Allerton Avenue Menorah Lighting

 

Sunday was the fourth day of Chanukah and the Menorah that was placed on Allerton Avenue at Boston Road was to be lit by Rabbi Pewzner. The Rabbi brought the traditional Jelly Donuts with him, and presented the movie about Chanukah around the world.

Joining Rabbi Pewzner was Allerton International Merchants Association President Gene De Francis, Community Board 11 Land Use Committee Chair Kenneth Gelnick, and CB 11 member Debra Kawalick, along with about twenty-five other people. Since this was the fourth day of Chanukah the middle light plus the four lights on the right side of the middle light were lit.

Above - AIM President Gene De Francis lights the middle light of the Menorah.

Below - Allerton resident Yosef Aberra lit the four lights to the right of the middle light.

Above - Rabbi Pewzner, Yosef Abrerra, and Gene De Francis stand in front of the lit menorah.

Below - Those on hand join in to stand in front of the Menorah. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - DECEMBER 13, 2020

 

5,410 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

1,009 Patients in the ICU; 567 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.96%

106 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"All the experts predicted cases would go up in the fall and winter, and that's exactly what's happening around the country," Governor Cuomo said. "The problem is the cold weather is driving people indoors which in turn is driving more spread. Contact tracing data shows the main driver of cases is household and small gatherings, so we have to adjust our behavior accordingly — avoid these types of gatherings, wear a mask, adhere to social distancing. The vaccine is coming and there is light at the end of this long tunnel, but we must remain vigilant until it is available widely. New Yorkers already proved we are smart and tough and loving and united and disciplined — we just need to keep it up a little longer."  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 205,250
• Positive Test Results - 10,194
• Positivity - 4.96 %
• Patient Hospitalization - 5,410 (+51)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 746
• Hospital Counties - 55
• Number ICU - 1,009 (-20)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 567 (+4)
• Total Discharges - 91,366 (+619)
• Deaths - 106
• Total Deaths - 27,785

Bronx Gang Member Charged With Racketeering And Firearms Offenses

 

Defendant Charged in Connection with April 2017 Shooting in Which 12-Year-Old Child Was Struck by Gunfire

 Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Dermot 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 the unsealing today of an Indictment charging NICHOLAS JOSEPH, a/k/a “Gotti,” a/k/a “Finesse,” with various racketeering and firearms offenses relating to the Castle Hill Crew, which operates principally in the Castle Hill Houses in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx.  The charges include assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder in aid of racketeering for the April 28, 2017, shooting in the Story Playground in Soundview, during which a 12-year-old child was struck by gunfire.

JOSEPH was taken into custody last night and will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn later today.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged in the indictment, the defendant carried out a shooting in a playground that injured a 12-year-old child.  Thanks to the extraordinary work of the NYPD, HSI, and DOI, the defendant now faces federal charges for his crimes.”

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “Targeting and dismantling gangs and crews, and preventing the violence so often associated with their illegal activities, continues to be among the highest priorities for the NYPD and our law enforcement partners.  By precisely targeting the relatively small percentage of people responsible for committing much of the violence in New York, we are making New Yorkers safer.  We remain relentless in our efforts to identify, arrest, and prosecute anyone who involves themselves in such behavior.  I thank our colleagues at the Southern District and Homeland Security for their unceasing professionalism and dedicated work in removing from our streets those who allegedly commit crime and disorder, especially when it’s in the form of gang violence.”

HSI Special Agent-in Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said:  “As alleged, the Castle Hill gang was involved in drug dealing, firearms offenses, and conspiracy to murder.  Their ruthlessness and blatant disregard for human life is further evidenced as Joseph is alleged to have opened fire on a rival gang member at a playground, only to have a child caught in the crossfire.  We too will be relentless in our commitment to public safety and removing these violent gang members from our streets and playgrounds.  Every parent and child should feel safe to play in their neighborhoods without wondering where the next stray bullet will come from.”

DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said:  “This is a tragic example of how gang activity devastates our public housing neighborhoods and the families who live there, in this case, making a children’s playground perilous for a 12-year-old child.  We cannot and will not stand for that violence.  Working with our law enforcement partners we will make sure that those allegedly involved in this kind of brutality will be held accountable, and today’s arrest is part of that joint effort.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

JOSEPH is a member and associate of the Castle Hill Crew, a racketeering enterprise that operates principally in the Castle Hill Houses in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx.  In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, Castle Hill Crew members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; engaged in fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.

On or about April 28, 2017, JOSEPH and others shot at a rival gang member in the vicinity of the Story Playground in the Bronx, New York, during which a 12-year-old child was injured.  

The defendant is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which was brandished and discharged, which carries a maximum sentence of life and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD, HSI, and DOI.    

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 constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Record High Number of COVID-19 Tests Reported - December 12, 2020

 

242,927 Test Results Reported to New York State Yesterday

5,359 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

1,029 Patients in the ICU; 563 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.58%

95 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 242,927 COVID-19 test results were reported to New York State yesterday—a new record high. 

"COVID cases are continuing to climb nationwide and with the holiday season in full swing, it could get worse before it gets better," Governor Cuomo said."The federal government must do its job and provide resources to state and local governments to equitably administer the vaccine and provide badly needed support for businesses and the unemployed. In the meantime, we are laser focused on ensuring the increase in cases we are seeing does not overwhelm our hospital system and we are putting in place redundancies to shore them up. Ultimately, it's up to each of us to slow the spread of this virus until there is widespread access to a vaccine: wear a mask, socially distance, wash your hands and stay vigilant."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 242,927
• Patient Hospitalization - 5,359 (+38)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 705 
• Hospital Counties - 55
• Number ICU - 1,029 (+22)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 563 (+17)
• Total Discharges - 90,747 (+595)
• Deaths - 95
• Total Deaths - 27,675

Baggage Handler At Newark Liberty International Airport Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Role In Cocaine Smuggling Scheme

 

 Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that TYRONE WOOLASTON was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan to 180 months in prison for his participation in a multi-year scheme to smuggle cocaine into the United States through Newark Liberty International Airport.  WOOLASTON was convicted in February 2019, after a two-week jury trial, of conspiring to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, and using a firearm in furtherance of cocaine trafficking. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Tyrone Woolaston used his position as a baggage handler at Newark Liberty Airport to smuggle cocaine into the United States.  When law enforcement conducted an undercover operation to investigate, Woolaston, carrying a semi-automatic pistol, delivered five kilos of what he believed to be cocaine.  Now Woolaston has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his crimes.” 

According to court documents and the evidence at trial:

WOOLASTON was a lead baggage handler for a commercial airline at Newark Liberty International Airport (the “Airport”).  From in or about 2013 through February 2018, WOOLASTON conspired to smuggle shipments of cocaine into the United States. WOOLASTON abused his secure access to the restricted areas of the Airport to remove suitcases containing shipments of multiple kilograms of cocaine from international flights and smuggle them through the Airport for distribution in the New York City area.

In 2017 and 2018, agents from the New Jersey Office of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) conducted an undercover operation to investigate cocaine smuggling at the Airport.  As part of the investigation, a confidential source met with WOOLASTON to arrange a cocaine shipment, and WOOLASTON agreed to bring a suitcase containing five kilograms of cocaine through the Airport.  On February 10, 2018, HSI agents placed a suitcase containing approximately five kilograms of sham cocaine on an international flight from the Cayman Islands to the Airport.  WOOLASTON was working on the Airport ramp when the flight arrived at the Airport, and took possession of the suitcase and carried the sham cocaine shipment through the Airport, evading customs screening.  The following day, WOOLASTON carried a .40 caliber Glock pistol, equipped with a laser sight, to deliver the sham cocaine to the confidential source.

In addition to the prison term, WOOLASTON, 35, of Orange, New Jersey, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.  

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI.

Governor Cuomo Announces Updated Zone Metrics, Hospital Directives and Business Guidelines

 

New Metrics to Align with Increased Focus on Protecting Hospital Capacity

Hospitals Directed to Take Additional Steps to Help Keep Capacity Rates Below 85 Percent

Indoor Dining to Close in New York City on Monday; Determinations on Additional Indoor Dining Restrictions Throughout Rest of State to Come

Personal Care & Salons Permitted to Remain Open with Increased Testing in Orange Zones 

Gyms Now May Operate with Reduced Capacity in Orange Zones

Changes to Gym and Salon Guidance Effective Monday, December 14

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new metrics by which micro-cluster focus zones will be determined to help control COVID-19 spread and protect hospital capacity. Additionally, the Governor announced new directives to further grow hospital capacity, as well as updated calibrations to business guidelines based on recent CDC guidance, advice of public health experts, and data from state's contact tracing program. Under these calibrated business guidelines, indoor dining in New York City will be suspended on Monday, December 14, and gyms and salons will now be allowed to remain open with restrictions in Orange Zones.

"We have been setting rules that make sense for everyone, and it is basically all common sense. We invested very heavily in doing COVID testing, and we do more testing than any state in the nation. That gives us actual facts that we can base our actions upon," Governor Cuomo said. "This is not high science we're applying here—these are common-sense rules. Where the virus is highest, you have to take action. We're changing rules for the hospitals in the state. We've already announced that all hospitals have to do a 25 percent increase in staffed beds. Hospitals must remain under 85 percent, either by adding up to 25 percent of beds, reducing or eliminating elective surgeries, or both. We're also calibrating the risk level of the economic activity to ensure we are respecting public health, while limiting economic disruption to the extent possible. This pandemic has required us to stay nimble from the very beginning and we will continue to follow the data to make smart, informed decisions."

Updated Zone Metrics

As New York has grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor and NYS Dept. of Health have made it a priority to continuously calibrate the metrics governing restrictions to protect public health, without causing undue harm to the economy. The updated metrics unveiled today and over this past week continue to focus on limiting viral spread in communities with the highest rates of case growth and hospital admissions, and factor in a region's hospital capacity. 

Under these updated metrics, micro-cluster zones will now be determined as follows:

RED ZONE

A red zone will be implemented in a region where hospital capacity is within 21 days of reaching 90 percent, even after the cancellation of elective procedures and a 50 percent increase in bed capacity in hospitals in the region.

ORANGE ZONE

A geographic area will be eligible to enter an Orange Zone if it has a 4 percent positivity rate (7-day average) over the last 10 days and it is located in a region that has reached 85 percent hospital capacity. Alternatively, a geographic area may also become an Orange Zone if the State Department of Health determines the area or region's rate of hospital admissions is unacceptably high and a zone designation is appropriate to control the rate of growth.

YELLOW ZONE

A geographic area will be eligible to enter a Yellow Zone if it has a 3 percent positivity rate (7-day average) over the past 10 days and is in the top 10 percent in the state for hospital admissions per capita over the past week and is experiencing week-over-week growth in daily admissions.

Updated Hospital Directives

Earlier this week, the Governor directed the State Department of Health to begin implementing the state's "surge and flex" protocol and a number of steps were initiated as part of that effort. Specifically, all hospitals were mandated to begin expanding their bed capacity by 25 percent to further prepare hospitals for a future COVID-19 surge. Additionally, the Governor issued a call to all retired doctors and nurses urging them to return to service if they are able to do so and hospitals were reminded of the requirement to report data and to ensure they maintain a 90-day stockpile of personal protective equipment.

Today, the NYS Dept. of Health is issuing a directive for hospitals to take steps to remain below 85 percent capacity by either adding an additional 25 percent of capacity, eliminating elective surgeries, or by taking a combination of both steps. 

Updated Business Restrictions

Suspension of Indoor Dining in New York City

Beginning on Monday, December 14, indoor dining will be suspended in New York City. This measure comes after the federal Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance to say 'Exposures at nonessential indoor settings and crowded outdoor settings pose a preventable risk to all participants. Indoor venues, where distancing is not maintained and consistent use of face masks is not possible (e.g. restaurant dining) have been identified as particularly high-risk scenarios' and New York City continues to see increased positivity, cases per capita, daily hospital admissions, and total hospitalizations. This suspension will continue to be re-evaluated based on updated data over the coming weeks, and to provide additional support to the industry during these difficult times, the Governor is extending the state's moratorium on commercial evictions and is renewing his call for Congress to include support for bars and restaurants in the next stimulus package. 

Updated Rules for Gyms and Salons

Gyms and personal care services were originally higher risk environments for viral transmission, but the State's latest data shows that the rate of spread has been reduced in businesses that are operating in accordance with the Department of Health's New York Forward guidance. Following the State's principles of recalibration and balancing public health measures with economic impact, these businesses that are within orange zones may operate with additional service restrictions, starting Monday, December 14. Specifically, gyms and fitness centers -- which are currently closed in orange zones -- will be allowed to operate at 25 percent capacity, reduced from 33 percent.  Personal care services -- for example, salons and barbershops which are also currently closed in orange zones -- will be allowed to provide services so long as the employees performing services are tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis, and obtain a negative test result prior to opening. 

UPCOMING CHRISTMAS EVENTS

 

VACCINE: MAYOR DE BLASIO OUTLINES EQUITY PLAN AND LAUNCHES COMMAND CENTER

With equity at the forefront, new Vaccine Command Center will coordinate distribution and outreach citywide 

 Mayor de Blasio and the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity outlined the City’s Vaccine Equity Plan and launched the vaccine command center. Through targeted outreach and a network of trusted community messengers, the City will ensure equitable vaccine distribution to the 27 hardest-hit neighborhoods identified by the Task Force. The City will also stand up a dedicated Vaccine Command Center, led by Deputy Mayor Hartzog and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dave Chokshi, to coordinate vaccine distribution across the city.  Through the Center, the City will track critical metrics on vaccine coverage, with a priority focus on the 27 neighborhoods. 

“A vaccine must be distributed equally to be effective," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “COVID-19 has exposed our city's most painful disparities, and we are addressing those inequities head-on and making a vaccine available for all New Yorkers."

 

"As our City navigates the path to recovery, the families and communities that have been negatively and disproportionately affected must be in the forefront of our efforts to distribute the vaccine.” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “When we established the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity, we set out to identify immediate and long term solutions to help heal and strengthen these communities. With a vaccine on the horizon, it’s time for all of us to engage deeply and rebuild even stronger.”

 

The City will use NYCHA space—including NYC Health + Hospitals clinics—to vaccinate priority populations, following the successful partnership model the City established with NYCHA for COVID-19 testing. Through a broader outreach effort, the City will work with NYCHA residents, community partners, and faith leaders to spread accurate and trustworthy information about the vaccine and improve the distribution process. 

 

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will also host virtual conversations with residents in the 27 neighborhoods and community leaders to share information on vaccine planning and provide opportunities for community members to raise questions and concerns. Community partners will have access to a training model, allowing them to serve as trusted messengers and hold webinars and community conversations on the City’s vaccine plan information and updates

 

The Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity will also establish a subcommittee to focus on vaccine distribution in the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods and engage their robust network of over 200 community organizations to ensure effective outreach. Their work will inform the City’s Vaccine Equity Principles, a set of commitments to ensure the vaccine is accessible to priority populations, with the obligation to continually solicit feedback from hardest-hit neighborhoods throughout the distribution process.

 

Headquartered at 253 Broadway, the Vaccine Command Center—a joint initiative between DOHMH, NYC Health + Hospitals, The Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity Task Force, the Mayor's Office for Community and Faith Partnerships, Public Engagement Unit, and other agencies—will provide real-time troubleshooting and rapid response across public and private providers, including urgent cares, private pharmacies, hospitals, and community vaccination sites. To build trust in a safe and effective vaccine, the Command Center will deploy Test & Trace Corps members and DOHMH outreach teams citywide.  These teams will coordinate with elected officials and community leaders on neighborhood vaccination drives. They will also support the Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity and NYCHA to publicize official, science-based messaging.

 

The City is expected to receive 465,000 doses of the vaccine by the beginning of January. In accordance with State and CDC guidelines, the initial expected doses will be given to nursing homes and health care personnel performing high-risk activities. The first shipments of the vaccine will be sent to hospitals, who have the capacity for ultracold storage, which is required for the Pfizer vaccine. Other healthcare personnel will receive the vaccine next. 

Taskforce Appoints Melanie Hartzog as Co-Chair

Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog will now serve as a Co-Chair to the Taskforce on Racial Equity & Inclusion. In her role, Hartzog is responsible for City’s response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring the City’s social services continue to support every New Yorker, especially those experiencing homelessness. 

“Our City’s recovery depends on us addressing the disparities from COVID-19” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Melanie Hartzog. “Equity is at the heart of our vaccination plan, which is why we continue to do everything we can to maximize trust and ensure access to communities hardest hit by the pandemic.”

 

“For decades, racist policies and unjust practices have left communities of color and low-income neighborhoods with limited resources and opportunities, which makes equity crucial to the response,” said First Deputy Health Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer Dr. Torian Easterling. “We are partnering with more than 200 community organizations to earn the trust of the community—something that history has stripped of too many government entities.”