Wednesday, August 2, 2017
MAYOR DE BLASIO, COMMISSIONER O’NEILL AND CHANCELLOR FARIÑA ANNOUNCE SAFEST SCHOOL YEAR ON RECORD
18 percent decline in major crime in schools since 2014-15 school year
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Police Commissioner James O’Neill and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña announced that the 2016-17 school year was the safest school year on record, with an 18 percent decrease in major crime since the 2014-15 school year. The NYPD also shared safety data showing that the number of school-based arrests and summons in schools has continued to decrease.
“All students need a safe and supportive learning environment to succeed in the classroom and make a positive impact in the community. Thanks to the hard work of the NYPD and the Department of Education, families can rest assured that our school buildings are safe places,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The impacts of our investments in school climate and mental health programs are clear: crime is at an all-time low and graduation is at an all-time high.”
As a result of strengthened collaboration between the NYPD and the NYC Department of Education, this administration’s school climate reforms have improved safety in schools while using school discipline programs that are fairer and more effective. There has been a large decline in schools designated by the State Education Department as "persistently dangerous." When comparing the 2015 to 2017 school year, only two NYC public schools retaining that designation down from 27.
This data demonstrates an 8 percent decrease in school-related arrests and a 11 percent decrease in the number of summonses issued by the School Safety Division during the 2016-17 school year compared to the 2015-2016 school year.
"This school year set a new record in safety. We are proud of the joint efforts between the Department of Education and the New York City Police Department, in keeping our young people safe," said Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill. "The work that is evident in our schools today is also being realized across this City with significant reductions in crime and violence."
“Our schools are the safest they’ve ever been and the continued decrease in crime, school-related arrests and summonses shows that our investments in proactive and positive school discipline interventions are making a significant impact,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña.
“Ensuring students and staff are safe always comes first and our work to build on this progress and promote inclusive learning environments is ongoing – we are increasing training and providing schools with resources to hold students accountable while still getting at the underlying cause of conflicts.”
As part of the administration’s commitment to providing a safe, supportive, inclusive and equitable learning environment in every school building, the City is investing $47 million annually to support the expansion of school climate resources and mental health programs. This includes additional training on restorative practices, de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention procedures.
The NYPD and DOE continue to work in close partnership to ensure the safety of students, staff and families, and have focused on referring more minor incidents to school administrators in lieu of criminal justice responses. By holding youth accountable and implementing school-based interventions, the City is minimizing their court involvement and giving students resources and opportunities to stay on the path toward college and careers.
The School Safety Data will be posted at http://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Why is this school crime not included in the precinct Com Stat reports where it happens?
CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT STATEMENT ON REPUBLICAN PROPOSED RAISE ACT
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement in response to the Raise Act, proposed earlier today by Republican Senators Tom Cotton (AR) and David Perdue (GA).
“The anti-immigration bill introduced earlier today by Donald Trump and Republican Senators Tom Cotton and David Perdue essentially targets immigrants not only by their race but based on their ability to pay,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat. “America is the land of opportunity, not based on a person’s wealth or some preconceived notion of their ability to achieve.
“This is the same hateful, profiling and divisive rhetoric we have witnessed repeatedly from Donald Trump since his taking office – no surprise here, but shame on Senator Cotton of Arkansas and Senator David Perdue of Georgia and relative of Perdue Farms, whose respective states rely heavily on an immigrant workforce that drives their state agriculture industry accounting for billions to their state economies on an annual basis.
“In a report previously released by the USDA, more than 70 percent of America’s farm workers are foreign-born and half of those individuals are undocumented. The parameters that would be established by this senseless piece of legislation would block immigrant farm laborers, low-income immigrants, as well as immigrants with family members in the United States, from a legal pathway to citizenship.
“The Raise Act is not the RIGHT answer, and I implore my Republican colleagues to work with Democrats once and for all to find better solutions to address immigration in our country.”
50th Precinct National Night Out
Deputy Inspector O'Toole is with Assemblyman Jeffery Dinowitz, and State Senator Jeff Klein. Councilman Fernando Cabrera, one of his primary opponents Randy Abreau, and lots of people filled West 234th Street where the 50th Precinct held their National Night Out. Photos are below.
Above - Former Councilwoman June Eisland os with Councilman Andrew Cohen, as they stand in front of the NYCEPA table.
Below - Two new members of Community Board 8 Myra Joyce and Eric Dinowitz are with CB 8 members Karen Pesce, Joe O.Brien, and Marvin Goodman who is on the phone calling people to come to the event.
Above - Those hard working folks at KRVC were on hand with lots of information and goodies for the kids.
Below - Captain Molina of the 50th Precinct Auxiliary police was looking for involved community residents to join the 50th Precinct Auxiliary force.
Above - Staff from the nearby Burger King gave out toys that come in their children's meals, and yes that is traffic from the Major Deegan Highway which you can see is bumper to bumper at 5 PM.
Below - There was a live band on this side while a DJ was at the other side of this event.
National Night Out 43rd Precinct
This was the first of the National Night Out events in the Bronx where all police precincts had events at staggered times so you could attend more than one if you wanted. The 43rd Precinct National Night was held at the Oval in Parkchester which was packed as usual. photos are below.
Above - Metro Optics was on hand.
Below - Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark had a table.
Above - Applebee's brought along some delicious food tp sample.
Be;low - The candidates for 18th Council district were on hand. Candidate Michael Beltzer in the photo, and candidate Elvin Garcia also was trying to get votes before State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. the favorite for the 18th City Council seat.
BP DIAZ ALLOCATES MORE THAN $7 MILLION IN HOUSING FUNDS
BP DIAZ ALLOCATES MORE THAN $7 MILLION IN HOUSING FUNDS
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. announced today that his office has allocated more than $7 million in capital funds for 10 housing developments across The Bronx, creating more than 1,500 new affordable units in neighborhoods across the borough.
“Our latest capital funding allocation shows our continued commitment to maintaining and building affordable housing, a promise I have strived to keep since the first day that I became borough president,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This year’s allocations will help a wide range of individuals find and keep an affordable home, right here in The Bronx. I look forward to continuing to build on all of these great successes, in our housing sector, as our borough continues its positive transformation.”
Highlights in this year’s capital budget include $500,000 to New Destiny Housing to build units for survivors of domestic violence and $750,000 for Second Farms Affordable Housing, a project focused on finding quality housing for the formerly homeless in partnership with Catholic Charities.
This year’s capital allocations will fund a total of 1,589 new units of affordable housing. In all, since 2009, Borough President Diaz has invested $51,879,000 in capital funding towards affordable housing across The Bronx, helping to create 7,772 new affordable housing units.
“We understand our resident’s need for affordable housing, as the cost of living continues to trend upward in our city,” said Borough President Diaz. “By far, the greatest volume of constituent requests received by my office is for housing assistance. Funding these upcoming projects addresses some of these housing issues we face, as we continue to build on the successes we have seen last few years in our great borough.”
This year, Borough President Diaz’s office has provided $58,718,000 in total capital dollars across 146 projects. Since coming to office in 2009, Borough President Diaz has provided $248,646,000 in total capital funding to 725 projects.
A complete list of Borough President Diaz’s capital allocations towards housing in FY 2018 can be found at http://on.nyc.gov/2tDB8lo.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Friends of VCP's August Enewsletter
Bringing Youth, Community and Nature Together for 25 Years!
August 2017
This summer the Friends have had several projects going on in Van Cortlandt Park ranging from our summer interns maintaining the trails and removing water chestnut from the lake to a professional crew cleaning the Grand Central Stones. For our Grand Central Stone project we have partnered with the Municipal Art Society thanks to funding
from the Paul and Klara Porzelt Foundation. Together we are making progress with the stones being cleaned so that you can now see the different types of stones that the railroad company was testing. We are also developing a plan to combat any future graffiti that may appear, cleaning up the forest around the stones and working on historical signage. We hope to have the project completed in time for our Hike-toberfest.
On Saturday September 23rd, join us for our second annual Hike-toberfest to hike, eat, drink & celebrate with Friends during a fun fundraiser for the hiking trails of Van Cortlandt Park. Come see why VCP is Where NYC Hikes. Thank you to all our sponsors to date: Allstate Insurance, Bronx Beer Hall, Bronx Native, Food Dynasty, Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten, Loving the Bronx, and Van Cortlandt House Museum. Click here to purchase tickets securely onlineor use this Registration Form to pay by check.
Also, this year the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park are celebrating our 25th Anniversary in several ways including the new banners that have been put up along Broadway and Van Cortlandt Park South and our 25th Anniversary Benefit on Sunday October 15th. This celebration will be honoring our founders and is being hosted by Meredith Vieira. For details on these events and more please see below and visit the Events page of our website.
Christina and all of your Friends at the Friends of VCP!
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“ANOTHER CHANCE” EVENT WILL BE HELD IN BRONX SPONSORED BY BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION AND THE BRONX DEFENDERS
Event Will Help New Yorkers Resolve Open Warrants for Quality of Life Offenses
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced today that her office will host its
second annual summons warrant forgiveness program in the Bronx, inviting residents from
all five boroughs to clear their records and move on with their lives.
The “Another Chance” event, in partnership with the Office of Court Administration
and The Bronx Defenders, will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
at the Eastchester Presbyterian Church, 3154 Fish Avenue at the corner of East Gun Hill
Road in the Baychester section of the Bronx. A resource fair also will be held.
District Attorney Clark said, “This is a way to give people “Another Chance” to
remove a potential obstacle to employment, citizenship, housing or educational
opportunities. If you have had a minor brush with the law such as drinking alcohol in
public, littering or unlawful possession of marijuana and did not address it, you have a
warrant. If you do not resolve these warrants, they can adversely affect aspects of your
life but even more significantly, they can lead to arrest and jail time. I urge those who are
eligible for this warrant forgiveness program to clear their records and look to a brighter
future.”
Supervising Judge for Citywide Arraignments George Grasso said, “On behalf of our
Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, the Criminal Court of Bronx County is proud to participate
once again in the Bronx District Attorney’s “Another Chance” Program. This is another
fine example of the ability of the Criminal Court to work with our partners to effect justice
and fairness in Bronx County.”
Robyn Mar, Deputy Managing Director of Criminal Defense Practice at The Bronx
Defenders, said, “Open warrants for low-level summonses affect people's ability to keep
their jobs, homes, and even to remain in this country with their families. Events like this
can go a long way toward undoing that harm. We applaud District Attorney Clark for
hosting this amnesty program and giving Bronx residents a chance to resume their lives
without the burden of an open warrant and the constant fear of arrest."
Pastor Phil Tom, of the Eastchester Presbyterian Church, said, “Eastchester
Presbyterian Church is honored to work with the Bronx District Attorney, the New York
City Office of Court Administration and other agencies in hosting the Another Chance
event. It seems appropriate that this event will be held in a church building where we
believe that God provides every person with another chance to have a good and fruitful
life.”
There are 1.5 million open summons warrants citywide, 334,000 of them in the
Bronx. A mobile courtroom will be created in the Eastchester Presbyterian Church with
Honorable Bahaati Pitt, Criminal Court Judge, presiding, as well as attorneys and staff
from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and The Bronx Defenders. District Attorney
Clark said 500 people attended last year’s event and some 355 warrants were cleared.
Vendors will be on site providing information and resources on jobs, health care, and
social services.