Governor Cuomo Announces State Will Withhold Funds for Localities and Schools in COVID-19 Cluster Zones That Fail to Enforce Public Health Law

 

Sends Letter Warning Local Governments in Cluster Zones That They Will Lose State Funding If They Fail to Enforce Gathering Limit and School Closure Rules

Sends Separate Letter Warning Public and Private Schools in Cluster Zones That They Will Lose State Funding If They Do Not Comply with Closure and Testing Rules

Positive Testing Rate in Hot Spot Areas is 6.29 Percent; New York State Positivity Without Red Zone Focus Areas Included is 0.95 Percent

7 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

SLA and State Police Task Force Visits 634 Establishments; Observes 2 Establishments Not in Compliance

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State will withhold funds for localities and schools in COVID-19 cluster zones that fail to enforce public health laws. The New York State Department of Health will send a letter warning local governments in cluster zones that they will lose state funding if they fail to enforce state limits on gatherings and the closure of schools. The letter will be sent to New York City, Orange County, Rockland County, the Town of Ramapo and the Village of Spring Valley.

Governor Cuomo also announced that DOH will send an additional letter warning public and private schools in cluster zones that they will lose state funding if they do not comply with state requirements on closure and testing.

"We know that public and private schools in the red zones are supposed to be closed. We know that there were violations where yeshivas were operating. We know there were violations where religious gatherings were happening that exceeded the guidelines. This is especially a problem in Brooklyn and Orange and Rockland Counties," Governor Cuomo said. "Number one, we are sending a notification to local governments saying they must enforce public health law under Section 16. If the local government does not effectively enforce the law, we will withhold funds. We're also sending a letter to all schools in the red zones saying to them that they must be closed. If they violate the Section 16 order, we will withhold funding from the schools. This is a last and final warning."

In "Red Zone" focus areas included as part of the Governor's Cluster Action Initiative, the positivity rate for test results reported yesterday is 6.29 percent - up from the 4.13 percent the day before. The "Red Zone" focus areas are home to 2.8 percent of state's population, yet had 15.6 percent of all positive cases reported yesterday to New York State. 

Within the "Red Zone" focus areas, 3,053 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 192 positives or a 6.29 percent positivity rate. In the remainder of the state, not counting these "Red Zone" focus areas, 108,691 test results were reported, yielding 1,040 positives or a 0.95 percent positivity rate. The state's overall positivity rate is 1.10 percent with focus areas included. The "Red Zone" focus areas are home to 2.8 percent of the state population yet had 15.6 percent of all positive test results reported to the state yesterday, and 12.2 percent of all positive case results reported to the state this current week.

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 634 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 2 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

• Nassau - 2

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 938 (+15)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 146
• Hospital Counties - 39
• Number ICU - 201 (+20)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 100 (+10)
• Total Discharges - 77,870 (+115)
• Deaths - 7
• Total Deaths - 25,605

An Update from State Comptroller DiNapoli: NY's Economy & Finances in the COVID-19 Era

New York State Ranks Second Nationally in Jobs Lost

While all states have lost employment since the COVID-19 pandemic struck earlier this year, New York surpasses almost every other in both number and percentage of job losses. From February through August 2020, the Empire State ranks second to Hawaii in percentage of employment decline and second only to California in the total number (see map below). During that same period, unemployment in the State rose from 3.7 percent to 12.5 percent, based on preliminary estimates. 

Employment in New York increased from May through August. However, those gains, over 686,000 jobs, represented only 35 percent of the record-breaking loss of 1.9 million in March and April. As the Office of the State Comptroller has reported previously, New York’s job losses are concentrated in lower-paid sectors of the economy.

The employment impact on New York and other indicators, including figures on overall economic activity, continue to support the case for significant additional federal aid in response to the pandemic and the associated recession.

For more current highlights on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the State’s finances and economy, visit our web page. Additional topics this week include:

• New York State's GDP Declined by 36 Percent in the 2nd Quarter of 2020
• Small Businesses Continue to Experience Economic Hardships
• New York State's Budget

The State Comptroller's office is committed to keeping New Yorkers regularly updated on the State's economy and finances.

RECOVERY AGENDA: DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION CUTS RIBBON ON MAJOR PROTECTED BIKE LANES ALONG SIXTH AVENUE & CENTRAL PARK WEST

 

As cycling expands, New York City hosts “Bike-tober” events for new and experienced riders

As cycling continues to expand in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced more than three miles of protected bike lanes (PBLs) have been completed in Midtown Manhattan and on the Upper West Side, including uptown protected lanes on both Sixth Avenue and Central Park West. Under the Green Wave plan announced in 2019, New York City committed to dramatically expanding access to protected bike lanes, which have consistently proven to make streets safer for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.

 

To support both new and experienced cyclists, New York City DOT also announced a range of activities continuing during the month of October. A full “Bike-tober” schedule is available at www.nyc.gov/biketober.

 

“More New Yorkers than ever are choosing cycling to move around our city, and I’m proud to expand their options and offer more ways to keep them safe,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Protected bike lanes help provide a safe and green transportation alternative, meeting the goals of our Recovery Agenda, Vision Zero, the Green Wave and OneNYC. We look forward to cutting the ribbon on more lanes and supporting every New Yorker who chooses healthy, car-free transit options.”

 

“With cycling up during the COVID-19 pandemic, the dedicated DOT team has been hard at work adding protected bike lanes through some of our City’s most congested neighborhoods,” said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We thank the Mayor for his leadership that has helped safer cycling return to Sixth Avenue – four decades after its first protected lane. We also credit Manhattan’s local elected officials and community boards for their fierce and unwavering support of these projects. As we support cyclists with so many Bike-tober events, let’s get riding uptown!”

 

NYC DOT has completed 10 PBL miles so far in 2020, with another 15 miles scheduled to be completed this year. The de Blasio administration has created more than 140 miles of on-street protected lanes; its recent pace represents about one of every five protected lane miles nationwide.

 

The Sixth Avenue PBL was requested by Manhattan’s Community Board 5 and multiple elected officials. Sixth Avenue is a Vision Zero Priority Corridor that provides a direct link between Greenwich Village and Central Park.

 

Demand for the new lane is high: from 2008-2019, Sixth Avenue saw a 161% increase in cycling, and 10 Citi Bike stations are located within 400’ of this project. The new protected lane removed a traffic lane from this wide corridor and added painted pedestrian islands at intersections. The project also added pedestrian head-starts at 13 intersections, offset crossings and left-turn lanes with split-signal phases added to nine intersections between 41^st Street and Central Park South with a high rate of crashes.

 

The Central Park West PBL, a 2.5-mile stretch along the length of Central Park, makes the street safer for pedestrians, whose crossing distances are 20% shorter. The project also added a left-turn restriction at 96^th Street, a location with a high rate of severe crashes.

 

In partnership with Mechanical Gardens Bike Co-op, NYC DOT also announced that it is offering free bike tune-ups to get cyclists ready and their bikes road-worthy.

 

Types of repair offered include: replacing flat tubes and used-up brake pads, adjusting brakes, improving shifting, adjusting saddles (seats), handlebars, and brake levers, replacing snapped cables and decomposed housing, making critical headset adjustments, truing critically wobbly wheels, and lubricating chains, gears, pivot points, and springs. Both adult and children’s bikes are eligible. Walk-up service only on a first-come, first-served basis. Please remember to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing. More info and event schedule available at www.nyc.gov/biketober.

 

"I'm thrilled that more and more New Yorkers are biking around the city but we need to give them the space they need to ride safely,” City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “We need an interconnected network of protected bike lanes citywide, and the additions of these two critical pieces of bike infrastructure are great steps forward towards that goal. The Council will continue fighting to make our streets safe for cyclists as we work to promote sustainable methods of transportation in our city." 

Build The Block Meeting - 49Pct - Neighborhood Coordination Officers 49th Precinct Sector A

 

NCO A – 49Pct – Build The Block Meeting

Wednesday, October 21st 2020.

Meeting starts at 6:30 P.M. Doors open at 6:00 P.M for light refreshments.

F & J The Pine, 1913 Bronxdale Ave, Bronx NY 10462

The Meeting will be set up with social distancing in mind, also face masks must be worn during the duration of the meeting, if needed they will also be provided.

P.O. Stephen Brancatelli - Neighborhood Coordination Officer

New York City Police Department

49th Precinct

2121 Eastchester Road Bronx, New York  10461

(917) 826-9562

Stephen.Brancatelli@NYPD.org

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz - Rally to Save Our Bank in Knolls Crescent

 

Elected officials rally with community members to oppose Chase’s decision to close the only bank in southern Riverdale.

 

WHO: Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Andrew Cohen, Congressman Eliot Engel, Bronx Community Board 8, and concerned community residents

WHAT: Local leaders and community members respond to Chase notice that they plan to close the only bank in southern Riverdale on December 30, 2020 and call on the multinational, billion-dollar corporation to keep this branch open.

WHEN: Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 3:00pm

WHERE: Knolls Crescent branch of Chase at 13B Knolls Crescent, Bronx, New York

TODAY: PUBLIC ADVOCATE TO CALL FOR URGENT CITY, STATE ACTION TO ADDRESS CRISIS OF ANTI-TRANS VIOLENCE

 

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams will be joined by a coalition of advocates for a virtual press conference to call for a series of urgent actions and initiatives today to combat the historic rise of violence targeting transgender individuals. At least 32 transgender or gender non-conforming people have been killed in 2020, making it the deadliest year on record for the trans community; the Public Advocate will hold a moment of silence to honor the lives lost.   WHEN: Wednesday, October 14, 12:00 PM WHERE: The virtual press conference will be held via Zoom - and the event will stream live on Facebook.

Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr. - HISPANIC MINISTERS WILL MEET TO DISCUSS THE RESIGNATION OF NYPD CHIEF OF PATROL FAUSTO PICHARDO

 

What You Should Know

By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz

District 18, Bronx County

You should know that Fausto Pichardo, Chief of Patrol of the New York City Police Department, has unexpectedly resigned.

 

Chief Pichardo is the second person of Dominican origin with a high position, who has suddenly resigned from the Police Department of this City, causing another loss among many in the Hispanic community, especially the Dominican community.

 

Chief Pichardo joins Inspector Flerida Vera, another Dominican who also suddenly resigned from her position as a Commanding Officer of the 41st Police Precinct in Bronx County.

 

We all know that the Dominican community, because of the egotism and infighting within its political leadership, has recently lost some important positions. Among the losses are, Senator Marisol Alcantara, Senator Jose Peralta and Assemblywoman Aridia "Ari" Espinal.

It is important for you to know that the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will be meeting this Thursday, October 15 at 10:00 am at 1437 Longfellow Avenue in the Bronx New York, 

 

The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss among other things, what we think is an act of discrimination, abuse and lack of respect for Hispanic police officers within Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Administration.  Statics show that 33% of the population in the City of New York is Hispanic and 30% of the police force are Hispanic, but in positions of power and leadership, within the Police Department, Hispanics are close to zero.

 

I am Councilman Rev. Rubén Díaz and this is What You Should Know.

Manhattan Gang Member Pleads Guilty In Federal Court To Racketeering, Arson, Robbery, And Firearms Offenses

 

 Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LARRY WHITE, a/k/a “L.O.,” pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to participating in a racketeering enterprise known as Bully Gang, setting two cars on fire in Manhattan on January 14, 2019, committing multiple armed robberies, and committing a shooting on June 3, 2017, in Manhattan.  U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff accepted the defendant’s guilty plea.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Today, Larry White admitted to a brazen and dangerous crime spree in New York City, including armed robberies, an arson, firearms offenses, and his active participation in a dangerous gang.  We continue our daily work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and to vigorously investigate acts of violence committed by gang members.”

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in open court:

Bully Gang was a criminal enterprise involved in committing armed robberies throughout New York City.  As admitted today in open court today, White personally participated in multiple armed robberies in furtherance of Bully Gang, set two cars on fire in Manhattan, and shot a victim on June 3, 2017, in Manhattan. 

WHITE, 33, of New York, New York, pled guilty to participating in a racketeering enterprise, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison to run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment; being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and arson, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. 

WHITE is scheduled to be sentenced on January 28, 2021.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.           

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.