Sen. Klein and Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. Release Analysis Showing Economic Benefits to the Bronx from Metro North's Proposed Expansion

Metro North expansion is predicted to create 5,400 new jobs, increase home values by up to $142,400 and add over a billion dollars in added business sales in the Bronx

Today, New York State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined union leaders, Bronx business owners, employers, homeowners and community leaders to announce economic benefit projections of the MTA Metro North transportation expansion into the Bronx.

The MTA Metro North proposal includes building four new Metro North stations in the East Bronx on current Amtrak lines, in Co-op City, Hunts Point, Morris Park and Parkchester.

In an economic white paper released today, experts project that the Metro North expansion plan will create 5,400 new jobs, increase home vales by more than $140,000, and increase business activity in the Bronx by more than $1 billion.  The economic analysis was conducted at the behest of Senator Klein and Bronx Borough President Diaz. 

Senator Jeff Klein said, “As Bronx Week kicks off, I am happy to announce that the MTA Metro North expansion is something the Bronx can really celebrate. This expansion will not only give over 160,000 Bronx residents a better way to commute into Manhattan, but it will also help drive new business and economic growth into the East Bronx. These stations will open up a fast, easy and direct link to the suburbs and Manhattan – which means an added boost of over $1.1 billion to local businesses both large and small. The expansion is also good news for area homeowners, who will see home values rise by more than $140,000. Finally, with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state, all Bronxites stand to benefit from the creation of over 5,400 new jobs.

“The benefits are clear and will be critical to launching the Bronx into the 21^st century and beyond. Working with the Bronx Borough President and community stakeholders, I am committed to doing whatever I can to support this expansion for the benefit of the Bronx at large.”

“The expansion of Metro North service to the East Bronx has the potential to transform not just the Bronx, but the entire region. This project has been a priority of mine since I first became borough president, and I continue to push the MTA to include these four stations in their five-year capital plan. This analysis shows just how great an impact this project will have in our borough, and we cannot afford to miss out on new jobs and new economic activity. It is time to make this project happen, and I will continue to work with State Senator Jeff Klein, our elected officials, businesses, institutions and all Bronxites to bring Metro North service to the East Bronx. It is time for this long-held dream to become a reality,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. 

In an analysis of the MTA Metro-North Expansion into the East Bronx released today by Senator Klein and Borough President Diaz, highlights included:

Economic Indicator	Economic Benefit
Potential Job Creation	5400 jobs
Increase in Business Sales	$1.151 billion
Residential Property Values Potential Increases	Up to $142,400
Condominium Value Potential Increases	Up to $70,848
Commercial Property Values Potential Increases	Up to $450.00 increase per square foot
Retail Rental Increases	An increase of almost $4, 175 of rental income a month

  

General Chairman of Association of Community Rail Employees Anthony Bottalico said: “Expanding transportation options is a win-win for not just the Bronx, but New York at large. With these four new stations in the Bronx, we’re giving Bronx business owners and residents easy access all over New York. But we’re also creating high-quality jobs for those who build and maintain these stations right here in the Bronx. Investing in rail expansion now, will have economic benefits – including quality job creation – for years to come and I thank Senator Klein and Borough President Diaz for championing this incredible boost for the Bronx.” 

“Metro North service on the Amtrak line, including a Morris Park stop, will help transform Einstein as well as our local community,” said Gordon Earle, Associate Dean of Public Affairs and Communications at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “It will provide major benefits for our faculty, researchers, students and the entire East Bronx medical community, providing easy access to Manhattan, as well as to Washington DC and points north.  We are extremely enthusiastic about the plan.”

 Left - Senator Jeff Klein speaks about how the four new Metro North East Bronx Stations would benefit the entire Bronx. He adds that as Senate Co-President that he has to sign off on the new five year Metro North Capital Plan which better include these four new East Bronx stations.

Right Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr. holds up the report that he and Senator Klein have come out with as to the economic impact that the four new Metro North stations will have on the Bronx.

Others in the photos are Community Board 10 District Manager Ken Kearns, Community Board 11 District Manager Jeremy Warneke, Community Board 11 Chair Tony Vitaliano and Community Board 2 Chair Ian Armit, Morris Park property owner Patrick O'Connell, Pelham Bay Community Leader Joseph Oddo, in addition to Gordon Earle, Associate Dean of Public Affairs and Communications at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and a few others.

MTA's plan for building would establish four new East Bronx Metro North Stations would by 2019.

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Wave Hill Events May 31–June 7

  After such a spectacular, cool spring, it’s a challenge picturing June and the true start of summer. After watching our gardeners plan, discuss, order bulbs and plant beginning this past winter and into spring, we’re looking forward intensely to seeing the fruits of their inspired labor across the landscape. Oh, the gardeners will still be very much in evidence, weeding, dead-heading, thinning, watering—actively interacting with the gardens as they mature under the warm summer sun. And we’ll all sit back and enjoy the show.

Isn’t it wonderful that so much that you can enjoy here – yoga, tai chi, walks, cooking demos – takes place outdoors, enhanced by the beauty of the setting?

SAT, JUNE 1   FAMILY ART PROJECT—A TREE LIVES HERE

A Tree Lives Here/Un árbol vive aquí

Explore the qualities of some of Wave Hill’s special trees with visiting artist Richard Lewis and the Touchstone Center Theatre Ensemble and create a tree of your own imagining with oil pastels on black paper. Enjoy a performance by the ensemble at 11AM, followed by a parade with your tree at 12:30PM. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, JUNE 1    TAI CHI CHUAN

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, an active member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, will introduce students to the internal martial arts and promote an awareness of their health benefits. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for program updates. Session fee: Member $15/Non-member $23. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, JUNE 1    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of Wave Hill’s spring exhibition, Drawn to Nature, which features the work of seven artists who use drawing to convey a deep connection to the natural world. In the Sunroom Project Space, Lynn Koble’s multi-media, sculptural installation explores her idea of classification systems as a point of intersection between people and nature. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 2PM

SUN, JUNE 2   FAMILY ART PROJECT—A TREE LIVES HERE

A Tree Lives Here/Un árbol vive aquí

Explore the qualities of some of Wave Hill’s special trees with visiting artist Richard Lewis and the Touchstone Center Theatre Ensemble and create a tree of your own imagining with oil pastels on black paper. Enjoy a performance by the ensemble at 11AM, followed by a parade with your tree at 12:30PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, JUNE 2    HATHA YOGA

Find refuge from city life by practicing seasonal yoga. Decrease stress and increase your energy by focusing on your posture, breath control and meditation. Classes are led by Neem Dewji, certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga by The Yoga for Health Foundation in Bedfordshire, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute in NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions are held outdoors only and are weather dependent. Call 718.549.3200 x245 by 8AM on the day of the class for program updates. Session fee: Member $15/Non-member $23. Registration opens onsite at 9:30AM.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, JUNE 2    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

SUN, JUNE 2    HERBAL PICNIC SERIES―SAVORY HERBAL SALADS COOKING DEMO

Join us for a summer-long garden party—free with admission to the grounds—as chefs from Wave Hill exclusive caterer Great Performances prepare delicious recipes for casual al fresco meals. Taste memorable salads with pasta, greens and fresh herbs. After the program, explore the Herb Garden with a garden interpreter then purchase herb plants in The Shop at Wave Hill. Free with admission to the grounds.

ON THE GROUNDS, 3PM

MON, JUNE 3

Closed to the public.

TUE, JUNE 4    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11AM

TUE, JUNE 4    GLYNDOR GALLERY OPENS AT 11AM

Glyndor Gallery opens at 11AM today, following a private function. The Tuesday afternoon tour takes place as scheduled.

TUE, JUNE 4    GALLERY TOUR

Join a curatorial fellow for a tour of Wave Hill’s spring exhibition, Drawn to Nature, which features the work of seven artists who use drawing to convey a deep connection to the natural world. In the Sunroom Project Space, Lynn Koble’s multi-media, sculptural installation explores her idea of classification systems as a point of intersection between people and nature. Tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM. Free with admission to the grounds.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—5:30PM. Closes 4:30PM, November 1—March 14.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free until noon Tuesdays in  May and June. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Program s are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 3o minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242^nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

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LIU OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO LOOMING CRISIS IN HOUSING FOR NEW YORK CITY’S SENIORS

   Report Finds Two-Thirds of NYC Seniors 70+ Pay Unaffordable Rents, Presents Policy Prescriptions to Help Them Stay Independent Longer

  City Comptroller John C. Liu today warned that New York faces a looming crisis as the elderly population rises and rents skyrocket, and offered a comprehensive strategy to alleviate the shortage of affordable housing options.

“We cannot let our seniors fall into poverty – we need to do more to help them afford to stay in their homes,” Comptroller Liu said. “Unfortunately, the current administration’s measures are falling short. Increasing affordable-housing options for seniors is not only the right thing to do, it also makes financial sense. Helping seniors live independently saves the City money in the long run by reducing their reliance on costly social services.”

                                                   

A new report by the Comptroller’s office, “Senior Housing in New York City: The Coming Crisis,” released today, examines the effects of escalating housing costs and offers recommendations that would not only help lessen the burden on City seniors but also defray the need for more intensive and expensive care. The City’s senior population is growing fast: The number of New Yorkers over age 60 rose 12.4 percent from 2000 to 2010, as compared to a 2.1 percent increase in the City population overall during that period, according to Census figures.

And those seniors are literally pushed to the wall. The report found that 53 percent of households headed by those between ages 60 and 69 pay more than 30 percent of their income on rent – a level considered unaffordable by federal standards – and fully 66 percent of households headed by those 70 and over pay unaffordable rents by the same measure. The report also found nearly 20 percent of the City’s 60+ population lives below the poverty line compared to 9 percent nationally, and evictions of seniors account for 15 percent of all evictions in the City.

While the Mayor’s New Housing Marketplace Plan has worked to build or preserve 125,000 affordable-housing units since 2004, more than 32,000 Mitchell-Lama units are no longer subject to affordability requirements, and housing costs remain unaffordable for many segments of the population – especially seniors. The Mayor’s plan also relies extensively on federal funding support, which is increasingly at risk.

The report recommends a number of measures, including:

·         Revise rules on the City’s Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) to take into account household size and inflation, plus increase outreach efforts;

·         Create a property tax credit for families that take in elderly dependents;

·         Increase aid to programs that help seniors stay in their homes longer.

The full report is available at: http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/opm/reports.shtm

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter. To receive Twitter updates via text message,
text “follow johncliu” to 40404.
 View the latest Comptroller’s office videos on YouTube.

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Father's Day Travel Deals

  

Bronx Chamber Upcoming Events!! MUST RSVP!!

       

 

Join us at the following upcoming events!!

Wednesday, May 22nd / 5:30 PM

Networking with Hudson Valley Bank

Tosca Cafe / 4038 East Tremont Avenue

***Complimentary Admission***

For more information, call 718-828-3900 or Click Here to register.

 

Thursday, May 30th / 11:00 AM

Annual Celebrity Golf Outing & Dinner

Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course / 870 Shore Road

The biggest golf event of the year!!

For more information, call 718-828-3900 or Click Here to register.

 

Wednesday, June 12th / 2:00 PM

2013 Business Expo

The New York Botanical Garden / Abigail Kirsch

***Complimentary Admission for all attendees***

For more information, call 718-828-3900 or

Click Here to register 

  

 We look forward to seeing you there!

Yudelka Tapia Statement on Supreme Court Ruling

  

Statement on Supreme Court Ruling

- In a surprise ruling, the New York State Supreme Court, rejected a request by Tapia for City Council for the New York City Campaign Finance Board to review expenditure documentation from the 2009 election cycle. Ms. Tapia, who acknowledges that her campaign was late in filing the documentation, will appeal the ruling in the hope that CFB will review all her expenditures.

Tapia’s elections lawyer, Leo Glickman, issued a statement on the matter:

“During the 2009 campaign,  the Tapia for City Council campaign committee submitted to the CFB’s routine audit, was found to be compliant and was cleared to receive  public matching funds. All  campaign money – public and private - was spent in accordance with CFB rules throughout the campaign.

“During the CFB’s routine post election audit, Ms. Tapia’s son, who was also her Treasurer, became very ill and was repeatedly admitted to the hospital. As a result, the campaign was late in submitting documentation in response to the CFB’s routine request to substantiate the spending of public funds.  The campaign made a request to the CFB to scrutinize the documentation even though it was submitted late.  The CFB determined that it would not consider the documentation because it was late - not because money was spent inappropriately.

“Certain that the documentation shows that all money was spent in accordance with campaign finance regulations, we commenced  an action asking the  Supreme Court to order the CFB to scrutinize the documentation. We are disappointed that the Judge ruled that missing the deadline supersedes all other matters.

“Our appeal will ask for the same relief we asked the Supreme Court.  The campaign has not asked that the penalties it has received for its late response be overturned. We are only asking that the CFB not proceed as if the documentation was never received, and perform its Charter mandated audit to ensure that money was spent appropriately.  If they do so, we are certain that there will be no question about our full compliance with spending regulations.

Yudelka Tapia reiterated her regret for having missed CFB deadlines in 2009, “I am, as I have always been, sorry for not having submitted required documentation by the deadline imposed by the Campaign Finance Board and I look forward to paying the fine for this mistake. My only request is that the CFB review the paperwork I have submitted so that we can put this matter to rest.”

--

Yudelka Tapia has been a district leader or state committee person from the 86th Assembly District since 2002. A leader in her community for 25 years and a member of AFL-CIO Local DC37, Tapia founded the first Dominican based Democratic Club in the Bronx. Yudelka raised four sons in the Bronx, served as president of their PTA and lives in East Tremont with her husband, Tito.

 

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LIU STATEMENT ON CITY BANKING COMMISSION

  City Comptroller John C. Liu stated the following in response to questions about his vote today at the New York City Banking Commission.  Comptroller Liu voted against the proposed designated depository banks, because the Bloomberg Administration has failed to enforce the NYC Responsible Banking Act, which requires that the Mayor create a board to review banks’ reinvestments in local communities:

 

“The Mayor has refused to follow local law, which requires the City to examine whether the banks it designates as depositories are reinvesting in underserved communities,” Comptroller Liu said. “Depository banks receive billions of taxpayers’ dollars, so we must ensure that they comply with our stated aim of enhancing their reinvestment in those communities.  Because the Mayor has undermined the Responsible Banking Act by failing to appoint members to a Community Investment Advisory Board, we have no method for determining that compliance, and so we cannot approve any banks to serve as depositories for City funds today.”

 

BACKGROUND:

The Banking Commission last approved the City’s depository banks in May 2011. In June 2012, the NYC Council passed the Responsible Banking Act (RBA), overriding the Mayor’s veto.  The law stated that a Community Investment Advisory Board (CIAB) was to have been created within 60 days. In order to negate the effect of the law, the Mayor has refused to comply with the RBA’s requirement that he appoint members to a CIAB that would review banks’ performance in opening branches and investing in underserved and underfinanced neighborhoods.  By failing to appoint members to the CIAB, the Mayor has kept the CIAB from meeting in order to fulfill its intended role, and effectively vetoed the City’s RBA all over again.

 

In addition to Comptroller Liu, the Banking Commission consists of the Mayor and the Commissioner of Finance. The Department of Finance provides all administrative support for the Commission’s work.

Visit www.comptroller.nyc.gov for the latest news, events and initiatives.
Follow Comptroller Liu on Twitter. To receive Twitter updates via text message,
text “follow johncliu” to 40404.
 View the latest Comptroller’s office videos on YouTube.

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

My Two Cents on Election Reform

You should know that starting with my son, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and going all the way down the political landscape, I am feeling a lot of pressure to support Governor Andrew Cuomo’s campaign finance and election reform legislation.  There have been many, many conversations about election reform to try to get me on board … the pressure has been tremendous!

You should also know that yes, we are in need of election reform – but not just any old window-dressing reform.  We are in need of real, deep and serious campaign finance and election reform.  Therefore, I would like to contribute my two cents about how I believe we should start.

First, let’s start by giving four-year terms to our New York State Senators and Assembly Members.

Everybody else has four-year terms.  The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the New York City Mayor, and the New York City Council Members – they all serve four-year terms. This gives them all ample time to dedicate themselves to the business of the people – without having to be distracted too much about making time to raise money for their next election.  Instead, as soon as New York State’s Senators and Assembly Members get elected, they have to start raising money to get re-elected
instead of honestly and faithfully dedicating most of their time to their duties as legislators.  It is important to give Senators and Assembly Members four-year terms.  I assure you that this will be good, and it will help to lessen corruption and desperation for some legislators to raise money for their next campaign.

Second, it would be ideal if New York State’s election reform would also include a mandate to stagger elections.

You should know that in the United States Senate, Senators have six-year terms and every two years, one third of the Senate is elected.  If the New York State Senate and Assembly would have elections staggered so that only half of the body would be up for re-election every two years, we would have continuity and seniority and experience.  It would be more stabilizing for our government, and for our election cycles.

Third, we must be sure that every elected official – especially the lawyers who serve in the Senate and the Assembly – report who their clients are and who gives them money.

We need legislators to provide a full disclosure about all their business dealings, as well as every aspect of their operations.  If election reform changes the status of Senators and Assembly Members from a part-time to a full-time job, it would help eliminate a lot of the temptation and the hanky-panky of lawyers in elected office who currently do business with firms and serve as 'of counsel' to companies that do business with cities, local municipalities, and the State.  A legislator should be a full time legislator, with no other part-time jobs. Fourth, Governor Andrew Cuomo should donate to charity the $20 million dollars plus in campaign funds that was raised for him.

Those $20 million dollars plus were raised for Governor Andrew Cuomo in cooperation with the Committee to Save New York, and by people doing business with New York State.  As part of his call for transparency,
Governor Cuomo should require the release of the names of all of the people who made donations to the Committee to Save New York.  Like everyone else, Governor Andrew Cuomo should start from scratch.  It’s not nice for him to say, “Hey, I have $20 million dollars and can continue raising money, but the rest of you can go and start from scratch to raise your money.”

Fifth, you should also know that there are indications that the proposed election reform bill will give more power and control to groups, unions, organizations and PACS.

Right now, they can only contribute limited amounts of money to candidates. As things stand now, they are limited to how much money they can spend on a candidate.  If Governor Andrew Cuomo’s election reform bill passes as it is, they most certainly will have even more power and ability to raise money.

For example, if a political party decides to ask every one of their members to contribute at least $25 dollars to a candidate of their choice to oust an opponent, and they all contribute, the government matching funds for
each of those $25 dollar donations grows to $150.  If you multiply that amount by the number of party members who donate, that’s a lot of money – and a powerful tool for the party to either oust or help an incumbent or an insurgent.   I am deeply concerned that political parties and Super PACS and organizations backed by wealthy individuals will make it much easier to say “Bye-bye!” to any incumbent who has the strong support of his or her constituents.

Finally, you should know that I personally never liked using public funds to support political candidates.  I especially don’t like it now when Governor Andrew Cuomo has cut the Senators’ and the Assembly Members’ member items and capital funds.  These cuts prevent legislators from helping their communities.  If the justification for Governor Andrew Cuomo is because he believes the State cannot afford member items and capital funds, or if he says they need to money to balance the State Budget, then how can he allow for public funds to be used to support political candidates.

If there really is no money to help community organizations, senior citizen centers, little leagues, block associations and community watch groups, then we should not use public money to support political campaigns.  After eliminating resources to community groups and not-for-profit organizations that serve the people, why should we instead be giving money to politicians to run their campaigns?  New Yorkers would be much better served if their tax money is given to our senior citizens for computer labs, little leagues for uniforms and baseball equipment, and block associations to strengthen the role of our families and neighbors.

Ladies and gentlemen, as people attempt to pressure me and discuss ways to approach the much-needed election reform, you should know that I feel obligated to share my two cents with all of you.

This is New York State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.

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POLICE POSTED AT 235TH STREET & JOHNSON AVENUE

At Councilman KOPPELL’S REQUEST
 

After Council Member Oliver Koppell received complaints that school kids were causing disturbances near Starbucks on Johnson Avenue and 235^th Street, he requested a police patrol in the area.

Koppell informed the precinct that the recent incident on May 7^th when a large crowd of school kids gathered and had to be disbursed, was only one of many instances of disorderly conduct at that location, including reports he had received of fighting, smashing bottles, cursing, and public indecency. Koppell reminded Deputy Inspector Burke that there had been a police patrol about two years ago that successfully discouraged kids from “hanging out” at that location.

Burke quickly responded to Koppell, indicating that he was deploying a scooter and a school van to 235^th Street & Johnson Avenue during school dismissal hours until further notice.  He further said he had been in touch with the neighboring schools and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

“I am grateful for Deputy Inspector Burke’s rapid and positive response to my request for a police presence near Starbucks on Johnson Avenue and his reassurance that he will closely monitor the situation. I have every expectation that the police attention will act as a deterrent to the young people’s rowdy behavior and provide relief to the residents and store owners in the area,” Koppell said.

Editors note: 

  While this is an important quality of life issue, there are many different types of actual lawbreaking that goes on in the 50th precinct that are not covered this quickly or at all, as we have documented previously in this blog. 

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