MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES INCREASED TRUCK ENFORCEMENT, NEW REPAIRS ON BROOKLYN-QUEENS EXPRESSWAY

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City will be increasing truck enforcement and performing urgent, structural repairs on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.  The Mayor signed an Executive Order to create the new NYPD BQE Truck Enforcement Task Force. Starting on Monday, February 3, this new unit will increase enforcement against illegal, overweight trucks that are exacerbating the BQE’s structural issues.

The City will also repair the Hicks Street Wall and sections of the cantilever. Construction on the Hicks Street Wall will start in the spring, and be complete by the end of 2020. DOT will begin the design process on the most deteriorated portions of the cantilever starting this summer, and work will be complete by the end of 2022.

“The BQE is one of the main arteries of our City, which is why we are immediately increasing enforcement against overweight trucks and addressing the highway’s most pressing structural issues,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I applaud the expert panel for putting forward several solutions preserve the BQE, and we will continue to explore the next steps necessary to keep New Yorkers safe and moving.”

“The BQE is a vital stretch of roadway in New York City and I thank the expert panel for their work helping identify solutions to the structural issues it faces,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “As we work on immediate repairs to key sections of the roadway, we will be partnering with law enforcement to crack down on illegal overweight trucks through Executive Order 51.”

“I want to thank the BQE expert panel, who did remarkable work over most of the last year,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We are particularly grateful for their confirmation of the problem of illegal, overweight trucks, which are accelerating the deterioration of the BQE. Under the Mayor’s leadership, we look forward to working with NYPD and our State partners to address this problem, as we also take quick action to repair areas of the roadway that need our attention.”   

“The NYPD is committed to ensuring safe travel for all on our city’s roadways and we will work with our partner stakeholders in this important new transportation initiative,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation William T. Morris.

In 2019, the Mayor convened a panel of experts to evaluate the best options to preserve the structural integrity of the BQE from the Atlantic Avenue interchange to Sands Street in Brooklyn.  The panel outlined a series of recommendations, including increase enforcement against illegal overweight trucks, as well as making urgent repairs to Hicks Street Wall and the most deteriorated portions of the cantilever. The panel also recommended against building a temporary highway through the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or Brooklyn Bridge Park. The administration has embraced the panel’s recommendation against building a temporary highway through the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

“The triple cantilever section of the BQE is in urgent need of repairs and steps must be taken right away to reduce traffic and fix this section of the roadway,” said Carlo Scissura, Chair of BQE expert panel and President and CEO of the New York Building Congress. “I commend Mayor Bill de Blasio for his leadership, not only in forming the expert panel to study the issue, but in taking immediate action to address the most severe structural issues and increase enforcement against illegal, overweight trucks that are overburdening the highway.”

Using data supplied by new state-of-the-art sensors, made by C2SMART to aid DOT in assessing the structure, the BQE Expert Panel noted that many trucks on the roadway are in severe violation of BQE weight restrictions.  Under Federal legal guidelines and posted signage, trucks along the BQE are limited to a maximum of 80,000 pounds — or 40 tons.  However, the sensors have determined that some trucks along the roadway are more than double that weight, as much as 170,000 pounds.  Such excessive weight can do serious damage, with consequences for the roadway’s structural integrity.   Under current state law, NYPD can issue violations to overweight trucks — with penalties as high as $7,000 per violation. 

Increased Truck Enforcement:

Executive Order 51 requires the City to promote and protect the structural integrity of the BQE by through the following actions:

Establish the NYPD BQE Truck Enforcement Task Force that will rigorously enforce existing weight restrictions on the BQE, starting Monday February 3.

Require DOT and NYPD working with the Deputy Mayor for Operations, to develop and present the Mayor with specific proposals to protect the safety and structural integrity of the BQE.  The agencies will consider proposals to increase penalties for violation of weight restrictions on the BQE as well as explore the institution of automated enforcement of weight restrictions.  The agencies will identify which of these proposals require action outside of City control, including those requiring state law amendments.

Urgent Structural Repairs:

DOT has also identified immediate action it will take in 2020 to address immediate structural issues identified in the BQE Panel report.  DOT will this year:

Perform immediate surface road work starting this spring, which will include milling and paving the roadway deck, repairing deck sections to ensure roadway life, restoring defective pavement, and fully replacing the mesh underneath the structure.

Perform and complete structural repairs to the retaining wall found along Hicks Street, which should increase the life span of the wall by approximately 10 years.

Address the two 50-foot long sections of the lever structure that are showing faster signs of deterioration. DOT plans to design those changes and procure the contractor to do the work this year, with construction completed on those sections by 2022. 

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE NYC ADVISORY COMMISSION ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM’S PRELIMINARY REPORT

“The Commission’s recommendations are the most significant reforms proposed in forty years, and will bring a much needed level of fairness, transparency and simplicity to the entire system. I thank them for their hard work tackling these complex issues head-on and look forward to their final report. Together, we can bring our tax system into the modern day.” 

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA AND BRONX COMMUNITY BOARD SEVEN HOST A TOWN HALL ON THE FINAL PLAN OF THE BRONX BUS NETWORK REDESIGN

State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Bronx Community Board 7 will host a town hall meeting on the final draft plan of The Bronx Bus Network Redesign on Saturday, February 1 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Monroe College.

During the town hall, representatives of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will give a presentation on the final draft plan of The Bronx Bus Network Redesign and explain how the potential new bus routes will impact bus riders of Senate District 33.

Attendees will be able to address the panelists and voice their concerns on how these potential changes could affect their daily commutes. Further, they will be able to connect with transportation activists.

WHAT: Town Hall on the Final Draft Plan of The Bronx Bus Network Redesign

WHO: State Senator Gustavo Rivera
           Bronx Community Board 7

WHERE: Monroe College
               Mintz Auditorium
               2501 Jerome Avenue
               Bronx, NY 10468

WHEN: Saturday, February 1, 2020, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

The event is free and open to the public.

African American Abrazo (Embrace) in New York

The Bronx, NY City Councilmember Rev. Rubén Díaz together with Assembly Members Marcos Crespo, and Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, District Leader Hon. John Perez and Community Leader George Alvarez announce the celebration of the 2020 Annual “African American Abrazo “Embrace” in New York State.” 

 

This Annual African American Abrazo (Embrace) will take place Friday, February 21st, 2020, at 7:00 pm at Maestros Caterer’s located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, in the Bronx. 

 

The African American Abrazo (Embrace) is an annual “free” activity attended by more than 500 people organized by Rev. Ruben Diaz and elected officials in celebration of the “Black History Month.”

 

Distinguish members of the African American community will be recognized during the Abrazo night for their contribution, achievements, and dedication to the community. 

 

For more information, please contact Leila Martinez at (718) 792-1140

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - 2020 State of the Borough Reception

11 Bronx Gang Members Charged In Manhattan Federal Court With Racketeering, Firearms, And Narcotics Offenses

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Dermot F. Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Peter C. Fitzhugh, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging NYSHIEM SPENCER, a/k/a “Willy,” LAFONE ELEY, a/k/a “Fon Fon,” STEFVON ELEY, a/k/a “Balla,” SHALIK JENKINS, a/k/a “Sha Money,” a/k/a “Double O,” MALIK TUNSTALL, a/k/a “Leaky,” PRICE TUNSTALL, a/k/a “P-Black,” NASIR VINCENT, ALLAN GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Bobby,” JONELL DANFORTH, a/k/a “JD,” ELIJAH BURT, a/k/a “Dizzy,” and ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN with participating in a racketeering conspiracy as members and associates of the Monroe Houses Crew, which operates principally in the James Monroe Houses in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx.

As part of the racketeering conspiracy, SPENCER is charged with the October 31, 2017, murder of Luis Vargas.  LAFONE ELEY is charged with shooting at a rival gang member on June 25, 2017.  STEFVON ELEY is charged with shooting a disfavored member of the Monroe Houses Crew on June 30, 2017, and with shooting at rival gang members on May 30, 2018.  VINCENT, DANFORTH, and BURT are charged with slashing a rival gang member on September 14, 2019.  SPENCER, JENKINS, MALIK TUNSTALL, PRICE TUNSTALL, VINCENT, GONZALEZ, and DANFORTH are charged with participating in a narcotics conspiracy.  MCLAUGHLIN is charged with bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identify theft.  Seven defendants were arrested today and will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James L. Cott.  Three defendants are in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody at a later date.  The case has been assigned to United States District Judge Analisa Torres.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the defendants in this case were members of a violent crew operating in the James Monroe Houses in the Bronx.  The violence perpetrated by Monroe Houses Crew members is exemplified by the murder, slashing, and three shootings alleged in today’s indictment.  Thanks to the efforts of our partners at the NYPD, HSI, and DOI, the defendants now face federal charges for their crimes.”           

NYPD Commissioner Dermot F. Shea said:  “Violence in the streets of New York City will not be tolerated.  The stellar investigative efforts of our NYPD detectives, working together with our law enforcement partners and federal prosecutors, has shut down a violent crew to maintain safety for all.”

HSI Special Agent-in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the Monroe Houses crew was responsible for multiple acts of violence and other forms of mayhem.  The defendants are charged with participating in shootings, a slashing, narcotics distribution, and bank fraud.  HSI is allied with our law enforcement partners to hold crew members accountable for the havoc they wreak on our communities, and together we will ensure there are consequences for their actions.”

DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said:  “DOI is committed to ensuring that New York City public housing remains free from violent gang activity that invades our communities and erodes the safety of residents.  We are proud to have partnered with the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, New York City Police Department, and the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations to secure today’s indictment and protect the residents of the James Monroe Houses.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

NYSHIEM SPENCER, a/k/a “Willy,” LAFONE ELEY, a/k/a “Fon Fon,” STEFVON ELEY, a/k/a “Balla,” SHALIK JENKINS, a/k/a “Sha Money,” a/k/a “Double O,” MALIK TUNSTALL, a/k/a “Leaky,” PRICE TUNSTALL, a/k/a “P-Black,” NASIR VINCENT, ALLAN GONZALEZ, a/k/a “Bobby,” JONELL DANFORTH, a/k/a “JD,” ELIJAH BURT, a/k/a “Dizzy,” and ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN,” are members and associates of the Monroe Houses Crew, a racketeering enterprise that operates principally in the James Monroe Houses.  In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, Monroe Houses Crew members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; committed robberies; engaged in fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.

On or about October 31, 2017, SPENCER and others planned and helped carry out a shooting that resulted in the death of Luis Vargas in the vicinity of 1715 Randall Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

On or about June 25, 2017, LAFONE ELEY and others shot at a rival gang member in the vicinity of the James Monroe Houses in the Bronx, New York.

On or about June 30, 2017, STEFVON ELEY shot and injured a member of the Monroe Houses Crew who had fallen out of favor with other members of the Monroe Houses Crew, in the vicinity of the James Monroe Houses in the Bronx, New York.

On or about May 30, 2018, STEFVON ELEY shot at rival gang members in the vicinity of Rosedale Avenue and Randall Avenue in the Bronx, New York.

On or about September 14, 2019, VINCENT, DANFORTH, BURT, and others slashed a rival gang member in the vicinity of 670 Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx, New York.                

A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum and minimum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, HSI, and DOI.

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

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTY
Count One	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	NYSHEIM SPENCER	Life imprisonment
		LAFONE ELEY STEFVON ELEY SHALIK JENKINS MALIK TUNSTALL PRICE TUNSTALL NASIR VINCENT ALLAN GONZALEZ JONELL DANFORTH ELIJAH BURT ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Two	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	LAFONE ELEY	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Three	Firearms offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	LAFONE ELEY	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Court Four	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	STEFVON ELEY	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Five	Firearms offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	STEFVON ELEY	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Count Six	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	STEFVON ELEY	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Seven	Firearms offense 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	STEFVON ELEY	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Count Eight	Violent crime in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959 and 2	NASIR VINCENT JONELL DANFORTH ELIJAH BURT	20 years’ imprisonment
Count Nine	Narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	NYSHEIM SPENCER SHALIK JENKINS MALIK TUNSTALL PRICE TUNSTALL NASIR VINCENT ALLAN GONZALEZ JONELL DANFORTH	Life imprisonment Mandatory minimum of ten years’ imprisonment
Count Ten	Bank fraud conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1349	ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN	30 years’ imprisonment
Count Eleven	Aggravated identity theft 18 U.S.C. § 1028A and 2	ASHANAE MCLAUGHLIN	Mandatory two years’ imprisonment

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - Black History Month Celebration

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.  Presents Celebrating African American Culture & History “A Legacy of Strength A Future of Hope” Thursday, February 6, 2020 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Bronx County Building 851 Grand Concourse, Veterans' Memorial Hall Master of Ceremonies Dorissa White BronxNet Reporter 2020 Honorees Yandy Smith-Harris  Entrepreneur, TV Personality, Philanthropist  L. Joy Williams President, NAACP Brooklyn Chapter  Mysonne Linen Founder, RAISING KINGS & Co-Founder, UNTIL FREEDOM Jonathan Hicks Memorial Award Recipient To confirm your attendance call 718-590-3522 or email lroldan@bronxbp.nyc.gov

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION INCREASES INVESTMENTS IN WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE

City now investing $800 million on new water mains over next two years, a $130 million increase

  The de Blasio Administration announced the City will be constructing new water mains and increasing staffing as part of several steps in the efforts to ensure the continued reliability of the City’s water delivery system. This initiative brings the City’s capital investment in new water mains and related infrastructure to $800 million over the next two fiscal years

“New York City water is famous for its drinkability,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We must ensure our infrastructure keeps it where it is supposed to be – en route to New Yorkers homes and not spilling out all over the sidewalk. Our investments will continue to bring down water main breaks and bring New Yorkers their water safely.”

“This new effort will further cement New York City as one of the country’s leaders in water main systems and infrastructure,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “With more than 8.5 million people who call New York City home, infrastructure that can continue to withstand the daily and long-term stresses is essential.”

“New York City’s water delivery system is not only admired because it is an engineering marvel, but also because it reliably serves more than 8.5 million people about 1 billion gallons of high quality water every day of the year,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.  “Mayor de Blasio’s additional capital commitments today will ensure that we can continue to build new, stronger water mains while expanding our inspection protocol so that we can continue to reliably deliver the champagne of tap water to every building across the five boroughs.” 

New York City has one of the most reliable water main systems in the country, far outperforming the national average. Large cities across the United States average 25 breaks for every 100 miles of water main while the industry has set a best practices goal of 15 breaks for every 100 miles of main. With approximately 6,800 miles of water mains, New York City averages 6.6 breaks for every 100 miles of water main.  There are several reasons for the strong performance of the City’s system, including the requirement that the water mains are built with the strongest material available and the maintenance of a consistent pressure grade in order to reduce the fluctuations that could lead to breaks.

To ensure New York City continues to have a leading water system in the nation, the City is taking the following new measures: 

Building New Water Mains

The City is adding approximately $128 million in capital funding to ensure the replacement of approximately 1 percent of the system’s water mains annually.  The regular replacement of water mains is an important component of maintaining a well-functioning water delivery system.

Expanding Staff

To expand DEP’s pro-active inspections of water mains an additional three crews will be added. Pro-active inspections help DEP identify and repair small leaks before they grow and can cause property damage and affect other services

An additional three crews will be added in order to increase the number of valves that are inspected and exercised annually. Regularly exercising and maintaining the hundreds of thousands of valves throughout the system helps to ensure crews can promptly shut off water when there is a break. 

Inter-Agency Coordination

DEP and NYC Emergency Management will meet with the New York City Fire Department, Department of Transportation, Con Edison, National Grid, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority and others to review current coordination protocols in an effort to expedite water shut-off and service restoration during emergencies.  

Predictive Modeling

DEP prioritizes new water main construction based on multiple factors including the age, size, material and historical performance of the current main, as well as neighborhood demand for water and proximity of other capital projects.  DEP will work to develop a predictive model to forecast the likelihood of future water main breaks.