NYC COOLING CENTERS OPEN THROUGH TUESDAY TO HELP NEW YORKERS BEAT THE HEAT

Heat Advisory extended through Tuesday, August 7

Cooling centers will be open across the city through Tuesday. To find the nearest location call 311 or visitwww.nyc.gov/beattheheat 

Parks department has extended daily NYC pool hours to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 6 and Tuesday, August 7

  As the heat wave continues to affect New York City, the New York City Emergency Management Department today announced that cooling centers will remain open through Tuesday, August 7.Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers, senior centers, and NYCHA facilities that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the NYC Cooling Center Finder at www.nyc.gov/beattheheat.

The National Weather Service has extended the heat advisory for New York City through 8 p.m. Tuesday. High heat and humidity are in the forecast, with high temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s and heat index values ranging from 95 - 100 degrees.

“It’s important that New Yorkers take the dangers presented by extreme heat seriously,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Esposito. “Drink plenty of water and stay cool either at your air-conditioned home or one of our hundreds of cooling centers.”

An Air Quality Health Advisory is also in effect from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. Monday. An Air Quality Health Advisory issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation means that individuals should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants, and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease are at an increased risk, and should consider consulting their personal physician if they experience heat-related symptoms.

The New York City Emergency Management Department urges New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. Those at increased risk are people who do not have or use air conditioning AND:

·         Are 65 years or older;

·  Have chronic medical, mental health, or cognitive/developmental conditions;

· Take certain medications, which can disrupt the regulation of body temperature;

·   Are confined to their beds, have limited mobility, or are unable to leave their homes;

·    Are obese; or

·     Misuse alcohol or drugs.

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE HEAT:

·   Stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperature changes.

·   Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

·  Drink fluids, particularly water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Those on fluid-restricted diets or taking diuretics should first consult their physician.

·  Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid beverages containing alcohol and/or caffeine.

·  Eat small, frequent meals.

· Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.

·  If possible, go to an air-conditioned location for several hours during the hottest parts of the day.

·   Cool down with a cool bath or shower.

·   Participate in activities that will keep you cool, such as going to the movies, shopping at a mall, or swimming at a pool or beach.

·   Cover all exposed skin with an SPF sunscreen (15 or above) and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head.

· Never leave your children or pets in the car.

For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/health.

FACTS ABOUT HEAT ILLNESS:

Heat illness is serious. Prolonged exposure to the heat can be harmful and potentially fatal. The added stress caused by heat can also aggravate heart or lung disease even without symptoms of heat illness.

Know the warning signs of heat stress. If you or someone you know feels weak or faint, go to a cool place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911.

Call 911 immediately if you have, or someone you know has:

·   Hot dry skin.

·   Trouble breathing.

·   Rapid heartbeat.

·   Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.

·   Nausea and vomiting.

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE

· Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.

· Exercise early and late: When the temperature is very high, do not let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Your pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.

· Know when your pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. Animals with flat faces like pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. They should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

· Keep cats safe by installing screens in your windows: Unscreened windows pose a real danger to cats, as they can fall out of them often during summer months.

IMPROPER FIRE HYDRANT USE:

The improper opening of fire hydrants wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, causes flooding on city streets, and can lower water pressure to dangerous levels and hamper the ability of FDNY to fight fire safely and quickly.

Properly used “spray caps” reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing relief from the heat. To obtain a spray cap, an adult 18 years or older with proper identification can go to his or her local firehouse and request one.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND NYC & COMPANY WELCOME CLIMATE WEEK TO NEW YORK CITY FOR 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

  Mayor de Blasio and NYC & Company—New York City’s official destination marketing organization—announced today that they will welcome Climate Week to New York City from September 24-30, 2018. Organized by The Climate Group, an international non-profit organization, Climate Week NYC will gather international leaders from across the public, private and government sectors to showcase and discuss global climate action in New York City, with support from NYC & Company.

“We are honored to again welcome The Climate Group and Climate Week NYC for the 10th year,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Here in New York, we’re taking bold action on climate. Through our ground breaking OneNYC strategy and our ambitious 1.5˚C Plan, we’ve committed our city to hit the highest goals of the Paris climate agreement. We’re divesting from fossil fuels, mandating that our largest buildings cut their emissions, and investing in electric vehicles. Through investments in resiliency and sustainability, we are building a fairer city for all.”

“Climate Week NYC is the largest climate week in the world and as one of the key summits in the international calendar—which runs alongside the United Nations General Assembly—has been driving climate action forward since its launch in 2009,” said Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group. “We are thrilled to be hosting our 10^th Climate Week NYC and to appear on the world’s stage, to continue to advance climate action to the top of the global agenda.”

“Our goal is to leverage the City’s significant and growing sustainability efforts to position the destination as ‘the capital city of a responsible world,” said Fred Dixon, President & CEO of NYC & Company. “From our most iconic parks becoming permanently car-free, plans for Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to house one of the City’s largest rooftop farms, and many of our leading hotels embracing the City’s Carbon Challenge, events such as Climate Week NYC are the perfect platform to engage our City and the world to demonstrate their pledge to better protect the planet.”

Approximately 10,000 people from over 40 countries are expected to attend 150 events—including panel discussions, concerts, exhibitions and seminars. An opening ceremony on September 24—featuring key speakers and dignitaries including Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Edmund G Brown, Governor of California, and President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti—is planned for The Times Center in Manhattan.

Along with Climate Week NYC, New York City has recently attracted high-profile, large-scale events including WorldPride in 2019. These monumental events will help fuel record breaking visitation numbers. In 2017, there were a 62.8 million visitors.

"New York City is thrilled to host the 10th annual Climate Week to showcase the climate leadership happening all across the five boroughs," said Daniel Zarrilli, NYC's Senior Director of Climate Policy and Programs and Chief Resilience Officer. "In the absence of federal leadership in Washington, cities all across the country are stepping up their ambition to achieve the Paris Agreement. Here in NYC, we are accelerating our GHG reductions, adapting our city, and divesting from fossil fuels as part of our comprehensive OneNYC strategy.  Congratulations to the Climate Group for building an effective and successful platform for climate action over the last decade and we look forward to the next 10 years of partnership."

“From protecting our coastlines, buildings, and infrastructure to making our neighborhoods safer and more vibrant, New York City is dedicated to confronting climate change head-on and protecting our city and its citizens from the associated threats,” said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. “Climate Week NYC brings together some of the most brilliant innovators around the world to do just that.”

“Climate change is here and this moment requires decisive, ambitious, and collaborative action,” saidMark Chambers, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. “Climate Week NYC is an opportunity to inspire and embolden us all to deliver necessary solutions.”

"As the Ranking Democratic Member on the State Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, I am excited to celebrate Climate Week NYC. This is a great initiative and effective way to engage all stakeholders as we work to protect the environment,” said Senator Kevin Parker.

A New Generation of Sustainable Hotels

New York City’s evolving hotel scene is embracing eco-conscious design and practices. Overall, 19 properties are currently committed to the NYC Carbon Challenge. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opened in 2017 as part of the eco-friendly 1 Hotels brand. The Grand Hyatt New York and The Peninsula New York have vowed to shrink their carbon footprints through upgrades like high-efficiency boilers and LED lighting. The Pierre participates in EarthCheck, a program which measures the property’s impact on the environment, and boutique Crosby Street Hotel was awarded the City’s first LEED Gold Certified building.

Park Preservation and Honoring Horticulture

As of June 2018, Central Park—the world’s most iconic greenspace, which welcomes more than 42 million visitors yearly—joined Brooklyn’s Prospect Park in becoming entirely car-free. Suspended above the City streets, The High Line—an abandoned elevated rail line transformed into a horticultural oasis—opened its first section in 2009 as a habitat for birds, insects and humans seeking respite. At Battery Park City, horticulturists manage the neighborhood’s park without pesticides and engage in large-scale composting.

This summer, New York City welcomed new green spaces at Hunter’s Point South in Long Island City, Domino Park in Williamsburg, and Pier 3 at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Green Roofs and Urban Farms

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is currently home to a 6.75-acre green roof, completed in 2014, which attracts wildlife, provides insulation that cuts the building’s energy use by 26 percent, and absorbs storm water. The Javits Center’s latest initiative is to cultivate a nearly 1 acre rooftop farm on the roof of the expansion, with the intention to grow produce to serve delegates.

Atop Brooklyn’s Barclays Center—famed for its sporting events and concerts—is a 3-acre green roof with another sloping over its subway entrance. Brooklyn Grange keeps bees in over 30 naturally-managed, rooftop hives citywide and operates the world’s two largest rooftop soil farms in Long Island City, Queens and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

New to the Bronx, The New York Botanical Garden introduced Edible Academy this spring. The three-acre campus features a green roof, demonstration kitchen, technology lab, teaching greenhouse, solar pavilion, vegetable gardens, teaching and performance spaces and more.

Established in 2012 to help feed, inspire, and educate the local community, Snug Harbor’s 2.5-acre Heritage Farm on Staten Island produces fresh fruits and vegetables in an environmentally sustainable manner. In 2017 Heritage Farm staff worked with over 100 volunteers and educated over 2,280 children on sustainable farming, food sources, and plant biology.

Roosevelt and Governor’s Island

Roosevelt Island is home to Cornell Tech’s in-progress campus, featuring cutting-edge green buildings the “net-zero” Bloomberg Center and “The House”, the world’s largest LEED-Platinum passive house structure. On Governors Island, eco highlights include an urban farm with resident goats, a composting center and the Billion Oyster Project, an ecosystem restoration and education initiative which has already planted 25 million oysters of a 2035 goal of one billion oysters, to create waterway filtration in New York Harbor.

City’s Top Attractions LEED The Way

The City’s LEED buildings are models of sustainable urban architecture. In 2009, the Empire State Building underwent a green-focused retrofit of the iconic 1931 skyscraper while One World Trade Center was constructed as one of the world’s tallest LEED-certified buildings. At Hudson Yards—the largest private real estate development in the history of the US—14 acres of gardens and public spaces, rainwater-collection infrastructure to reuse 10 million gallons per year and an on-site hyper-efficient power plant are leading green features. Of note, the first completed building in the emerging neighborhood, 10 Hudson Yards, is LEED Platinum certified.

Brooklyn’s Children’s Museum earned a Silver LEED certification after it was built in 2008 for solar-generated electric power, recycled rubber flooring and geothermal heating and cooling, while the venue also teaches children about ecology through hands-on exhibits. The Whitney Museum of American Art is also LEED Gold certified for its energy-saving measures, recycled materials used in construction, and green roof which is home to two beehives.

Shining examples of the NYC theater industry’s commitment to sustainability include the creation of The Broadway Green Alliance.

Primary Update Saturday August 4th

  Since cameras were not allowed in the courtroom I must repeat the photo of election lawyer Stanley Schlein talking to another election lawyer about billing the client by the hour. 

 So what happened on Friday?

 There was a question of current 84th A.D. District Leader withdrawing from the Assembly race for the 84th A.D. Mr. Israel Martinez claimed that the letter of withdrawal was a fraud, and that he had not withdrawn as a candidate for the 84th assembly. That matter was moved to Monday. 

 In the case of the challenge to the petition of Amanda Septimo, the challenge was withdrawn. That leaves candidate Amanda Septimo on the ballot for the September 13th primary in the 84th A.D.

 Counselor Anthony Grimaldi who was absent from court on Thursday arrived Friday morning to represent his clients Elliot Quinones and Pamela Stewart-Martinez. Mr Quinones is challenging incumbent Assemblyman Marcos Creespo, and Ms. Stewart-Martinez is challenging incumbent State Senator Luis Sepulveda. Word is that both matters will be closed out on Monday.

 As for the court challenge to the petition of Karines Reyes in the 87th Assembly District, there was an agreement after evidence of fraud on the Karines Reyes petition was admitted into the record by the court appointed referee. Sergeant John Perez (running for the vacant 87th Assembly seat) withdrew his challenge after the acceptance of evidence of fraud on the Karines Reyes petition. Candidate Sergeant John Perez said he wants to bring the community together after the triple homicide in Castle Hill, and the loss of a very dear friend who he grew up with Ms. Geraldine Lamb.   

Prime Healthcare Services and its CEO Agree to Pay $65 Million to Settle Medicare Overbilling Allegations at 14 California Hospitals

  LOS ANGELES – Prime Healthcare Services, Inc.; Prime Healthcare Foundation, Inc.; Prime Healthcare Management, Inc.; and Prime’s Founder and chief executive officer, Dr. Prem Reddy, have agreed to pay the United States $65 million to settle allegations that 14 Prime hospitals in California knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare by admitting patients who required only less costly, outpatient care and by billing for more expensive patient diagnoses than the patients had (a practice known as “up-coding”).

   Under the settlement agreement, Reddy will pay $3.25 million and Prime will pay $61.75 million.

  Headquartered in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare Services and the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation constitute one of the largest hospital systems in the nation, with 45 acute-care hospitals located in 14 states.

 The following 10 hospital defendants owned by Prime Healthcare Services are parties to the settlement agreement: Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, Garden Grove Medical Center, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, Desert Valley Hospital, Chino Valley Medical Center, Paradise Valley Hospital, San Dimas Community Hospital, Shasta Regional Medical Center, West Anaheim Medical Center and Centinela Hospital Medical Center. Four other hospital defendants owned by Prime Healthcare Foundation are also parties to the settlement agreement: Sherman Oaks Hospital, Montclair Hospital Medical Center, Huntington Beach Hospital and Encino Hospital Medical Center. Prime Healthcare Management, a subsidiary of Prime Healthcare Services, provides management, consulting and support services to hospitals owned and operated by Prime.

 The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2006 through 2013, Prime engaged in a deliberate, corporate-driven scheme to increase inpatient admissions of Medicare beneficiaries who originally presented to the Emergency Departments at the 14 Prime hospitals in California. The government claimed that the inpatient admission of these beneficiaries was not medically necessary because their symptoms and treatment needs should have been managed in a less-costly outpatient or observation setting. Hospitals generally receive significantly higher payments from Medicare for inpatient admissions as opposed to outpatient treatment; therefore, the admission of beneficiaries who do not need inpatient care, as alleged here, can result in substantial financial harm to the Medicare program.

  The settlement also resolves allegations that, from 2006 through 2014, Prime engaged in up-coding by falsifying information concerning patient diagnoses, including complications and comorbidities, in order to increase Medicare reimbursement.

 “Patients and taxpayers who finance health care programs such as Medicare deserve to know that doctors are making decisions solely based on medical need – and not based on a corporate desire to increase billings,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Wilkison. “The Justice Department is committed to preserving the integrity of public health programs and preventing improper billing practices.”

 “This settlement reflects our ongoing commitment to ensure that health care providers appropriately bill Medicare,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Chad A. Readler of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Charging the government for higher cost inpatient services that patients do not need, and for higher-paying diagnoses than the patients have, wastes the country’s valuable health care resources.”

 Prime also entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) requiring the company to engage in significant compliance efforts over the next five years. Under the agreement, Prime is required to retain an independent review organization to review the accuracy of the company’s claims for services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries

 “When health care companies try to boost their profits by billing federal health care programs for more expensive services than they needed to provide, the Office of Inspector General will ensure they are held accountable for their deceptive schemes,” said Christian J. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge for the HHS-OIG’s, Los Angeles Regional Office.

 “Those who engage in health care fraud, including corrupt doctors and medical professionals driven by greed, exploit helpless or unwitting patients in violation of the oath they took to protect us – and often American taxpayers are the victims,” said Paul D. Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “By reaching this settlement, the FBI and our partners are holding Prime Healthcare accountable for exaggerating patients’ needs and inflating the severity of their symptoms while handsomely lining their pockets. This case should send a clear message to others who intend to engage in similar schemes that rout the American healthcare system.”

This settlement resolves a False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles by Karin Berntsen, the former director of performance improvement at Alvarado Hospital Medical Center in San Diego. Under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the FCA, private citizens are permitted to bring lawsuits on behalf of the United States and obtain a portion of the government’s recovery. The FCA also permits the government to intervene and take over the lawsuit, as it did in this case as to some of Ms. Berntsen’s allegations. Ms. Berntsen will receive $17,225,000 as her portion of the settlement amount.

 Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

  The settlement was a result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office, FBIHQs Major Provider Response Team, and HHS-OIG.

   The case is United States ex rel. Karin Berntsen v. Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., et al., CV11-08214-PJW (C.D. Cal.). The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

Member Of The Genovese Family Of La Cosa Nostra Charged In 1997 Murder-For-Hire Of Richard Ortiz

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Charles Gardner, the Commissioner of the City of Yonkers Police Department (“YPD”), announced the arrest of JOHN TORTORA JR., a/k/a “Johnny T,” on charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder for hire.  The murder charges arise out of TORTORA’s role in the November 11, 1997, murder of Richard Ortiz, 29, in Yonkers.  TORTORA was arrested this morning in Yonkers by FBI agents and Yonkers PD detectives.  TORTORA will be presented later today before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein at the United States Courthouse in Manhattan.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Sidney H. Stein.  An initial pretrial conference is scheduled for August 14, 2018, at 3:00 p.m., before Judge Stein.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the defendant was responsible for the stabbing death of Richard Ortiz over 20 years ago.  Today, thanks to the remarkable dedication and perseverance of the FBI and the Yonkers Police Department, the defendant faces charges for his crimes.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The arrest of John Tortora should remind everyone that justice delayed is not justice denied.  Whether a crime was allegedly committed decades ago or just days ago, the FBI will maintain the same tenacity and we will be relentless toward ensuring those who commit violent crimes be held accountable for their actions.  The FBI New York Office never does these investigations alone, and we want to thank the Yonkers Police Department for their help in successfully solving a case from more than 20 years ago.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said:  “This arrest for the 1997 murder of Mr. Ortiz demonstrates the resolve and commitment of law enforcement to hold those accountable for their actions and serves as a warning to all members of La Cosa Nostra engaging in violent criminal activity in our communities.  We will continue to work with our federal partners to aggressively target alleged criminals and criminal enterprises operating in our City. 

I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the FBI for their invaluable support and efforts in this investigation.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment[1] and statements made in court:

From in or about 1997 up to and including in or about 2018, TORTORA, an associate and later a member of the Genovese Crime Family, along with other members and associates of La Cosa Nostra, committed a wide range of crimes, including murder, extortion, gambling, and narcotics trafficking.  In particular, TORTORA hired others to kill Richard Ortiz in order to further the goals of the Genovese Family.  As a result, on November 11, 1997, Ortiz was brutally stabbed multiple times, causing his death.

TORTORA, 61, of Yonkers, New York, is charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, and murder for hire.  A chart showing the charges and maximum penalties for each count of the Indictment is below. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

COUNT	CHARGE	MAXIMUM PENALTY
1	Conspiracy to commit racketeering	Life in prison
2	Murder in aid of racketeering	Mandatory life in prison or the   death penalty
3	Murder for hire	Mandatory life in prison or the death penalty

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the Yonkers Police Department, and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

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

[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.

National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday August 7th

National Night Out Against Crime

Join the NYPD and city officials at more than 70 locations citywide on National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday, August 7th.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It seeks to strengthen the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, fostering a true sense of community.

Enjoy barbeque and bounce houses, face painting, food, and fun. Meet leaders and personnel from your local precinct and interact with neighbors, community members, and local businesses with the common goal of partnership and safety.

There will be games and activities for kids, and lots of information on ways to work with the NYPD to keep your neighborhood safe. 

40th Precinct

Location: Brook Avenue & E. 138 Street

Time: 3:00 PM - TBD

41st Precinct

Location: PAL Center, 991 Longwood Avenue, between Southern Boulevard & Beck Street

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

42nd Precinct

Location: Jennings Street, between Prospect & Union Avenues

Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location: Morris Houses, 169th Street between 3rd and Park Avenues

Borough: Bronx

Time: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

43rd Precinct

Location: Bruckner Commons, 970 White Plains Road

Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: Monroe Houses, ball field, Taylor Avenue between Story and Lafayette Avenues

Borough: Bronx

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

44th Precinct

Location: East 169th Street, between Walton and Jerome Avenues

Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

45th Precinct

Location: 140 Benchley Place, Rear

Time: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Location: Pelham Bay Park Subway Station, Bruckner Expressway and Westchester Avenue

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

46th Precinct

Location: Grand Concourse and East 181th Street

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

47th Precinct

Location: Granada Place, between Ely and Laconia Avenues

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

48th Precinct

Location: Hughes Avenue, between E. 187th and E. 188th Streets

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

49th Precinct

Location: Comras Park

Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

50th Precinct

Location: West 234th Street, between Broadway & Bailey Avenue

Time: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

52nd Precinct

Location: Poe Park, Grand Concourse between West 192nd Street and Kingsbridge Road

Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Note: There is no 51st Precinct in the Bronx. 

Times differ so elected officials and police brass can attend more than one event.

A.G. Underwood And I.G. Nestor Announce Indictments Of Port Authority Official

While Working at JFK Airport, Marlene Mizzi Allegedly Took Gifts and Benefits from Joseph Jourieh and Others in Exchange for Providing Special Treatment – Including to the Qatari and Other Foreign Governments

Mizzi Charged with Multiple Counts of Receiving a Reward for Official Misconduct, Receiving Unlawful Gratuities, and Official Misconduct; Jourieh Charged with Rewarding Official Misconduct

  Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood  announced grand jury indictments charging Port Authority official Marlene Mizzi, 54, of Wantagh, with three counts of Receiving a Reward for Official Misconduct in the Second Degree, a class E felony in violation of Penal Law Section 200.25, and Joseph Jourieh, 58, of Staten Island, with two counts of Rewarding Official Misconduct in the Second Degree. Mizzi is also facing multiple misdemeanor counts of Receiving Unlawful Gratuities and Official Misconduct. Mizzi has been suspended from her job.

According to the indictments and other documents filed in Queens County, Mizzi is alleged to have accepted numerous benefits from Jourieh and other individuals for having violated her duty as a public servant as a Port Authority Official at John F. Kennedy Airport. The defendants each face a maximum sentence of up to four years if convicted on the top counts. The indictments stem from a joint investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General and the Port Authority Inspector General’s Office.

“We have zero tolerance for those who violate the public trust for personal benefit,” said Attorney General Underwood. “As we detail in the indictment, the defendant used her position at the Port Authority for personal gain, accepting gifts and benefits from individuals working for foreign governments in exchange for special treatment. We’ll continue to work with our partners in government to hold accountable those who jeopardize the integrity of our government agencies.”

Michael Nestor, Inspector General for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, “The defendant is alleged to have violated her position of public trust and used her position for personal gain.  In this case, the defendant chose to enrich herself and tarnish the reputation of the agency by allegedly accepting cash, travel, meals and other things of value from representatives of foreign governments. The Port Authority will not tolerate employee misconduct or corruption of any kind. Today’s indictment will serve notice to all Port Authority employees that the agency will not tolerate violations of the public trust or any other corrupt acts. The Port Authority Office of Inspector General and its Law Enforcement partners will aggressively identify, investigate and bring to justice those who corrupt the integrity of the agency.”

As alleged in the indictment, Mizzi has been an employee of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for 35 years and, prior to her suspension earlier this year, worked as an Assistant Airport Duty Supervisor at John F. Kennedy Airport (“JFK”). Jourieh operates a company, East Coast Concierge, which works on behalf of the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations, arranging transportation and other services when government officials travel to New York.

During the annual United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, with airport security at a heightened state, Port Authority rules clearly state that foreign state aircraft must depart JFK within two hours of arrival and there is no overnight parking of foreign state aircraft. However, the Attorney General alleges that, from 2014 until she left the Port Authority in June 2018, Mizzi would unilaterally grant exceptions to these rules without proper approval, for certain foreign countries, most notably Qatar. During these years, Mizzi authorized numerous Qatari diplomatic planes to stay overnight during the United Nations General Assembly, sometimes for multiple days – allegedly in exchange for gifts and benefits from Jourieh. In 2014 and 2015, Jourieh arranged free limousine rides and meals for Mizzi, and provided her with a gift of a watch. In 2017, Mizzi received bottles of wine and other gifts from another foreign state’s representative in return for the same overnight parking privilege. 

Mizzi also allegedly received other gifts, including bottles of wine, from other foreign countries for her work at JFK. On numerous occasions, representatives from foreign countries would personally deliver gifts to Mizzi on JFK property. The Port Authority Code of Ethics has a strict zero tolerance policy on the acceptance of payments, gifts, free meals, or transportation from vendors or anyone with whom the Port Authority does or is likely to do business.

The Attorney General thanks the Office of the Port Authority Inspector General for its assistance in this investigation.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Comptroller Stringer Report: Local Residents Left Behind in Gentrifying Neighborhoods

Twenty-four percent job growth in gentrifying neighborhoods far outpaces the rest of the city, but too few jobs are going to long-time local residents

Stringer calls for renewed affordability and jobs strategy to combat employment disparities and residential displacement

Report includes first-ever analysis of economic and demographic trends across all 188 New York City neighborhoods

  Amid explosive economic growth across New York City, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer today released an updated 2018 edition of his “Neighborhood Economic Profiles” report finding that local residents in gentrifying neighborhoods are largely being left out of recent economic expansion. The analysis found that in the 24 neighborhoods identified as gentrifying, just one-third of net new jobs in these areas were filled by people of color, who represent the vast majority of local residents. To bridge the gap, Comptroller Stringer is calling for renewed investment in workforce development – including strengthened engagement between the City, local businesses, and job seekers – as part of a holistic affordability strategy.

The new gentrification analysis accompanies updated economic snapshots of New York City’s 59 community districts, first published last year, as well as a first-ever analysis of economic and demographic trends across all 188 New York City neighborhoods.

“The economic growth in our neighborhoods is good news, but only if it means real opportunities for the working families, seniors, and immigrants who built these communities in the first place. This report clearly shows that local residents are getting left behind as already struggling New Yorkers are finding it harder than ever to afford living here,” said New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer. “We need to fully fund workforce development programs, build community partnerships, and prepare local residents with the necessary skills and training so that they can thrive in their growing neighborhood economies.”

In the 24 neighborhoods identified as “gentrifying” in the report, local employment jumped by an average of 24 percent, nearly triple the growth rates in “low-rent, non-gentrifying areas” and far outpacing those in “high rent neighborhoods.” The fastest growth was found in Claremont-Bathgate in the Bronx, Williamsburg and Crown Heights South in Brooklyn, and Central Harlem South in Manhattan, where the number of jobs rose by over 40 percent since 2010.

High levels of job growth, especially for young employees and those in higher wage jobs, exemplify why gentrifying neighborhoods should be spaces of economic opportunity for local residents. However, the analysis found that new jobs often failed to reach local residents of color who make up the vast majority of both residents and job seekers. Additionally, these wide disparities in job outcomes suggest that gentrification may have a stronger effect on the labor market than the residential market.

To address these disparities and help combat residential displacement, Comptroller Stringer’s report provided several recommendations for connecting long-time residents to local jobs and investing in workforce development. Those recommendations include:

• The City should honor the goals set in its Career Pathways plan, which are currently far off-track. While the City promised to invest $60 million per year in “bridge programs” pairing academic instruction with workforce development services by 2020, as of FY 2017, only $7.5 million was budgeted.
  • For example, the New York Basic Education and Skills Training (NYBEST) program at LaGuardia Community College has placed hundreds of New Yorkers in healthcare jobs. Non-profit providers like The Door and Per Scholas — whose TechBridge partnership offers IT certification, English-language training, and other supports — have also produced impressive results. These programs should be emulated and expanded throughout the city.
• The City should empower the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, allowing it to set policy and funding priorities for the more than one dozen agencies that engage in skills-building and job placement. As a first measure, an Executive Director should be appointed, filling a position that has sat vacant for more than six months.
• The City should develop stronger ties between local community boards and nonprofits to ensure that any business or new development that comes before the Boards is referred to job placement and training organizations.
• The City should also encourage stronger partnerships between local workforce development organizations so that they can provide better end-to-end support services and work together on job placements.
  • In last year’s “The New Geography of Jobs” report, Comptroller Stringer highlighted the work of the Lower East Side Employment Network—a partnership of seven lower Manhattan workforce development providers and Community Board 3—and encouraged similar partnerships across the city. Since that time, similar collaborations have taken root in the South Bronx and Flushing, Queens.
• The City can help preserve longstanding neighborhood businesses by developing a “re-entrepreneur” program and online portal, similar to efforts in Barcelona and Quebec. These programs connect retiring small-business owners with aspiring entrepreneurs and provide guidance for transferring and reinvigorating local businesses. Introducing a Re-Entrepreneur program – as well as more effective entrepreneurship programs – can help preserve neighborhood anchors and maintain some continuity along New York’s fast changing business corridors.

To read the full report, including economic snapshots on New York City’s 188 neighborhoods and 59 community districts, click here.