ASSEMBLYMAN MARCOS A. CRESPO ANNOUNCES ACCELERATION OF NYCHA LEAD TESTING AT BRONX RIVER HOUSES

As some of you may have seen, yesterday my office released a statement expressing concern and frustration regarding the many conditions at Bronx River Houses, a development in our 85th district.

I am happy to announce that since then my office was able to get the City of New York involved, which resulted in a positive step forward. The truth is there is a lot more to do, but we must take this opportunity and continue the good fight.

Below you will find NYCHA's official announcement released today, March 15, 2019. Please be sure to share this information.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Best,

MAYOR DE BLASIO VISITS MOSQUE AND DELIVERS REMARKS WITH MEMBERS OF NEW YORK’S MUSLIM COMMUNITY

  Assalamu’alaikum. It’s my honor to be with all of you. This is one of the great houses of worship in this city that we stand before and it's the right place for us to be in solidarity with each other in the aftermath of a horrific attack on people of faith, peacefully worshiping in New Zealand. 

Our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones. Our prayers are with them. This city knows the pain of terrorism. We know the danger of discrimination, how it can turn violent, how it can tear families apart. So we stand in solidarity with our Muslim community, with the Muslim community all over the world, with the people of New Zealand, and with particularly the people of Christchurch as they go through this pain. And I'd like us all in solidarity and together to have a moment of silence for all those who were lost.

Thank you very much. I stand here today as a leader of this city to send a clear message to all our Muslim brothers and sisters that we stand with you in solidarity. We understand the pain you're feeling at this moment and the loss you are feeling, and we are here to ensure that this community is respected and embraced and protected. We know that in our hour of need, particularly when hate and violence stalk us, that we are protected every day by the men and women of the NYPD. And as I arrived, I saw a strong NYPD presence around this mosque, and that's true around mosques all over this city. And I want to thank the men and women of the NYPD for their strong show of support protecting this community. Thank you.

I also want to note – and it's something that I tell people not only here, but wherever I go – if you want to remember how we're all in this together, remember the proud members of the NYPD – 900 members of the NYPD who are Muslim, who serve us all, who we all look up to. And we honor them at this particular, painful moment. 

I want to thank everyone for coming here together, and a special thank you to a great leader – our host, Imam Jalloh. I want to thank the members of my administration who are here to do all we can to support the community. A special thank you to our Chief of Patrol of the NYPD Rodney Harrison, you'll hear from in a moment. Thank you, Chief, so much. Thank you to Council Member Ben Kallos for being here – this is a community he represents. And I saw coming in, the Permanent Representative of New Zealand's at the United Nations, Craig Hawke. Again, I extend my condolences to your nation and thank you for joining us.

My colleagues who spoke before me painted a picture of what we're experiencing now not just in the United States, but in other countries that we all consider to be democracies, countries we consider to be advanced, and yet we are seeing this violence rise up more and more, and this hatred. And in a world where we wonder what norms are left, what limits, what standards are left, this particularly painful reality that just in the last few years we more and more see attacks inside houses of worship. The most unthinkable, unspeakable idea is now becoming somehow common. And as you heard, the horrible attack inside Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where I was on Sunday – in that church where that attack happened. First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, Texas; Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh; and now a mosque so many thousands of miles away in New Zealand – this is a sickness that is growing in our society, and I agree with my colleagues that we have to be the ones to stop it. Our houses of worship cannot be turned into killing fields. We have to be clear, as a society, we will not tolerate any violence against people of faith, against people because of their race, their ethnicity, for any reason. And we have to weed out those among us who would propagate such violence.

White nationalism goes hand in hand with terrorism – let’s be clear. As a belief structure, it leads to only one place – to terror and violence – all those who believe in this idea of creating an atmosphere of threat for everyone else, and they must be addressed

As we take in this pain, we also have to be resolved to know that we will protect each other. It’s important for me to say to all New Yorkers that at this hour there have been no credible and specific threats against Muslim community centers or mosques in New York City. And we will monitor constantly, working with our federal partners. We'll address anything that emerges, but I want to reassure people there is no credible and specific threat at this moment. But that will not stop us from having a strong presence in front of crucial Muslim community locations to send the message of reassurance to the community of solidarity, but also a message of deterrence to all those who think the wrong way about their fellow human being.

In these moments, it's easy for people in their pain to pull back, to withdraw, to feel that there's less and less goodness in the world. But we see in each of these moments, people of all faiths come to the rescue of those who are afflicted. They stand up in solidarity. As you go around this mosque, read the name plate of each NYPD member. You will see people of every faith, every background, but they share a single mission – to protect their fellow human being. And this is something that New York City provides as an example to the world, the most diverse place on earth, and our men and women in uniform know they are here to serve all. All of us in government know we are here to serve all. Our faith leaders reach out to each other in solidarity in any moment of distress. That is the norm in this city – that faith leaders gather together regardless of their background to support each other. This is a lesson, an example we have to give the world. 

In the vein of remembering that all humanity is one, I quote from a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad written in powerful poetry, which says – “when any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever." One limb is aching, now we all are reacting with the pain of our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community.

I wish I could say that after today, we will not see more instances of hate, but it'll take so much more work until that day has come. But I hope everyone remembers that whenever hate rears its head our reaction has to be swift and definite. The only way to end the hate is by standing up stronger and stronger each time together.

Assalamu’alaikum.

Developers Getting Rubber-Stamped City Approvals Despite Public Opposition

In the latest example of rampant developers getting everything they want from the city, 19 parking spaces are removed from West 237^th Street and Blackstone Avenue.

It seems that the Department of Transportation never says no to a developer. Despite a letter from Assemblyman Dinowitz in November 2018, DOT has approved a request from real estate developers to remove every adjacent parking space (19 in total) to their lot at the corner of West 237^th Street and Blackstone Avenue. The parking spaces are already being filled by massive concrete barriers demarcating a pedestrian walkway, raising questions from community residents of why the developer needs to occupy the sidewalk at all.

Over the past several years, the Northwest Bronx has seen a tremendous rise in the number of new developments being proposed and constructed. Typically, these building applications are first processed by the Department of Buildings and, in certain cases, the Department of City Planning. Permits are then requested from the Department of Transportation if the property developer wants to use sidewalk or street space for their construction equipment. Rarely, if ever, are these permits denied by DOT.

Compounding the difficulty for members of the public to figure out what is going on in their own neighborhood, real estate developers frequently mask their identities through a variety of limited liability corporations (LLCs). This makes it more difficult for neighbors to raise concerns as they happen, such as excessive losses of parking or construction noise. Local residents are commonly directed to file complaints with 311 that are forwarded to the same city agencies which approved the permits in the first place, often resulting in a frustrating and circular process that does not resolve concerns.

Department of Transportation has issued numerous permits to Cipco Developers along Blackstone Avenue and West 237^th Street, adjacent to the lot, valid from March 13, 2019 until May 13, 2019 (permits for concrete barriers extend until June 9, 2019). Historically, DOT has readily granted extensions to street permits on behalf of developers. The permits include permission to place jersey barriers and fences on both Blackstone Avenue and West 237^th Street, a construction office trailer on West 237^th Street, and permit occupation of the sidewalk for unspecified stipulated conditions. A request for more information from DOT about the developer’s justification was not responded to at the time this release was issued.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said: “I am sick and tired of developers running roughshod over our neighborhoods, and city agencies just rubber stamping whatever they want to do. When an agency is quicker to respond to a developer who wants to take away 19 parking spaces than they are to the community who wants to know why this is happening, that is a problem. This goes beyond the parking, even though removing 19 spaces from an area which already lacks sufficient parking to meet demand is a problem. This is about the future of our neighborhoods.

“If a developer doesn’t have enough space to fit their equipment on their own vacant property without infringing on public space, then maybe their building is too large. Maybe we need to be considering construction impacts when we evaluate whether to approve new building construction. People move to our communities – and invest in their homes in our communities – because we have a beautiful balance of density and open space. If we continue to let developers tear into our communities without any kind of government check on their proposals, we will lose the very essence of what makes them a desirable place to live.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Last year this same developer built an eight story building at 640 West 238th Street, around the corner from the site Assemblyman Dinowitz writes here. Where was Assemblyman Dinowitz when this same developer wanted to take away the only four parking spaces on that block?

Where was Assemblyman Dinowitz when the same developer wanted to close the whole area in front of 640 West 238th Street, create a fire hazard, and try shortcuts to save time and money?

Where was Assemblyman Dinowitz when this same developer built to the property line on the sidewalk with no place for the construction equipment, not to mention the dozens and dozens of concrete trucks that unloaded into a boom truck parked in the middle of the street to lift concrete to floors two through eight?
Where was Assemblyman Dinowitz when the developer had a contractor undermine the gas line on West 238th Street, and Con Edison had to install a new gas line on the block?

Now that the developer has decided to build an eight story building directly across the street from Assemblyman Dinowitz's low floor coop apartment he is complaining. 

Assemblyman Dinowitz should thank me, the person who led the charge against what the developer was doing at 640 West 238th Street costing the developer valuable time and money to readjust how they were going to build according to the law, not to mention the several thousands of dollars in fines, and almost shutdown of the 640 West 238th Street construction. 

I will do for my neighbor Assemblyman Dinowitz on this Blackstone Avenue building construction exactly what he did for the eight story building on West 238th Street across from where I live, watch. I will tell the developer that he is now building across the street from Assemblyman Dinowitz, and hope he had good practice from me.  

CONGRESSMAN ENGEL STATEMENT ON MASSACRE IN NEW ZEALAND

  Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“I’m stunned, angry, and heartbroken by the massacre at two mosques in Christchurch, and my thoughts are with the survivors and loved ones of the victims. White nationalism and anti-Muslim hatred are a pernicious scourge that have no place anywhere.

“When Islamophobic rhetoric goes unchecked—or more dangerously, even embraced or normalized—in the public discourse, it’s only a matter of time before violence follows. There is no more horrifying combination than unchecked extremism and deadly firearms. We here in the United States know that pain all too well.

“We must confront this hatred and ensure that the freedom for all to express their cultural, religious, and ethnic identity remains a value underpinning democracies. In the wake of this tragedy, I stand with our friends, and particularly the Muslim community, in New Zealand.”

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Statement From Attorney General James On The Ethical Culture Fieldston School

  In response to the student protests at Ethical Culture Fieldston School stemming from the lack of administrative acknowledgment of racial incidents and concerns, Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement: 

“Students in this state and around the country often learn about the importance of activism, civil rights, and social justice in their textbook, but rarely do they have the opportunity to live it. The students of the Ethical Culture Fieldston School have been immensely brave, steadfast, and effective in their attempts to right the systematic wrongs they’ve experienced while receiving their education. Racism in our schools should not be tolerated on any level, in any capacity, and  I commend the Fieldston students for working to make their institution a more welcome, inclusive place for all.” 

FOUR PEOPLE INDICTED IN 3-BOROUGH CARJACKING SPREE; ONE DEFENDANT ALSO INDICTED FOR PINNING NYPD OFFICER BETWEEN TWO CARS OUTSIDE BRONX COURTHOUSE

Officer Shot And Wounded 17-Year-Old Driver

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that four people—including two 17-year-old girls—have been indicted on charges related to carjackings in three boroughs that left victims injured; one of the four was also indicted for assaulting an NYPD Police Officer using a stolen vehicle, which led to the officer shooting that defendant in a chaotic scene on a busy street. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants allegedly went on a robbery and carjacking spree in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx. In two of the six incidents, the defendants allegedly assaulted the car owners. In another, they allegedly tried to run over the victim. They drove a stolen car to a Bronx courthouse, where one defendant allegedly pinned an NYPD Police Officer with the vehicle when the officer approached. Such violent, reckless behavior will not be tolerated in the Bronx or anywhere in this city.” 

 District Attorney Clark said two of the defendants, Rusheka Willis, 17, and Veantay Henry, 17, both of the Bronx, were arraigned today on an indictment charging 64 counts, including Attempted Murder, Robbery, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Grand Larceny, Stolen Vehicles, Assault, Criminal Negligence, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, and Conspiracy, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. The two other defendants, Emanuel Thomas, 22, and Mariama Kande, 18, were arraigned on March 12, 2019. Bail was set at $10,000 for Henry, $10,000 for Willis, $25,000 for Thomas and $50,000 for Kande. The defendants are due back in court on June 12, 2019.

 According to the investigation, on or about January 20, 2019, in the Bronx, Henry allegedly stole a 2013 Toyota Corolla, luring the victim out of her car by claiming that one of the tires was flat, then jumping into the driver’s seat. As the victim fled, Henry allegedly attempted to run her over, driving the stolen car onto the sidewalk. 

 On February 1, 2019, Henry allegedly stole a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe from a man in the Bronx.

 On February 3, 2019, Willis, Henry, Thomas and Kande abandoned the stolen Santa Fe they were traveling in. They then carjacked a 2006 Honda Accord from a man in the Bronx, physically assaulting the victim and threatening him with a knife. The defendants also stole the victim’s cell phone and credit card.

 The defendants then drove the Accord to Manhattan, where the defendants physically assaulted a woman on a sidewalk, and stole an iPhone from her.

 They then went to Brooklyn, where they robbed one woman of her handbag, then crashed the Accord. On foot, they stole a handbag from a parked car, and then carjacked a woman, taking her 2011 Hyundai Sonata and driving it back to the Bronx.

 According to the investigation, on the morning of February 4, 2019 at the intersection of East 162nd Street and Sheridan Avenue, Henry double-parked the stolen Sonata in front of Family Court. Henry and Willis went inside Family Court, and then left the courthouse after approximately 30 minutes.

 While the defendants were inside the courthouse, Anti-Crime Officers on routine patrol received an alert from their License Plate Readers that the Sonata outside Family Court had been reported stolen in Brooklyn. The Officers then asked for a uniform patrol so they could box the vehicle in and check the car. Police Officers of the 44th Precinct responded and waited until the defendants entered the vehicle. The Officers could not box in the car because a cab was in the way, so Police Officer Vanessa Rodriguez approached the vehicle on foot. Henry, who was in the driver’s seat, put the car in reverse and pinned Rodriguez between the stolen vehicle and a parked Toyota Camry. Rodriguez fired three shots into the stolen car, striking Henry. The Officer was taken to the hospital for treatment.

 District Attorney Clark also thanked NYPD Detective Franco Johnson of the Bronx Robbery Squad for his work in the investigation. District Attorney Clark thanked Detectives of the 44th, 47th, and 41st Precincts in the Bronx, of the 61st precinct in Brooklyn, and of the 13th Precinct in Manhattan, as well as Detective Devin Long of the Force Investigations Division, and Detective Matthew Steiner of the Crime Scene Unit. 

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

Defendants: 

Veantay Henry, 17, 822 East 230th St., Bronx 

Rusheka Willis, 17, 1141 East 229th St., Bronx 

Emanuel Thomas, 22, 1717 Garfield St., Bronx 

Mariama Kande, 18, 699 East 139th St., Bronx

Charges: 

Attempted Murder In The Second Degree

Attempted Assault In The First Degree 

Robbery In The Second Degree 

Robbery In The Third Degree

Criminal Possession Of Stolen Property In The Third Degree 

Grand Larceny In The Third Degree

Criminal Possession Of Stolen Property In The Fourth Degree 

Grand Larceny In The Fourth Degree

Stolen Vehicles 

Reckless Endangerment In The Second Degree

Robbery In The First Degree 

Robbery In The Second Degree

Assault In The Second Degree

Assault In The Third Degree 

Assault In The Third Degree 

Reckless Driving 

Conspiracy In The Fourth Degree 

Conspiracy In The Fifth Degree

STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLYMAN MARCOS A. CRESPO RE: CONDITIONS AT BRONX RIVER HOUSES

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

It seems as if every other day we are faced to deal with yet another catastrophe within the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).  

NYCHA residents not only have to deal with blistering cold temperatures inside their homes due to lack or no heat, but also are forced to deal with poor to no maintenance, and deal with having to walk through complex grounds that seem to have been forgotten.

 

Most recently, we have learned that Bronx River Houses is currently experiencing an emergency as most if not all apartments tested for lead came back positive. While other developments are set to have their lead issues addressed, Bronx River will have to wait four times as long as other complexes.

It is shameful and unconscionable that families including children and seniors have to accept the kind of living conditions they do at Bronx River and all across the city. While elected officials fight and continue imploring for more NYCHA money, we are constantly slapped in the face with realities that are very difficult to tolerate.

 

Bronx River must be treated with the same sense of urgency as any other resident in the city. We need answers and we need solutions. I will remain vocal about this and every issue until my constituency is treated how they deserve to be treated.  

 

DISTRICT OFFICE: 1163 Manor Avenue, Bronx, New York 10472 • 718-893-0202, FAX: 718-842-8731