THIS WEEKEND!!!! Public Access to Jerome Park Reservoir

  GROUNDS OF JEROME PARK RESERVOIR TO BE OPENED FOR LIMITED ACCESS RECREATION IN NOVEMBER

The New York City Environmental Protection Agency will open the grounds of Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx for special limited access November 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

The two-mile perimeter along the Reservoir will be open to the public.  Entrance to the Reservoir will be through the Gate House located at the west side of Goulden Avenue, just south of West 205 Street, across the street from Bronx High School of Science. There will be a security check, and no bags, cameras, or cell phones will be allowed inside. EPA will give visitors the opportunity to check cell phones, but should not bring any bags.

Smoking is not allowed near the reservoir, so please do not bring any cigarettes, cigars, lighters or matches with you.

Please wear closed toe shoes.

Dogs will not be allowed.

All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver before admittance.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz Kicks Off Annual Holiday Canned Food Drive

NY-Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz(D-Bronx) has kicked off his annual canned food and turkey drive with students from local schools and participating residential buildings. 

The Assemblyman’s office will be accepting donations until December 16^th with a pick-up for Thanksgiving scheduled for November 14^th. Food will be donated to various non-profit organizations in the Northwest Bronx for families in need during the Thanksgiving, Chanukah, and Christmas holiday seasons.  The following canned and non-perishable food items are accepted: canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, dried beans, pasta, rice, tuna, coffee, teas, canned juices, powdered milk, jell-o, and soups.  No glass jars are acceptable except for baby food.

Some schools are also collecting one-dollar donations for the purchase of turkeys for needy families on Thanksgiving.

“Our annual food drive is always such a wonderful event, and I believe this year’s will be even better than the last,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz. “I am always encouraged to continue this event by the selfless actions of our community. We always see a huge swell of support for this, from buildings, to schools, to residents who drop off even a single can at my office. Every year this community donates an impressive amount of food for those in need, making me proud to represent such a generous community. I look forward to another great year of giving, and thank in advance everyone who participates through their donations.”   

Residents are encouraged to set up their own collection bins in their buildings as well, and a time for pick-up can be coordinated by contacting Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office.

Residents may donate their canned goods to Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office located at 3107 Kingsbridge Avenue; one block west of Broadway, just off of West 231st Street.  For more information, call (718) 796-5345.

VISION ZERO: AS DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS, MAYOR DE BLASIO REMINDS NEW YORKERS OF DANGERS OF DUSK AND EVENINGS ON OUR STREETS

Clocks “fall back” this Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 AM; as part of new Vision Zero Dusk and Darkness initiative, stepped up NYPD enforcement against dangerous driving will be concentrated between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM

   Mayor Bill de Blasio today issued a reminder to New Yorkers about the dangers of dusk and evening hours as clocks change this coming Sunday. The de Blasio Administration last week announced a new Vision Zero Dusk and Darkness initiative that includes stepped-up NYPD enforcement against unsafe driving during those hours, supplemented by the addition of new street lighting to high-crash crosswalks, a new educational awareness campaign and new street redesigns. Fall and winter evenings have traditionally been the most dangerous time of year for pedestrians, with serious crashes during that time increasing by 40 percent compared to the rest of the year.

“While we all can be grateful for an extra hour’s sleep this coming weekend, at the same time we all need to stay alert and mindful of the Vision Zero focus on safety,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Darker afternoons and evenings make a big difference on our streets for the safety of pedestrians, especially for our seniors. We are reminding drivers to be extra-vigilant, slowing down and turning at 5 miles per hour on our streets – someone’s life could literally depend on it.”

“The NYPD is working with our partners to increase pedestrian safety, especially after the daylight saving time change – when the sunset is earlier in the day and coincides with the evening rush,” said NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “New York is a fast-paced City, but I want to ask all New Yorkers – especially motorists – to slow down and look out for one another. Officers will be issuing summonses to those who don’t.”

“Our research shows that rush-hour driving in newly dark evenings of the fall can be a perilous combination for pedestrians,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “One of our major goals for Vision Zero is to increase awareness and counteract careless driving behavior, so we are reminding New Yorkers that in the colder, darker months ahead, they need to exercise extra caution and slow down, especially when taking turns.”

DOT conducted extensive analysis of year-over-year crash trends, and noted that:

·         The earlier onset of darkness in the fall and winter is highly correlated to a 40 percent increase in traffic injuries and fatalities.

·         Lower visibility during the dark hours of the colder months leads to twice as many crashes involving turns.

·         Daylight saving time ended last year on November 1, 2015; in the eight days following last year’s “fall-back” clock change, nine New York City pedestrians lost their lives, one of the deadliest periods of the entire year. All of the victims were between 55 and 88 years old; only three of those deaths occurred during daylight hours.

In 2016, as part of Vision Zero, DOT has implemented its most aggressive street redesign safety program, with increased investment in street redesign and traffic-calming measures citywide. DOT has also improved the safety at a record number of dangerous intersections and thoroughfares, installing more than 18 miles of protected bike lanes along key high traffic corridors like Queens Boulevard, 6th Avenue, Chrystie Street, Jay Street, and Amsterdam Avenue and installed a record number of leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) – more than 500 – to give pedestrians a head start while crossing the street.

For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please see www.nyc.gov/visionzero.

BJCC Breakfast of Champions Wed. Nov 30th

Help us keep our food pantry full!  Tickets for the breakfast can be  purchased at our NY Charities Page.  We need your journal ads by Friday,  November 18!  Looking forward to seeing you on  November 30.

Visit our Website:  http://www.bjcconline.org/ and  Like us on Facebook

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN HOSTS NALOXONE TRAINING

  In response to recent heroin-related deaths in the community, Senator Jeff Klein, along with the Throggs Neck Community Action Partnership and the NYC Department of Health, hosted a Naloxone training session at Villa Barone Manor last night. The event was attended by over 200 people who were very interested in stopping a problem that has become increasing in their community

Carolynn Colandro, whose son died of a fatal overdose, shared the story of how her 29 year old Nicholas was lead on to a path which eventually killed him. As she was telling the story Ms. Colandro had to stop, and her daughter Francesca had to continue until her mother regained her composure to be able to finish her families tragedy over drug addition which led to Nicholas's death.

Also on hand were family and friends of Christopher Morello, Anthony Trotta, and Billy Brennan who also recently died of drug overdoses. They wanted to know what the police department in the area was doing about drug sales in the 45th Precinct, and Senator Klein said that he would set up a town hall meeting so that community residents could get the answers why this is increasing in the area.

To prevent further tragedies, Senator Klein discussed the recently enacted laws to help combat the heroin and opioid epidemic. there was also a presentation from the New York City Department of Health. Those in attendance who came to find out more about Naloxone who filled out a required form received a Naloxone kit. They were also instructed on how to use Naloxone if they see someone they think is overdosing on a drug.

Above - Photos and names of those who have died of drug overdoses in the 45th Precinct over the past year or two.

Below - State Senator Jeff Klein presents some information on how New York State has put aside $189 million dollars to fight and educate people of all ages on drug treatment and prevention programs, among other ways of ending the current drug overdose crisis.

Above - Carolynn Colandro tells of the horrors of her son Nicholas's addiction to drugs. She mentions that he was overcoming it, but wound up using drugs again which wound up killing him.

Below - As her mother can no longer speak Nicholas's sister Francesca continues to tell of the horrors that the Colandro family went through.

Above - Senator Klein thanks Carolynn Colandro and daughter Francesca on being brave and able to tell the story of the addiction that lead up to the death of Nicholas Colandro.

Below - Naloxone kits are being given to those who filled out requests, and they are being given instructions on how to use Naloxone should they ever need to use it.  

U.S. Attorney Reaches Agreement With City Of Yonkers To Enhance Police Department Policies And Procedures

  Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Vanita Gupta, the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights for the Department of Justice, announced today that the United States has entered into an agreement with THE CITY OF YONKERS (the “City”) and THE CITY OF YONKERS POLICE DEPARTMENT (“YPD”), which is the product of the United States’ comprehensive investigation of YPD police practices and furthers the parties’ commitment to constitutional policing. 

  

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “This agreement ensures that the Yonkers Police Department polices in a way that keeps its citizens safe, while protecting their constitutional rights.  The measures put in place with this agreement, including clear and reasonable use-of-force policies and guidance on how to properly evaluate and respond to use-of-force incidents, will make Yonkers safer for citizens and police alike.  We thank the Yonkers Police Department and the City of Yonkers for cooperating with our investigation, and for joining our effort to ensure that the Yonkers Police Department protects its citizens not only from physical harm, but also from violations of their constitutional rights.”

Head of the Civil Rights Division Vanita Gupta said: “This agreement will ensure that the Yonkers Police Department continues to advance constitutional, effective and community-oriented policing.  Through clear policy guidance, data analysis and accountability systems, we believe these reforms will make the entire community safer and strengthen public trust in the police.”

The agreement is the result of the United States’ comprehensive investigation of YPD police practices that began in August 2007 under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.  In June 2009, the United States sent the City a technical assistance letter that identified necessary reforms to YPD practices and policies in the areas of use of force, citizen complaints, investigations, supervisory oversight, and training.  After receiving the United States’ technical assistance letter, the City and YPD made substantial changes to its policies and procedures.  The agreement implements and further improves those policies and procedures and addresses the United States’ remaining concerns.  Under the agreement, the YPD will, among other things:

• Maintain and implement clear use-of-force policies that require officers to use only that force which is reasonable in light of the resistance encountered and to de-escalate force immediately as resistance decreases, and provide that the use of unreasonable force may subject officers to discipline, possible criminal prosecution, and/or civil liability.

• Thoroughly and timely evaluate, document, and review use-of-force incidents, arrests, and citizen complaints of officer misconduct.

• Maintain and implement clear policies on investigatory stops and detentions, which permit investigatory stops and detentions only where the officer has the reasonable suspicion, under the totality of the circumstances, that criminal activity or a violation of law has been or is about to be committed.

• Develop a system to collect data on all investigatory stops and searches, except stops purely for traffic enforcement, whether or not they result in an arrest or issuance of a citation.  The system shall require recording of, among other things, the officer’s name and badge number; the subject’s apparent race, ethnicity, gender and age; and the reason for the stop, including a description of the facts creating reasonable suspicion.

• Permit onlookers or bystanders to witness, observe, record, and/or comment on officer conduct, including stops, detentions, searches, arrests, or uses of force, with some limitations.

• Continue to develop and implement a computerized risk management system to identify and respond to potentially problematic incidents, officers, units, training, and tactics. 

• Continue to maintain and build community relationships and engage constructively with the community to ensure collaborative problem-solving efforts and to increase community confidence in the Department, including by developing a survey to measure officer outreach to a cross-section of community members in each precinct, with an emphasis on community partnerships and problem-solving strategies that build mutual respect and trusting relationships with community stakeholders. 

• Ensure that officers and supervisors receive appropriate levels of training in constitutional policing.

The agreement also provides that consultants retained by the United States will conduct compliance reviews to ensure that YPD has implemented the measures required by the agreement, and issue public reports of those compliance reviews. 

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Multi-State Settlement With NFL Permanently Barring League-Wide Mandatory Ticket Price Floor

Agreement Also Prohibits The NFL From Directing Or Requiring Ticketing Practices Among Teams That Are Designed To Preclude Fans From Using Competing Exchanges; Settlement Continues The Office’s Focus On Cleaning Up Ticketing Industry

Schneiderman: My Office Will Continue To Fight For The Rights Of Sports Fans And Concertgoers By Ensuring That Markets Are Free, Competitive, And Not Subject To Manipulation

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a multi-state settlement with the National Football League (“NFL”) resolving antitrust concerns about the NFL’s league-wide mandatory price floor policy. The policy required each of the 32 NFL member teams to impose a price floor on all secondary market ticket sales on the NFL’s Ticket Exchange and related websites officially sanctioned by the league. Under this arrangement, which the NFL terminated after the investigation began, sellers were not permitted to list tickets for resale on the NFL’s officially sanctioned resale sites at a price lower than the face-value of the ticket. 

“No sports fan should be forced to buy, or sell, a ticket at an artificially inflated price,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Under the NFL’s price floor scheme, fans were forced to pay inflated prices for even the least desirable NFL games. That is a slap to both sports fans and free markets. My office will continue to fight for the rights of sports fans and concertgoers by ensuring that secondary markets are free and competitive. In the meantime, I encourage every NFL team—and every team in professional sports—to heed the call of all sports fans and remove price floors from every team-authorized secondary ticket market.”

As a result of Attorney General Schneiderman’s investigation, the NFL eliminated its league-wide mandatory price floor policy during the course of the investigation, and that is enshrined in the conduct prohibitions of this agreement.  As forward-looking precautions, the settlement agreement also includes disclosure requirements in cases where an individual team imposes its own price floor, prohibits the NFL from directing or requiring ticketing practices among teams that are designed to preclude fans from using competing exchanges, and prohibits the NFL from interfering with an individual team’s efforts to coordinate anti-fraud measures with competing secondary ticket exchanges. The agreement also provides for payment in excess of $100,000 towards the costs of this multi-state investigation. 

This settlement is part of the Attorney General’s continued efforts to address troubling practices in the markets for  sports and entertainment tickets. The Attorney General’s office released a report titled Obstructed View: What’s Blocking New Yorkers From Getting Tickets on January 28, 2016, highlighting troubling practices in the live entertainment industry that keep affordable tickets out of the hands of ordinary New Yorkers.

In June, New York passed legislation increasing penalties for ticket brokers who use illegal bots to snatch up tickets, following legislation proposed by the Attorney General.

A copy of the agreement can be found here. 

The investigation and settlement are the result of a multi-state investigation lead by the Office of the Attorney General of New York. The agreement was also signed by the Attorney’s General of Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

“SEV-O” GANG MEMBERS INDICTED FOR SHOOTINGS, ROBBERIES AND STEALING $200,000 FROM ATM MACHINES

Twelve Defendants Charged in Conspiracy; Posed with Riches on Social Media

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that 12 members of the “Sev-O” gang have been indicted in a conspiracy that includes four shootings, three robberies and a check scam that netted them more than $200,000 from ATM machines. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “These young men engaged in street violence, as well as electronic thievery, and brazenly posed with wads of cash and bragged about their exploits on social media. Officers of the 44th Precinct were instrumental in making this case.” 

District Attorney Clark said that the defendants, who range in age from 17 to 23 years old, allegedly belong to an offshoot of the Bloods and call themselves Sev O because most of them reside near East 170th Street and Clay Avenue in the Claremont section of the Bronx. 

They were variously charged in a 71-count indictment including first, second, third, fourth and fifth-degree Conspiracy, second-degree Attempted Murder, second and fourth degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, second and third-degree Assault, first, second and third-degree Robbery, fourth-degree Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and other charges. 

Five of those indicted were already in jail and seven were arrested yesterday. Four of the defendants have been arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett and are due back in court on January 19, 2017 and the rest are awaiting arraignment. 

Five of the defendants are charged with first-degree Conspiracy and could face a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted. The others could face up to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted of second-degree Conspiracy. A thirteenth person was charged only with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. 

 According to the investigation, members of the group allegedly engaged in four shootings at rival crews. On November 22, 2015, in the vicinity of 1398 Clay Avenue, it is alleged that defendant Joel Baba (“Jay Gunz”) and Deiondre Harris (“Stackz) were acting together, and Harris shot towards members of a rival gang, grazing a man in the head. On November 28, 2015, during a conversation with a person on Facebook, Harris posted a screenshot of a news article referring to a recent shooting in which a man was grazed in the head, then stated to the person, “We going to jail…I hit something in the head.” 

 In one of the robberies charged as an overt act in the indictment, on July 13, 2014, in the vicinity of Fordham Road and Webster Avenue, defendants Emmanuel Bruntson (“Kase”), 23, and Latif Evans (“La La”), 20, and others allegedly surrounded a young boy on a bus, robbed him of his cell phone and ID, displayed a blade and told the victim that if he snitched they knew where he lived and would kill him. 

 According to the indictment, the group obtained bank cards, PIN numbers and forged checks. In numerous transactions, they deposited the checks into ATMs and withdrew the cash, for a total in excess of $200,000. 

 The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Paul Irace of the Gangs/Major Case Bureau, under the supervision of Christine Scaccia, Chief of the Gangs/Major Case Bureau. District Attorney Clark would also like to thank Police Officers Jawuan Hubbard and Sean Brown, formerly of the 44th Precinct; the Field Intelligence Officers of the 44th Precinct, and the Bronx Grand Larceny Squad for their assistance in this case.  

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

DEFENDANTS: 

LAQUAN HEYWARD, A/K/A QUAN (10/7/94), 364 East 170th Street, Bronx, NY, REMANDED 

ANDRE CURRY-CRUZ, A/K/A FLEX (12/17/94), 3190 Rochambeau Avenue, Bronx, NY 

RASHAUN POPE, A/K/A RAY (4/18/97), 1241 College Avenue Bronx, NY $10,000 BAIL SET

DEVON VINES, A/K/A DEV (5/27/93), 1355 Clay Avenue, Bronx, NY REMANDED

RONNIE SULLIVAN, A/K/A ZAY (1/12/99), 1487 Teller Avenue, Bronx, NY

JOEL BABA, A/K/A JAY GUNZ (11/5/97), 1405 College Avenue, Bronx, NY 

LATIF EVANS, A/K/A LA LA (12/11/95), 3190 Rochambeau Avenue, Bronx, NY 

TYQUAN SMITH, A/K/A MOOKIE (12/26/95), 150 West 139th Street NY, NY 

DEIONDRE HARRIS, A/K/A STACKZ (3/14/95), 306 East 171st Street, Bronx, NY 

EMMANUEL BRUNTSON, A/K/A KASE (9/6/93), 15 East Clarke Place, Bronx, NY 

DAVON DELKS, A/K/A DAY DAY (1/1/99), 306 East 171st Street, Bronx, NY 

BRYAN VINES, A/K/A TREY (2/24/92), 739 Arnow Avenue Bronx, NY $100,000 BAIL SET Charged only with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument: RAMEL LOGAN (8/12/96), 1810 Lexington Avenue NY, NY RELEASED