15 ALLEGED GANG MEMBERS INDICTED FOR GUN VIOLENCE IN CLAREMONT/MORRISANIA NEIGHBORHOOD

“280 Gangsta Crips” Charged in Ten Attempted Murders; Most of the Shootings Occurred Near A Junior High School

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill today announced that 15 people have been indicted on charges related to numerous shootings in the Concourse neighborhood in a wave of retaliation against rival gangs. Leaders of the “280 Gangsta Crips” face first-degree Conspiracy to commit murder for using boys to carry out shootings. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “This case is the epitome of gang culture - violence, retaliation, the “Don’t Snitch” credo, the recruitment of kids to commit crimes - that turns our neighborhoods into battle zones. Some of the gunfire happened around a Junior High School, even in the playground of the school. One shooting occurred on a Sunday morning, when a family with young children ran down the block and crouched against a building in terror. The shootings have to stop. The cooperation has to start. We will continue to work with our NYPD partners and the community to stem the violence in the 44th Precinct and anywhere in the Bronx where gang members think they hold sway.”

 Commissioner O’Neill said, “With violence and disorder reduced to historically low levels in many New York City neighborhoods, the NYPD and our law-enforcement partners have further strengthened our laser-like focus on gang and crew activity in our highest crime-rate communities. We are relentless in precisely dismantling these groups, particularly in the Bronx, where residents' quality of life has been adversely affected for far too long. Assaults, shootings, and other associated gang behavior will never by tolerated by the people we serve. I thank and commend the members of our Gun Violence Suppression Division, the 44th Precinct Detective Squad, and the Bronx District Attorney's Office for removing these 15 individuals from our streets and bringing forth a very strong conspiracy case.”

 The 60-count indictment includes charges of Conspiracy, Attempted Murder, Assault, Gang Assault, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Reckless Endangerment. Nine of the defendants were arrested on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 and arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. They are due back in court on March 4, 2019. Three other defendants are already incarcerated and three others are not yet apprehended. If convicted of the top count of first-degree Conspiracy, seven defendants face a minimum of 15-25 years to a maximum of life in prison.

 According to the investigation by the NYPD Gun Violence Suppression Unit dubbed “Operation Dead Heat,” the defendants engaged in violent acts in the area from East 167th Street to East 170th Street between Morris and Clay Avenues, from December 2014 to May 2018. Much of the violence was directed toward “6 Wild,” a set of the Bloods gang, after one member murdered Christopher Duran, nicknamed Joppy, a 14-year-old member of 280 Crips. He was shot to death on May 22, 2015 on East 167th Street and Sheridan Avenue as he walked to school in the morning. The conspiracy continued after another 280 member, Joshua Simpson, was fatally stabbed on June 28, 2018.

 The defendants allegedly conspired to commit two non-fatal shootings, seven incidents of shots fired, and one stabbing. Several shootings occurred near Junior High School 22 on Morris Avenue and East 167th Street. In one incident, on Sunday morning, May 27, 2018, shots were fired at a 6 Wild member at East 167th Street and Teller Avenue. Surveillance video of the area shows a family—including a woman pushing a baby in a stroller—fleeing.

 At one point in the summer of 2017, it is alleged that defendant Ashley Ramirez told members of the gang, “280 needs to get better at shooting.” On Facebook, she directed members to “cold crush” their rivals.

 Evidence includes video surveillance of several of the incidents.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Brian Martin, Thomas Woulfe, Adam Landesberg, and Lieutenant Paul Prendergast of the Gun Violence Suppression Unit for their work on the investigation. She also thanked the 42nd Precinct Detective Squad and the 44th Precinct Detective Squad, specifically Detective Brian Hennessey, and the 44th Precinct Patrol Officers for their assistance.

DEFENDANTS ARRESTED 

Quaduan James, 28 

Ashley Ramirez, 26 

Raymond Bello, 20 

Andres Abreu, 19 

Carlos Perez, 20 

Marlon Figueroa, 21 

David Aguero, 17 

Omar Barnes, 17 

ALREADY INCARCERATED 

Kwesi Hosier, 27 

Jamel Greene, 23 

Christopher Hatfield, 27 

NOT YET APPREHENDED 

Kurt Scott, 29 

Jesus Perez, 25 

Anton Pye, 23

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

Relay for Life Bronx Kickoff

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Bronx 2019 Leadership Team Pictured Above 

(left to right) - Ms. Nitisha Moore- ACS Community Manager, Ms. Rose Rullan, Mr. Jamie Sanders, Mr. Jose Luis Riviera- Chairman, Ms.  Yesenia Vazquez- Co Chair, Ms. Tanya Carrion, and Mr. Daniel Silva.

It was an exciting evening of getting to know each other, and have a good time while beating Cancer.  Awards were given out to several people who have survived having cancer, and there was a good time for everyone.

American Cancer Society Relay for Life Bronx 2019 Leadership Team - Ms. Tanya Carrion, Community Ambassador shows off some of the promotions from the Relay For Life Bronx Kickoff.

The Relay For Life of the Bronx fundraising Run/Walk will Benefit Cancer Research and local programs. The event will take place on June 1, 2019 at the Bay Plaza Mall from 4 - 10 PM.

for more information go to www.acsdetermination.org/bayplazaask

49th Precinct Council Meeting

  Last night the 49th Precinct Council held its meeting at the Morris Park Community Association on Bronxdale Avenue.

The agenda included the President report by Mr. Joe Thompson.

The Commanding Officer Captain Andrew Natiw's report.

Cop of the month award to Police Officer Humberto Reyes, for getting back a hijacked car, while arresting the perpetrator.

Monthly Crime Prevention Tips - Police officer Tyrone Mederos.

Neighborhood reports from around the 49th precinct.

The Public Gallery by residents who voiced complaints and opinions.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: DINOWITZ APPLAUDS ASSEMBLY ON PASSING LANDMARK GUN REFORM PACKAGE

The gun reform package passed by both chambers of the legislature includes red flag legislation, prohibition of arming teachers, ban on bump stocks, and more.

  There have been almost 2,000 mass shooting incidents in the United States since New York passed the SAFE Act following the Sandy Hook tragedy in December 2012,[1] inspiring nationwide protests and calls to action for widespread gun reforms from legislators such as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. On Tuesday, the New York State legislature approved a package of new regulations on firearms which are expected to be signed into law by the Governor. The legislative package passed includes two high-priority bills which had previously passed the Assembly regarding prohibition of “bump stocks” which circumvent regulations on automatic weapons and the establishment of extreme risk protection orders which are commonly referred to as “red flag” orders.

The legislation passed Tuesday accomplishes the following goals:

· Establish extreme risk protection orders via temporary court-issued orders of protection for persons believed to pose a severe threat of harm, such as the Parkland, FL school shooter

· Prohibit devices that modify firearms to allow for rapid-firing, as was used in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting

· Prevent schools from arming classroom teachers with weapons

· Extend background check periods to 30 days, closing the “Charleston Loophole”

· Establish a statewide municipal gun buyback program

· Ensure out-of-state citizens with homes in NY are subject to the same background check of mental health records as New Yorkers

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “Washington DC, Charleston, Roseburg, San Bernardino, Orlando, Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Parkland, Thousand Oaks, Pittsburgh, and too many others: We have said ‘Never Again’ too many times. Despite New York having some of the strongest gun control laws in the nation, loopholes and technological advances have laid bare our need to do more. After years of various legislative proposals being blocked by quislings of the NRA in the (now) State Senate minority, I am incredibly proud that we were able to reestablish New York’s rightful place in setting the national tone on how to combat gun violence. The Assembly has long led the way on gun control, and this package demonstrates our determination to continue fighting for safe communities.”

[1] “After Sandy Hook, we said never again. And then we let ____  mass shootings happen.” German Lopez and Kavya Sukumar, Vox Magazine. Updated January 27, 2019, Accessed January 28, 2019. https://www.vox.com/a/mass-shootings-america-sandy-hook-gun-violence

Engel, House Dems Reintroduce Paycheck Fairness Act

  Congressman Eliot Engel and House Democrats have reintroduced H.R.7, the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that would build on previous laws to close the pay gap and ensure equal pay for equal work.  

Ten years after President Obama made the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act the first bill he signed into law, Democrats are building on that progress with this critical legislation to unlock women’s full economic potential, empower families and grow the economy.

“We made great progress with the Lilly Ledbetter Act in 2009, which was the first bill President Obama signed into law. Now that Democrats have retaken the House, we’re making sure equal pay for equal work is a top priority again,” Engel said. “If women and men do the same job, they should get the same pay. It’s unfortunate that in 2019 we still need to say this obvious truth, but we do. Equal pay for equal work will also result in a much stronger economy and greater stability for workers and their families across the board. We need paycheck fairness and we need it now.”   

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND CHANCELLOR CARRANZA ANNOUNCE RECORD HIGH GRADUATION RATE

Graduation Rate Rises to 75.9 Percent, Increases Across All Boroughs

Mayor de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced that New York City’s 2018 four-year high school graduation rate has reached a record high of 75.9 percent. The dropout rate has fallen to a record low of 7.5 percent. The graduation rate rose in every borough and among every ethnicity.

“Nothing is more important to me than children from every zip code having access to an excellent education,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Mayoral control of education works. For the fifth year in a row graduation rates are up, dropout rates are down, and the achievement gap has narrowed - and there will be more progress to come. Congratulations to the students, educators, and their families on yet another record-breaking year in our classrooms.”

“A record number of New York City students are getting a high school diploma and going on to college, and that is a real difference in the lives and futures of thousands of our young people,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “We congratulate our students, families, and educators, and we celebrate the progress under this administration and over 16 years of mayoral control. But we are clear-eyed: we have a lot of work to do, and we must do it with great urgency. We will only realize our vision for public education in New York City when we accelerate learning and instruction in each of our classrooms, partner with every family and community, develop our talented educators, and advance equity now for the students we serve.”

The rates below are the graduation and dropout percentages among the cohort of all students who entered 9th grade in the fall of 2014. All percentage point changes are comparisons to the previous year.

· The graduation rate rose to 75.9 percent, a 1.7 point increase.

· The dropout rate fell to 7.5 percent, a 0.3 point decrease.

Graduation rates improved across all ethnicities, with a decrease in the gap between Black and White students and Hispanic and White students:

· The graduation rate was 88.1 percent for Asian students in 2018, a 0.6 point increase from 2017.

· The graduation rate was 72.1 percent for Black students in 2018, a 2.1 point increase from 2017.

· The graduation rate was 70.0 percent for Hispanic students in 2018, a 1.6 point increase from 2017.

· The graduation rate was 84.2 percent for White students in 2018, a 1.0 point increase from 2017. 

Dropout rates fell across all ethnicities:

· The dropout rate was 3.7 percent for Asian students in 2018, a 0.3 point decrease from 2017.

· The dropout rate was 7.6 percent for Black students in 2018, a 0.3 point decrease from 2017.

· The dropout rate was 10.5 percent for Hispanic students in 2018, a 0.2 point decrease from 2017.

· The dropout rate was 4.0 percent for White students in 2018, a 0.4 point decrease from 2017.

The 4-year graduation rate is over 75 percent for the first time ever, and increased across all five boroughs. The dropout rate decreased across Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The graduation rate across the 25 Renewal and Rise high schools has increased by 20.0 percentage points from 52.5 percent in 2014 to 72.4 percent in 2018. The dropout rate across Renewal and Rise Schools has decreased by 3.9 percentage points from 18.2 percent in 2014 to 14.3 percent in 2018.

The largest improvement in graduation and dropout rates was in Brooklyn:

	Graduation
	2018 # Cohort	% 2018 Grad	% 2017 Grad	Pt. Diff
Bronx	13,951	67.4	66.3	+1.1
Brooklyn	20,566	76.6	74.4	+2.2
Queens	20,245	79.5	77.8	+1.7
Manhattan	15,521	76.7	74.9	+1.8
Staten Island	4,665	80.8	80.3	+0.5

	Dropout
	2018 # Cohort	% 2018 Dropout	% 2017 Dropout	Pt. Diff
Bronx	13,951	12.1	11.7	+0.4
Brooklyn	20,566	6.7	7.4	-0.7
Queens	20,245	5.9	6.4	-0.4
Manhattan	15,521	7.0	7.3	-0.3
Staten Island	4,665	5.5	6.0	-0.5

The improvements in graduation and dropout rates reflect larger improvements in postsecondary awareness, readiness, and access across New York City public schools. Earlier this school year, Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza announced:

· The highest-ever postsecondary enrollment rate – 59 percent. A record-high 45,115 students in the Class of 2017 enrolled in college, up from 43,466 in the Class of 2016 and 40,641 in the Class of 2013.

·The highest-ever college readiness rate – 51 percent of all students, and 67 percent of graduates, in the Class of 2018 graduated high school on time and met CUNY’s standards for college readiness in English and math.

· New York City students have now outperformed their New York State peers on State ELA exams for three years in a row, after doing so for the first time in 2016. They have closed the gap with their New York State peers on State math exams.

The Mayor has also announced record performance and participation on Advanced Placement and SAT exams.

This announcement came at the New World High School located at 921 East 228th Street. 

Above - Senior Karine Mass spoke a little about herself coming to New York at age eleven not being able to speak english, but now is looking to become a lawyer with several scholarships on the table to various colleges. She introduced Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Below - The mayor thanked Ms. Mass on her excellent speech and introduction as Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and Councilman Andy King applaud.  

Above - Assemblyman Benedetto who is now the Chair of the Assembly Education Committee is ecstatic about this high school could not hold his emotions back.

Below - Councilman King puts up the number one sign.

Above - Mayor de Blasio recognized State Senator Jamaal Bailey who would say that he was late because he was downtown at an MTA hearing.

Below - Mayor de Blasio later took questions from reporters.

After the event student Karine Mass stands with Councilman Andy King.

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi’s Constituent Services Office Open for Business

Senator Alessandra Biaggi and her team are ready, eager and able to work with residents. Her district office officially opened January 23 at 10 a.m.

Contact with her constituents is extremely important to Senator Biaggi. “I can’t wait to be visible and accessible,” she said.  “My team and I want to interact with the community face to face as much as possible. A more user-friendly office will make all the difference.”

Freshman Senator Biaggi and her team have inherited the office of her predecessor, Jeff Klein, at the Hutchinson Metro Center. The staff plans to be there for only a matter of months, at which time they want to open a more central location. A search for a storefront space near public transportation is currently underway.

In the meantime, the Senator wants Bronx and Westchester residents of the 34th district to feel encouraged to call or email for assistance, make an appointment, or drop by anytime to share concerns or seek help.

Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm

1250 Waters Place, Suite 1202, Bronx NY 10461

How to reach the office: There is free parking available on site (Garage B or Tower 1 Garage/Complimentary Valet). BX24 bus to Marconi Street. Free shuttles available from Westchester Square (6 train, BX4, BX42, BX40, BX8).

Phone: 718.822.2049

Email: mercedes@nysenate.gov