Comptroller Stringer: NYC’s Economic Growth Slowed at the End of 2016

NYC’s Gross City Product grew 1.8%, down from 2.8% last quarter

Unemployment rate ticked up to 5.6 percent as more New Yorkers entered the labor force

Average hourly earnings in NYC grew slower than inflation in the Fourth Quarter, remaining effectively flat for the year

Potential cuts from the Trump White House add economic uncertainty

   New York City’s economy showed signs of slowing growth in the Fourth Quarter of 2016, according to a Quarterly Economic Update released today by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. The analysis found that the City’s economy grew 1.8 percent during the fall and winter of 2016, down from 2.8 percent growth in the Third Quarter, and the second lowest rate since 2014.

The report highlighted several economic indicators that show a slowdown, including rising unemployment, lackluster wage growth, declining commercial leasing activity, and continued declines in venture capital investments. The Comptroller’s report comes as the City faces extraordinary uncertainty around funding cuts from Washington.

“Last August I reported the economy had gone from a sprint to a jog. Now, New York City’s economy has slowed to a walk. After years of steady growth, we’re beginning to see real signs of an economic slowdown. From flat wage growth, to an uptick in unemployment, to declining venture capital investments, there are causes for concern and we need to be prepared,” New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer said. “The economy’s still growing, but we have to make smart choices now so we are prepared in case tougher times arrive.”

The Fourth Quarter of 2016 saw 24,700 New Yorkers join the labor force, a positive indicator, although it helped drive the unemployment rate up to 5.6 percent.

Increases in average hourly earnings (AHE) slightly lagged inflation, with year-over-year rises of 1.5 percent and 1.6 percent respectively. That means that real wages and consumer buying power did not increase between the Fourth Quarters of 2015 and 2016. Between January and December of 2016, the City’s AHE grew less than 1 percent – the lowest annual growth since 2009.

Businesses in the City also reported indicators of a slowdown as 2016 came to a close. Venture capital investment in the New York metro area declined for the third consecutive quarter, falling 10.2 percent to about $2 billion. Total venture capital investment during 2016 fell for the first year since 2012 to $7.9 billion – 9.6 percent less than last year. In a positive sign, the City’s share of venture capital nationwide grew to 13.5 percent of the total.

In the Fourth Quarter, new commercial leasing activity in Manhattan fell 8.6 percent year-over-year to 5.8 million square feet (msf) – the fifth decline in the last six quarters. Overall, in 2016 total leasing activity fell 6.7 percent.

Released every quarter, the Comptroller’s Quarterly Economic Update examines a broad range of data that reflect current economic conditions in New York City. The report also highlights relevant national indicators. Though numbers can change significantly from quarter to quarter, they can be used to identify what could be potential long-term trends. Findings include:

New York City’s economy slowed at the end of 2016

• The City’s economy expanded 1.8 percent in the Fourth Quarter of 2016, below the 2.8 percent growth in the Third Quarter.

• For the entirety of 2016, the City economy expanded by 2.9 percent, slower than growth of 3.3 percent in 2015.

• The City continued to outpace the nation, with U.S. GDP rising at a 1.6 percent rate for 2016 as a whole. The City’s Fourth Quarter growth almost matched national growth of 1.9 percent during that period.

The City’s job market was weaker than 2015

• Preliminary data indicate that the City lost 14,500 private-sector jobs in the Fourth Quarter – the first quarterly decrease since the Third Quarter of 2009. The majority of these jobs were in medium-wage industries (8,500), followed by high-wage industries (4,100), and low-wage industries (1,900).

• For 2016 as a whole, however, the City added a fairly robust 89,500 jobs, but lower than 119,100 added in 2015. This represents an increase of 2.1 percent, compared to 1.7 percent in the nation. Most new private-sector jobs in 2016 were in low-wage sectors (41,000 or 48.5 percent) followed by mid-wage (30,000 or 35.2 percent) and high-wage (14,000 or 16.3 percent).

Real wages remained flat

• Private-sector average hourly earnings (AHE) in the City increased 1.5 percent, just below the 1.6 percent inflation rate in the metro area. For all of 2016, the City’s AHE grew only 0.7 percent, the lowest growth since 2009, and below national growth of 2.5 percent.

• City personal income tax (PIT) revenues rose 2.9 percent on a year-over-year basis to about $2.6 billion in the last quarter of 2016. While income taxes withheld from paychecks rose 4.6 percent to over $1.9 billion, estimated tax payments, which reflect trends in taxpayers’ non-wage income, including interest earned, rental income, and capital gains, fell 7.9 percent to $297 million.

• For the full year, City PIT revenues fell one percent as withholding grew 2.7 percent, but estimated tax payments declined 10 percent.

Unemployment rate rose

• The City’s unemployment rate rose to 5.6 percent in the Fourth Quarter, up from 5.5 percent in the last quarter and above the U.S. average of 4.7 percent.

• The number of unemployed New Yorkers rose by 8,400 in the Fourth Quarter, after increasing by 6,800 last quarter.

• The City’s labor force increased by 24,700, implying that some discouraged job seekers have begun searching for work again.

• In the Fourth Quarter, the unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent in Queens, 5.2 percent in Brooklyn, and 7 percent in the Bronx. The rate remained unchanged at 5.1 percent in Staten Island and increased from 4.4 to 4.5 percent in Manhattan.

Venture capital investing and commercial leasing activity continued to contract

• Venture capital investment in the New York metro area fell for the third consecutive quarter, declining 10.2 percent, to about $2 billion, but the City’s share of venture capital nationwide grew to 16.8 percent of the total.

• For the full year, investment fell 9.6 percent to $7.9 billion, the first year of decline since 2012, and the City’s share of venture capital nationwide grew to 13.5 percent.

• For the fifth time in the last six quarters, commercial leasing activity in Manhattan contracted, falling 6 percent to 5.8 million square feet in the Fourth Quarter.

• In all of 2016, total Manhattan commercial leasing activity fell 6.7 percent.

Manhattan’s housing market slowed

• While the average home sales price in Manhattan increased for the seventh consecutive quarter, growing 7.7 percent to about $2.1 million, the number of sales fell 7 percent.

• Housing market conditions tightened in both Brooklyn and Queens, as the number of sales grew and average prices increased 17.3 percent to $947,553 and 9.8 percent to $573,455, respectively.

BRONX Community Board 7 HOSTS VETERANS BREAKFAST!

The Bronx Community Board 7 Veterans and Senior Services Committee is hosting its First Annual Veterans Breakfast and Soaring Eagle Awards Ceremony at Lehman College -Music Building on Friday, February 10, 2017 from 9am-12pm. 

This is an opportunity not only for all to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet together, but to shed light on the prominent issues facing veterans, their families and dependents.  In response, to the latest and most comprehensive report from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2016), “22 military veterans on average die by suicide every day”. 

The award ceremony, the first of its kind, where local government officials recognize, amplify, and honor those who have served our country and as well as those who continue to make extraordinary contributions to their communities by presenting them with “The Soaring Heights Eagle Awards”.

After which the Soaring Eagle Recipients will then Honor, Celebrate and Recognize their Spouses, families and dependents, and loved ones those who have also made enormous sacrifices, journeyed the distance, and have weathered the storms by presenting them with “The Wind Beneath My Wings Award”.  ALL Veterans in attendance will be honored and expected to receive individualCitations.

**For those who will attend please enter through Gate 8 located on Bedford and Paul Avenue! 

Award Presenters	Soaring Heights Eagle  Award Recipients	Wind Beneath My Wings Award Recipients
Veterans and Community Members Honor	Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr
NY Assembly Member Pichardo	US Veteran (Retired) General Commissioner Loree Sutton, MD Sgt. Perdroso (Posthumously)	Laura Leitch, Spouse Linda Perdroso, Daughter
NY Council Member Cabrera	US Veteran Stanley Scriven
NY Assembly Member Andy Cohen		Devyn Wray-Scriven, Daughter
NY Assembly Member Marcos Crespo	US Veteran Johnnie H. Williams, Jr.	Ana & Christina Williams, Family
NY Assembly Member Gjonaj	US Veteran Robert Eppich, Jr.	Robert Eppich, Sr., Dad
Bronx Veteran Court Mentors	US Veteran Ayanna Ahmand	Dr. Stephannie L. Addo-Zuniga, Mentor
NYS Senator Jamaal Bailey	US Veteran Anthony Rivieccio	Sheila Sanchez, Friend
NY Council Member Ritchie Torres	Shawn C. Kingston, Veterans Outreach, James A. Peters VA Hosp.	Selina Kingston, Mom
Centers for Healthy Living	US Veteran Tiffany N. Barker	LaTanga Blair, Mentor
MedEquip Supply Corp.	US Veteran Steve Avallone	US Veteran Hiawatha James Watts, Friend
St. Mary’s Hospital	US Veteran Joseph Bello	Vicki Bello, Wife
NY Assembly Member Jose Rivera	US Veteran Latisha Russaw	Ines Adan, Mentor
Sacred Fellowship Ministries	US Veteran Irwin Queen	Dannette Queen
Bronx Independent Living	US Veteran Michael Alford, Sr	Cheryl Alford, Sister
Nat’l Puerto Rican Women	US Veteran Marco Bongioanni, MSE	US Veteran Orlando Pellot
Assembly Member Benedetto	US Veteran Joseph Binder	None
Water2Kids	US Veteran Jeffery Hunter	None
Bronx Community Board 7	US Veteran Johnnie Brooks	Denise Major
Bronx Community Board 7	US Veteran Luis Soltero-Rodriguez	None
Bronx Community Board 7	US Veteran Robert “Bobby” Walker	None

The Bronx Community Board 7 Veterans Committee and Senior Services Committees remain committed to honoring and increasing visibility of issues faced by Veterans and their families - with hope, respect, admiration and support.  

Engel Proud to Join House LGBT Caucus

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel issued the following statement on joining the House LGBT Caucus:

“More than 20 years ago, I was one of the very few House Members who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA made same-sex couples and LGBT Americans invisible to their government. Thankfully, the Supreme Court eventually struck it down, but I voted against it in 1996 because it was the right thing to do. I voted against it because I believed every man and woman deserved the right to love whomever they choose, without fear of discrimination from their government. I voted against it because I knew those who stand against equality stand on the wrong side of history.

“Now, the American people are on our side. The majority of Americans see what I saw in 1996: that every American, regardless of their sexual orientation, deserves equal treatment under the law. That principle has guided me throughout my years in Congress, and I have consistently cast my vote to defend and protect those in the LGBT community because of it.

“I am proud to be the lead sponsor every Congress of a resolution supporting the National Day of Silence, which is an annual day of observance in schools aimed at bringing attention to the bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.

“Joining the House LGBT Caucus is the next step in my 20-plus year record of working to advance LGBT rights. I am so proud to be part of this bipartisan group of lawmakers, and I hope we will be able to work together to ensure equality for all Americans. Our country has come a long way, but the LGBT community still has obstacles to overcome. Together I hope we can pass federal LGBT nondiscrimation legislation, protect LGBT Americans from hate crimes, and continue to make progress toward our goal of equal dignity for every American.”

  

ASSEMBLY AND SENATE PASS ONE YEAR MORATORIUM ON PLASTIC BAG TAX

  The New York State Assembly voted on February 7th to implement a one year moratorium on cities from taxing consumers for using disposable plastic or paper shopping bags. A day earlier the moratorium was passed by the New York State Senate. The bill (A04883) prohibits any taxes, fees, or other charges to be implemented on carryout merchandise bags. If signed by the Governor, the moratorium will take effect February 15th, and expire at the end of 2017.

Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj, and Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, were vocal proponents of the moratorium due to the financial burden it would have on low- and middle-income families, as well as, local businesses.

“I’m glad that both houses overwhelmingly passed the moratorium on the plastic bag fee. The bag fee law places a great financial burden on low-income New Yorkers already struggling to make ends meet. While I greatly value our environment, I believe there’s a more common-sense approach to clean up our cities. I’m excited to work with my colleagues toward a more sensible solution to a reduction in plastic litter,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.  

"I am pleased my colleagues and I have agreed to pass the moratorium on the plastic bag tax. New Yorkers cannot afford another tax, especially one that will disproportionately impact our low-income communities, working families, and senior citizens. I look forward to working towards a solution that paves the way for a cleaner environment, but does not place an unjust burden on our City's most vulnerable residents," Said Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj

"By postponing this foolish tax on the residents of  New York City we have clearly told the New York City Council to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan that will be environmentally friendly but not tax the people," said Assemblyman Michael Benedetto. 

Wave Hill Events Feb 24–Mar 4

  

  The crossover from February to March is a moment when I hold my breath, feeling spring is almost within reach and wondering how strong winter’s grip will be. A perfect moment for natural distractions, and creative ones, too! Try a guided garden walk or a leisurely stroll on your own. Sign up for a new woodworking workshop―a late addition to our calendar inspired by our much-loved Wave Hill Chair workshop. Or sign up to spend a few hours with Winter Workspace artist Cecile Chong, learning to meld storytelling and encaustic.

THU, FEBRUARY 23    FAMILY SALE IN THE SHOP

Visitors enjoy 20% discounts on all kids’ merchandise through today.

PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10AM–4PM

SAT, FEBRUARY 25    WOODWORKING WORKSHOP: WAVE HILL TABLE 

Construct your own outdoor side table, based on the design of the Wave Hill chair, with master carpenter and Director of Facilities Frank Perrone. Don’t have a garden or outdoor space? Use your table indoors! Participants receive step-by-step instructions; no previous carpentry skills required. Space is limited! $95 Member/$125 Non-member. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 9:30AM−4PM

SAT, FEBRUARY 25    FAMILY ART PROJECT: EXOTIC DESERT DWELLERS

Join visiting artists Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao, past participants in Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space, on a visit to Wave Hill’s Cactus and Succulent House. Sketch these exotic desert dwellers, then, using papier-mâché, bendable wire, paint and paper, make an exotic paper plant of your own. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, FEBRUARY 25    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY 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

SAT, FEBRUARY 25    COOKING DEMO: HEAVENLY HONEY 

Honey is a sweet liquid produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers. Discover fascinating facts about honey and compare the complex tastes of different varieties with beekeeper and Wave Hill Horticultural Interpreter Charles Day. Sample honey-infused recipes prepared by Chef Stephen Rosenberg of Great Performances. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 1PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 26    FAMILY ART PROJECT: EXOTIC DESERT DWELLERS

Join visiting artists Adam Frezza and Terri Chiao, past participants in Wave Hill’s Sunroom Project Space, on a visit to Wave Hill’s Cactus and Succulent House. Sketch these exotic desert dwellers, then, using papier-mâché, bendable wire, paint and paper, make an exotic paper plant of your own. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 26    WINTER WORKSPACE DROP-IN SUNDAY

Artists in the Winter Workspace program share their studio practice with visitors on this Drop-in Sunday. Stop by Glyndor Gallery to speak to the artists and get a closer look at the creative process. Free with admission to the grounds. 

GLYNDOR  GALLERY, 1–3PM

SUN, FEBRUARY 27    GARDEN & CONSERVATORY 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

MON, FEBRUARY 28    

Closed to the public

SAT, MARCH 4    WINTER WORKSPACE WORKSHOP: NARRATIVES IN ENCAUSTIC

Work with Winter Workspace artist Cecile Chong to create a personal chronicle or story embedded permanently in encaustic. Fixed in beeswax and resin, your work will become a scrapbook page or visual time-capsule. $55/$45 Wave Hill Member. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. 

GLYNDOR GALLERY, 10AM–1PM

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–4:30PM.  Closes 5:30PM, March 15–October 31.

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

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

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW - And Then Came Carl Heastie - By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz 

And Then Came Carl Heastie

You should know that the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag fee that the Members of the New York City Council planned to impose on residents and shoppers in the City of New York has been postponed for one year.

It is important for you to know that the senior citizens, the poor, the needy and everyone else were threatened with the imposition of paying 5 cents (5¢) for every plastic bag they receive at the checkout, every time they shop in the City of New York.

You should also know that the Republican Members of the New York State Senate, under the Leadership of Senator John Flanagan, and with the help of some Democrats: Senator Joseph Addabbo, Senator Tony Avella, Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator Michael Gianaris, Senator Jeff Klein, Senator José Peralta, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Senator Diane Savino, and Senator David Valesky, and myself, Senator Rubén Díaz voted to approve legislation introduced by Senator Simcha Felder to stop the imposition of the 5 cents (5¢) fee.

This measure was supposed to start on February 15, 2017, as a late Valentine’s Day gift, throughout all five boroughs of the City of New York.

There were some who believed that our senior citizens, the poor and needy, along with everyone who shops in the five boroughs were doomed to pay the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag fee, with no way out, even though the New York State Senate had approved legislation to oppose this fee.

We were all ready to accept this hardship that would be imposed upon senior citizens, the poor and the needy …

And then came Carl Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly, showing great compassion and concern not only for senior citizens, the poor and the needy, but for everyone in the City of New York.

Speaker Heastie allowed for a Bill to be introduced on the Assembly Floor, and then he led the way for Democratic Members of the Assembly to vote for the postponement of this measure for one more year, while a study is conducted to find ways and solutions for the environmental problems caused by shopping bags when they are thrown in the street.

This move by Speaker Heastie and the Members of the New York State Assembly, controlled in Albany by the Democrats is laudable. This sends a message to everyone in the State and the Nation that senior citizens, the poor and the needy really, really, REALLY have a voice in their Democratic Assembly Members, contrary to what took place within the New York State Senate.

You should know that it was discouraging and painful to see and hear Black and Hispanic Senators standing up on the Senate Floor to fight in favor of having senior citizens, the poor and the needy in the City of New York to pay the 5 cents (5¢) fee for each plastic bag.

It was even more painful and disheartening to see and hear even some of the Hispanic Senators standing and speaking on the Senate Floor in favor of imposing this 5 cent (5¢) per plastic bag fee on New York City residents

As you know, they are six Hispanic Senators in the New York Senate. They are: José Peralta, Marisol Alcantara, Martin Malavé Dilan, Gustavo Rivera, José Peralta, and myself, Reverend Rubén Díaz. Only two of us, SenatorJosé Peralta and myself voted in favor of stopping the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag fee.

Ladies and gentlemen, you should know that all of the residents and shoppers in New York City will have some relief for at least one year, and will not have to pay the 5 cents (5¢) per plastic bag while shopping for groceries and other items.

This is all because then came New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and his troops, who like King Leonidas the great Spartan Warrior, who led his 300 hundred warriors against the impossible.

I am Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

If you look at the six Hispanic state senators Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. mentions, I have underlined, put in bold, and italics the name of Jose Padilla Jr. which Senator Reverend Diaz Sr. has mentioned twice. 

Is this once for Democrat Jose Padilla Jr., and one for IDC member Jose Padilla Jr.? 

Or is it that State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr, does not know who is who in the state senate with him? I don't know why the name of Hispanic Bronx/Manhattan State Senator Jose Marcos Serrano was not mentioned, but maybe State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. can answer that if he can remember. 

That is what you need to know.

Local Elected Officials Hold Press Conference Demanding Action on Unsafe Streets Near P.S. 360

  Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz  along with his colleagues Congressman Adriano Espaillat, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, State Senator Jeffrey Klein, Council Member Andrew Cohen  stood today at the intersection of Heath Avenue and Ft. Independence Street to bring attention to dangerous conditions at the intersection and to highlight Ft. Independence’s lack of adequate pedestrian safety measures. Deputy Inspector O’Toole and Detective Mindy Ramos from the Bronx’s 50^th Precinct were also present at the event.

  

  Parents and students walking across the intersection to P.S. 360 must deal with unsafe traffic conditions and drivers must take precautions to be wary of pedestrians.

   Currently, a stop sign is located on the east side of Heath Avenue for northbound traffic right before Heath Avenue intersects with Fort Independence Street.  There is also a yield sign on the west side of Fort Independence Street for southbound traffic right before Fort Independence Street turn into Heath Avenue. Even with the yield sign and stop sign, the three way y shaped intersection at Heath Avenue and Fort Independence remains dangerous. Vehicles that travel west on Fort Independence Street and want to make a left on Heath need to account and stop for oncoming southbound traffic from Fort Independence. As a result, the normal flow of westbound traffic on Fort Independence Street is blocked.   

   The current three way y-shaped intersection should be replaced with a three way traffic light or an all-way stop sign.

  These unsafe conditions also do nothing to alleviate speeding cars on Ft. Independence, which pedestrians, most notably children, must deal with when attempting to cross the street on the way to school or to the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center which hosts several after school programs.

  After repeated requests for a review of traffic conditions by Assemblyman Dinowitz, the Department of Transportation DOT agreed to conduct a twelve week traffic study in September of 2016.  However DOT officials have not released the results of the study, or whether they plan to make changes to the intersection, and have stated that they will not release the results until March 2017.

   “We shouldn’t wait for accidents and collisions to happen to do something about this intersection. We mustn’t put our safety and the safety of our children at risk at this dangerous location. Safety improvement should have been here long ago,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz.

   “Street safety is a top priority and impacts all of us,” said U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “For too long, the pedestrians and young school children who cross Fort Independence Street have taken risks when attempting to cross as there are no proper pedestrian crossings. This is unacceptable and I am pleased to join in support of today’s call for immediate action to ensure that no lives are further put at risk and endangered at busy intersections in our community.”   

   “The stretch of Fort Independence Street from Heath Avenue to Giles Place is a treacherous route for both pedestrians and drivers alike. With PS 360 nearby, two bus lines and numerous intersections without enough crosswalks or traffic lights, anyone who travels through the area is jeopardizing their safety. I’m hopeful that the DOT will reason with the concerns of my community members and colleagues by implementing the proper safety measures,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

   “Today we are calling on the Department of Transportation to take action and make adequate traffic changes to the Fort Independence corridor, including installing a traffic signal at the corner of Heath and Fort Independence," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "These changes will not only alleviate the current traffic issues in the area, but more importantly it will ensure that pedestrians, especially the children attending public school 360, are no longer subjected to perilous traffic conditions."

   “This intersection is used by many seniors  and children on their way to school on a daily basis,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen. With the volume of buses, cars and trucks sharing the route, we absolutely must do something to make it safer for our most vulnerable residents trying to cross safely.  A traffic control device at this spot is something I completely support.”    

  Dan Padernacht, Chair of Bronx Community Board 8, stated "The Y-shaped intersection at Fort Independence Street and Heath Avenue confuses many drivers and does not provide a safe means for pedestrians to cross. We ask that the engineers at DOT take another look at this intersection to investigate possible changes to make it safer to navigate." 

14 Defendants Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Narcotics Distribution And Firearms Possession In The Bronx And Yonkers

   Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 14 defendants with participation in narcotics and firearms offenses in the Bronx and Yonkers. The Indictment also charges four of these defendants with participating in robberies of commercial establishments in the Bronx and Manhattan, and three of these defendants for participating in firearms trafficking.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “As alleged, the defendants arrested today plagued the Bronx and Yonkers with drug dealing, guns, and commercial robberies. Thanks to the outstanding and cooperative efforts of the ATF, NYPD, and DEA, the defendants’ rash of alleged crimes has been brought to an end.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “The 14 defendants in this case face drug and gun charges after a multi-year investigation into the heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana trade in the Bronx and Yonkers. Four of the defendants are charged in connection with armed robberies in the Bronx and Manhattan and three are accused of firearms trafficking. Our neighborhoods are safer with these people – and the drugs and guns – off of our streets. I want to thank the US Attorney for the Southern District, Preet Bharara, Ashan Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the ATF, James Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the DEA, and the members of the NYPD for their contributions to this investigation.”

ATF SAC Ashan M. Benedict said: “Today’s indictment demonstrates the dangerous intersection between firearms trafficking, narcotics trafficking, the illicit possession and use of firearms, and violent crime. These defendants allegedly engaged in an alphabet soup of criminal activity, spreading poison, fear, and violence in their wake. Thanks to the outstanding work of the Special Agents, Detectives, and prosecutors involved in this investigation, they will now face well-deserved justice for their alleged actions. I would like to extend my gratitude to the members of ATF, DEA, NYPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their hard work and collaboration in putting a stop to these individuals.”

DEA SAC James J. Hunt said: “As alleged, a violent drug crew has been taken off the streets today. For years, they allegedly acted like outlaws; selling drugs, brandishing guns and robbing businesses like they were in a time warped Wild West movie. But reality hit them today when they were arrested and brought to court.”

The Indictment[1] charges 10 defendants with participating in a narcotics conspiracy based in the vicinity of Decatur Avenue and East 194th and 195th Streets in the Bronx, New York. Specifically, the following defendants – RENE RUIZ, a/k/a “Lil’ Rene,” a/k/a “Nae Nae,” WILFREDO GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Alfredo Gonzalez,” a/k/a “Freddy,” DOMINGO RAMOS, a/k/a “Mingo,” JASON POLANCO, a/k/a “Jin,” AMAR AHMED, a/k/a “Omar,” a/k/a “O,” ZAIE ESCRIBANO, a/k/a “Zaieto,” a/k/a “Z,” JAIME GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Jimbo,” JORDAN MCDONALD, a/k/a “Umi,” EDWARD NELSON, a/k/a “Boo,” a/k/a “Bugatti,” and CHRISTOPHER CORREA, a/k/a “Chris” – are charged with conspiring to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana from about 2011 up to about early 2017. Eight of these defendants are also charged with using, carrying, and possessing firearms during the narcotics conspiracy.

The Indictment also charges seven defendants with participating in a narcotics conspiracy that operated in the Bronx and in Yonkers. Specifically, the following defendants – DOMINGO RAMOS, a/k/a “Mingo,” CARLOS OSORIO-PEREZ, a/k/a “C,” DENNIS POMALES, a/k/a “D,” JORDAN MCDONALD, a/k/a “Umi,” CHRISTOPHER CORREA, a/k/a “Chris,” MARK FERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Mark,” and WILLIAM RUSSELL, a/k/a “Billy” – are charged with conspiring to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine from about 2011 up to about early 2017. Four of these defendants are also charged with using, carrying, and possessing firearms during the narcotics conspiracy.

The Indictment also charges four defendants – JASON POLANCO, a/k/a “Jin,” WILFREDO GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Alfredo Gonzalez,” a/k/a “Freddy,” AMAR AHMED, a/k/a “Omar,” a/k/a “O,” and ZAIE ESCRIBANO, a/k/a “Zaieto,” a/k/a “Z” – with conspiring to rob the proceeds of commercial establishments in the Bronx and Manhattan, from about 2014 up to about January 1, 2015. Three of these defendants are also charged with committing the robbery of a pizzeria in the vicinity of Jerome Avenue and East 179th Street in the Bronx, on or about October 31, 2014. All four defendants are also charged with committing the robbery of a gas station in the vicinity of Pelham Parkway South and Boston Road in the Bronx, on or about November 24, 2014. In addition, all four defendants are charged with the use, carrying, and possession of firearms during and in relation to the robbery conspiracy and the November 2014 gas station robbery, during which a firearm was brandished and discharged.

Finally, the Indictment charges three defendants – WILFREDO GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Alfredo Gonzalez,” a/k/a “Freddy,” AMAR AHMED, a/k/a “Omar,” a/k/a “O,” and ZAIE ESCRIBANO, a/k/a “Zaieto,” a/k/a “Z” – with the unlawful trafficking of firearms from in or about 2014 through in or about 2015.

Of the 14 defendants named in the Indictment, six were taken into custody in a sweep jointly conducted by the NYPD, ATF, and DEA, beginning last night in the Bronx and Yonkers (RAMOS, AHMED, OSORIO-PEREZ, POMALES, CORREA, and FERNANDEZ). The defendants who were taken into custody will be presented and arraigned in Manhattan federal court this afternoon before Magistrate Judge James L. Cott. Five defendants are presently detained in either state or federal custody on unrelated charges, and are being brought into federal custody on writs (RUIZ, POLANCO, ESCRIBANO, JAIME GONZALEZ, and MCDONALD). Three defendants remain at large (WILFREDO GONZALEZ, NELSON, and RUSSELL). The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain.

Mr. Bharara thanked the Westchester County Police Department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit and its White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justina L. Geraci, Jordan L. Estes, Christopher J. Clore, and Amanda L. Houle are in charge of the prosecution.

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

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