CONSUMER ALERT: NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION PROVIDES BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS FOR NEW YORKERS

Follow Key Tips to Protect your Child’s Personal Information, Stay Safe in a Dorm & Back to School Shopping

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection is today providing consumers with basic tips for students of all ages as classes are once again back in session. Consumers are urged to be mindful of their privacy, their dormitories, and back to school spending to protect themselves.

“Heading back to school is often an exciting time for families, and it’s also an opportunity to start new routines,” said Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “As part of your new back-to-school routine, I encourage all New Yorkers to consider some basic tips to help keep students from elementary school to college safe this school year.” 

Identity Theft

From 2019 to 2020, reports of identity theft increased by 85% in New York State, according to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network data books 2010-2020. 

The Division of Consumer Protection suggests these identity theft precautions when headed back to school:

• Only label books, backpacks and lunches with your full name and any other information on the inside! Using initials on the outside is okay, but names, even just first names, on the outside can create an unsafe situation.
• Be careful when providing identifying information to after-school activities and sports clubs upon registration. If asked for a Social Security number, inquire why it is needed and insist on using another identifier.
• Register your cell phone with the National Do Not Call Registry so you are not solicited by savvy telemarketers who may encourage you to give out personal information.
• Regularly check online social networks. For children, discuss internet safety. Be aware that any information you post on Facebook or other social networks can be seen and utilized by identity thieves. Caution children never to reveal personal information including full names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, or even where they go to school. This information may be used by online predators looking to exploit them or reveal answers to security questions used to reset passwords, making your child a possible target of scammers looking to access accounts or secure information.
• Turn on two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication will require your password and an extra security code to verify your identity whenever you sign into your accounts.

College Dormitory Safety

For those living on campus this fall, there are safety precautions to keep in mind, especially for first-time residential students. Fires are one of the biggest hazards; the National Fire Protection Association reports that fire departments responded to over 3,000 fires at dormitories, sororities, fraternities, and other related structures from 2015-2019. Be sure to check your dormitory for fire hazards and more, and have the following information handy:

• Locate the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms within your dorm or off-campus housing. Verify or obtain assurances that all alarms are in proper working order. Participate in any needed safety demonstrations on campus.
• Check for working sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers. Most at risk are those staying in off-campus housing, where these systems are not regulated by the university.
• Locate the nearest emergency exits. Make note of where to go if there is an emergency.
• Never overload outlets with too many demands for power to prevent fires. Students with laptops, televisions, mini-refrigerators, and more can overload the power and spark a fire.
• Review the emergency plan in case of fire or a carbon monoxide leaks. Ensure all those residing in the room know where to meet and what to do if there is an emergency. Remember to call 911 in case of any emergency and follow safety protocol. 

Back-to-School Shopping

Last-minute shopping for school can be frantic and disorganized. The Division of Consumer Protection urges consumers to take note of common mistakes while navigating the marketplace:

• Use caution when using credit cards:Back-to-school purchases may cost more than what is on your receipt. Track your spending, be cognizant of credit card limits, and stick to a realistic budget. Consumers should verify receipts and reconcile them against their statement. Consumers should also always review monthly credit card statements carefully to ensure they are being billed for the correct dollar amount.
• Beware when purchasing “Big Ticket” items:When purchasing big ticket items like computers or tablets, look for and review warranty coverage on the specific item. Review the financing options carefully and ensure you understand the terms and rates. Always take note of the fine print and the quantity of the product available at the advertised price, as well as whether rain checks are available.
• Review refund and return policies:Review a store’s refund policy before considering a purchase. If the store does not post a return policy, the law requires the store to accept a return within 30 days of purchase, with proof of purchase. Retain receipts in the event items need to be returned. Shoppers should inquire whether the store imposes a re-stocking fee for returned merchandise and determine prior to purchase if the item can be returned for a refund or store credit only.
• Protect your identity when shopping online:Protect personal, identifiable information when making purchases online. It is imperative that consumers ensure they are conducting their transactions over a secure connection. See more information in this August 2020 Consumer Alert.
• Beware of fake websites: As fraudsters continue to advance in sophistication, fake websites frequently resemble legitimate sites with credible-looking logos, pictures, and payment options. If the website is advertising extremely low prices, or discounts beyond 50 percent, consumers should be wary and diligently verify the legitimacy of the seller. 

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection serves to educate, assist, and empower the State’s consumers. Consumers can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. 

For more consumer protection information, call the DCP Helpline at 800-697-1220, Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm or visit the DCP website at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer. 

DEC ANNOUNCES $349,922 IN AWARDS TO REDUCE FLOODING, RESTORE AQUATIC HABITATS, AND IMPROVE CLIMATE RESILIENCY

 

Funding to Help Reduce Flood Risk and Protect Natural Resources in Columbia, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced more than $349,000 in awards for three projects to help communities improve climate resiliency, mitigate local flooding, and restore stream habitats. Funding for these projects is provided by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and is administered by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program in partnership with NEIWPCC. The announcement was made as New York State prepares to commemorate Climate Week 2021.

“The funding awards announced today will help Hudson River communities in Columbia, Dutchess, and Westchester counties bolster their climate resilience by enhancing the ability of natural systems to reduce flood risks,” said DEC Commissioner Seggos. “While Hudson Valley cities, towns, and villages continue to recover after devastating flooding in the wake of Tropical Depression Ida, New York is investing in our communities to preserve our natural resources and strengthen their ability to withstand flooding.” 

Two of the funded projects will create designs and conceptional engineering plans for climate resilient and connected waterfronts in the city of Hudson, and the village and town of Ossining. One project will develop municipal management plans for road-stream crossings and dams within the towns of Red Hook and Milan. Funded projects include:

Two Climate-Adaptive Design Phase II Projects Totaling $250,000.

Ossining Shoreline Revitalization and Community Connectivity Improvements: This $125,000 contract was awarded to Henningson, Durham and Richardson Architecture and Engineering, P.C. (HDR) for a living shoreline project at the Henry Gourdine and Louis Engel Waterfront Parks in Ossining. An inclusive stakeholder engagement process will be used to provide input on specific design elements and eco-friendly elements will be included in the shoreline stabilization to create fish habitat and promote recreational fishing opportunities. The project will result in an implementable preliminary design and an engineering report that includes a permitting strategy.

City of Hudson Climate-Adaptive Design: This $125,000 contract was awarded to Hudson Valley Collaborative for a project in the city of Hudson that will use a nature-based approach to protecting shoreline and tidal wetlands from sea-level rise, while maintaining active recreation and cultural activities. Hudson Valley Collaborative will engage a diverse group of stakeholders to seek community consensus on the design, which will prioritize ecological solutions that restore the intertidal marshland, as well as the access points for public boat docks and launches that give the Hudson waterfront its recreational vitality. The final preliminary design will provide the necessary design, engineering, and permitting documentation for the city to finalize and construct the design.

Restoration of Watershed Connectivity and Improved Road Infrastructure, $99,922.

T&B Engineering and Landscaping Architecture, P.C. was awarded $99,922 to develop municipal management plans for road-stream crossings and dams in the towns of Red Hook and Milan, Dutchess County. The project will improve water quality, reduce flood risks, and reconnect habitat for migratory and resident fish in the Hudson River Estuary. The plans will include all crossings in both towns, building on the 148 previously inventoried culverts, including the road-stream crossings located within the portions of the Roeliff Jansen Kill, Cold Spring Creek, Little Wappinger Creek, Landsman Kill, and Saw Kill watersheds in the town of Milan, and Stony Creek, Saw Kill, Landsman Kill, and Muddler Kill watersheds in the town of Red Hook. The project will include outreach and collaboration with each town and community to produce a municipal management plan, including a documented inventory, prioritization of the inventory, and conceptual designs for the top three priority crossings for each municipality.

Susan Sullivan, NEIWPCC Executive Director said, “NEIWPCC is pleased to assist Hudson River Valley communities use collaborative and innovative approaches to protect against the increasing risks resulting from climate change.”

DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program focuses on the tidal Hudson and its adjacent watershed from the federal dam at Troy to the Verrazano Narrows in New York City

BCEQ eNews September / October 

In This Issue

• IDA Flooding             
• EJ report
• Renewable Power

REMINDER

Save the Date:  

Wednesday,

October 13 

at 11 am Highbridge

10 years with the UWFP

Details to finalize end of  month due to COVID protocol.

Hi,

These are strange and busy times.  We are in exciting times to advocate for change.  Here are a few things we started to work on during the summer.  We plan on continuing.

• Tibbetts Brook Daylighted Itself    
• The Road to EJ in the Bronx is in the Data 
• Renewable Power is coming to NYC.  Some of the details are troubling.  
• 10 year Anniversary of the Bronx and Harlem Rivers recognized by the Urban Waters Federal Partnership on October 13 see SAVE THE DATE

Hope to see you soon,

Karen A.

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Tibbetts Brook Daylighted Itself in Ida Remnants

September 1, 2021’s Tropical Storm “Ida” Remnant was a massive event in New York City that caused tremendous harm to Van Cortlandt Park Lake. The rain overflooded the Lake’s edge, clogged and supercharged the overflow sewer (or weir), and otherwise flooded a large swarth of the lower part of the park, which remains closed days later. In turn, as water sought the lowest point, it routed along the Old Putnam Rail Trail — which is estimated to have flooded as far as West 225th Street. The water overflowed the wall of the Major Deegan, halting car and trucks in place, and closing I-87 thereby disrupting the traffic and lives of Bronxites for days.

. . . read more at Link to Tibbetts Brook Daylighting blog 

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The Road to Bronx Environmental Justice is in the Data

Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ) completed a research project on Environmental Determinants of Health, Wealth, and Education in the Bronx, conducted in partnership with Columbia University and with Lehman College, a Hispanic-serving institution in the Bronx. A team of Columbia and Lehman undergraduate students used sophisticated data visualization techniques to explore correlations among statistical measures of public school dropout rates, income, and health disparities with environmental factors.

The completed report, Environmental Determinants of Health, Wealth, and Education in the Bronx, is a call to action to save Bronxites from the impacts of bad environmental policy through budgeting and planning.  To complete the research, BCEQ Board Members met weekly with a research t

eam of Kayla Bernard (Lehman, BA Sociology), Gabriel Agustin Fernandez (Columbia, Math/CS), Ashe Lewis (Barnard), and Eusebia Vazquez (Lehman), and led by Zi Fang (Columbia, Masters in Statistics).  Students utilized ESRI datasets, ArcGIS, QGIS, Census figures, New Yorkers for Parks Report, as well as city and state agency databases.   Findings include:

• Those who live farther from parks have more health problems. While this improves slightly as parks are greener, parks remain unused if they are found to be unclean.
• The dropout rate among students is exponentially higher in areas located along federal highway corridors, many of which carry diesel trucks servicing the entire metropolitan area.

. . . read more at Link the Road to EJ in the Bronx

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Renewable Energy is coming to New York City

• Our draft Basic Principles for Renewable Energy Development “Proposals” and Environmental Reviews will be discussed at our zoom board meeting on Sept 8

• Our Open Letter from the Community to the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency

As Bronx residents, members of Bronx organizations, and/or advocates for environmental justice, we are writing to ensure that our voice and concerns about the NYSERDA Tier 4 project are heard. ....t the Tier 4 process so far has been guided by private companies, with no public participation for the neighborhoods impacted by the construction of renewable energy installations – many of which are EJ communities.

Bronx Dems - You're Invited: Bronx Dems Annual Gala Dinner

Dear Friend,

Our Annual Gala Dinner is on Wednesday, September 29th at 6pm at Marina Del Rey, 1 Marina Dr. Bronx, NY 10465 to honor the leaders helping the Bronx build back stronger and more resilient than ever. The Bronx Democratic Party’s Annual Dinner Gala is an opportunity to support our work and recognize the individuals who have stepped up for our communities during the pandemic through extraordinary commitment to the continued progress of our Borough, City, State, and nation.

Click here for tickets and to make a contribution!

RSVP to join us!

If you have any questions, please contact Darren at darren@dynamicsrg.com or 845-405-6412. Don’t forget to share this information with others who may be interested in joining. We look forward to seeing you there! Please Note: In accordance with City of New York requirements, all attendees must present proof of vaccination showing attendee has received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be provided reasonable accommodation.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2021

 

46,212 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours 

26 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.  

"We know what COVID is capable of because we've seen the worst of it here in New York, and we don't want to have to relive that experience," Governor Hochul said.  "We also know what works to fight back the virus - getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, and practicing basic safety protocols. It's that simple, and I urge everyone who still needs to get their shot to do so as soon as possible because it can save your life."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 100,288
• Total Positive - 3,660
• Percent Positive - 3.65%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.28%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,334 (+53)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 275
• Patients in ICU - 519 (+3)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 263 (+4)
• Total Discharges - 194,475 (+222)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 26
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 43,750

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 55,654

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 24,010,204
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 46,212
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 390,653
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 78.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 70.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 80.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 65.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 59.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 68.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 60.7%  

 

Happy Labor Day to all!

For those of us of Caribbean descent, Labor Day weekend plays an integral role in our experience as residents of Brooklyn. It serves as a reminder of our heritage, culture, and pride as Caribbean people. This weekend reminds us that summer is coming to a close it also usually ushers in a weekend of festivities highlighting and celebrating Caribbean culture in New York. The pinnacle of which is the West Indian American Day Carnival Association's Labor Day Parade.

Each year people from all over the world flood onto Eastern Parkway to celebrate Labor Day and our culture and pride as Caribbean people. Regrettably, this year, the community could not observe like it traditionally would because of our need to be responsible and safe amid this public health crisis. It is in that vein that I encourage you to be safe this Labor Day.

Labor Day has always been a day that not only brought us the latest soca, reggae, and dance hall tunes from our home countries, but each year it has been a day that has brought us closer together as a community. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an immense toll on many of our families. It has also shown us how resilient we are and why we must continue to stand together. Let's make today a celebration of that resilience and ensure we have fun while keeping each other safe.

Always remember that in unity, there is strength.

Warm regards, 

Hon. Diana C. Richardson

Member of the NYS Assembly

43rd District, Kings County

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS

 

WILLIAMS' STATEMENT IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY

 "Today we recognize and celebrate laborers, working people, and the movements driven by working people throughout our history, whether in centuries past or in recent years. From the 40 hour work week, to minimum wages, to paid sick leave, progress has been driven and demanded by working people organizing together, unionizing, to build power. We celebrate victories won, values championed, and work well done.

"Ordinarily in New York City, we would also be celebrating the West Indian Day Parade out on the Parkway, honoring Caribbean heritage in the largest annual gathering our city sees. Of course this year, that celebration has been altered in size, scope, and execution as we continue to do all that we can keep each other safe as the Delta variant circulates. As someone who has proudly taken to the Parkway for decades, I understand both the desire to celebrate and the imperative to do so safely. I urge New Yorkers to to bring the spirit of the parade, if not the sights and sounds, to their own smaller celebrations.

"This Labor Day, I'm thinking about the essential workers who have put themselves at risk over the last year and a half to keep us safe and combat this pandemic. We owe it to them, to each other, to honor that work and sacrifice by getting vaccinated, adhering to CDC guidelines, and staying safe in celebration today."

Governor Kathy Hochul Announces Designation of COVID-19 as an Airborne Infectious Disease Under New York State's HERO Act

 

Designation by State Department of Health Requires All Employers to Implement Workplace Safety Plans to Help Protect Workers from COVID-19

 

Law Protects Employees from Retaliation for Making a Complaint About Employer's Failure to Comply with the Law or the Adopted Plan

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the commissioner of health has designated COVID-19 a highly contagious communicable disease that presents a serious risk of harm to the public health under New York State's HERO Act, which requires all employers to implement workplace safety plans in the event of an airborne infectious disease, helping to prevent workplace infections. The NY HERO Act mandates extensive new workplace health and safety protections in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the law, all employers are required to adopt a workplace safety plan, and implement it for all airborne infectious diseases designated by the New York State Department of Health. Employers can adopt a model safety plan as crafted by the New York State Department of Labor, or develop their own safety plan in compliance with HERO Act standards.

"While we continue to increase our vaccination numbers, the fight against the Delta variant is not over, and we have to do everything we can to protect our workers," Governor Hochul said. "This designation will ensure protections are in place to keep our workers safe and support our efforts to combat the virus and promote health and safety."

The HERO Act's purpose is to ensure that businesses are prepared with protocols and resources to protect their employees and the public from the spread of airborne infectious diseases, like COVID's Delta variant.

Under the HERO Act, the DOL in consultation with the DOH has developed a new Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Standard, a Model Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan, and various industry-specific model plans for the prevention of airborne infectious disease. Additional information and industry-specific templates for employers are available on the DOL's website.

The plans adopted by employers must address a number of safety measures, including but not limited to: employee health screenings, masking and social distancing requirements, workplace hygiene stations, workplace cleaning protocol, quarantine protocol, and building airflow technology.

Employers are required to distribute their work safety plan to all employees and post it in a visible and prominent location within each worksite.

Additionally, the HERO Act includes anti-retaliation protections for employees which prohibit discrimination or adverse actions taken against an employee for following the requirements of these plans, reporting concerns on the implementation of a plan, or refusing to work.