ALLEGED GANG MEMBER INDICTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN SHOOTING THAT WOUNDED MAN AND SENTTWO CHILDREN RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES

 

Incident Captured on Video; Girl Shielded Younger Brother with Her Body

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that an alleged gang member from Manhattan has been indicted on Attempted Murder, Assault, Reckless Endangerment and additional charges for shooting a Bronx man at close range near two young children on a Mount Eden street in broad daylight. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “A 13-year-old girl and her five-year-old brother were on their way to a store when the defendant, an alleged gang member, allegedly fired a dozen shots at a Bronx man,striking him three times. As bullets flew, the brave girl grabbed her younger brother and shielded him, while other bystanders on the street ran for cover. By the grace of God everyone survived. The resilient children have been getting assistance and services since the incident happened, and we hope they will recover from this terrible near-death experience. We will not allow gun violence to continue to plague our streets and threaten the safety of our children.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Michael Lopez, 27, of 1430 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan, was arraigned today on three counts of Attempted Murder in the seconddegree, two counts of first-degree Assault, two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, four counts of second-degree Assault, first and second-degree Reckless Endangerment, third and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, three counts of third-degree Assault, three counts of second-degree Menacing, Possession of Ammunition and three counts of second-degree Harassment before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on November 12.

 According to the investigation, on the afternoon of June 17, 2021 near 1551 Sheridan Avenue, the defendant got off a scooter and chased a 24-year-old man, allegedly a gang member, up the block, firingmultiple shots at him. His target ran into a 13-year-old girl and her five-yearold brother, knocking themto the ground. The girl shielded her brother as the defendant continued to fire shots at his target. The defendant then fled the scene. The man was struck once in the back and once in each leg and was taken to a local hospital. He is currently unable to walk and is undergoing long-term care. The children, and other innocent bystanders who were in the vicinity when the shooting happened, were not injured. 

The defendant allegedly fired at least 12 shots during the incident. The shooting was captured on video. Lopez was arrested on June 25, 2021.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Curtis Cato of the 44th Precinct for his work in the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Team AOC Contributes to Strong Census Count in The Bronx, Queens

 

ICYMI: Team AOC Contributes to Strong Census Count in Bronx, Queens   In case you missed it, figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau yesterday showed a stronger than expected Census count in both The Bronx and Queens.  Among large counties, Queens exceeded the Bureau’s estimates more so than any other – overperforming expectations by 8 percent. The Bronx overperformed estimates by 5 percent.  Last year, Team AOC launched a seven-figure effort to encourage residents to complete the Census. In addition to funding multilingual mailers and advertisements in a district where well over 200 languages are spoken, the campaign’s organizing team mobilized volunteers for nearly 1,800 events to help 3,800 residents complete their Census. Overall, this helped direct an estimated $53 million in federal resources to the district, in addition to saving New York a congressional seat.    “Thank you to all the organizers and advocates across the city who worked tirelessly on our Census efforts last year. Local community organizers put in a ton of work in getting their communities accurately counted, “said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in a tweet, where she also praised New York City for its Census effort.     ICYMI: Ocasio-Cortez Pushes for Census Participation:  CBS: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Launches Effort To Increase Census Participation In Queens, The Bronx “When we do not know that families exist, which is what happens when we get an undercount of the Census, we can’t fund schools, we can’t fund infrastructure, we don’t know where to put hospitals, and this results in the situation that we have in Corona, which is one of the most overcrowded school districts in the city,” Ocasio-Cortez said. The City: AOC Makes a Bronx Census Push Amid Fears of Lost House Seats “Our strategy is all about building trust in the community before the enumerators even come to your door,” Ocasio-Cortez told THE CITY. That trust is crucial in a district where 47% of residents are foreign born, and fear of taking part in an official government count is expected to be widespread. “There’s been an increased use of one’s immigration status as a form of intimidation,” she said. The Hill: Ocasio-Cortez calls for extending census period “My district, which is overwhelmingly working-class and one of the most diverse in the country, is also one of the districts hardest hit by the virus,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote. “This crisis has only underscored the need for an accurate count - so that resources can be appropriately and quickly distributed in an emergency. However, as things currently stand, those districts hit the hardest by COVID-19, those districts which already suffer greatest from structural racism and inequity, stand to be the most undercounted,” she added. NBC: AOC, Lin-Manuel Miranda urge New Yorkers to participate in the census In the ad, Ocasio-Cortez reminds New York City residents that the census is for everyone to fill out regardless of immigration status and that the information provided to the U.S. Census Bureau is protected by law and cannot be shared with anyone, including law enforcement agencies. "The census only comes once in every 10 years, and 2020 is our chance to get it right," Ocasio-Cortez says at the end of the PSA. NY1: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Makes Push for All New Yorkers to be Counted in 2020 Census "If our kids aren't counted and our families aren't counted, then our schools aren't going to get the teachers that they need,” Ocasio-Cortez said at the event. “Our infrastructure is not going to get the investment that it requires, including our transit infrastructure, our bridges, our roads, our hospitals. So we have to make sure that our response is completely overwhelming, that every single person is counted and that everyone gets the resources that they need."

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz 18 District, Bronx Kathy Hochul "The Accidental Governor"

 

 You should know that in March 2008 I was in Albany, NY when we received news of the then-Governor Eliot Spitzer's prostitution scandal.  

As you well know; Spitzer was forced to resign and the Hon. David Paterson, who until then served as lieutenant governor, made history by being the first African-American governor in New York State.  

It is important for you to know that from the moment Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, stepped into his role as Governor he was stamped with the seal being called "The Accidental Governor". The news media, the written and televised press, commentators, writers, and the mainstream media in general, never  took the glove off Governor David Paterson's face, always calling him "The Accidental Governor."   

I don't know if it was because he was the first African American governor, a minority, a male, or because he is legally blind.  All I know is that he was constantly belittled when he was continuously identified as “The Accidental Governor." 

It is important for you to note that today the Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, as David Paterson will make history as the first female governor of the State, for which we are proud and congratulate her. Nonetheless, there is a big difference in that  no one has referred to her as "The Accidental Governor."

The same reporters, the same commentators, the same news programs, and all those who disparaged and mocked Paterson by calling him "The Accidental Governor” not once have bestowed the same title of the “Accidental Governor” to Kathy Hochul. Why is that?

 

Kathy Hochul will be governed under the same circumstances as David Paterson. Neither of them was elected by the people.  Both became governors of this great state because the actual governor was forced to resign due to scandal.   It just so happens that both were in the right place at the right time.  

 

Why then the different treatment?  Kathy Hochul is being treated with silk gloves and with the utmost respect, while David Paterson was treated as nothing more than "The Accidental Governor”.   Why is it?

 

To all those people who sealed Paterson as "The Accidental Governor” I encourage you to use the same measure that you used back then when referring to Governor David Paterson, it’s only fair.

I'm Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know.

New Census Data Reveals Large Population Gains Across New York City

 

Population in New York City reached 8.8 million in 2020, an increase of 629,000 since 2010, according to new data released by The Census Bureau. The 2020 census was the 24th count and the first time that households could respond to the census online, a change many are touting led to more accurate data.

In Manhattan, population increased by 108,378, a 6.8 percent change to 1,694,251 in 2020. In The Bronx, population increased by 87,546, a 6.3 percent change to 1,472,654. In Brooklyn, population increased by 231,374, a 9.2 percent change to 2,736,074, the largest growth across the five boroughs. Queens population numbers has the second largest increase, a 7.8 percent change, or 174,742 to 2,405,464. Staten Island had the smallest increase in the boroughs, a 5.8 percent change, or 27,017 to 495,747.

In New York state, population numbers grew 4.2 percent over the past ten years, or 823,147 for a total 20,201,249. Census numbers also tallied 8,488,066 housing units in the state, with Kings County leading in housing units, a 7.7 percent increase, or 77,361, to 1,077,654 in 2020. Brooklyn also has a 6.3 percent housing unit vacancy rate.

Manhattan saw the largest housing unit vacancy rate of the boroughs, 10.5 percent over the last decade, as housing units grew 7.9 percent to 913,926 in 2020. Bronx County had the smallest housing unit vacancy rate of 4.5 percent, as well as a 6.9 percent change in housing units. Queens’s housing unit vacancy rate is 5.5 percent after housing units grew by 7.3 percent to 896,333. Housing vacancy rate in Staten Island is 5.7 percent, which also saw a four percent increase in housing units to 183,692.

Representative Adriano Espaillat to Host COVID-19 Vaccine Drive as District Families and Students Return Back to School

Special Guest, New York City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Available. No Appointment Needed.

Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) will host a 

community vaccination clinic on Friday, August 13th 

starting at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) at the PS 52 located at 

650 Academy Street, New York, NY  10034.

Rep. Espaillat continues his push to increase vaccinations 

throughout New York's 13th congressional district, 

which was among the hardest hit communities at the 

start of the pandemic. During the vaccination clinic, Rep. 

Espaillat will be joined by New York City Schools 

Chancellor Meisha Porter, who will greet residents and 

discuss concerns as area students prepare to return to school 

in the coming weeks. 

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available. 

No appointment is needed.

WHO: Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

             New York City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter

WHAT: Vaccination Clinic for NY-13 Residents

WHEN: Friday, August 13th, 2021 from 10:00 a.m - 7:00pm 

WHERE: PS 52

                    650 Academy Street

                    New York, NY  10034

PUBLIC NOTICE: All events hosted by my office 

require masks. - No exceptions.

145 Days and Counting

 

Hmm, let me think about that one since it is going to be 95 degrees or hotter, and I have to worry about our crumbling infrastructure, well at least for another 145 days. I cut short my vacation due to the hot weather, but it should break over the weekend. Just remember this day when there is a foot of snow on the ground and its 10 degrees outside, and inside most NYCHA buildings. I should be gone by then and Mayor Adams will have to worry about that and how to clean the streets of the snow. You really can't think Curtis Swila has a chance here in New York City while the city's population increased by almost 700,000 mostly immigrants in the last ten years as the white folk moved out in droves, with the exception of Manhattan. 

Well let me get back to my strategy about next year governor' race, I mean my vacation.

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPLAUDS ADDITIONAL “KEY TO NYC” EARLY ADOPTERS

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Segregation is alive and growing in New York City. See below from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today applauded more than 20 additional New York City businesses for requiring proof of vaccination for entry. The vaccine requirements, first unveiled by the City of New York as the “Key to NYC” program in early August, officially take effect during the week of August 16th for indoor dining, entertainment, and fitness facilities across the five boroughs. 

“More and more businesses have already adopted our Key to NYC requirements - and are becoming public health heroes in the process,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I thank each and every one of them for doing their part to keep New York City safe. My message to New Yorkers is clear: if you want to enjoy everything New York City has to offer, get vaccinated today.”

 

Additional businesses already adopting vaccine requirements include:

 

·         Anfora

·         Arlene's Grocery

·         Blink Fitness

·         Brandy's Piano Bar

·         Equinox Fitness Clubs

·         Ethyl's Food and Alcohol

·         Fairfax

·         Iconoclast Fitness

·         Jeffrey’s Grocery

·         Jolene

·         Joseph Leonard

·         Los Arrieros

·         Oak and Iron

·         Resilient Fitness

·         Sagaponack

·         Solas Bar

·         SoulCycle

·         Stand Up NY

·         Sugar Monk

·         Tacombi

·         The Graham

·         The Three Diamond Door

 

Today’s list adds to the more than 30 businesses announced as early adopters yesterday:

 

·         Amor Y Amargo

·         Avant Garden

·         Bossa Nova Civic Club

·         Cadence

·         City Winery

·         Dame

·         Death & Co

·         Dirt Candy

·         Etérea

·         Felix Storch

·         Forsythia

·         Gertie

·         Ilili

·         Jeju Noodle

·         Ladybird

·         Leland

·         Leyenda

·         Llama San

·         Nowadays

·         Proletariat

·         PUBLIC Hotel

·         Related

·         RXR Realty

·         Soda Club

·         Tannat

·         The Bell House

·         The Durst Organization

·         The Pedal House

·         The Queensboro

·         Union Hall

·         Unter

·         Yellow Rose­

 

The City has embarked on a listening tour to gather feedback across industries and incorporate businesses’ needs into the final guidance. The City will also launch a multi-language ad campaign for consumers and business owners to spread awareness about the program.

 

Acceptable proof of vaccination includes at least three options: a CDC-issued vaccination card, the New York State Excelsior Pass, and the NYC COVID Safe App, which allows those vaccinated out of New York State to show proof of their status. More details on requirements will be announced next week..

Four Defendants Arrested in Multimillion-Dollar Counterfeit Goods Trafficking Scheme

 

More Than $130 Million Scheme Included Fake UGG Boots, Nike Air Jordan Sneakers, Timberland Boots and Beats Headphones

 A 14-count indictment was unsealed yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn charging seven defendants with participating in a counterfeit goods scheme in which they imported generic goods into the United States from China, applied brand labels to those goods in workshops, some of which were controlled by the defendants, and then sold those counterfeit-branded goods to retail and wholesale purchasers.  The charges against the defendants include conspiracy to traffic and trafficking in counterfeit goods and money laundering.  Four defendants were arraigned yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara and each was released on a $200,000 bond.  Three additional defendants remain at large.

Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), and Dermot Shea, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrests and indictment.

“As alleged, the defendants trafficked in counterfeit merchandise that they fraudulently branded as genuine to pass off to purchasers in the United States at a purported retail value of more than $130 million,” stated Acting United States Attorney Kasulis.  “This Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting consumers from paying retail prices for phony merchandise and to holding defendants accountable for their greed.”  Ms. Kasulis extended her grateful appreciation to the HSI Intellectual Property Group, the HSI Border Enforcement Security Task Force and the NYPD.  Ms. Kasulis also extended her thanks to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for its assistance.

“HSI New York’s Border Enforcement Security Taskforce stands at the forefront of the fight against criminal organizations who identify weaknesses in our supply chain and infiltrate them for their personal financial gain,” stated HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Fitzhugh.  “In addition to their detrimental effect to our economy, counterfeiting networks such as this one poses a threat to our national security and public safety by introducing products that often contain harmful materials and substances.  HSI and CBP are uniquely positioned to combat these organizations and, along with our partners at the New York City Police Department, will work tirelessly to protect New York City and the Homeland.”

As alleged in the indictment, between October 2019 and July 2021, the defendants participated in an international scheme to traffic counterfeit goods.  The defendants first imported the goods in generic form from China into the Port of New York and New Jersey.  The goods were then delivered to workshops and storage facilities controlled by some of the defendants in Queens and on Long Island.  In those workshops, insignias, emblems, trademarks and other brand signifiers were applied to the generic goods, converting them into purported brand name merchandise.  These counterfeit goods were then sold as a part of the scheme directly to consumers and to wholesale buyers.   The estimated retail value of the counterfeit-branded goods, had they been genuine, was in excess of $130 million.