Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - JANUARY 8, 2021

 

8,561 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide 

1,475 Patients in the ICU; 912 Intubated 

Statewide Positivity Rate is 7.72% 

161 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.

"We know these numbers and we know what is happening. This is all predictive. You have the holidays, socialization, holiday spread and the number goes up. We've said that since before Thanksgiving, and we said celebrate smart and stop the spread. Social gatherings happened and the infection rate went up. Slowing the spread depends on your behavior, and your belief in your community. You resolve community spread when the community acts differently," Governor Cuomo said. "We are in a footrace between how fast the infection rate goes up and how fast the vaccination rate goes up. I am telling you, we are in a danger zone. The infection and hospitalization rates are going up quickly, and when the hospitalization rate goes up, the hospitals reach capacity and the economy shuts down. Add to that footrace a new factor: the UK strain. The UK strain is here and it's spreading. This is the Usain Bolt of infection rates and it is frightening."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 243,903
• Total Positive - 18,832
• Percent Positive - 7.72%
• Patient Hospitalization - 8,561 (+13)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1,068
• Hospital Counties - 56
• Number ICU - 1,475 (+51)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 912 (+53)
• Total Discharges - 108,144 (+901)
• Deaths - 161
• Total Deaths - 31,329

Darlene Jackson, Candidate for 18th Council District Calls for Passage of SMALL BUSINESS JOBS SURVIVAL ACT

 

 Under the Westchester Avenue el Darlene Jackson Community Board 9 member and candidate for City Council District 18 held a well attended press conference to push the Small Business Jobs Survival Act and the Lift the Caps Intros in the city council which candidate Jackson said the Small Business Survival Act has gone nowhere in ten years, because council members are being paid off by big real estate.

Candidate Jackson was joined by about ten people who were holding up various signs to support the two intros to the council. When asked what she would do if elected next year, candidate Jackson said that she would push to get the two intros passed. However should candidate Jackson be elected the two intros would have to be reintroduced to the next City Council which would take office January 1, 2022 because all legislation from the outgoing council goes with the council members, with the new council starting from Bill #1. 

Overall Crime in New York City Reaches Record Low in 2020 As Reported By the NYPD

 

Significant Surge in Shootings and Murders Amid the Ongoing COVID-19 Outbreak

 New York City and its Police Department were buffeted by conflicting forces in 2020, as a historic low in overall index crime was accompanied by significant upticks in homicides, shootings, burglaries and car thefts. In calendar 2020, overall crime was lower than in 2019, dropping to a new benchmark of 95,552 reported incidents – representing 681 fewer victims than last year and 11,668 fewer victims than in 2014, the first year of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.

At the same time, the NYPD in 2020 confronted a + 97% (1,531 v. 777) increase in shooting incidents and + 44% increase in the number of murders (462 v. 319) amid the challenges of an ongoing international health pandemic that has strained city residents and the police officers sworn to ensure public safety for everyone. Burglaries increased by 42% (15,463 v. 10,909) and car thefts increased by 67% (9.038 v. 5,422). Through it all, the NYPD has worked to mitigate violence as reflected in a 29% increase (4,253 v. 3,299) in annual gun arrests for 2020 compared with 2019 – including 2,057 gun arrests in the last four months of the year.

Unprecedented events of 2020 presented significant challenges for New York City and its police. From a diminished headcount beginning at the onset of COVID-19 to large-scale protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd in May, the NYPD’s resources were stretched further than at any time in recent memory. Yet the NYPD’s work continued. Investigators focused on concentrated areas of violence and used intelligence-based precision to attain justice for victims. The NYPD made an arrest in 32% of shooting incidents and established probable cause to arrest a suspect in an additional 6% of shooting incidents. On murders, NYPD detectives cleared 54% of homicides that occurred within calendar 2020. The clearance rate for this violent crime reflects the NYPD’s deep commitment to public service and will only continue to improve over time as investigations progress.

More broadly, the NYPD in 2020 continued to engage the people who live, work and serve throughout the city in its ongoing effort to ensure public safety that is fair, responsive and considerate to all New Yorkers. Buoyed by the resiliency of New Yorkers and officers throughout 2020, the NYPD’s undertaking to transform New York City policing to be safer and fairer for all concerned will continue in 2021, building on the fundamental changes and the strengthening of bonds between the police and the community that have developed over the last seven years.

“What New York City and our nation experienced in 2020 will resonate for a long, long time,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “The NYPD recognizes this as a time for asking and answering difficult questions, for reflection and action and for encouraging and serving New Yorkers. This will determine the way forward for all of us. Together, we will ensure the preservation of our collective public safety while also cultivating a culture that upholds the values and dignity of every New Yorker, in every neighborhood.”

Statistics on Index Crimes

---

	YTD 2020	YTD 2019	+/-	%
Murder	462	319	+143	+44.8%
Rape	1,428	1,766	-338	-19.1%
Robbery	13,101	13,439	-338	-2.5%
Fel. Assault	20,561	20,873	-312	-1.5%
Burglary	15,463	10,909	+4,554	+41.7%
Grand Larceny	35,499	43,505	-8,006	-18.4%
G.L.A.	9,038	5,422	3,616	+66.7%
TOTAL	95,552	96,233	-681	-0.7%

Additional Statistics For December 2020

	YTD 2020	YTD 2019	+/-	%
Transit	1,748	2,524	-776	-30.7%
Housing	5,104	4,996	+108	+2.2%
Citywide Shooting Incidents	1,531	777	+754	+97.0%

Attorney General James' Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit Releases Report on Investigation into the Death of Tina Davis

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit (SIPU) today released its report into the death of Tina Davis. After a comprehensive investigation, SIPU did not find criminal culpability on the part of the members of the Spring Valley Police Department (SVPD) who were involved in the incident. Based on witness accounts, video evidence, and an exhaustive review of the facts, insofar as it played a role in Ms. Davis’ death, the officers’ use of physical force could not be found to be unjustified beyond a reasonable doubt.

Although SIPU found no criminal culpability in this tragic matter, there are several serious concerns about SVPD’s handling of the incident. SIPU issued a number of recommendations to address these concerns, that included the need to better train SVPD officers on how to respond to circumstances in which mental and/or medical health needs play a role in the situation they are facing. Particularly with mental health episodes, especially in areas where emergency mental health crisis workers are not available, it is important to have trained personnel respond to these types of situations. Another notable recommendation for SVPD is to implement the use of body cameras for officers. SIPU has recommended this course of action for many other departments across the state in past investigations.

“Tina Davis’ death was a tragedy, and I offer my deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones,” said Attorney General James. “After a thorough and exhaustive investigation, we determined that there was not a crime committed by the officers who responded to the incident. However, we were concerned by some of the actions and policies of the SVPD and have issued recommendations that the department should take into account, including mandating additional training for officers to handle individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and requiring that every officer be outfitted with a body camera.”

Governor Cuomo Announces Proposal for Historic New York State Election Reform as Part of 2021 State of the State

Overhauls County Election Administration and Speeds Up Ballot Counting 

 Advances Absentee Voting for All New Yorkers 

 Adds Additional Hours of Early Voting   

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a transformational proposal that continues to expand access to voting and improves procedures as part of the Governor's 2021 State of the State agenda by speeding up vote counting, and adding additional time for early voting. These efforts build on Governor Cuomo's previous landmark election reforms. 

"Our election system, on which our democracy is built, has, and continues to be, under attack by those seeking to undermine the founding principles of our nation and we must not only protect it, but ensure it can be accessed by all," Governor Cuomo said. "While we have already made some progress in modernizing New York's election system, there is much left to do and this historic package of election reforms will be critical in strengthening how elections are run and ensuring all New Yorkers are able to exercise this fundamental right."

Expand Access to Early Voting: Among Governor Cuomo's most important voting rights and election administration achievements is the 2019 enactment of legislation establishing early voting in New York State. In the general election in 2020 - the first major election following the implementation of New York State's early voting law - more than 2.5 million New Yorkers, representing nearly one-fifth of all registered voters in the state, chose to cast their ballots during the early voting period. Governor Cuomo will advance legislation that extends early voting hours from 6pm to 9pm on weekends as well as on a minimum of three week days during the ten day early voting period.

No-Excuse Absentee Voting for All New Yorkers: In 2019, Governor Cuomo celebrated the Legislature's passage of a resolution beginning the process of amending the state constitution to make no-excuse absentee voting a reality in our state. In 2021, the Governor will call on the Legislature to act quickly to pass the resolution again so that the proposed amendment can go on the ballot to be ratified by the voters.

Allow More Time for Voters to Request Absentee Ballots: The state's election law currently prohibits voters from requesting their absentee ballots more than 30 days prior to Election Day. Particularly in elections with large numbers of absentee voters, this timeline may make it difficult for county boards of elections to process ballot requests in a timely and efficient manner. This, in turn, provides voters with less time to receive their ballots, vote, and mail them back. Governor Cuomo will advance legislation allowing voters to request absentee ballots 45 days prior to the election, ensuring they can be mailed as soon as the ballot is finalized and approved by the Board. 

Speed Up the Counting of Absentee Ballots: New York State's election law does not facilitate the speedy counting of large numbers of absentee ballots - the law only requires that boards of elections meet to process and count ballots within two weeks of a general election and within eight days of a primary election. In practice, this means that counties do not finish counting absentee ballots until weeks after Election Day, and in 2020, when large numbers of absentee ballots were cast, New York State was among the slowest states in the country to post the results of its absentee ballots. To ensure that New York State counts absentee votes quickly and efficiently after each election, Governor Cuomo will introduce legislation requiring county boards of elections to process absentee ballots as they are received and to begin counting and reporting those ballots on Election Day.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNAPOLI: READ FINE PRINT ON YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT CARDS

 

 With the giving of gift cards during the holiday season increasing in popularity, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging New Yorkers to read the fine print for details about fees and expiration dates. Even as some sellers of gift cards have eliminated inactivity fees, consumers should still ask whether fees apply. DiNapoli reminds New Yorkers to spend the gift cards in a timely fashion. If not, the money could eventually get turned over to his Office of Unclaimed Funds.

“After the holidays, it’s easy to lose track of your gift cards,” DiNapoli said. “In 2020, over $16 million worth of unused gift cards were received in our office. To help stop this from happening to you, register the card with the retailer. It could help to get a replacement card if it is lost and could also help recover any unused balance if it’s reported to us as unclaimed funds. It is important not to wait too long to spend your gift cards to avoid inactivity fees.”

After five years of dormancy, money from unused gift cards issued by New York businesses is turned over to DiNapoli’s office as abandoned property. Under the federal Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, many types of retail gift cards sold after August 22, 2010 are not permitted to charge inactivity fees unless the card has been inactive for at least 12 months. All terms and conditions for a card must be disclosed directly on it and gift cards cannot expire within the first five years after purchase. New York law provides that gift cards cannot be assessed a monthly service fee against the balance prior to two years or the 25^th month of inactivity.

Since January 2011, New York has required companies offering rebates to disclose whether they will be issued in the form of a gift card and whether any fees will apply to those cards. Rebate cards are not all covered by the same rules as regular gift cards, so this disclosure helps consumers to identify the different cards and how they can be used.

Gift cards may have other terms and conditions that can decrease the value. These may include:

• Service fees when the card is purchased;
• Dormancy fees if the gift card is not used within a certain time period;
• Fees to call and check the balance remaining on the card; and
• Replacement fees for lost or stolen gift cards.

DiNapoli’s office is currently holding more than $16 billion in unclaimed funds. He urges New Yorkers to visit www.osc.state.ny.us to see if they are owed money.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALLS ON MAYOR TO DEFY GOVERNOR AND DISTRIBUTE VACCINE TO VULNERABLE NEW YORKERS, CHALLENGES CUOMO TO ISSUE FINE

 

Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams issued the following statement after Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that there are hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses available which the city has been unable to distribute to the elderly or essential workers as a result of state restrictions and the threat of fines. 

"On a day when thousands of New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19, the city has hundreds of thousands of vaccines going to waste rather than to those in need. Mayor de Blasio should immediately direct NYC Health + Hospitals to distribute these lifesaving doses to the vulnerable populations next in line, regardless of state approval. If Governor Cuomo wants to issue a million-dollar fine to the city that he has already deprived of adequate financial aid, revenue raising, and borrowing authority, then I am ready to stand-in court or not- and defend the decision to protect as many people as possible, as quickly as possible."

Three Kings Event in 13th Council Distric

 

Balthasar, Melchior, and Gasper The Three Kings came to say hello to Councilman Mark Gjonaj at his office on Williamsbridge Road  Wednesday, and to help Santa give out a sleigh full of toys to the boys and girls who stopped by. The local McDonalds provided hot cocoa and those delicious McDonald cookies for the children to enjoy. 

Gifts for the children included a book, a toy, a hat or scarf, and taking your photo with the Three Kings and other spiritual leaders. The line stretched down and around the block as over one hundred children took part in the event.

Above - Councilman Mark Gjonaj with the three Kings and members of the Bronx McDonalds executive team.

Below - The line stretched down the block and around the corner.

Above - Members of the 45th Precinct Community Affairs Division were on hand for crowd control, and also to hand out the McDonalds cookies and hand sanitizer. 

Below - Santa with one of his favorite helpers Lilly Anna.

Above and Below - Santa helps children pick out their gifts.

A group photo with Councilman Gjonaj, The Three King, members of the Clergy who helped, Santa Claus, Executive Team members from the Bronx McDonalds, and some of the children who participated in the event.