Tuesday, January 25, 2022

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF NYPD OFFICER WILBERT MORA

 

"Friday’s tragedy has taken another life today with the passing of Officer Wilbert Mora. I pray for his family as the city stands with them in mourning, in opposition to this gun violence, and in commitment to ending it. 


"In this moment of tragedy, I want to extend gratitude in grief to Officers Rivera and Mora for their service and bravery. They responded to an urgent call for help from a fellow New Yorker, and I know that when the next call comes, NYPD officers will face great risk to answer it - we cannot forget that.


"When gun violence strikes, the pain and trauma resonate around and remain with a neighborhood, a community. Like law enforcement officers, the community has a role in preventing gun violence, and like the communities they serve, law enforcement feels the tragic impact of that violence.


"As elected officials, we have a moral obligation to do all we can to combat this violence in all its forms and save lives. As New Yorkers, we have a moral obligation to support one another in hardship and loss, and to unite in the shared goal of protecting, promoting, and producing public safety." 


Massachusetts Man Arrested for Conspiracy to Steal Firearms

 

     William Guerrero, 20, of Brighton, Massachusetts was arrested today on a complaint charging him with participating in a conspiracy to steal firearms from federally licensed firearm dealers, U.S. Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

According to the complaint, law enforcement agents have been investigating a series of efforts to conduct burglaries at federally licensed firearms dealers on January 22 and 23, 2022.  On January 23, 2022, at approximately 5:00 a.m., a vehicle pulled into the front of a firearms business in Hooksett, New Hampshire.  Four males were captured on video surveillance attempting to gain access to the store by smashing a window of the rear door, but were unable to gain access. Similar attempted burglaries occurred at firearms dealers on January 22, 2022, in Salem, Plaistow, and Kingston. 

Guerrero was arrested on January 24, 2022, in Massachusetts.  Guerrero had an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was detained pending further proceedings.

The investigation is ongoing.  Members of the public with information about these crimes are encouraged to contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS.

This matter is investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and multiple local and state police agencies in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The charges in the complaint are only allegations.  The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


Attorney General James’ Statement on Judge’s Decision to Temporarily Allow Enforcement of New York’s Mask Mandate

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement after a New York Supreme Court Appellate Judge granted her office’s motion to stay a decision Monday night striking down the state’s mask mandate:

“Nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that wearing a mask saves lives. This mandate and today’s decision are critical in helping to stop the spread of this virus and protect individuals young and old. We will continue to do everything in our power to prioritize the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers.”

Under today’s order, the mask mandate will stay in effect until the Appellate court takes further action.

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on Mask Regulation Ruling Stay - JANUARY 25, 2022

 

“As Governor, my top priority is protecting the people of this state. These measures are critical tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, make schools and businesses safe, and save lives. I commend the Attorney General for her defense of the health and safety of New Yorkers, and applaud the Appellate Division, Second Department for siding with common sense and granting an interim stay to keep the state’s important masking regulations in place. We will not stop fighting to protect New Yorkers, and we are confident we will continue to prevail.”

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul on Nassau County Supreme Court Mask Regulation Ruling Against the Mask Mandate - JANUARY 24, 2022


 "My responsibility as Governor is to protect New Yorkers throughout this public health crisis, and these measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. We strongly disagree with this ruling, and we are pursuing every option to reverse this immediately."

State Senator Gustavo Rivera - Statement on Mayor's Blueprint to End Gun Violence

 

GOVERNMENT HEADER

"The Mayor is right to lead our City into a new era where guns are kept off the streets and New Yorkers have real opportunities to forgo a life of crime and lead healthy, violence-free futures. Unfortunately, his blueprint focuses on failed measures that run counter to that goal and will only result in another generation of Black and brown New Yorkers criminalized and relegated to a life of imprisonment, recidivism and continued violence. 
 
The Mayor should stay focused on the community-building and anti-poverty efforts included in his Blueprint, including robust support for violence interrupter programs, which have been proven to be an effective tool at addressing violence in communities. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past."

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We expected no less from State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and most of his State Senate Democrats who have pushed through what we now see as failed legislation causing the current increase in violence which is not only related to guns, but the subways, businesses, and many other areas where criminals are just going through a revolving system that says 'No Cash Bail' to repeat offenders for you, have a nice day, we are sorry the police brought you in and detained you. 

NEW YORK LEADERS APPLAUD MAYOR ADAMS’ BLUEPRINT TO END GUN VIOLENCE


New York City Mayor Eric Adams yesterday announced his “Blueprint to End Gun Violence” in New York City, which lays out numerous policy proposals to curb the scourge of gun violence plaguing New York City streets and build a safer, more just city for all New Yorkers. Elected officials and community leaders from across New York applauded the blueprint.

 

See below for what they are saying:

 

“Too many lives have been lost. Too many live in fear. We have a moral obligation to confront the gun violence epidemic, and that means working with leaders at all levels of government to keep New Yorkers safe,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “Glad to have a public safety partner in [Mayor Adams].”

 

“We have lost too many of our sons and daughters to the epidemic of gun violence," said U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks. "Mayor Adams' plan to combat this public health crisis is a real jolt of leadership at a critical time, and I will be a partner in this pursuit of public safety.”

 

“I am in full support of Mayor Adams’ ‘Blueprint to End Gun Violence,’ and I am ready to be an ally in getting it implemented,” said U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi. “Too many lives are being lost on our streets, and inaction is not an option. Mayor Adams understands the balance between intervention and prevention that is needed to save lives, and it will take all of us to make it happen.”

 

“We appreciate the mayor’s focus on the epidemic of violence our city faces and the need for multiple solutions, as the problem is complex and requires multifaceted approaches,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “An important way we can support the NYPD in its efforts to improve public safety is by expanding our commitment to complementary public safety work by other stakeholders in every city agency and community partner that can help prevent crime and violence — this plan starts to recognize that reality. We strongly welcome the mayor’s focus on strengthening community-based violence prevention programs, mental health care, and investments in youth employment — and we’re glad these are so central to the plan and conversation, providing a great starting point. The mayor’s advocacy for action on gun control in Washington and efforts to target gun trafficking is also critical.” 

 

“We have lost too many loved ones to gun violence, and these incidents have traumatized families and created fear throughout the city,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “Combatting gun violence is a top priority for our office and I applaud Mayor Adams’ leadership, commitment, and focus on stopping gun violence. We will partner with him and all who will join us in the urgent tasks of getting drivers of crime off our streets, cutting off the flow of illegal guns to our city, and building up community-based supports for people who are struggling.”

 

“Gun violence is a public health crisis, an epidemic that we must end,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Mayor Adams has laid out a plan to move us towards this vital goal, by stemming the flow of guns into our city, investing in the social services that are proven to prevent crime, increasing the clearance rate for gun crimes, and more. I am particularly heartened to see his commitment to expanding hospital-based violent intervention programs, and his focus on connecting those with severe mental health challenges to the services they need. I look forward to partnering with Mayor Adams to make our city safer, healthier, and fairer for all.”

 

“Gun violence results in devastating personal, family, and community trauma; that is why I welcome this cross-government approach to tackling gun violence,” said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. “The key facets we must include are prevention, engagement for young people, stepped up resources for units focused on illegal guns and on gun trafficking — these elements constitute the kind of overarching approach to public safety New York City needs. I commend Mayor Adams for his comprehensive response, and I am committed to joining with my colleagues to help end the scourge of gun violence. We must ensure our shared communities secure the safety and peace of mind we all deserve.”

 

“I applaud Mayor Adams for this ‘Blueprint to End Gun Violence,’” said New York State Senator Diane Savino. “As he stated, we are all in this together. New York City, under his leadership, will tackle this head on, but they cannot do it alone. Albany must act, and I and many of my colleagues stand ready to work hand in hand and deliver on the changes he is calling for today.”

 


“Families should not have to worry that their baby is going to get hit by a stray bullet, or that their daughter will be shot while working the night shift,” said New York City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz. “The gun violence plaguing our city is causing irreparable devastation to New Yorkers, destroying families and tearing apart our communities. Mayor Adams’ ‘Blueprint to End Gun Violence’ outlines crucial steps in curing our city of this pervasive epidemic. As a teacher, I saw firsthand how important it is to invest in our school-aged youth with support systems and employment opportunities. Vital initiatives, like the Summer Youth Employment Program, keep our young people safe, and promote healthy social-emotional development that ultimately prevents senseless tragedies. I look forward to working with Mayor Adams on implementing important reforms and programs that uplift our community and our youth.”

 

“We’re in a public safety crisis, and our poorest, most disadvantaged New Yorkers are suffering the most,” said New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz. “I look forward to working with Mayor Adams and Speaker Adams to resolve the issue of our time.”

 


“I’m pleased to read of Mayor Adams' efforts to remove illegal guns from our streets and offer more protection to the heroic men and women of the NYPD,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York. “Our political leaders have our prayerful support as they work to protect the safety and dignity of every person’s life.”

 

“Black and Brown communities are under siege from out-of-control gun violence,” said Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, president, NAACP New York State Conference. “There are way too many illegal guns on our streets, and not enough resources to combat this public health crisis and save our at-risk youth. Mayor Adams and his administration should be commended for taking decisive action that balances public safety and justice, intervention and prevention. The NAACP New York State Conference looks forward to partnering with our mayor on this important effort.”

 

“On behalf of too many mothers who have lost their children to gun violence, I thank Mayor Adams for his decades-long commitment to combating this crisis, reflected in the comprehensive and thoughtful plan his administration has released,” said Devorah Halberstam, anti-violence activist. “I am ready to support our mayor in advocating for the common-sense proposals he has outlined, while continuing to work on the ground in the community to safeguard our young people.”

 

“Mayor Eric Adams’ plan is big, bold, comprehensive, and is going to make New York safer,” said David Greenfield, CEO, Met Council on Jewish Poverty. “As a former police officer, Mayor Adams understands what it takes to tackle gun violence and whether it’s new Neighborhood Safety Teams, putting more officers on patrol, reallocating mental health resources, or launching an unprecedented Summer Youth Employment program to give our kids a chance to succeed, this plan is going to build a stronger and more resilient New York City.”

 

“Domestic violence and gun violence are tragically linked far too often, as we just saw with the senseless shooting of two police officers in Harlem,” said Stephanie McGraw, founder, We All Really Matter (W.A.R.M.). “We stand with Mayor Adams as he takes on this public health crisis with his ‘Blueprint to End Gun Violence.’”

 

“On behalf of mothers and families across this city who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence, I thank Mayor Adams for his bold leadership in our city’s hour of need,” said Jackie Rowe-Adams, co-founder, Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. “As our mayor says, ‘he’s not new to this, he’s true to this.’ Mayor Adams has been in our streets with us for years, shoulder-to-shoulder with activists and violence interrupters demanding an end to the violence. Now, in his first days as mayor, he is prioritizing this issue with a plan that is comprehensive and common-sense.”

 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi - FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST AND MASK DISTRIBUTIONS 1/25

 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Dear Community, 

I hope you are all doing well and taking care. I want to inform you all about a series of free at-home COVID-19 test and mask distributions hosted by my office on Tuesday, January 25th at various locations across District 34. We will be providing the at-home COVID-19 tests and masks at the following locations at the following times: 

  • Kingsbridge - 581 Broadway, Bronx, NY 10463 - 4:30-5:30 PM
  • Pelham Parkway - 2141 Holland Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462 - 5:30-6:40 PM
  • City Island 550 City Island Avenue, Bronx, NY 10464 - 7-8 PM

Supplies will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and my office at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling our office at 718-822-2049. 

With Gratitude, 

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi