GOVERNOR CUOMO ENDORSES NATHALIA FERNANDEZ FOR NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today endorsed Nathalia Fernandez for New York State Assembly. Ms. Fernandez is running in the special election on April 24^th for the 80^th Assembly District representing the neighborhoods of Norwood, Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Allerton, Bronx Park East and Van Nest.

“Nathalia Fernandez is a proven leader who will advance the progressive values of opportunity and equality that built the Empire State in the first place,” Governor Cuomo said. “From fighting for the middle- and working-class to advancing the rights of women and girls, Nathalia will continue the fight to make New York a fairer, more equal state for all.”

"I'm honored to have Governor Cuomo's support in my race for State Assembly," said Nathalia Fernandez, Democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District.  "The Governor is a progressive champion who has led the way on education, gun safety reform, and fighting back against the destructive policies of the Trump Administration in Washington.  I look forward to working with him to continue to bring real, effective change to New York as the youngest Latina member of the State Assembly."

New York City Council Announces Chief of Oversight and Investigations Unit

  Speaker Corey Johnson and Oversight and Investigations Committee Chair Ritchie Torres announced the hiring of Steve Pilnyak as Chief of the new Oversight and Investigations Unit. Pilnyak brings nearly fifteen years of experience in and out of government, including as a prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney’s Office investigating and prosecuting highly sensitive and complex white-collar conduct in the Major Economic Crimes Bureau and as a supervisor of the Financial Intelligence Unit. Speaker Johnson prioritized the creation of the Oversight and Investigations Unit when he was elected Speaker of the Council in January. The Oversight and Investigations Unit will work with Chair Torres and the Committee in conducting in-depth oversight of the Mayor and city agencies as provided in the City Charter. The Council is in the process of fully staffing the Unit with approximately 15-20 employees.

“The New York City Council was designed to be an independent legislative body with strong oversight powers, and the Oversight and Investigations Unit will help the Council fulfill that core function. It is the Council’s charter mandated authority to be an effective check on the Mayor, and we will not hesitate to use that authority whenever necessary. Chair Torres and I look forward to working with Steve to fulfill our responsibility to all New Yorkers to hold those in power accountable,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

“Steve Pilnyak has the background and expertise to lead the new Oversight and Investigations Unit and ensure that it sets a strong and independent tone for this Council session. In the coming weeks, he will be staffing up the Unit with attorneys, investigators and analysts and others with the background to investigate claims of malfeasance, government fraud and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. As Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Committee, I look forward to working with him and the rest of the unit to ensure its success and accountability to New Yorkers,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres, Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Investigations.

“I am excited to implement Speaker Johnson’s vision to establish robust and independent oversight and investigations at the City Council. I am confident that under the leadership of Speaker Johnson and in collaboration with Chairman Torres, the Oversight and Investigations Unit will work successfully with stakeholders in and out of government who champion our responsibility to investigate waste, inefficiencies and fraud in the operation of city agencies and those conducting business with the City,” said Steve Pilnyak, the Council’s newly appointed Chief of the Oversight and Investigations Unit.

News From Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark

Cases of Interest for the Week of April 16, 2018

Monday, April 16, 2018
ADA Judge Part # Status	Defendant Name	Case Details
Knoepfler, S. Justice Barrett 60 Hearing & Trial	WILLIAM STANLEY	NYPD School Safety Officer charged in November of 2016 with Unlawful Imprisonment and additional crimes for arresting a Bronx man in retaliation for a dispute over a parking spot near an NYPD office in the Tremont section of the Bronx.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018
ADA Judge Part # Status	Defendant Name	Case Details
Riesel, A. Justice Barrett 60 Update	RANDOLPH PRICE	NYPD Sergeant charged with Vehicular Manslaughter in off-duty crash that killed rookie cop near City Island after an alleged night of drinking on Feb. 1, 2017.
Vallely, J. Fabrizio 92 Sentencing	WILLIAM WHITFIELD	Former inmate to be sentenced for brutal slashing on NYC Department of Correction Officer in 2015.
Connor, B. Barrett 60 Conference	RICHARD EVANS	NYPD officer charged with Official Misconduct and four counts of Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol for driving while intoxicated while he was on duty and responding to a police call in the 52nd Precinct.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018
ADA Judge Part # Status	Defendant Name	Case Details
Irace, P. Barrett 60 Sentencing	Jason Polanco	Defendant to be sentenced after being convicted of Robbery, Assault and other crimes for shooting and injuring two NYPD officers in a spree of two robbery incidents in 2015.
Kiok, J. Yearwood 18 Sentencing	Vinod Patel	Bronx man to be sentenced after pleading guilty to Promoting Prostitution in the Bronx.

Thursday, April 19, 2018
ADA Judge Part # Status	Defendant Name	Case Details
Schordine, M. Michels 77 Hearing & Trial	Taha Mahran	Charged with Murder and Manslaughter for allegedly fatally stabbing his tenant, Zakir Khan, over unpaid rent stemming nine months.
Mendys, N. Neary 70 Jury Selection	WILLIAM CARUTH	Bronx dad charged with Murder in the alleged killing of his pregnant daughter in 2016.

Friday, April 20, 2018
ADA Judge Part # Status	Defendant Name	Case Details
Schordine, M. Alvarado 17 Sentencing	JASON REID	Inmate to be sentenced after pleading guilty to role in Thanksgiving Day assault of a city jail captain.

Please note: All court proceedings are scheduled for after 9:30 a.m. at 265 East 161^st Street, the Hall of Justice, Bronx Supreme Court unless otherwise specified.

Bronx Jewish Community Council - Volunteer Recognition Breakfast: Don't Forget to Sign Up

Download Document MORE ABOUT OUR HONOREES: SENATOR ABRAHAM BERNSTEIN MEMORIAL AWARD HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY UNITED STATES CONGRESS, 14TH DISTRICT BLANCHE COMRAS RIFKIN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD 49TH PRECINCT COMMUNITY COUNCIL, NYPD This volunteer-led organization helps to cement the bonds between individuals, community groups, and the 49th Precinct in the Pelham Parkway Area. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD JANE CHANEY Jane is our long time clerical volunteer and receptionist at BJCC's West Bronx Housing office. STEVEN GLOSSER A lifelong resident of this area, Steve currently utilizes his experience in marketing as an active participant in leadership of the Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association and three local synagogues. DR. REBECCA KOBRIN, ARIELA, SIMONE AND EITAN FEINBLUM Rebecca and her children have volunteered at the BJCC Dreydl Ball for the past six years. MARC KARELL, NEIL SCHWARTZREICH AND LARRY THAUL Otherwise known as 'the three musketeers' have carried Project HOPE packages to our clients on the Grand Concourse for over fifteen years. DIANE ROSEN Diane has been a dedicated 'Friendly Visitor' to a 'Friend at Home' BJCC client for more than fifteen years. WESTCHESTER DAY SCHOOL Our dear and valued friend, WDS has packed and delivered Project HOPE packages for seventeen years, hosted food collections, and conceived and initiated the Kindergarten Tzedakah and Shopping Project that sends monthly donations to our Food Pantry.  ‌

BRONX BP RUBEN DIAZ JR.  HOSTS TOWN HALL “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”  / “¡NI UNA MUERTE MÁS!” FORUM

The Bronx Young Democrats Annual Spring Gala

THE MAYOR’S PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT UNIT – APRIL BRONX EVENTS SCHEDULE

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

MAYOR’S PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT UNIT

  Throughout April, Mayor de Blasio’s Public Engagement Unit has events planned citywide to help New Yorkers access resources and information from the Tenant Support Unit, Home Support Unit, and GetCoveredNYC. Follow @MayorsPEUon Twitter for more updates and details on events.

The Tenant Support Unit engages and provides assistance to New Yorkers who may be at risk of displacement or experiencing harassment in zip codes covered under the Human Resources Administration (HRA)’s Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection legal service funding. In addition, TSU proactively engages New Yorkers who may be eligible for the Department of Finance’s Rent Freeze benefits to assist them through the application process. Outreach specialists go door to door to inform tenants of their rights, identify any housing-related issues and connect them with a range of resources, such as anti-eviction legal assistance, to keep them in their homes. In addition, outreach specialists’ partner with elected officials and community groups to hold weekly office hours and attend local events.

The Home Support Unit partners with landlords and brokers to identify apartments for clients transitioning out of shelter with rental subsidies. HSU partners closely with the Human Resources Administration, the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), and community-based providers to match prospective tenants to apartments, coordinate viewings, and navigate landlords and brokers through the City’s leasing process. Specialists remain engaged with the landlord even after lease signing to ensure new tenants are supported and have access to resources that help them remain stably housed.

GetCoveredNYC is a city-wide initiative to enroll New Yorkers in health insurance and provide them with access to primary and preventive care at NYC Health and Hospitals. The initiative is a partnership between NYC Health and Hospitals, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources Administration and MetroPlus. The initiative includes a robust team of outreach specialists, who proactively go door to door and call uninsured New Yorkers to discuss their health insurance options, schedule them for free in-person enrollment assistance and case manage them through the enrollment process. In addition, the initiative runs a city-wide public information campaign to promote the importance of coverage and how New Yorkers can receive free in-person enrollment assistance, either in-person or over the phone by calling 311 or texting ‘CoveredNYC’ (‘SeguroNYC’ in Spanish) to 877877.

For more information on these programs and services, New Yorkers can call 311 or visit www.nyc.gov.

The Bronx

April 19, 20, 26 & 27

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

3424 Kossuth Avenue

Bronx, NY 10467

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

(GetCoveredNYC)

April 20 & 27

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln

234 East 149^th Street

Bronx, NY 10451

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

(GetCoveredNYC)

April 18

Tenant Resource Fair

406 East 184^th Street

Bronx, NY 10458

9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

(GetCoveredNYC)

April 18

Office of Borough President Diaz Jr.

851 Grand Concourse

Room 915

Bronx, NY 10451

10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

(Rent Freeze)

April 19 & 26

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

1400 Pelham Parkway South

Bronx, NY 10461

9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

(GetCoveredNYC)

  

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION WILL HOUSE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS ACCORDING TO GENDER IDENTITY

NYC Commission on Human Rights worked with NYC Department of Correction on policy reforms to house inmates safely and according to their gender identity in compliance with federal, state, and local laws

  Mayor de Blasio announced that the NYC Department of Correction will house inmates consistent with their gender identity. In addition, DOC is working with the NYC Commission on Human Rights to maintain the Transgender Housing Unit as an additional safe housing option for transgender inmates. DOC will also continue to conduct individualized risk assessments of inmates when assigning safe and gender-affirming housing options to provide for the health and safety of inmates and DOC staff.

Today’s announcement follows recent efforts by CCHR to ensure that DOC’s housing policies are consistent with Executive Order No. 16, issued by Mayor Bill de Blasio in March 2016, which requires that City agencies permit people to use single sex facilities consistent with their gender identity, as well as applicable state and federal law. CCHR is giving DOC six months to implement this policy in a recent modified exemption to DOC. New York City becomes one of the first major cities in the nation to commit to housing inmates according to their gender identity. 

“It’s the city’s responsibility to protect the rights and safety of all New Yorkers, and that means protecting transgender individuals in city jails as well. New York City is one of the first major cities to commit to taking this step, and it’s crucial to ensuring all our facilities are welcoming and safe for all New Yorkers, no matter their gender identity,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“With today’s announcement, New York City takes another important step to protect the rights, dignity and safety of transgender and gender non-conforming people, and it is our hope that cities across the country will follow our lead,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “Keeping transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers safe, wherever they are, is the City’s responsibility– whether they are in city custody or walking through their own neighborhoods.”

“No one should feel unsafe for being who they are. Housing incarcerated individuals consistent with their gender identity is not only about dignity and respect but an important recognition of the unique challenges and vulnerabilities transgender and gender non-conforming individuals face in corrections facilities nationwide,” said Chair and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “We are proud that today’s announcement shows NYC’s strong commitment and leadership to protect the rights and safety of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and we look forward to continuing our work with the Department of Correction and advocacy organizations to implement these policies which are paramount to ensure inmates can engage in steps to rebuild their lives.”

“The department is committed to safely housing inmates in a way that considers an individual’s transgender identity and maintaining a humane and safe jail system for all New Yorkers,” said DOC Commissioner Cynthia Brann.

Susan Sommer, General Counsel for the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, said, "This announcement advances New York City's commitment to protecting transgender people in custody and making our correctional facilities safer for everyone. This is an honorable moment in our City."

In recognizing the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming inmates to be housed safely and according to their gender identity, New York City continues its leadership in the fight for LGBTQ equality. In contrast, many U.S. cities and states force transgender and gender non-conforming inmates into solitary confinement or house inmates according to their gender assigned at birth, putting them at higher risk for physical and sexual violence.

In March 2016, Mayor de Blasio issued Executive Order No. 16 which required City agencies to allow employees and members of the public to access City single-sex facilities consistent with their gender identity without being required to show identification, medical documentation, or any other form of proof or verification of gender. While the DOC initially received a temporary and partial exemption from CCHR from the requirements of this EO as they relate to housing, CCHR modified its exemption this week after further analysis and with input from DOC.

In its modified exemption, CCHR finds that DOC must provide housing to inmates consistent with their gender identity unless the outcome of an individualized safety assessment as required by The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) or the expressed preferences and safety concerns of the inmate require alternate housing. PREA is a federal law passed in 2003 to address sexual violence in prisons which requires correctional institutions to make individualized assessments of all inmates to determine the safest place to house them. Factors considered in an individualized assessment include whether inmates are perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or gender nonconforming; their previous experience of sexual assault; their own perception of vulnerability; their gender identity and whether they identify as male, female, or non-binary; and any prior acts of sexual abuse, prior convictions for violent offenses, and history of prior institutional violence or sexual abuse. 

CCHR’s modified exemption gives DOC six months to implement this policy. Over the next six months, DOC will provide bi-monthly progress reports to CCHR.

Today’s announcement is a part of New York City’s broader effort to protect and advance the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. In addition to the Mayor’s Executive Order No. 16, CCHR:  

·  issued legal enforcement guidance in 2015 to make clear what constitutes gender identity and gender expression discrimination under the NYC Human Rights Law, making it one of the strongest laws in the nation in protecting the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals;

·  launched “Look Past Pink and Blue: Be You NYC”, the first-ever municipal media campaign on equal bathroom access;

· vigorously investigates claims of gender identity discrimination citywide. Gender-based discrimination made up the third largest area of complaint at the Commission in 2017; and

·  implements citywide training, created jointly with The LGBT Center in early 2016, on trans identity and best practices for working with transgender and gender non-conforming communities. CCHR has so far trained 24 City agencies, businesses, non-profit and law enforcement entities citywide.

For more information on the Commission and to report gender identity discrimination, visit NYC.gov/HumanRights or call 718-722-3131.

“Housing people in accordance with their gender identity will increase safety and dignity in the jails and will help bring DOC into compliance with the Board’s Minimum Standards on the prevention of sexual abuse. We applaud the City’s renewed commitment to these efforts. The Board’s recent report on the DOC Transgender Housing Unit shows the urgent need for additional safe housing options for transgender people in custody and makes recommendations for improved conditions and operations in the unit,” said Martha King, Executive Director of the NYC Board of Correction.