember Alexa Aviles and Councilmember Amanda Farias. I would also like to thank Glenn Segal, Managing Partner of Industry City; Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters; Mariah Dignan, Regional Director for Climate Jobs New York; Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment; Fred Zalcman, Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance; KC Sahl, VHB National Director and Co-chair of the New York City Offshore Wind Industry Advisory Council. As you can see, we have a lot of guests here today, a lot of partners. Thanks to all of you for being here and for your support in this amazing project.

 

Now as Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development, I spend every day with my colleagues fighting to build a better future for New Yorkers. That means that as we come out of COVID, we have to make sure that we are making this city a leader in climate resiliency and in clean energy investments. Today we are laying the groundwork for that vision. We are investing in green jobs and an infrastructure that will benefit all communities. This is a real game changer for offshore wind in New York City and for the future of our economy. It is really incredible to think that this location will birth a whole new industry in New York City and will be a key driver of our long term equitable recovery.

 

This is truly about making New York City a place where everyone shares in our prosperity. It's about creating family sustaining jobs of the future and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It's ensuring every neighborhood can flourish. This is how we are going to create a clean energy future for all. So now it is my pleasure to introduce the man who is leading the charge, Mayor Eric Adams.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Thank all of you here. You know, please excuse my hairdo, the wind is blowing it around. One thing is clear, that the sun will never set on Sunset Park because they are a lightened pathway for our future and the wind is blowing in the right direction. The winds of change are clearly at our back. And it is so important that we continue to move in the right direction. I'm really excited. I joined the Deputy Mayor in laying out the excitement of what we are about to accomplish here in this community and in this city and the entire state. This is a transformative moment. New York City is moving towards a clean future and a future of sustainable power and good paying jobs for local residents. That is so important to highlight because far too often we watch transformative moments take place in our city and we leave behind far too many people. That's something I've heard over and over on the campaign trail. The future of the city can't continue to rise while we watch the future of everyday residents continue to decline. Not in this administration and not with this amazing announcement we are making today.

 

This transformative moment is starting right here in Sunset Park. I'm sure it's not lost on all of us the walk past these warehouses that are empty and really the potential is endless. And when we talk about what we're going to accomplish here in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal it's soon to be transformed into one of the largest offshore wind port facilities in the nation. That is historical to think about. Working with Equinor and their partners along with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, we're going to move this site to build a massive new facility with wind turbines, staging and installation operations, and maintenance. This is an unbelievable moment for this community because with the jobs you're also going to see the spillover into the local bodegas, the local restaurants, the local coffee shops, the schools, building a pipeline of opportunity and education. It's going to support 13,000 local jobs over time and 1,000 right here at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. It's also expected to generate $1.3 billion in average annual investments citywide. This is an amazing opportunity for our city. This is going to be an anchor location for not only green jobs, but green dollars, to put in the pocket of everyday New Yorkers. It will ultimately produce enough power for over 2 million homes. In addition to creating jobs and economic growth, the wind capacity of this site will significantly reduce our carbon footprint, something we talked about over and over again. We're not just talking about it, we're going to be about it and institute initiatives that are going to reduce the footprint and ensure that we meet citywide our climate goals and 100 percent carbon clean electricity by 2040 and carbon neutrality by 2050. And that's what I'm calling, as we say in our model, and our administration, this is how we get stuff done.

 

Wow, that's a great picture. I want somebody to get a shot of that. That's a Tik Tok, you know. Love that, love that.

 

So we want sustainability and equity to go hand in hand. So we're going to make sure that this $191 million investment in offshore wind is also an investment in all New Yorkers. We say that all the time. It's about equity and ending the inequality that we have witnessed in our city. We will direct at least 40 percent of the jobs and investment towards women, minorities, and environmental justice communities. We'll work with Equinor and other offshore wind firms to ensure that our local schools in this community and throughout the city, that they are trained, the workforce that we need for the future, our colleges, and other young people will know how to experience these jobs. All the jobs will impact good middle class living and ensure that people are able to benefit from this investment that we're making. Equinor will establish a $5 million fund to bring more New York City residents to offshore and wind careers, real jobs with real careers, and allow them to move into a middle class lifestyle in our city. They're going to establish an offshore wind learning center here in Brooklyn, that will connect the community to jobs and training. These new jobs will include all kinds of construction work, as well as turbine staging, operations and logistics, and the technicians, staff members, and marine vessel crews that will service the turbines that we are building here. The design and engineering is already underway with construction starting to begin next year. By 2025, we will be putting together the turbines right here at this site and getting ready to install them off the coast of Long Island.

 

So young people that are in high school right now, by the time they graduate, they will be able to be employed in the jobs of the future and participate in not only decreasing our carbon footprint, but increasing our use of wind to power our city and power throughout this region. This project can expand and continue to grow this full capacity. If you didn't realize that this is a windy city, I know you realize it now. There's a whole lot of electricity in this wind that's around us. So they're going to not only graduate into better jobs, but they're going to graduate into a better climate and a better future. We're building a better future for next generations and it started right here at Sunset Park. And as your mayor, I'm proud of what we are accomplishing here and starting out the first few months of my administration. And this is a long term vision that we have.

 

We want to thank all of our partners and the team that has put this together. This is a great moment for our city as we move forward to a future where the wind is at our backs. The wind of successes is blowing in our direction, and we're going to make sure that we have a real win for New Yorkers. Thank you very much. 

 

Repeat Fraudster Sentenced For Fraudulent Loan And Bank Bribery Scheme

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ADEDAYO ILORI, a recidivist fraudster with multiple prior fraud convictions and who continued to engage in fraudulent conduct even following his guilty plea, was sentenced today to 63 months’ imprisonment for his role in a commercial loan fraud and bank bribery scheme.  ILORI’s sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Lewis J. Liman. Codefendants Herode Chancy and Michael Albarella, who at the time of offense were employed as managers at a Manhattan branch of a national bank (“Bank-1”), were previously sentenced to 30 months’ and six months’ imprisonment, respectively.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Adedayo Ilori has a history of engaging in fraud using the identities of other people.  Here, Ilori worked with bank insiders to obtain over $1 million in commercial loans for fake businesses.  Ilori used stolen identities to apply for the loans and open bank accounts to receive the loan proceeds.  His co-conspirators used a stolen identity provided by Ilori to launder a portion of the loan proceeds.  Today’s sentence sends the message to Ilori and others engaged in fraud using stolen identities that such conduct will be seriously punished.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint, Indictment, and statements made in court:

From at least in or about March 2019 up to and including at least in or about March 2020, ILORI and Chancy conspired to fraudulently obtain business loans from a third-party commercial lender with the intent not to repay the loans – i.e., with the intent to “bust out” the loans.  ILORI and Chancy together submitted eight fraudulent business loan applications for a total of $1,020,000 in business loans.  The business loan applications submitted by ILORI and Chancy included doctored bank statements and listed the identities of other persons as the loan applicants, including stolen identities provided by ILORI.  ILORI and Chancy also opened bank accounts using the identities of those other persons in order to receive the loan payments from the third-party commercial lender.  ILORI and Chancy subsequently conspired with Albarella to open a bank account at Bank-1 using a stolen identity provided by ILORI to launder approximately $200,000 of the expected proceeds of the loan scheme.  Albarella opened the bank account at Bank-1 using the stolen identity provided by ILORI and Chancy, and Albarella accepted a $10,000 bribe to open the bank account.       

ILORI and Chancy believed that the underwriter for the third-party commercial lender was participating in the scheme and agreed to pay the underwriter a “commission” for the underwriter’s role in the scheme.  In reality, however, the underwriter was an undercover law enforcement officer. 

After pleading guilty in this case, ILORI continued to engage in fraudulent conduct using stolen identities by renting an apartment using a stolen identity, leasing a vehicle using a stolen identity, making purchases using a bank card in the name of a stolen identity, and possessing bank cards and identification cards in the names of several stolen identities.  Separately, ILORI has been indicted in this District in 21 Cr. 746 for engaging in a multi-million dollar COVID-19 loan fraud scheme, and the case is pending before Judge Vyskocil. The charges contained in Indictment 21 Cr. 746 are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.   

In addition to the prison term, ILORI, 43 of Queens, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $10,000 in fraudulent proceeds.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York FBI’s Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force and the El Dorado Task Force of Homeland Security Investigations. 

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 3, 2022

 

Statewide Daily Positivity Under 2 Percent for Seven Consecutive Days

26 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"As we move forward in our fight against the pandemic, it is important that we continue the hard work that got us here," Governor Hochul said. "Vaccines and boosters work, and are our most powerful tool in beating back this virus. The shot is free, convenient, and most importantly safe for children and adults - get vaccinated if you haven't yet and make sure your friends and family do as well."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Test Results Reported - 169,270
• Total Positive - 2,444
• Percent Positive - 1.44%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.71%
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,719 (-113)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 207
• Patients in ICU - 298 (-12)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 154 (-12)
• Total Discharges - 286,394 (+262)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 26
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 54,786

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 69,391

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.  

• Total vaccine doses administered - 37,068,632
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 23,241
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 305,662
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.7%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 85.6%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.8%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 71.7%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.2%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.3%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.0%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.6%   

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF INDIVIDUAL ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN SUBWAY CRIME AND PREVIOUS HATE CRIME

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after Frank Abrokwa was released from custody after allegedly smearing a woman with feces, facing charges, being released, being immediately rearrested for a 2021 hate crime, and then being released again:

 

“This individual should not be out on the streets of New York and his release shows the scope of changes that we need to make in order to keep New Yorkers safe. It is the result of a failed mental health system, a failed housing and support system, and failing criminal justice laws that allow someone with a history of violence who poses a clear threat to public safety to just walk out of court. We can’t allow this horrific situation to be the status quo and must make changes to our laws to both prevent these sort of attacks, through intervention and support, and, when they happen, to subsequently keep people who are clearly a danger to others off the street.”

NYC Employees’ Retirement System Votes To Divest From Russian Securities

 

 The trustees of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) voted Wednesday to approve a resolution directing the Comptroller to carry out the divestment of the System’s investments in securities issued by Russian companies, beginning with those identified by the United States government as financing, supporting or enabling the Putin regime.

The New York City Employees’ Retirement System is one the nation’s largest municipal retirement funds in the United States with over 350,000 active members and retirees. The System held approximately $31.1 million in Russian securities at the close of business on February 25. As of December 31, 2021, the System had $88.2 billion in total assets under management (AUM).

“As the unlawful invasion of Ukraine by the Putin regime continues, the investment risks, economic volatility, and calls for an immediate end to these acts of aggressions by the global community have only grown,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “Today’s vote by the New York City Employees’ Retirement System sends both a strong signal of solidarity with the Ukranian people and reinforces the commitment of NYCERS to safeguard the assets of the System’s thousands of beneficiaries.”

“Freedom cannot be denied, here or anywhere. That’s why I stand in support of efforts to divest the city’s pension funds from Russian assets in light of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine — an unprovoked and unjustified war,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This is not about penalizing the Russian people, but about holding President Putin and his government accountable for violating a nation’s sovereignty and inflicting widespread suffering on its people. Our administration is committed to standing with Ukrainians and refugees here and abroad while doing all we can to advance peace, in collaboration with the community and our federal partners.”

“Together with my trustee to the New York City Employees’ Retirement System Board, I am proud to support this divestment, and to support the Ukrainian people under attack. New York City should take every action available to hold Russia to account and help end the suffering caused by Putin’s aggression and oppression. Divesting NYCERS from securities issued by Russian companies answers both a moral and fiscal obligation as we work to ensure the long-term health and stability of New Yorkers’ pensions, and I thank the Comptroller for leading this effort,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

“Russian’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is an atrocity,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. “Our actions today, while largely symbolic, convey the right messages at the right time to the Russian government. We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and our main priority now is to help Ukraine remain free.”

“Today’s announcement that NYCERS will divest from Russian assets is a step in the right direction. As New Yorkers, we have a responsibility to set an example for the world and ensure our investments reflect our values. I am proud that NYCERS has taken this action and fully support their decision. Our City must be willing to use its financial muscle to stand up for what is right and just,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

“New York City must be a leader in standing up to this immoral war in Ukraine, and that includes divesting our municipal pensions from Russian assets,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I hope other cities around the country and the world follow the excellent example set today by the NYCERS board and Comptroller’s office.”

“Given the unprovoked attacks on a sovereign country, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President supports NYCERS’ divestment from funds according to the Comptroller’s resolution,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Brooklyn, specifically Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay, is home to the largest Ukrainian community outside of that nation. We stand with Ukrainian Brooklynites and those whose loved ones remain in Ukraine.”

“Russia’s vicious and unjust invasion of Ukraine has caused a heartbreaking human catastrophe, senselessly stealing countless lives and forcing nearly one million innocent Ukrainian families on harrowing journeys across the nation’s borders toward a safer, yet uncertain existence. New York City stands in lockstep with Ukraine in opposition to this crime against humanity, and I was proud to vote in favor of NYCERS’ critical, commonsense divestment from Russian securities,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “The global community has come down swiftly and severely on Putin and his enablers for their heinous war, and, as demonstrated today, New York City takes its responsibility in this shared action seriously.”

“Labor unions stand for freedom. Now is the time for us to act against inhumanity and aggression. Putin’s Russia has no place in our investment portfolio. We support the people of Ukraine,” said President of Teamsters Local 237 Gregory Floyd.

“As a NYCERS trustee and as Executive Director of District Council 37, AFSCME, New York City’s largest municipal union, I am strongly in support of the action taken by the NYCERS Board of Trustees today to divest all of NYCERS’ holdings in Russia. We have taken this action to register our condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign state, and to affirm our support for the Ukrainian people. District Council 37 has been a strong supporter of liberty and human rights around the world. We are proud to stand in solidarity with Ukraine,” said Executive Director of District Council 37, AFSCME, Henry Garrido.

In addition to Comptroller Lander, the trustees of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System include: Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Representative Cynthia Collins (Chair); New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Borough Presidents: Mark Levine (Manhattan), Donovan Richards (Queens), Antonio Reynoso (Brooklyn), Vito Fossella (Staten Island), and Vanessa Gibson (Bronx); Henry Garrido, Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME; Tony Utano, President Transport Workers Union Local 100; and Gregory Floyd, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237.

The full resolution approved by the New York City Employees’ Retirement System is available here.

NYC COMPTROLLER, PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALL FOR NEW SAFETY MEASURES AS SOME COVID-19 PROTECTIONS ARE LIFTED

 

 New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander today called on Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Dave A. Chokshi to take several steps to protect New Yorkers in our schools and around the city as the administration moves to lift some existing COVID-19 prevention and protection policies. Mayor Adams announced this week that he would be removing masks in public schools as well, as vaccine mandates on March 7th if case counts remain low.

In a joint letter to the Adams administration, the two citywide elected officials implored the administration to take steps now to both prevent future outbreaks and adapt quickly when they do occur. They stressed that while case counts remain low now, we must prepare today for tomorrow’s possible new variants and surges. New York has an obligation to protect our vulnerable and immunocompromised neighbors, and it can better do so by taking preventative action and implementing safety standards now.

 

The leaders lament in their letter that “so many policies over the last two years have been confusing to communities and divorced from the science,” in their request for specific, science-backed efforts that the administration should quickly implement as they continue to move to rescind existing measures.

These actions include bolstering the city’s preparations by:

• Preserving a broad surveillance testing program
• Making clear to New Yorkers what the metrics are for easing and imposing new restrictions going forward
• Preparing now to rapidly expand our testing and response capacity at the first sign of a next variant or surge
• Maintaining adequate public health infrastructure and personnel
• Keeping a focus on vaccination and education in vulnerable communities

And helping keep students, teachers, parents and school staff safe now by:

• Announcing a requirement for full COVID vaccination for students to return to school next fall, as part of the City’s standard vaccination requirements
• Continuing the in-school COVID testing program
• Ensuring that communications of school related COVID policies are communicated to families in the official New York City languages
• Focusing COVID-19 testing, outreach, and on-site vaccination/booster clinics
• Developing a long-term ventilation and air quality strategy to move past stop-gap measures
• Providing every school and contracted PreK and 3K with a consistent supply of high quality masks
• Offering an opt-in approach for teachers and students who wish to remain in all-masked classrooms

“With COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths currently back at low rates, it makes sense for the City to ease some restrictions – but it must be done with systems in place to protect vulnerable New Yorkers, to detect future variants early, and to respond quickly,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “We know future variants are likely, so we must be prepared for when they hit. We know vaccination saves lives, so let’s make clear now that it will be required for entry to school next fall. We can breathe easier when we take off our masks if we’re still working together to keep each other safe.”

“We know that as cases decrease, we will have to make difficult decisions about gradually easing some of the COVID policies in place as part of the work to find a new normalcy that works for New Yorkers; at the same time, the decisions to lift safety measures that have helped to protect New Yorkers amid new waves and new variants need to be guided by the science, not the calendar,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “We need clarity, transparency, and clear communication from the city and all levels of government on how we will prepare for and prevent future outbreaks. I urge New Yorkers to do what we know works to protect one another, and New York’s executives to move forward only in a way that ensures we don’t end up going backward.”

The full text of the letter from Comptroller Lander and Public Advocate Williams can be downloaded here.