Friday, November 20, 2015

Bronx District Attorney-Elect Darcel Clark Announces Transition Team



  Bronx District Attorney Elect Darcel Clark today announced the members of her transition team, who will counsel her on the best means to achieve her stated vision and objectives for critical reforms and improvements as she assumes office on January 1st.  
The team, comprised of notable individuals with decades of experience in criminal justice as well as Bronx community leaders, will work over the course of the next month and a half to assist District Attorney-elect Clark in preparing to implement her priorities of greater transparency, accountability and responsiveness throughout the office.
That includes focusing on assessing the current state of the relationship between the office and other stakeholders in the Bronx criminal justice system; identifying top talent to join the office and evaluating current employees in the office; implementing a vertical prosecution system; establishing new internal office controls; defining the current state of affairs between the office and the community; and reviewing existing units and integration of new units, including teams for public integrity and Rikers Island.  
“With the campaign now behind us, we are getting to work to make sure that the Bronx always has a District Attorney’s office we can be proud of,” said DA-elect Clark. “I’ve compiled a team that not only understands the inner workings of the District Attorney’s office, but also has a passion for this community and is ready to work to strengthen this office so we can make the Bronx safer for all its residents.”
“We have important work to do to eliminate case backlogs, create time sensitive prosecutions, actively engage the community and bring real reform to Rikers Island,” said added. “This team will give me the expertise and planning skills I need to hit the ground running on day one.  The campaign is over and it’s time to get to work.”
The team consists of the following members:
Richard Aborn is the President of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City and a partner with Constantine Cannon. Mr. Aborn advises police departments and criminal justice agencies in the U.S. and Europe on a variety of issues ranging from police integrity, use of force policy, and building more effective relationships between police departments and criminal justice agencies.
Adele Bernhard is a distinguished adjunct professor at New York University Law School where she also directs a Post-Conviction Innocence Clinic. Formerly, she served as a public defender in the South Bronx and also has directed the Criminal Defense Clinic at Pace Law School.
The Hon. Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick is the former Senior Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. She spent 19 years on New York State’s highest court, and 34 years on the bench. Judge Ciparick was appointed on December 1, 1993 by Governor Mario M. Cuomo. She was re-appointed by Governor Eliot Spitzer in November 2007. Judge Ciparick currently serves as Chair of the Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.  
Catherine Christian is the Co-Director of Legal Training and Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit in Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance’s Office. Christian also has served as the Co-Director of the Legal Training Unit and as a member of the Office’s Conviction Integrity Committee, and has conducted public corruption investigations as an Assistant Counsel for the New York State Commission of Investigation. Christian is a past President of the New York County Lawyers' Association, where she notably established pro bono programs to assist the elderly.
Mylan Denerstein is a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Prior to joining the Gibson Dunn, Ms. Denerstein served as Counsel to Governor Andrew Cuomo, as an Executive Deputy Attorney General for Social Justice, as Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs for the New York City Fire Department, and as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Ms. Denerstein serves as a board member of the Vera Institute of Justice.
Sheikh Moussa Drammeh is the Managing Owner of Al Iman Plaza, a Real Estate Investment, founder of Muslim Community Report Newspaper and Tea-Out-Stress Franchise. Mr. Drammeh is the Executive Producer of African News Media and Public Emergency Management Adherence (PEMA) television shows on BronxNet Television. He is also a frequent media commentator for Islamic issues and African Affairs.
Steven Fishner is a former principal in KPMG LLP’s Forensic Advisory Practice, providing investigative and integrity advisory services. He formerly served as New York City’s Criminal Justice Coordinator and the principal criminal justice advisor to Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, and as an Executive and Administrative Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office.  
Leroy Frazer serves as Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson’s Chief of Staff. He formerly served for 34 years in the New York County District Attorney’s Office, where he supervised the Office of Legislative Affairs and the Community Affairs Unit. He also served as the Coordinator of the New York State Law Enforcement Council and Legislative Secretary for the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York.
Elizabeth A. Gaynes has been executive director of the Osborne Association for more than 30 years. As Executive Director, Gaynes heads up the lead service provider for the Rikers Island-based ABLE program, among others. Gaynes is a nationally recognized expert on the impact of incarceration and reentry on children and families, and serves as an advisor to the International Association of Chiefs of Police on the model protocol for safeguarding children at the time of a parent’s arrest.
Virginia M. Goggin is the Director of Legal Services at the New York City Anti-Violence Project, providing holistic legal representation to LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence. Prior to AVP, Virginia was a staff attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). While at NYLAG, she started the LGBT Law Project serving low-income LGBTQ community members with various legal issues ranging from family law, housing, immigration and wills.
The Hon. Luis Gonzalez is a former Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division First Department. He has served as an Examining Attorney for the New York City Department of Investigation, as general counsel to the national director of the Government of Puerto Rico, and as a Hearing Officer for the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.  Gonzalez was appointed as a Housing Court Judge for the New York City Civil Court in 1985, and later was elected as a Justice of the Civil Court in Bronx County, and then as a Justice of the Supreme Court in Bronx County, where he served as the Administrative Judge of both the Civil and Criminal Terms. He was later elevated to the Appellate Term, the first Latino to hold that position.
Father Richard Gorman has served the community as a priest and as a member of Bronx Community Board 12 for over 25 years. Chairman for the past 17 years, he has used his office to fight for district services, seeing community work as akin to spiritual service.  In 2002, Gorman went back to law school, graduating from the St. John's University School of Law, and now is a judge in the Archdiocese's Metropolitan Tribunal.
Elsa Marte Hampton is Director of Title VI Compliance with the New York City Transit Authority’s Office of Equal Opportunity and is an adjunct professor at Berkeley College where she teaches law and criminal justice courses. Mrs. Hampton has also served as President and Vice- President of the Dominican Bar Association, Deputy Regional President of the Hispanic National Bar Association-NY Region, and Executive Board Member of the Network of Bar Leaders. During her tenure as President of the Dominican Bar Association, Ms. Hampton re-instituted law clinics whose purpose was to provide legal advice, in Spanish, to the Dominican community.
Joyce Hartsfield is the Executive Director of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, focused on issues affecting both employees and litigants of color. Hartsfield is a past President of the Bronx County Bar Association, and an active member of the Black Bar of Bronx County. Joyce started her career with the Legal Aid Society and has been in private practice since 1982.
Peter Harvey is a past Attorney General of New Jersey and a former federal prosecutor.  Currently, he is a Partner at Patterson Belknap where he represents corporations and individuals in business disputes throughout the nation. He also conducts internal investigations for senior executives seeking to learn facts about employee misconduct or inappropriate business practices.
Renee C. Hill is an experienced trial attorney concentrating in Criminal Defense.Ms. Hill served as the Acting Justice of the Village of Harriman Court from March, 2008 through March, 2015.  In late, 2011, Ms. Hill partnered with Stacey Richman, Esq. to form Richman Hill & Associates, PLLC. She is the past President of The Black Bar Association of Bronx County.
Oscar Holt III is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Law at St. John’s University, and maintains an office in Garden City, New York, for private practice, specializing in criminal defense. Holt is a former member of the New York City Mayor’s Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.
Martin Horn is a Distinguished Lecturer at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York. Horn served simultaneously as Correction Commissioner and Probation Commissioner for the City of New York, and earlier as Secretary of Corrections for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For many years, Horn was also the Executive Director of New York State’s paroling authority.
Daniel E. Karson is the Chairman of Kroll, and has more than 40 years’ experience directing investigations of business crimes. Prior to joining Kroll, Karson was General Counsel and Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Investigation of the City of New York and also worked as an Assistant District Attorney of Bronx County, serving as Chief of Narcotics Investigations.
The Hon. Eileen Koretz is a retired Judge who presided in the New York County Criminal Court and the Midtown Community Court before being designated as Supervising Judge of the New York County Criminal Court. Prior to that, Judge Koretz served as Assistant District Attorney and an Administrative Assistant District Attorney in the Office of the Bronx County District Attorney. Koretz serves as a consultant to the Center for Court Innovation and is currently a Judicial Hearing Officer.
Glenn Lau-Kee is the Immediate Past President of the New York State Bar Association and a partner of Kee & Lau-Kee. He concentrates his practice in real estate and business law. Formerly, he served as president of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and was appointed by former Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye to serve on the Commission to Examine Solo and Small Firm Practice, and the Committee to Promote Public Trust and Confidence in the Legal System.
The Hon. Judy Harris Kluger was appointed Executive Director of Sanctuary for Families in January 2014 after serving 25 years as a judge in New York State. Prior to her work at Sanctuary, Judge Kluger served as Chief of Policy and Planning for the New York State court system. Judge Kluger was also responsible for the statewide implementation of the Integrated Domestic Violence Courts, and prior to her appointment to the bench, she headed the Domestic Violence Bureau in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
Lenore Kramer is a founding member of Kramer & Dunleavy LLP, the first women-owned law firm New York State to focus on women's health and safety issues.  Kramer also previously served as the President of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, as President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and also as President of the Bronx Bar Association. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission on Minorities, and as a member of the New York State Judicial Departmental Screening Panel, 2nd Judicial Department.  
Betty Lugo is the President of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and is a founding member of Pacheco & Lugo, PLLC.  Pacheco & Lugo, PLLC is the first Hispanic women owned law firm in New York.  She conducts trials, hearings, arbitrations, and appeals in complex matters in both State and Federal Courts.  She began her legal career as the first Hispanic woman to work as an Assistant District Attorney in the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Justine "Tina" Luongo is the Attorney-in-Charge of the Criminal Practice of The Legal Aid Society. Luongo has been integrally involved in the development of numerous training programs at the Society, including the Criminal Defense Project, Felony Training in New York County, New Attorney and Department of Probation trainings on LGBTQ cultural competency and a host of other client centered practice methods.
Teresa Mason is a partner with Bahn Multer LLP.  Ms. Mason previously served as Vice President of Health Policy for Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc, as Chief of Staff to Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, as Vice President for Systems Application and Technologies, Inc as Executive Vice President for MBNA America Bank, a Sheriff for the City of New York, as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for NYS Department of Taxation, and as an Assistant District Attorney for Bronx County.
Wayne S. McKenzie is General Counsel for the NYC Department of Probation (DOP). He is also actively involved in key reform efforts and special projects in DOP’s Adult and Juvenile Operations. Prior to joining DOP, Wayne was the founding Director of the Prosecution and Racial Justice Program at the Vera Institute of Justice. Before joining Vera, he was a prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. McKenzie is a Vice-President-At-Large on the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Council, which is the governing body of the CJS. He is an active participant in community outreach programs and has a special interest in criminal justice reform and public safety, and in programs that focus on youth.
Marvin Ray Raskin is the Chairman of the Criminal Courts Committee of the Bronx County Bar Association. Raskin has been a preeminent member of the Bronx County Bar Association for more than 35 years, and was elected president in 1994.  He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the office of Bronx District Attorney Burton B. Roberts. Since 1977, Raskin has been an active trial practitioner in New York City and the surrounding counties.
Bishop Antonio Rosario is the CEO of the Bronx Clergy Task Force from the Bronx Borough President’s Office of Faith Based Initiatives, and also is a member of the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council. Bishop Rosario has spent 51 years bringing unity to our communities, boroughs and state; bringing denominational unity to develop programs for jobs.  
The Reverend Malobe Sampson of the Thessalonia Worship Center in the Bronx, has worked in ministry for over twenty years and has developed a specialty in Outreach, Missions and Men’s Ministry. Rev. Sampson is the Founder and President of the African Initiative Mission Foundation aka AIM Foundation, which aims to alleviate poverty.
Barry Scheck is the co-founder of The Innocence Project at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Scheck is also a Professor of Law at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and also is a past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Prior to becoming a law professor and entering private practice, Scheck was a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society in the Bronx.
Corey Sokoler has been a criminal private practitioner for 27 years. He is currently the 2nd Vice President of the Bronx County Bar Association. Mr. Sokoler started his career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx.
Lisa Sorin is the Executive Director of Westchester Square Business Improvement District.  Sorin is also the Founder of LAS Consulting Services, Inc., which provided marketing, public relations and event planning services for nonprofit and corporate entities. She served as the first woman President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and remains on their executive board.
Robin Steinberg is the founder of The Bronx Defenders, where she developed holistic defense – a client-centered model of public defense that uses interdisciplinary teams of advocates to address both the underlying causes and collateral consequences of criminal justice involvement. She has taught trial skills at various law schools, and is currently a Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School, where she teaches a seminar on holistic defense.
Jean Walsh has been an attorney for over 34 years working in both the public and private sectors.  Since 2013, Walsh has been a Deputy Superintendent of Banks for the New York State Department of Financial Services.  Walsh’s legal career began in 1981 at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, where she served as an Assistant District Attorney for 13 years.  She later became an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York.
Jonathan Washburn is the Senior Vice President and has served as global head of risk management for Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. a global publisher, developer and distributor of interactive entertainment software. Mr. Washburn previously served as the Chief of the Proceeds of Crime Unit in the Office of Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau. Mr. Washburn also served as the District Attorney’s lead investigator into the role of New York financial institutions in the collapse of Enron, which led to one of the largest settlements in our State’s history.
Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin is senior counsel in the firm’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group in the New York office.  Prior to joining Alston & Bird, Justice Weinberg Ellerin served more than 20 years as an Appellate Division justice. She was the first woman appointed as Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York for the New York City Courts, and the only woman appointed Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division First Department.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Albanian-American Community Celebrates 103 Years of Independence



ALBANIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE ALBANIAN INDEPENDENCE WITH FLAG RAISINGS IN NEW YORK

New York, November 20, 2015 - The history of the Albanian people is unique: as direct descendants of the ancient Illyrians, Albanians are among the oldest civilizations of Europe. The Albanian language constitutes its own branch of the Indo-European languages, and Albanian cultural traditions are distinctive for their extraordinary emphasis on hospitality and generosity (something that no doubt influenced the most famous Albanian of all - Noble laurate, Mother Teresa). Additionally, military historians and even American poets such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow alike tell of exceptional Albanian boldness and valor, as exemplified by the Albanian national hero Scanderbeg.

It was that same independence of spirit and desire for self-determination that led to Albania's declaration of independence 103 years ago from the Ottoman Empire, on November 28, 1912. On that day, the Albanian flag - a black double-headed eagle on a red background - was raised, and ended over 500 years of foreign rule.

This year, Albanians in the New York area will honor this historic event with commemorative flag raisings in the New York City, during which the Albanian flag will be raised to fly next to the American flag. Albanians consider the United States its closest ally - from President Woodrow Wilson's support for Albanian independence a century ago through the more recent American support of Kosova's independence. As such, all Americans -- Albanian and non-Albanian alike -- are invited to attend the flag raisings in celebration of this special relationship, as well as our shared ideals of freedom and liberty.

Event Sponsors:
Albanian American Community Assoc.
Albanian American Educators Assoc.
Albanian American Open Hands Assoc.
Albanian American Society Foundation
Albanian Roots - Rrenjet Shqiptare 
Albanian Professional & Entrepreneurs Network - APEN
AAWO Motrat Qiriazi 
Fondacioni Plave Guci
Lukaj Foundation
Shoqata Batalioni Atlantiku
Shoqata Malesia e Madhe NY
Shoqata Rugova
Shoqata Shqiptare Amerikane Ana e Malit

Event Supporters:
Albanian American Community- Waterbury
Albanian American Council
Albanian American National Org.
Albanian American Writers Assoc.
Ansambli Bashkimi Kombetar
Bijte e Shqipes
Dom Simon Filipaj Foundation
MASSBESA
MALCC
Shoqata Atdhetare Dibra
Shoqata Atdhetare Kraja
Shoqata Cameria
Shoqata Kelmendi
Shoqata Peja
Shtepia e Drejtesise dhe Pajtimit Kombetar
Shoqata Humanitare Shqiptare Amerikane Philadelphia
The Women's Organization Hope and Peace

Event will have American Elected Officials and Albanian and American Community leaders in attendance.

In addition to the flag raisings, visuals will include young Albanian-Americans dressed in traditional Albanian clothing.

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Click HERE to download invitation
Click HERE to download press release.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

49th Precinct Community Council Meeting Tuesday, November 24th 7:30 PM at Kings Harbor Multicare Community Center, 2000 East Gun Hill Road



The 49th Precinct Community Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 24th 7:30 PM
Kings Harbor Multicare Community Center, 2000 East Gun Hill Road

NYC POLICE DEPARTMENT KICKS OFF 27TH ANNUAL NEW YORK CARES COAT DRIVE



NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF OF TRANSIT JOSEPH FOX AND FORMER NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR EMEKA OKAFOR KICKOFF THE 27TH ANNUAL NEW YORK CARES COAT DRIVE

New York Cares Needs Coats Immediately; Already Received Requests for 100,000 Coats to Date

  New York City Police Department Chief of Transit Joseph Fox and former NBA Rookie of the Year Emeka Okafor joined New York Cares today at The Bowery Mission on the Lower East Side to launch the 27th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive.

Chief Fox, Okafor, and New York Cares distributed coats to 100 homeless residents of The Bowery Mission. In addition to today’s coat distribution, another is scheduled on Thursday, December 10th at the Coalition for the Homeless. The need for coats is immediate, as New York Cares has received requests for 100,000 coats to date. In addition, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, the winter of 2015–2016 looks similar to last winter, with bitter cold and snow in New York:http://farmersalmanac.com/weather-outlook/2016-winter-forecast/

From today through Thursday, December 31, 2015 individuals can donate gently used, freshly laundered coats at hundreds of locations throughout the five boroughs including all NYPD Police Precincts, New York Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and many other sites. The New York Cares Coat Drive is in its 27th year and is an annual citywide tradition that has collected more than 1.7 million winter coats for men, women and children in need throughout the city since 1989.

“Building relationships and helping those in need are such characteristic parts of public service – thus it comes as no surprise that our officers are so proud to continue to be a part of this important effort,” said Chief Fox.

“Can you imagine going through an entire winter without a warm coat?” said Gary Bagley, Executive Director at New York Cares. “This is the reality for more than 100,000 New Yorkers, from the homeless to working families forced to make tough choices between rent, food, and warm clothing. We all need to step up and donate a coat this holiday season.”

“With 60,000 men, women and children homeless in New York City, this will be another tough winter for New York’s neediest. Every day at The Bowery Mission, generous New Yorkers help us meet the need,” said David P. Jones, President and CEO of The Bowery Mission. “The New York Cares Coat Drive is another shining example of this generosity. The Bowery Mission is proud to be part of this 27-year tradition.”

New York Cares’ iconic ‘Shivering Statue of Liberty’ Coat Drive PSA will air on the TOSHIBA VISION screens located at the top of One Times Square to raise awareness of the Coat Drive from Tuesday, November 17th to Wednesday, December 30th. The PSA will also appear on billboards, in magazines, and online thanks to efforts by media partners Mindshare, Xaxis, Group M, and Kinetic Worldwide, and will air on NBC 4 New York and Bloomberg TV.

About The 27th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive
The New York Cares Coat Drive is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Since 1989, New York Cares has collected and distributed more than 1.7 million coats.

The thousands of donated coats will be counted, sorted and distributed to organizations serving the homeless and other low-income New Yorkers, at an 8,600 square foot temporary warehouse space located at 157 West 31st Street in midtown Manhattan. 

The sponsors for this year’s New York Cares Coat Drive are the New York City Police Department, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), Vornado Realty Trust, Toshiba, KKR, Delta Airlines, Mindshare, NBC 4 New York, Bloomberg, and Time Warner Cable.

New Yorkers can make financial donations in support of the Coat Drive and New York Cares’ year-round work online, by text or by mail.  For more information about the New York Cares Coat Drive, locations, news, or to make a financial donation, the public can visit www.newyorkcares.org or call 646-801-4022.

Where to Donate Coats
New Yorkers can donate gently-used, freshly laundered coats at almost 300 public sites around the city, as well as hundreds of private sites hosted by corporations and civic groups. 

New Yorkers may donate coats at the following locations through Thursday, December 31, 2015. Please visitnewyorkcares.org for exact times and locations, and additional collection sites.

·         Every New York City Police Precinct (24 hours a day)
·         Every library branch in the Queens Public Library system (during open hours)
·         The New York Cares Warehouse, 157 West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues (9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday)
·         New York Cares office, 65 Broadway (weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
·         New York Penn Station - LIRR concourse (weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
·         Grand Central Terminal - Track 16/Graybar Passage (weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
·         And many more sites citywide.
                                                       
About New York Cares
New York Cares is the largest volunteer network in the city. Last year, 62,000 New Yorkers made the city a better place by volunteering in New York Cares programs at 1,400 nonprofits and schools – improving education, meeting immediate needs, and revitalizing public spaces. For more information, visit newyorkcares.org.

About The Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879.  This year, The Bowery Mission provided more than 406,000 meals to men, women and children, 91,000 nights of shelter and 44,000 articles of clothing, as well as showers, haircuts, and expert medical and optometric care.  Each meal and every night of shelter is an invitation to residential recovery programs, where men and women get a second chance and lives are transformed from hopelessness to hope.  Last year, the Mission’s residential programs served nearly 300 men and women who are regaining sobriety, reconnecting with family and faith, pursuing educational goals, and preparing for work and independent living.  To ensure that at-risk children have a positive first chance at life, The Bowery Mission’s city camp and summer camp serves nearly 1,200 at-risk children from poor city neighborhoods.  www.bowery.org
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Tenants Rising NYC



Friends, 
Tomorrow's rally for Tenants' Rights at City Hall will be rescheduled for Monday, November 23rd at 11AM at Foley Square. 

I appreciate your flexibility as we continue our work to hold bad landlords accountable and promote tenants' rights throughout New York City. 

I hope to see you all on Monday morning. 


Sincerely,
Letitia James
NYC Public Advocate

Monday, November 16, 2015

NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYC Police Department, and Acacia Network are Opening Themselves Up for a Lawsuit


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 
By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 
District 32 Bronx County, New York 


  You should know that this past Friday, November 13, 2015, a woman who resides at the homeless shelter located at 941 Intervale Avenue, Bronx, New York, was reportedly stabbed by a resident of the same shelter. The shelter, which is run by Acacia Network is across the street, right in front of my District Office. 
  
According to reports and statements people have given me, the perpetrator was caught on tape breaking the security cameras in the homeless shelter during the weekend (November 7 - 8) before Friday’s stabbing.   
  
The assailant’s vandalism did not come to Acacia’s attention until Monday, November 9, because no one on Acacia’s staff took a look at the cameras over the weekend.  On Tuesday, November 10th, Acacia’s staff reported the destroyed cameras to the police, providing copies of the video tapes to the 41st Precinct, with footage of the suspect smashing the security cameras. 
  
Even though Acacia gave this information to the police, the perpetrator was not questioned or arrested until afterFriday’s stabbing took place.   
  
The family shelter residents at 941 Intervale Avenue went unprotected for a whole week without their building’s security cameras working, and with no one to check for their safety. 
  
It is important for you to know that this shelter, run by Acacia Network, has been the subject of controversy for some time.  Before Acacia, this shelter was run by Aguila, Inc. The NYC Department of Homeless Services took the contract away from Aguila in order to reduce costs, and transferred the shelter to the Acacia Network. 
  
In February, 2015, the Acacia Network submitted a contract to the NYC Department of Homeless Services for services to be provided to the homeless families including security.   
  
Nine months later, that contract continues to flounder somewhere between the NYC Department of Homeless Services and NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office, leaving the residents of 941 Intervale Avenue without the proper security and services they need. This situation has forced Acacia Network to borrow money in order to even try to provide minor security services for the families in that shelter, such as staff to check security cameras.  Without these services, the residents are subject to danger and violence. 
  
We all know, and it has been widely reported, that NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer is refusing to sign many contracts, forcing organizations throughout the City, such as Acacia Network, to cut services or to borrow money from banks, paying interest and incurring extra expenses which the City of New York may never pay back. 
  
As you can see, my dear reader, the incident in which a woman was stabbed, could have been avoided: 
  
1.         If Acacia Network had been able to do their job and hire the security personnel in order to have someone to check the cameras round-the-clock and provide actual and real security to the shelter residents, and not have to wait for a few days before checking their broken cameras; 
  
2.         If the NYPD had acted promptly on the report they received showing the perpetrator on the video destroying the security cameras at 941 Intervale Avenue. We all know that people who destroy a security camera do so for a reason, often to prevent a future crime from being recorded; 
  
3.         If the City of New York’s Department of Homeless Services had been responsible and diligent, knowing that if an agency does not have a properly and officially executed contract, that agency, under their supervision, will not have the necessary resources to provide the needed services that homeless families deserve. If the Department of Homeless Services knew that, they should have had emergency funds available and not have to force the agency to borrow money; 

4.         If the NYC Comptroller Mr. Scott Stronger stopped holding up contracts to agencies, placing homeless families in situations where their lives, services and protection are put in jeopardy.  He should not have waited 9 months for an incident like the stabbing of this woman to realize that agencies need resources in order to protect the homeless. 
  
You should all know that this mess could have been avoided, and this woman who was stabbed would not be suffering today if all of the agencies mentioned above would have done their part. 
  
You should also know that if I were a relative of the woman who was stabbed, I would be taking her to consult a lawyer to see what her options are. 
  
I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz and this is what you should know.  


BP Diaz Urges Bronx Residents to Apply to Their Local Community Board



   Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is inviting Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in The Bronx.

“Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” stated Borough President Diaz. “There are great things happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of community boards. It is important that community residents participate in the decisions that are building and revitalizing our borough, and our community boards are a great place to do so,” said Borough President Diaz.

In addition, Borough President Diaz is encouraging young people ages 16 and 17 to apply for community board membership. Last year, the borough president appointed five young people to the community boards, and is working to insure that there is a least one youth member per community board.

“I believe that the earlier young people become engaged in community affairs and interact with government officials and agencies, the better they will understand government and become active leaders in their communities. It is important to hear the voices of our youth when planning for our neighborhoods.” said Borough President Diaz.

Applications are available at the Borough President’s Community Board office at (718) 590-3914 or at your local community board office. Interested applicants may also get the application on line atbronxboropres.nyc.gov.

The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 5, 2016.