AFTER LANDMARK DOT REPORT ON FATALITIES IN SPEED CAMERA ZONES, MAYOR DE BLASIO URGES ALBANY TO ALLOW 24/7 OPERATION

 

Nearly 30% of all roadway fatalities occur in speed camera zones after State law requires DOT to turn them off

  

Analysis from 2014-2020 shows the speed camera program continues to deter speeding

 Mayor de Blasio highlighted findings from a landmark Department of Transportation (DOT) report on the City’s speed camera program today as he urged State leaders to allow New York City to operate the cameras 24 hours a day. The DOT’s annual Automated Speed Enforcement Program report, which covers data from the speed camera program’s inception in 2014 through December 2020, highlights its continued success at curbing speeding by over 70%. However, analysis of 2020 fatalities showed that nearly 30% of all fatalities occur in speed camera zones during the hours they are not allowed to operate: overnight and on weekends.

 

“Speed cameras are an essential tool to fight back against dangerous driving, and state law should not force New York City to keep our city safe only some of the time,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We’re proud to have one of the biggest speed camera programs in the world, and it’s time for Albany to let us operate them 24 hours a day. Anything less is unfair to everyone else who uses our streets.”

 

Legislation sponsored by Senator Gounardes and Assembly Member Deborah Glick, S5602/A6681, would allow speed camera operation 24 hours, 7 day a week, and allows for escalating fines with subsequent notices of liability for drivers who are repeat violators. New York City calls for the enactment of this legislation.

 

“While 2020 brought its own set of challenges with COVID-19, it also brought a second epidemic of reckless driving,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “We know our speed camera program works to deter speeding, but we can do more. Nearly one-third of last year’s traffic fatalities occurred in school zones when cameras were not allowed to operate, so we continue to call on the state legislature to allow our cameras to operate 24/7 and for stronger consequences for dangerous drivers.”

 

In 2019, NYC DOT received State authorization to expand its speed camera program and operate cameras in 750 school speed zones, on all weekdays between 6 AM and 10 PM, and at any location within a quarter-mile radius of the school building. As outlined in this year’s report, speeding at fixed camera locations had dropped, on average, 72% as of December 2020. The program currently has 1,647 cameras in all 750 school speed zones. DOT will install an average of 60 new cameras per month, with the aim of reaching a total of 2,220 cameras in 2022.

 

Excessive speed is one of the leading factors in serious crashes in New York City. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more time and space a driver needs to react to circumstances to prevent a crash. Speeding also worsens the damage caused upon impact when a collision happens – a pedestrian who is struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 MPH is twice as likely to be killed as a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 MPH.

 

Highlights from this year’s report include:

• A total of 4,397,375 Notice of Liabilities (NOLs) issued in 2020
• Average weekly violations in newly installed school speed zones declined by about 45% from a camera’s first week to its 18th week
• Average daily speed violations declined between 81% and 89% in school speed zones along key corridors like Grand Concourse, Union Turnpike, Hylan Boulevard, and Fourth Avenue (Brooklyn).

 

Since the speed camera program began, just under half of vehicles receiving a NOL have not received a second. In 2020, 52% of vehicles received only one violation, even as the number of cameras increased due to the program’s expansion.

  

RIKERS ISLAND INMATE INDICTED ON ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON DOC CORRECTION OFFICER

Defendant Beat Victim, Left Him With Facial Fractures and Skull Fracture 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Rikers Island inmate has been indicted on Attempted Murder and additional charges for carrying out an unprovoked, vicious attack against a Department of Correction Officer in the jail. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly beat and stomped a Correction Officer as he lay on the floor. The attack left the victim with multiple injuries, including facial fractures. The victim had to be removed in a stretcher and was hospitalized. We will not tolerate violence against Correction Officers on Rikers Island who are simply doing their jobs. ” 

 District Attorney Clark said Marvens Thomas, A.K.A. Murda, 28, a Rikers Island inmate, was arraigned on October 7, 2021 on Attempted Murder in the second degree, Attempted Aggravated Murder, Attempted Assault in the first degree, two counts of second-degree Assault, first and second-degree Promoting Prison Contraband, and Petit Larceny before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio. Bail was continued at $150,000 cash/$150,000 bond, and the defendant is due back in court on January 11, 2022.

 According to the investigation, at approximately 9:09 a.m. on August 30, 2021, at the George R. Vierno Center in Rikers Island, the defendant went up to the officer and punched him multiple times in the head and face, causing the victim to fall to the ground. As the officer lay immobile, the defendant kicked him in the face and head multiple times. Thomas then jumped and stomped on the victim’s head and back twice. He proceeded to take the officer’s pepper spray and left the scene. 

 Other inmates in the jail assisted the victim by bringing him towels to help with the blood loss. The victim was taken to the hospital where he received 20 stitches to his forehead. He also sustained facial fractures and a skull fracture.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau Community Coordinator Lourdes Galindez and BXDA Detective Investigator Fernando Nunez for their assistance.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

85 Days and Counting Last Minute Appointments

 

I have 85 days left in office, and I intend to use them to male as many last minute appointments that I can. I am also going to make as many last minute changes in policy that I couldn't do earlier in my term. by the time anyone can build up enough opposition there will be a new mayor, and a new city council.

Now as for that 49 page DOI report that I used my NYPD detail for political purposes, for my aborted Presidential run, to help move my daughter and chauffer my son around are a pure political witch hunt to stop me from running for governor of New York. I am appealing the ruling from the Conflict of Interest Board that says I must pay for the NYPD detail, because myself, and each member of my family have received threats of harm to them. It is the duty of the city to protect its Mayor and his or her family. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS ANNABEL PALMA AS COMMISSIONER AND CHAIR OF THE NYC COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

 

 Mayor de Blasio today appointed Annabel Palma as the next Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights. Palma most recently served as the Chief Equity Officer of the City's COVID-19 Test & Trace Corps, where she worked to fight disparities laid bare by COVID-19 and get New Yorkers across the five boroughs vaccinated. Palma also worked closely with the City’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) to support response and recovery efforts in the hardest-hit communities. As Commissioner and Chair of NYC Commission on Human Rights, Palma will lead enforcement of New York City’s Human Rights Law—one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation.

“From fighting inequities laid bare by COVID-19 to her work launching critical programs at the Department of Social Services to representing her community in the City Council, Annabel has dedicated her career to making government work better on behalf of the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Annabel will continue to use her talents to protect the civil rights of all New Yorkers.” 

 

“Whether as a nursing assistant, a union organizer, or Council Member, Annabel has a proven track-record of fighting on behalf of communities. Her experience and commitment in this fight make her the perfect choice to lead the City's Commission on Human Rights,” said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. “In her role as Chair and Commissioner, I am confident that Annabel will work tirelessly to ensure all New Yorkers are aware of and protected by the City's Human Rights Law. New Yorkers are lucky to have a civil rights champion like Annabel on their side.”

 

“Annabel’s career has been dedicated to fighting for a diverse and just City for all New Yorkers,” said Melanie Hartzog, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “From fighting disparities exposed by COVID-19 as part of NYC’s Test and Trace Corp to pushing forward strategic initiatives at the Department of Social Services, Annabel’s passion makes her the right voice to lead the NYC Commission on Human Rights. I look forward to working with her in her new role.”

“It is truly humbling to be appointed to serve as Chair and Commissioner of NYC Human Rights Commission. Throughout my life I have faced many of the issues that the Human Rights Commission handles,” said Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Annabel Palma. “Those life experiences have driven me to work tirelessly to serve the most vulnerable, empower communities, and bring about change. Change is not accomplished overnight but through hard work, dedication and perseverance we can bring about the change we need to continue to build stronger communities. I am immensely grateful to Mayor de Blasio for the opportunity to continue to build on the great work that has been done and look forward to continue serving all New Yorkers.”

 

“Annabel Palma is a distinguished public servant, with great depth of knowledge of community needs, a proven track record of community service, and broad experience that comes from decades of work in a range of roles,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “I congratulate her on this appointment and I know she will continue to be a strong advocate for effective government and positive change on behalf of all New Yorkers.”

 

“When COVID-19 struck, Annabel led the NYC Test and Trace Corps as our Chief Equity Officer to narrow the pandemic’s devastating health disparities,” said Dr. Ted Long, Executive Director of the NYC Test & Trace Corps and Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Care and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “We are grateful for her incredible contributions to our fight against the largest public health crisis of our generation. Equality and human rights have been the central focus of all her work. From her service in the City Council advocating for the Bronx, to her time as Deputy Commissioner at NYC DSS helping those experiencing homelessness, she is a champion of equity and opportunity. I congratulate Annabel on her appointment as Commissioner of CCHR. New Yorkers are fortunate to have her as an advocate in this new role!”

Governor Hochul Announces Major Milestone Achieved as 85% of Adult New Yorkers Have Received at Least One Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine - OCTOBER 8, 2021

 

65,545 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

5,654 New Positives Yesterday

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

"As we reach this milestone of 85 percent of adult New Yorkers with at least one dose, we are one step closer to finally putting an end to this pandemic and getting our lives back to normal," Governor Hochul said. "While this is a momentous achievement, we still have communities lagging behind in vaccinations. The most important thing is getting vaccinated if you're in a high risk setting or immunocompromised. I urge all New Yorkers to get vaccinated to keep yourselves and those around you safe."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 229,231
• Total Positive - 5,654
• Percent Positive - 2.47%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.13%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,175 (-74)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 269
• Patients in ICU - 474 (-36)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 263 (-23)
• Total Discharges - 202,857 (+325)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 42
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,802

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 - 57,047

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 - 25,777,293
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 65,545
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 497,856
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 82.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 74.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) – 85%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) – 76.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose – 69.8%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 62.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) –72.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 64.4%

Morris Park Community Association Features State Senator Gustavo Rivera and 49th Precinct NCO Officers

 

  Wednesday was the Morris Park Community Association meeting. State Senator Gustavo was in attendance, and while most members of the MPCA are not in agreement with most of Senator Rivera's Progressive policies, the good Senator took questions about them. He was asked if the 'No Cash Bail Law was responsible for the added crime in the Bronx and New York City. Senator Rivera replied that crime is up nationwide, and that should show people it is not just a local Bronx or New York City issue. He went on to talk about people being kept at Riker's, because they could not raise any bail. He went on to talk about one such person who committed suicide after being finally released from Riker's. 

Senator Rivera went on to say that his Chief of staff would be leaving him after many years of devoted service to the community. He then said that even though he may not represent all of Morris Park, that his office was always open to help anybody. 

After Senator Rivera came the NCO's of the 49th Precinct. They mentioned that cars are being stolen when drivers leave them running to go into a store for something quick. As short as they may think they are inside, when they come out their car is gone. Also the NCO's spoke about Honda, Acura, and Lexus cars being stolen in the precinct, and in the Bronx. The NCO's took a few questions about quality of life issues, saying that the loud noise issue, there was a van confiscated with an oversized speaker on top of it. As for the Dirt bike problem, the NCO's said they can not chase the dirt bikes, for matters of safety to the rider, and innocent people who may get hurt in any chase. 

The meeting ended with discussion of the Bronx Columbus Day Parade, which is being presented by the Morris Park Community Association. The parade begins at noon on Morris Park Avenue at Wallace Avenue, traveling across Morris Park Avenue where it will turn up Williamsbridge Road to Lydig Avenue. The reviewing stand will be opposite Assemblywoman Fernandez's office on Williamsbridge Avenue as it was in the last parade, but Assemblywoman Fernandez will be out of town, according to the President of the MPCA.

Senator Rivera holds twenty dollars, a bet he won from MPCA President Al D'Angelo about former Governor Andrew Cuomo running for another term in office. Senator Rivera gave the twenty dollars as a donation to the MPCA.

49th Precinct Sector A, NCO officers Patrick Nicewicz, and Stephen Brancatelli, next to MPCA Treasurer Elio Rodriguez, MPCA Vice-President Yahay Obied, and MPCA President Al D'Angelo.

19 Defendants Charged With Defrauding The National Basketball Association Players’ Health And Welfare Benefit Plan

 

18 Former Players of the National Basketball Association and a Spouse of a Former Player Alleged to Have Submitted Nearly $4 million in Fraudulent Reimbursement Claims for Medical Services that They Never Received

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Dermot Shea, Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging TERRENCE WILLIAMS, ALAN ANDERSON, ANTHONY ALLEN, DESIREE ALLEN, SHANNON BROWN, WILLIAM BYNUM, RONALD GLEN DAVIS, CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS-ROBERTS, a/k/a “Supreme Bey,” MELVIN ELY, JAMARIO MOON, DARIUS MILES, MILTON PALACIO, RUBEN PATTERSON, EDDIE ROBINSON, GREGORY SMITH, SEBASTIAN TELFAIR, CHARLES WATSON JR., ANTOINE WRIGHT, and ANTHONY WROTEN with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud the National Basketball Associations (“NBA’s”) Health and Welfare Benefit Plan out of nearly $4,000,000.  TERRENCE WILLIAMS is also charged with aggravated identity theft in connection with the same scheme.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “The defendants’ playbook involved fraud and deception. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, their alleged scheme has been disrupted and they will have to answer for their flagrant violations of law.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “Today we’ve charged 18 former NBA players and one spouse for their alleged participation in a health care fraud scheme that resulted in nearly $2 million in losses to the National Basketball Association’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. The health care industry loses tens of billions of dollars a year to fraud. Thanks to the work of our dedicated FBI agents and partners alike, cases like this demonstrate our continued focus in uncovering health care fraud scams that harm both the industry and the consumers of their services.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said: “Today’s federal indictment represents the NYPD’s long-term commitment, working with its law enforcement partners, in making sure those accused of health care related fraud are held accountable. I commend those involved in the investigation, the FBI, and the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District in New York for its work in ensuring there is justice in this case.”

TERRENCE WILLIAMS, ALAN ANDERSON, DESIREE ALLEN, SHANNON BROWN, WILLIAM BYNUM, RONALD GLEN DAVIS, MELVIN ELY, JAMARIO MOON, DARIUS MILES, MILTON PALACIO, RUBEN PATTERSON, SEBASTIAN TELFAIR, CHARLES WATSON JR., ANTOINE WRIGHT, GREGORY SMITH, and ANTHONY WROTEN were arrested today. 

WILLIAMS and WROTEN will be presented in the Western District of Washington.  DAVIS will be presented in the Central District of California.  SMITH will be presented in the Eastern District of California.  PATTERSON will presented in the Northern District of Ohio.  MOON will be presented in the Northern District of Alabama.  BYNUM and ELY will be presented in the Northern District of Illinois.  MILES will be presented in the Middle District of Florida.  ANDERSON, WATSON, and WRIGHT will be presented in the District of Nevada.  BROWN will be presented in the Northern District of Georgia.  DESIREE ALLEN will be presented in the Western District of Tennessee.  TELFAIR will be presented in the Southern District of New York before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katharine H.  Parker.

ANTHONY ALLEN, DOUGLAS-ROBERTS, and ROBINSON remain at large.

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today[1]:

The National Basketball Association Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan (the “Plan”) is a health care plan providing benefits to eligible active and former players of the NBA. From at least in or about 2017, up to and including at least in or about 2020, TERRENCE WILLIAMS, ALAN ANDERSON, ANTHONY ALLEN, DESIREE ALLEN, SHANNON BROWN, WILLIAM BYNUM, RONALD GLEN DAVIS, CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS-ROBERTS, a/k/a “Supreme Bey,” MELVIN ELY, JAMARIO MOON, DARIUS MILES, MILTON PALACIO, RUBEN PATTERSON, EDDIE ROBINSON, GREGORY SMITH, SEBASTIAN TELFAIR, CHARLES WATSON JR., ANTOINE WRIGHT, and ANTHONY WROTEN engaged in a widespread scheme to defraud the Plan by submitting and causing to be submitted fraudulent claims for reimbursement of medical and dental services that were not actually rendered. Over the course of the scheme, the defendants submitted and caused to be submitted to the Plan false claims totaling nearly $4 million.

WILLIAMS orchestrated the scheme to defraud the Plan. WILLIAMS recruited other Plan participants to defraud the Plan by offering to provide them with false invoices to support their fraudulent claims.  WILLIAMS provided ANDERSON, ANTHONY ALLEN, DESIREE ALLEN, BROWN, BYNUM, DAVIS, DOUGLAS-ROBERTS, ELY, MOON, MILES, PALACIO, PATTERSON, ROBINSON, SMITH, TELFAIR, WATSON, WRIGHT, and WROTEN with false provider invoices, which those defendants then submitted and caused to be submitted to the Plan for reimbursement of fraudulent claims. 

WILLIAMS provided the other charged defendants fake invoices from a particular Chiropractic Office in California, which were created by individuals working with WILLIAMS.  In addition, WILLIAMS obtained fraudulent invoices from a dentist affiliated with dental offices in Beverly Hills, California, and from a doctor at a Wellness Office in Washington State.  The fraudulent invoices purported to document that ANDERSON, ANTHONY ALLEN, DESIREE ALLEN, BROWN, BYNUM, DAVIS, DOUGLAS-ROBERTS, ELY, MOON, MILES, PALACIO, PATTERSON, ROBINSON, SMITH, TELFAIR, WATSON, WRIGHT, and WROTEN, and, in some cases, members of their families, had been recipients of expensive medical and dental services.  But the defendants had not received the medical or dental services described in the invoices WILLIAMS provided them.  In many instances, the defendants were not even located in the vicinity of the service providers on the dates the invoices stated they received medical or dental services.  In particular, GPS location information and/or documents, such as flight records, show that the defendants were in locations other than the vicinity of the medical or dental offices falsely claimed as the providers of services.

In return for his provision of false supporting documentation for their fraudulent claims, many of the defendants paid WILLIAMS kickbacks, totaling at least approximately $230,000.  WILLIAMS also used the personal identifying information of an employee of the Administrative Manager, which managed the Plan, in the course of the fraud scheme.

TERRENCE WILLIAMS, ALAN ANDERSON, ANTHONY ALLEN, DESIREE ALLEN, SHANNON BROWN, WILLIAM BYNUM, RONALD GLEN DAVIS, CHRISTOPHER DOUGLAS-ROBERTS, a/k/a “Supreme Bey,” MELVIN ELY, JAMARIO MOON, DARIUS MILES, MILTON PALACIO, RUBEN PATTERSON, EDDIE ROBINSON, GREGORY SMITH, SEBASTIAN TELFAIR, CHARLES WATSON JR., ANTOINE WRIGHT, and ANTHONY WROTEN are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  TERRENCE WILLIAMS is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI/NYPD Health Care Fraud Task Force, which is composed of agents, detectives, and investigators from the FBI, the NYPD, and other law enforcement entities.  Ms. Strauss additionally praised the work of the FBI’s Seattle, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Birmingham, Chicago, Sacramento, Memphis, Tampa, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Portland, and Detroit Field Offices.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Package to Combat Opioid Crisis

 

S.911/A.2354 Relates to the Possession of Opioid Antagonists 

  

S.1795/A.533 Relates to the Establishment of a Program for the Use of Medication Assisted Treatment for Incarcerated Individuals 

  

S.2523/A.868 Decriminalizes the Possession and Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes 

  

S.6044/A.128 Establishes an Online Directory for Distributers of Opioid Antagonists 

  

S.7228/A.5511 Relates to a Judicial Diversion Program for Certain Felony Offenders 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today at John Jay College signed legislation (S.911/A.2354, S.1795/A.533, S.2523/A.868, S.6044/A.128, S.7228/A.5511) aimed toward reducing drug-related overdose deaths across New York State and encouraging those suffering from addiction to seek help in their recovery.

"Addiction can impact any family, suddenly and harshly - those who find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle are there through no fault of their own," Governor Hochul said. "This is a personal battle for me and I am proud to be able to combat the opioid crisis by signing these bills into law. There is no shame in seeking help for substance use and I want to let all New Yorkers know that we are here for you. Treatment should always be accessible for those who need it."

Legislation S.911/A.2354 amends the criminal procedure law, the civil practice law and rules and the executive law to promote the use of opioid antagonists in preventing drug-related overdoses. This bill will decriminalize possession of opioid antagonists, which are drugs that block opioids by attaching to opioid receptors without activating them. 

Legislation S.1795/A.868 works to establish a program for the use of medication assisted substance use disorder treatment for incarcerated individuals in state and local correctional facilities. Expanding medication assisted treatment, MAT, across state and local facilities will allow incarcerated individuals access to medications and therapies to provide them the opportunity to overcome substance use and lessen the likelihood that they may suffer drug-related overdoses upon their reentry into society.

Legislation S.2523/A.868 decriminalizes the possession and sale of hypodermic needles and syringes. The act of decriminalizing drug-related paraphernalia contributes to public safety by permitting harm reduction approaches for those suffering from substance use disorder and by reducing the rate at which HIV and hepatitis are transmitted. 

Legislation S.6044/A.128 establishes an online directory for distributors of opioid antagonists making them more accessible to New Yorkers who may want to equip themselves with these life-saving medications. The directory is to be maintained by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports on their website.

Legislation S.7228/A.5511 expands the number of eligible crimes committed by individuals with a substance use disorder that may be considered for diversion to a substance use treatment program and updates the term "substance abuse" to "substance use." This ensures judges can order an individual to treatment instead of incarceration, allowing them a greater chance for successful, long-term rehabilitation.