Attorney General James’ Statement on the Passing of Former Assembly member Aurelia Greene

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement on the passing of former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene this past weekend:

“I'm saddened to learn of the passing of former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene. For decades, Assemblymember Greene dedicated her life to serving the Bronx, New York City, and our state, where she fought to lift New Yorkers up and reverse so many of the inequalities in our system. She was a trailblazer who will be sorely missed. I offer my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”

DEC AND STATE PARKS ENCOURAGE CAMPERS TO USE LOCAL FIREWOOD WHILE ENJOYING THE OUTDOORS

 

State's Firewood Regulations Limit Firewood Movement to Protect New York Forests

 With the start of the 2021 camping season underway, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid today encouraged campers to use local firewood and follow New York State firewood regulations to help prevent the spread of invasive species. Untreated firewood – firewood that has not met the state's heat treatment standard – can contain invasive pests that kill trees. To protect New York's forests, untreated firewood should not be moved more than 50 miles from its source of origin.

"Using local firewood is an easy way to help protect our forests from invasive pests and diseases," said Commissioner Seggos. "Moving untreated firewood is one of the main ways invasive pests spread to new areas. I urge all campers to help stop the spread of invasive species and protect the places we love by leaving untreated firewood at home and using firewood from local sources."

“We all have a role to play in protecting our parks and forests from the risks of invasive species that can be carried on firewood,” said Commissioner Kulleseid. “By leaving their firewood at home and using only local sources, campers can help slow the spread of disease and protect our precious natural resources.”

Many people take campfire wood from their backyards or neighborhoods as they head out to a favorite camping spot, not realizing the wood may be hiding the eggs, larvae, spores, adults, or even seeds of invasive threats. Hitching a ride on infested or infected firewood allows these pests to spread faster and farther than they could have on their own. A variety of invasive species can be transported on firewood, from wood boring beetles and defoliators to fungi and diseases.

New York State firewood regulations:

• Prohibit untreated firewood from being brought into New York State from other states or countries;
• Prohibit untreated firewood grown in the state from being transported more than 50 miles from its source or origin; and
• Require that people carry source, origin, or treatment documentation whenever transporting firewood.

The origin of the wood is where it was grown. Anyone that cuts firewood for personal use is required to fill out a Self-Issued Certificate of Origin (PDF), available on DEC's website. Producers of untreated firewood for sale must obtain wood grown within 50 miles of their business but may then declare the business as the source of the firewood. Examples of the source documentation (PDF) are also available on DEC's website. Consumers purchasing untreated firewood should make sure the source is clearly labeled to know how far the wood may be transported.

Firewood that meets the state's heat treatment standard (160 degrees Fahrenheit core temperature for 75 minutes) needs to be labeled "New York-Approved Heat Treated/Pest Free," and can be moved without restriction. Heat-treating to this standard has been proven to kill insects and diseases that may be in firewood. Kiln-dried only means the wood was heated to dry it out so it will burn well, but it may not have reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 75 minutes. Purchasers of heat-treated firewood are encouraged to look for the appropriate label indicating the wood meets the standard. Pressure-treated firewood should never be burned.

Quarantines for individual invasive species, such as oak wilt and the Asian longhorned beetle, may further restrict the transport of firewood in specific areas. As quarantines are lifted, expanded, or tightened, the firewood regulation will continue to remain in place. For more information on Firewood and Invasive Insects or to see DEC’s PSA, visit DEC's website or contact DEC's Forest Health Division at foresthealth@dec.ny.gov.

STREETS WEEK!: NEW YORK CITY LOWERS SPEED LIMITS ON 45 MILES OF MAJOR STREETS

 

Eleven high-crash outer borough corridors to see speed limits reduced; NYPD will also crack down on speeding

 Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that speed limits will be reduced on 45 miles of major streets with some the highest rates of crashes across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The NYPD will conduct a weeklong pedestrian and cyclist safety enforcement blitz, across all 77 patrol precincts, to crack down on drivers who speed and fail to yield. The announcements kick off Streets Week!, a suite of transportation, traffic safety, and open space policy announcements to double down on the transformative Vision Zero initiative. 

“Vision Zero has revolutionized traffic safety action in New York City and beyond, but its work isn’t finished until every New Yorker is safe on the streets. Telling drivers to slow down – and working closely with the NYPD to hold dangerous drivers accountable – will save lives and make our city safer,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “New York City will do its part. Now, it’s time for Albany to pass the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act and join us in acting boldly to protect pedestrians and cyclists.”

 

“The message is simple: slowing down saves lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Laura Anglin. “A recovery for all means ensuring a safe, sustainable passage for pedestrians, cyclists, and everyone who uses our streets to explore the neighborhoods that make New York City great.”

 

“Speeding is a leading cause of traffic fatalities – and we also know that less driving during COVID-19 led to an increase in speeding,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “So under the Mayor’s leadership, we will not only lower speed limits on some of the city’s most crash-prone corridors, we will redouble our efforts to expand the hours when these life-saving speed cameras are in operation. These cameras now cover a majority of the City in an incredibly diverse range of neighborhoods. Important to note, in 2020, a shocking one third of fatal crashes happened in camera zones, but unfortunately during hours when the cameras were not allowed to operate. With the help of Albany, we need to fix that.”

 

“Protecting New York City’s most vulnerable road users is at the core of the NYPD’s Vision Zero program,” said NYPD’s Chief of Transportation Kim Y. Royster. “In response to a spike in traffic deaths in April, the NYPD will be conducting a high volume, revitalized citywide initiative aimed at protecting pedestrians and cyclists. Drivers that make the choice to speed with their vehicles, and drivers that fail to yield to pedestrians and cyclists, will be the subject of additional traffic enforcement during this important initiative.”

 

Last week, the Mayor called on the State Legislature to pass the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, a series of bills designed to take aggressive action against dangerous driving and support the families of crash victims. The Act includes a bill of rights for traffic crash victims, lowing the blood alcohol concentration limit, DMV pre-licensing courses, and 24/7 operation of speed cameras, among many other life-saving safety initiatives.  

 

Lower Speed Limits on High-Crash Corridors:

Last year, DOT lowered speed limits by 5 MPH on eleven corridors citywide, totaling about 25 miles. The newly targeted corridors this year in Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island represent 45 miles of streets.

 

Street locations, mileage, and speed limit changes are as follows:

 

Bronx:

• Pelham Parkway from White Plains Road to Stillwell Avenue, 1.6 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
• Throggs Neck Expressway Service Road N/S from Longstreet Avenue to Sampson Avenue/Ellsworth Avenue, 1.5 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
• Jerome Avenue from Bainbridge Avenue to East 233^rd Street, 0.6 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)

Queens:

• Woodhaven Boulevard from Queens Boulevard to Rockaway Boulevard, 4.3 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
• Cross Bay Boulevard from Rockaway Boulevard to the Cross Bay North Boulevard Bridge, 2.5 miles (30/40 MPH to 25/35 MPH)
• Van Wyck Service Road E/W from 135^th Avenue to Queens Boulevard, 3.1 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
• Astoria Boulevard from 111^th Street to 8^th Street, 3.9 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
• South Conduit Avenue from Sutter Ave to Sunrise Highway, 5.3 miles (35 MPH to 30 MPH)
• North Conduit Avenue from Sutter Ave to Sunrise Highway, 6.6 miles (35 MPH to 30 MPH)

Brooklyn:

• Conduit Boulevard from Atlantic Avenue to Sutter Ave, 1.9 miles (35 MPH to 30 MPH)

Staten Island:

• Hylan Boulevard from Bay Street to Massachusetts Street, 13.5 miles (30/35/40 MPH to 30 MPH)

 

New speed limits will go into effect as speed-limit signage is posted over the coming weeks. Speed cameras located along any of these streets will be reprogrammed and drivers will be given a 60-day adjustment period after new signage is posted.

 

NYPD Enforcement

The NYPD is placing significant emphasis on a multifaceted pedestrian and cyclist safety operation during the week of May 10^th through May 16^th. This effort is anchored by increased focus on combating motorists who speed and fail to yield to pedestrians and cyclists. It is a comprehensive, citywide operation, to be carried out in all 77 patrol precincts. The effort will incorporate all the Transportation Bureau’s units and deploy additional Patrol Services.

 

Each Precinct will assign their traffic safety team to participate in these stepped-up efforts to combat traffic injuries. Officers will concentrate their enforcement on drivers who speed and drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Enforcement will be focused at specific intersections and the corresponding corridors where the data shows a high frequency of pedestrian and cyclist injuries as a result of being struck by a vehicle.

 

NYPD Highway Patrol will focus enforcement efforts on high-crash highways to catch speeding before dangerous drivers come into close proximity with the cyclists and pedestrians.

 

The Traffic Enforcement District will focus its high-volume enforcement on vehicles that are obstructing bike lanes while parked, and it has specifically dedicated enforcement resources in each borough to keep bike lanes clear for cyclists. Vehicles that are summonsed for obstructing a bike lane are eligible to be towed to the NYPD’s violation tow pound.

 

Speed Cameras

In December 2020, the Mayor proposed expanding the State law that governs the hours during which speed cameras are operational. Under the current law passed in 2019, cameras are limited to operate only during the hours of 6 am to 10 pm on weekdays. The proposal would make cameras operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An analysis of 2020 fatal crashes shows that 36% of all traffic deaths this year that were not on highways occurred within school speed zones where permanent cameras are located, but happened during hours – on nights and during weekends – when the automated enforcement cameras were not legally allowed to issue summonses.

 

For the first time, the Department of Transportation also released a Citywide map (above) showing the locations of the 750 school zones with fixed automatic speed cameras – the largest speed camera program in the world. Over 1,300 speed cameras are now active citywide; DOT plans to have 2,000 active cameras by the end of 2021. According to DOT’s latest speed camera report:

• Speeding has been reduced on average by over 70% at locations where speed cameras are installed.
• Injuries are down 17% at these same locations.
• Two-thirds of vehicle owners who received a notice of liability in 2019 did not receive another within the calendar year.

 

A pedestrian who is struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 MPH is twice as likely to be killed as a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 MPH.

 

“Every mile of road with a lower speed limit is a safer mile of road for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The legislation I’ve introduced with Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Sammy’s Law (S.524/A.4655), included in the Crash Victims Rights & Safety Act, would allow the City to further reduce traffic speed — a proven way to make our streets less dangerous. I applaud Mayor de Blasio for his efforts to improve street safety and support for the Crash Victims Rights & Safety Act,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman.

 

“I know firsthand the importance of slower speeds on city streets, and am painfully reminded of this each day – especially on Mother’s Day," said Amy Cohen, Co-Founder of Families for Safe Streets. "My son Sammy was killed by a reckless, speeding driver in 2013. This year, Families for Safe Streets is fighting in Albany to pass Sammy’s Law, as part of the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, allowing New York City to lower speed limits even further. We thank the de Blasio administration for taking action on 45 miles of roads right now and will continue working together to bring slower, safer streets to more communities across the five boroughs as we work together to pass Sammy’s Law and the entire Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act this legislative session. No more families should face another Mother’s Day with the pain of losing a loved one to preventable traffic violence.”

 

“Slower speeds save lives," said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "When looking at crash data, each mile per hour increase in speed results in nearly a three percent increase in the fatality rate. Lowering speeds across 45 miles of streets is an important tool for Vision Zero, and will be even more effective when coupled with physical redesigns of streets and automated enforcement. Expanding the speed safety camera program and lowering the speed limit further are key planks of the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act in Albany, and we will continue working with the de Blasio administration to urge the state legislature to pass the entire package this year.”

 

“Speed is almost always a factor in serious crashes, and speeding is an epidemic in New York City, never more so than during the pandemic. Lowering the speed limit on these dangerous corridors is an important step, but it’s essential to enforce those lower speed limits with the city’s automated speed cameras. We commend Mayor de Blasio for calling on Albany to allow the city’s speed cameras to operate 24/7, and we implore the legislature and Governor to remove all restrictions before the session ends. It’s also urgently important that the city prioritize design changes to these streets to make it physically difficult for drivers to disobey posted speed limits,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director, StreetsPAC.

 

Assemblymember Pichardo on the Passing of former Assemblywoman and Bronx Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene

 

  “I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former Assemblywoman and Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene. Not only was she a friend and mentor who paved the way for many young electeds of color across our Borough, but she was also a champion for her fellow Bronxites and neighbors in her over thirty years of public service, both serving the 77th Assembly District and later as a Deputy Borough President.”

   “We will continue her work every day in the New York State Assembly, and will miss her."

   “My thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of former Deputy Borough President and Assemblywoman Greene during their time of mourning.”

Attorney General James Urges Facebook to Protect Children by Abandoning Launch of Instagram Kids

 

AG James and Coalition of 44 AGs Highlight Serious Concerns Over Safety and Well-Being of Children

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today took action to secure the safety and well-being of children across New York and the United States. As part of a coalition of 44 attorneys general, Attorney General James today sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg urging him to abandon plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13. The coalition contends that social media can be detrimental to children for myriad reasons and that Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms.

“Without a doubt, this is a dangerous idea that risks the safety of our children and puts them directly in harm’s way,” said Attorney General James. “Not only is social media an influential tool that can be detrimental to children who are not of appropriate age, but this plan could place children directly in the paths of predators. There are too many concerns to let Facebook move forward with this ill-conceived idea, which is why we are calling on the company to abandon its launch of Instagram Kids. We must continue to ensure the health and wellness of our next generation and beyond.”

In today’s letter, the attorneys general express various concerns over Facebook’s proposal, including:

• Research indicating that social media can be harmful to the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children;
• Rapidly worsening accounts of cyberbullying on Instagram;
• Use of the platform by predators to target children;
• Facebook’s unstable record in protecting the welfare of children on its platforms; and
• Children’s lack of capacity to navigate the complexities of what they encounter online, including advertising, inappropriate content, and relationships with strangers.

At a congressional hearing in March, Zuckerberg dismissed the idea that social media is harmful to children, despite strong data and research that has shown a link between young people’s use of social media and an increase in mental distress, self-injurious behavior, and suicidality. Instagram has been frequently flagged for increasing suicidal ideation, depression, and body image concerns in children.

The coalition of attorneys general argue that young children are not equipped to handle the many challenges that come with having an Instagram account, including that they often lack a developed understanding of privacy. There is also a risk that predators may exploit children online and cloak their identities using the anonymity of the internet. One report found an increase of 200 percent in recorded instances in the use of Instagram to target and abuse children over a six-month period in 2018. In 2020 alone, Facebook and Instagram reported 20 million child sexual abuse images.

Cyberbullying is also a major concern, and a 2017 survey found that 42 percent of young Instagram users had experienced cyberbullying on the platform — the highest percentage of any platform measured. As children spend more time online during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, these issues have likely been exacerbated.

Additionally, the attorneys general cast doubt on Facebook’s ability to protect children on their proposed Instagram platform and comply with relevant privacy laws, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). They point out that the company has a record of failing to protect the safety and privacy of children. For instance, Facebook’s Messenger Kids app contained a glitch that allowed children to circumvent restrictions and join group chats with strangers.

Governor Cuomo Announces Eight New Pop-Up Vaccination Sites at MTA Stations

 

Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal, East 180th Street, 179th Street, Coney Island, Broadway Junction, Hempstead and Ossining Locations Open from May 12 to May 16

MTA to Provide A Free Seven-Day MetroCard or Free LIRR/Metro-North Round Trip Ticket to Individuals who Get Vaccinated at Sites

All Sites Open for Walk-in Vaccinations on a First Come, First Served Basis; MTA Employees Can Get Vaccinated at Sites

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced eight new pop-up vaccination sites at MTA station stops in the New York City, Long Island and Mid-Hudson regions. The sites will serve up to 300 walk-ins per day on a first come, first served basis utilizing the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The MTA will provide incentives to get vaccinated at the sites, including a free seven-day MetroCard or free round trip Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North ticket. The MTA will partner with SOMOS Community Care, Northwell Health and Westchester Medical Center on the sites. MTA employees can get vaccinated at the sites.

"We've made huge progress vaccinating New Yorkers across the state, but vaccination rates are slowing and we have to redouble our efforts to get more shots in arms and reassure people that the vaccine is safe to take," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers may struggle to take time out of their schedules to get the vaccine, so we're bringing it directly to them at these new sites in MTA stations. The more New Yorkers are vaccinated, the safer our state is for everyone, and we'll continue to pursue all avenues to distribute the vaccine and bring more people to safety from this terrible virus."

The sites will be open from Wednesday, May 12 to Sunday, May 16.  Individuals planning on being vaccinated are encouraged to allow for additional time in their commute to accommodate the vaccination process.

"Ensuring easy access to free vaccinations is key to reopening New York and building back better. The MTA is proud to do its part to help lead the State's recovery and get the region back on track," said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye. "By taking the vaccine, you're protecting not only yourself but your fellow New Yorkers at this pivotal moment as more and more COVID restrictions are lifted and customers start to return to mass transit."

"Offering free vaccines at high traffic stations across the transit system is an important step in the right direction when it comes to combatting COVID," said New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg. "Promoting a safe environment is our single highest priority - one that is safe from both COVID and crime and harassment - and it's especially important as we move into the latest phase of New York's recovery. We look forward to seeing more New Yorkers in the system to take advantage of this important program."

The MTA stations are available below:

Penn Station - 34th Street Corridor

Open: 3 PM - 8 PM

Grand Central Terminal - Vanderbilt Hall

Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

East 180th Street (Bronx)

Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

179th Street (Queens)

Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

Coney Island (Brooklyn)

Open: 8 AM - 1 PM

Broadway Junction (Brooklyn)

Open: 3 PM - 8 PM

Hempstead (LIRR)

Open: 3 PM - 8 PM

Ossining (Metro-North)

Open: 3 PM - 8 PM

New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can now call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.

New York State continues to open community-based pop-up vaccination sites in underserved communities across the state. Since January 15, more than 200 community-based pop-up sites have administered more than 77,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

237 Day and Counting

 

Do not listen to the media, you are in the Safest Big City, right guys? These things happen in a big city. Chief Monahan is on top of this situation and will tale care of it.      

Will someone please tell the mayor this is an old photo, and Chief Monahan has retired from the police department. 

Speed Camera or Speed Trap

 

As a car goes over the West 239th Street overpass of the Henry Hudson Parkway and continues to travel south on Riverdale Avenue the roadway begins to have a downward slope picking up speed. You then approach a light at West 238th Street, where cars can speed up to beat the light. However there is something that the NYCDOT has placed on the light pole in the foreground that is magnified in the next photo.

There is a speed camera perched on the light pole at Riverdale Avenue South and West 238th Street. Yes there is a school across the street, or at least a driveway to the school and a large athletic field. Also there is no speed camera in the northbound direction since that is uphill where the drivers are going much slower than traveling downhill. 

So is this a speed camera or a speed Trap?