Wednesday, April 21, 2021

A RECOVERY FOR ALL OF US: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES SAFE SUMMER NYC TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced Safe Summer NYC, a comprehensive plan to end gun violence and bring New York City back from the COVID-19 crisis.  Safe Summer NYC will deter gun violence with real consequences for picking up a firearm and create disincentives to turning to a life of crime by providing real, positive alternatives for young people. With a focus on the Community, Cops, and Courts & Justice System, the plan has three distinct components: increased investment in communities, strategic police presence in targeted areas, and greater coordination across the justice system.

 

"A recovery for all of us means every New Yorker is safe and feels safe in their neighborhood,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio"Safe Summer NYC is the comprehensive roadmap to end gun violence and bring our city back stronger than ever.”

 

COMMUNITY: Investing in Neighborhoods

 

  • Double Cure Violence workforce across 31 sites

 

  • Double Summer Youth Anti-Violence employment slots from 800 to 2000, both during the summer and throughout the year 

 

  • Launch Operation Safe Parks and Gang-Free Zones—a partnership between the NYPD and community stakeholders—to provide safe, protected places for people to congregate free from violence and with peace-of-mind

 

  • Host Saturday Night Light games at 100 sites citywide

 

  • Completely refurbish 15 basketball courts at NYCHA developments by August, as well as four basketball courts and a new soccer pitch at Colonel Charles Young Park in Harlem by July

 

  • Increase Tip Rewards up to $5,000 Drive Community Engagement  

 

  • Hold anti-violence fairs in 30 neighborhoods across the city

 

COPS: Strategic, Precise Deployments to Targeted Areas 

 

  • Precise police presence to prevent gun violence by targeting gangs and crews with a focus on the 100 blocks with the highest rates of gun violence

 

  • Enhance patrol strength ahead of summer by shifting approximately 200 officers from administrative assignments to key areas 

 

 

  • Expand the Community Solutions Program, a strategy that uses community-based organizations, City services, and NYPD response to connect community members to resources and improve their neighborhoods

 

  • Expand ShotSpotter by 8.78 square miles

 

  • Re-Launch Ceasefire, a program that uses credible messengers to deliver strong message to high-risk populations with goal of decreasing violence without increasing arrests and incarceration 

 

  •  Launch a Gun Buyback Advertising Campaign 

 

COURTS: Coordinate Across the Justice System 

 

  • Work with the Courts to implement its comprehensive plan to expand in-person operations

 

  • Launch a collaboration between DAs, NYPD and MOCJ to mobilize resources focused on the most serious gun cases

 

  • Unveil the NYC Joint Force to End Gun Violence—composed of members of NYPD, Cure Violence providers, District Attorney offices, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, City agencies, local community groups and law enforcement organizations—to bring an individualized, sustained focus on likely shooters. The Joint Force will launch in Queens and soon expand citywide

 

  • Create enhanced services and supervision for pretrial defendants for gun possession cases, which must be matched by State action to support more people on parole across the city

 

“Our plan involves precision policing, the application of technology, partnerships with other City agencies, and a focus on youth. But the core of it is in the neighborhood policing philosophy: cops and community working together to curb violence,” said Chief Rodney Harrison.

 

 “My strategy as District Attorney has always been to focus our resources on the drivers of crime, which are the small number of individuals who are responsible for the shootings and killings on our streets. Those are exactly the cases that will be prioritized to go to trial under this initiative – people who we believe have demonstrated a willingness to harm others, and who continue to pose an active risk to public safety. I commend Mayor de Blasio for adopting a comprehensive strategy to addressing the violence. His initiative, coupled with my Office’s multi-faceted approach, which relies on going after the shooters, cutting off the supply by targeting firearm traffickers and working with Cure Violence groups, hosting gun buybacks and participating in other programs that get our communities involved, will help us stamp out the recent rise in shootings and return to the historic levels of public safety we enjoyed before the past year,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

 

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FATALLY SHOOTING AND STABBING COUSIN IN 2011

 

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to First-Degree Manslaughter

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree Manslaughter in the 2011 death of his cousin. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant cold-heartedly killed his own cousin, shooting and stabbing him multiple times. Almost a decade has passed since he ended his cousin’s life in such a horrifying way, but we never gave up on getting justice for the victim and his family.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Alexander Arriola, 40, last of 1243 Boynton Avenue, was sentenced today to 18 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice James McCarty. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter on March 4, 2021.

 According to the investigation, on the evening of July 3, 2011, at 676 St. Mary’s Street, the defendant went to the home of Brian Arriola, 31, and both exchanged words. The defendant shot the victim in the chest and arm and stabbed him 10 times in the neck, head and torso. The defendant fled the scene and the victim was discovered dead on the floor by his mother minutes after.

 Arriola was arrested on July 4, 2011, however the trial was delayed for years because he was found mentally unfit numerous times. He was found fit to proceed in this matter and was returned on April 22, 2020 for trial.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program

 

154,049 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours     

More Than 1.3 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days     

Vaccine Dashboard Updated Daily on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker  

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 154,049 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and more than 1.3 million doses have been administered over the past seven days.  

"Our operation continues to make steady progress and we are indebted to the health professionals and the volunteers who have been behind this unprecedented effort," Governor Cuomo said. "The best way to show our appreciation for their service is to get vaccinated and to continue to exercise the safety measures that help prevent new infections. We have come a long way, but the virus is still with us and we need to stay strong, united, and "New York tough" in order to defeat this beast."    

New Yorkers can schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site on the Am I Eligible App or by calling 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. People may also contact their local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital to schedule appointments where vaccines are available, or visit vaccinefinder.org to find information on vaccine appointments near you. New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment. 

 

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 13,582,969

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 154,049

Total doses administered over past 7 days -1,329,310

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 42.1%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 28.8% 

 

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION PARTNERS WITH ALI FORNEY CENTER TO LAUNCH NATION’S LARGEST WORKFORCE PROGRAM FOR LGBTQI RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH

 

New program will connect LGBTQI youth to a full suite of services including basic and higher educational opportunities; paid internships and training, work credentials, and job placements; career coaching, and comprehensive, LGBTQI affirming case management that incorporates full wraparound supports and mental health counseling 

 

 The de Blasio administration and the NYC Unity Project, the administration’s citywide LGBTQI policy and programming initiative, today announced that the City has partnered with the Ali Forney Center, the nation’s largest LGBTQI homeless youth service provider, to launch a new program, NYC Unity Works. The program will be the country’s largest and most comprehensive workforce development program ever created for LGBTQI communities, and will specifically focus on supporting homeless and runaway LGBTQI youth.  

 

"A recovery for all of us requires investing in communities too often left behind," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "I'm thrilled to announce the launch of Unity Works and partner with the Ali Forney Center. This program will bring employment and education opportunities to homeless and runaway LGBTQI youth, providing much needed resources after this difficult year." 

 

"Unity Works demonstrates the deep commitment of local government to support and empower LGBTQI young people, and the power of partnership,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. "This new program marks the first time that any city has taken this particular set of comprehensive steps to provide training, mental health services and social supports that are critical to long-term success and stability for LGBTQI youth." 

 

“The creation and launch of Unity Works has been the epitome of a collaborative, community-driven effort, between our government partners, local and national social justice organizations, TGNCNB and LGBQ activists, and most importantly, homeless young people living in New York City,” said Ashe McGovern, Executive Director of the NYC Unity Project and Senior LGBTQ Policy Advisor in the Mayor’s Office. “This program is historic in its distinction as the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in the nation and unique in its flexibility to respond to each young persons’ particular needs over an extended period of time, so that they are able to access the holistic support that they need, no matter their starting point. LGBTQI homeless young people, who are mostly young people of color, have been marginalized and rejected both interpersonally and institutionally for too long and this past year has only exacerbated those experiences. We are eager to share lessons as we learn them with our colleagues nationwide and are hopeful that this is only the beginning of large-scale government investments in human-centered LGBTQI anti-poverty and economic justice programming. It’s what our communities desperately need and deserve.”

 

“The Unity Works program is the single most vital support network homeless LGBTQI youths will have available to rebuild their lives, pursue educational and careers opportunities, and be supported in culturally competent programs designed specifically to meet their needs, and The City's commitment to Unity Works under AFC’s leadership is an enormous and most welcome step toward building an inclusive infrastructure for LGBTQI youths experiencing homelessness,” said Alexander Roque, President and Executive Director of the Ali Forney Center. "LGBTQI homeless youths have unique needs; this population experiences trauma, mental health crises, violence, HIV infection, and suicidal ideation at alarming rates. This undertaking marks the first time that any city, state, or federal agency has taken such care to strategically respond to and provide for their mental and emotional health, housing, career, and educational needs.” 

 

In New York City and nationwide, LGBTQI communities, particularly LGBTQI Black, brown and other LGBTQI communities of color, experience significant institutional and interpersonal barriers that prevent them from accessing sustainable employment opportunities. These communities also report disproportionately high rates of poverty, incarceration and homelessness. In New York, as in jurisdictions across the country, up to forty (40) percent of the entire homeless youth population identify as LGBTQ, despite making up a significantly smaller portion of young people overall.   

 

Experiences of unemployment and poverty are particularly pronounced for LGBTQI communities of color, transgender and gender non-binary people, and youth and adults experiencing homelessness. Using evidence-based local and national data, NYC Unity Works will address these needs and bridge key gaps in existing services for these communities, using models and best practices that have been identified by local and national community and workforce experts.  

 

Enduring harassment and mistreatment in school and family rejection, many LGBTQI young people are driven to leave school before completing their high school degree and find themselves without access to financial, familial or peer support, with homelessness the too-common result. As a result of these experiences, these same young people are less likely to access and trust services that are not specifically targeted towards them and focused on meeting their needs by ensuring LGBTQI cultural responsiveness and competency throughout each program element. 

 

Starting in summer 2021, Unity Works will begin to enroll up to 90 young adults, who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness to facilitate their attainment of: basic work skills credentials, most importantly the High School Equivalency (HSE), advanced training opportunities during the program, social and emotional trauma-informed mental health support to ensure proper adjustment before entering the workforce, and meaningful connections to both short and long-term career opportunities, culminating in their enrollment in higher education enrollment and/or advanced workforce training credentials with direct, facilitated connection to long term LGBTQI-affirming employment opportunities. 

 

Unity Works will be overseen by the NYC Unity Project, the de Blasio administration’s citywide LGBTQ policy and programming office, and managed by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) in close partnership with the NYC Center for Youth Employment (CYE) and with generous support from the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. Key elements of the program include: 

  • Access to two years of service delivery with one additional follow-up year. This term of service acknowledges the significant barriers many LGBTQI young people have experienced in attaining necessary education opportunities, skills and job training, and work experiences.    
  • Robust staffing to support participants’ success. Participants will work with job developers, case navigators, and support staff who will help youth develop career/education plans, make connections to jobs and postsecondary programs, master workforce skills and earn credentials that can lead to long-term employment and economic security. The program staff will holistically address needed resources to ensure stability and consistency in program participation, including gathering and changing identity documents, accessing public benefits, food, clothing, and other social supports needed for successful completion of the program and adjustment to enter the workforce successfully. Finally, the mental health support staff will ensure young people are able to address the social and emotional wellness needs that may be holding them back.    
  • Opportunities to enroll in advanced training certification programs. Programs will focus on education, training and job opportunities in high-growth industry areas that LGBTQI young people themselves have expressed interest in exploring, including media, the arts, and human and social services, in addition to more traditional pathways.  

 

The program will provide up to three years of serviceincluding two years of intensive direct services that include paid internships. All advanced training, program, and employment opportunities available to participants must demonstrate LGBTQI-affirming practices and must meet measurable job outcomes criteria, in order to ensure successful transition of participants into long-term career opportunities. 

 

"LGBTQI+ youth who are experiencing homelessness, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are stigmatized and pushed out of spaces that are meant to serve their needs with housing, education, and employment," said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives and co-chair of the Racial Equity and Inclusion Taskforce. "Unity Works will be the most comprehensive training program for LGBTQI+ runaway and homeless youth available anywhere in the country, offering participants the training, social supports, and networks necessary for long-term success in a safe and affirming environment."

 

“Unity Works arrives during an ongoing pandemic that has only exacerbated the challenges LGBTQI young people face in connecting to educational opportunities, job training, meaningful work, housing, mental health counseling and other supports they need to survive—and thrive. DYCD looks forward to working with the Ali Forney Center and all of our City partners on this exciting new venture to help LGBTQI youth find pathways to self-reliant lives and long-term career success,” said DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong

 

"LGBTQI+ young people who are housing insecure or homeless have been especially impacted by COVID-19 and the economic crisis it triggered, with learning loss, unemployment, and reduced access to safe and affirming spaces among the consequences,” said David Fischer, Executive Director of the NYC Center for Youth Employment. "As part of the Center for Youth Employment's commitment to preparing every young New Yorker for long-term career success, we are proud to partner with the Unity Project and DYCD to launch Unity Works. This program offers much needed resources and wraparound supports to ensure that LGBTQI+ young people in New York are on the path to economic security." 

 

“Unity Works will provide critical workforce development and mental health resources to LGBTQI young people, who have faced ever growing obstacles amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “This new program demonstrates the power of partnership in helping to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind in the city’s recovery from the pandemic, and are given the tools to succeed in their professional endeavors.”  

 

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Assemblyman Kenny Burgos Endorses Andrew Yang for Mayor

 


Outside the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community Center South Bronx Assemblyman Kenny Burgos endorsed Andrew Yang for Mayor of New York City Tuesday. Burgos is the first Bronx elected official to endorse Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang. 

The theme of the press conference after the endorsement was that of dual support to restore and expand the Summer Youth Employment Program. Three past SYEP participants were on hand to say a few words about their experience in the SYEP. 

Candidate Yang took a few questions, and I was able to ask him about the slow or lack of repairs in the Nearby NYCHA houses. My question began with Assemblyman Burgos's predecessor and others who had to provide stoves and refrigerators to residents waiting over five years for replacements, and went into my question of Mayor de Blasio in 2016 on the subject. I asked candidate Yang if he knew about the New Green Deal. His answer mentioning Congressman Ritchie Torres showed me that Andrew Yang knew little if anything about the problems that have plagued the NYCHA housing system for the past ten years. The New Green Deal was proposed by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shortly after office.

To my question on homelessness the prior week when mayoral candidate Andrew Yang was in Westchester Square, his lack of knowledge on that subject makes me wonder what does mayoral candidate Andrew Yang know? 


Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang arrives for the endorsement of Assemblyman Kenny Burgos.


After thanking Assemblyman Burgos for his endorsement, and giving a short speech, Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang answered a few questions.





RECOVERY FOR ALL: MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES MAJOR STEP FORWARD TOWARD PURCHASE OF LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY

 

Joint purchase will supply sufficient electricity to power City government operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2025 

 Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced New York City has signed a letter of intent in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) committing the City to pursuing a joint purchase of large-scale renewable source of electricity delivered to the city, which could include Canadian hydropower to the extent selected or its equivalent. This joint purchase, which will power City government operations with 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025, will provide additional value to disadvantaged and energy burdened communities as well as all residents of the State, and be a dramatic step forward as part of the City’s comprehensive climate mitigation strategy to ensure the City makes a just transition to a clean energy economy. 

"Clean energy is directly linked to a fair recovery," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "It's about investing in our future and our frontline communities. Today we're taking major step forward to secure renewable energy for New York City and power our government with 100 percent renewables by 2025."

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “NYSERDA’s Tier 4 solicitation is designed to increase the amount of renewable energy delivered into New York City and direct significant benefits to those in the state’s most disadvantaged communities. We welcome the opportunity to share in the cost-effective procurement that will be realized due to the substantial level of competitive interest seen by the initial private sector response. We appreciate the City’s focus to align with the state’s work in reducing carbon emissions from its operations and recognizing the important value a joint purchase would bring to all New Yorkers.”

Through OneNYC 2050, Mayor Bill de Blasio has set ambitious and aggressive goals for confronting our climate crisis, ending the age of fossil fuels, and securing a livable climate for the next generation. New York State has also established a bold policy for transforming our economy and the manner in which electricity is produced and delivered to customers in New York through the Renewable Portfolio Standard and the Clean Energy Standard, and more recently via the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. City and State policies are aligned on the urgent need to end the age of fossil fuels, to replace in-city polluting energy infrastructure that is largely concentrated in environmental justice communities, to catalyze the City’s electrification of building heating and hot water and meet its commitment to end natural gas connections, and the deliverability of clean energy into the city is a crucial step in doing so.  

The intense congestion in the state’s transmission network and requirements for in-city generation make it difficult to bring clean energy to the city, and the imminent closure of Indian Point will, in the near term, puts added pressure on accelerating the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency in New York City. The City has made major strides towards carbon neutrality with an expansion of solar, support for offshore wind, bold steps to achieve energy efficiency, and committing to stop new fossil fuel infrastructure in the city, but these are not enough to meet the city’s growing energy needs into the future. Connecting to existing clean, reliable hydropower or equivalent large-scale renewable source of energy would supply a major source of renewable energy for the city that would also support additional renewables by providing clean baseload power, energy resiliency benefits and blackstart capabilities, and would be able to replace local fossil fuel-powered generation and improve local air quality.

About the Letter of Intent

The letter of intent lays out the parameters the City will take into consideration prior to entering into a long-term agreement to purchase Clean Energy Standard Renewable Energy Certificates (“RECs”) associated with the delivery of renewable energy into Zone J of the New York Control Area. 

The City intends to purchase a sufficient quantity of RECs to secure 100% of its energy needs from renewable resources while preserving the ability to engage in deep energy retrofits, other energy efficiency measures and the deployment of renewable distributed energy resources.

Other important considerations for the City include:


  • only pursuing RECs associated with renewable resources that are delivered into New York City and which lessen the need for the in-City fossil generation fleet; 
  • new generation and transmission resources that create or exacerbate negative impacts on environmental justice communities will not be considered by the City;
  • the degree to which the project(s) will directly contribute to local air quality improvements and provide other localized benefits must be evaluated and considered in selecting project(s);
  • to the extent the selected project(s) involve Canadian hydropower resources, the City will continue to prioritize actions that respect the rights of First Nations and their ancestral territories, and commends NYSERDA for requiring that hydropower credited under Tier 4 is additional to historical production, and for ensuring that new hydropower impoundments are ineligible under Tier 4;
  • the City plans to continue to reduce its energy usage via robust energy efficiency measures, and any contractual agreement for RECs cannot inhibit or restrict these efforts but would serve as a necessary complement to its continued robust investment in energy conservation.
  • the specific terms of the commitment would be determined as part of any contract negotiations with NYSERDA or a NYSERDA counterparty.

 

“This is the electricity of the future, and it can't come soon enough,” said Ben Furnas, Director of the Mayor's Office of Climate and Sustainability. “With this commitment to vastly increase the supply of renewable electricity to New York City, we will clean our air, correct injustice, and race towards a future beyond fossil fuels. Thank you to NYSERDA for their partnership as we work together to build a safer, cleaner, fairer energy system for New York." 

Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, "We need an all-of-the-above approach to fight climate change: efficiency, transmission, clean energy, and cutting pollution in overburdened communities. This partnership will set the City on a path to meet its climate change and renewable energy goals. Reaching 100% renewable electricity of its operations by 2025 will help the City lead by example when it comes to green power while prioritizing environmental justice. We thank Mayor de Blasio and NYSERDA President Doreen Harris for implementing this important program." 

“Despite the pandemic, New York City continues to lead America towards a brighter, cleaner modern energy future,” said Donnel Baird, Founder and CEO, BlocPower. “Dramatic investments in clean infrastructure are going to preserve our city, and our planet, for future generations, while creating thousands and thousands of great jobs.” 

"Solar One applauds NYC’s clean energy leadership and investment in large-scale renewable energy initiatives that create good jobs for everyday New Yorkers right here in our backyard," said Chris Collins, Executive Director of Solar One.

“Expansion of the city’s renewable energy supply is essential to our post-pandemic economy and Canadian hydropower is a resource that will help insure New York’s future and sustain the Earth’s environment,” said Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO, Partnership for New York City.

257 Days and Counting

 


I love watching the race to replace me as your mayor. I am now being called the most Progressive mayor in New York City history. At least you can't blame me for what the other Progressives in Albany did the past two years. If there is nothing left of New York City don't blame me, blame those Progressives up in Albany we have to follow. I'm going to have to call my insurance company Progressive to check on my policy since next year I will no longer have a chauffer driven city car.


NYPD Announces New Hate Crime Review Panel

 

 Partnership with Community Leaders to Transform Enforcement

 Police Commissioner Dermot Shea announced a new partnership with a diverse panel of community leaders as part of the Police Department’s ongoing efforts to ensure vigorous enforcement of hate crimes and ultimate justice for New Yorkers who are its victims.

Five distinguished civilian leaders have joined the panel, the “NYPD Hate Crime Review Panel,” including Devorah Halberstam, Executive Director of the Jewish Children’s Museum; Fred Teng, President of the America China Public Affairs Institute; Pia Raymond, author, professor and social worker; Ed Powell, the longtime President of the 70th Precinct Community Council; and David Warren, a member of Community Board 4, a board member of ChekPeds, and an active member of OutCycling.

Collectively, our panelists represent decades of deep knowledge and vital experience. They will assess circumstances that present challenges in establishing whether a victim’s actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability or sexual orientation were motivating factors in possible hate crime. Their contribution will enhance the department’s work and improve service to all New Yorkers.

“Our continuing partnerships with the community remain the cornerstone of our policing philosophy,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “Whether teaming our cops up with the community to clean graffiti, partnering with esteemed advisors to reimagine policing for the 21st Century or ensuring an independent assessment of all potential hate crimes, we are always striving to make the department fairer, stronger and more effective.”

Over the last seven years, the NYPD has been forging fundamental changes in policing, including building strong relationships through Neighborhood Policing and drastically reducing the level of enforcement by focusing resources on the drivers of violence through Precision Policing. Our vision for this new panel, in the important area of ensuring that all New Yorkers can live free from bias, is part of our commitment to continuous improvement.