Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating Covid-19

 

50,003 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

30 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday   

 

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

"The Delta variant is sweeping through the state, causing a surge in COVID cases in our communities," Governor Hochul said. "It is crucial that we stay vigilant. Wash your hands, wear a mask and get vaccinated. It's up to us to prevent our progress against the virus from being undone."

 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 178,396
• Total Positive - 4,673
• Percent Positive - 2.62%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.91%
• Patient Hospitalization - 2,352 (-50)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 315
• Patients in ICU - 560 (+13)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 325 (0)
• Total Discharges - 198,661 (+308)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 30
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 44,271

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 - 56,371

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 - 24,795,583
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 50,003
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 355,162
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 80.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 72.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 74.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 68.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 61.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 70.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 62.7%

Bronx Gang Member Convicted Of Shooting 12-Year-Old In Playground

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict today against NICHOLAS JOSEPH, a/k/a “Gotti,” a/k/a “Finesse,” on five counts in a Superseding Indictment, including charges of racketeering conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses.  JOSEPH is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2022, by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, who presided over the seven-day trial. 

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Nicholas Joseph participated in a violent gang for years and carried out a shooting in a playground next to an elementary school, seriously injuring a 12-year-old child.  Now convicted of his crimes, Joseph will no longer be able to inflict harm on the people of this city.  We continue our daily work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe by vigorously investigating and prosecuting acts of gang violence.”

According to the Superseding Indictment and the evidence at trial:

Between in or about 2014 and in or about December 2020, JOSEPH was a member and associate of the Castle Hill Crew, a racketeering enterprise that operated 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 November 19, 2015, JOSEPH and others stabbed a rival gang member in the head and back.

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

In addition, on or about July 10, 2020, and in or around November 2020 and December 2020, JOSEPH illegally possessed firearms and ammunition. 

JOSEPH, 23, was convicted on five counts: (1) racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years; (2) attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years; (3) using and carrying a firearm during, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory consecutive prison term of 10 years and a maximum prison term of life; and (4) two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, each of which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Department of Investigation.

Attorney General James and NYPD Commissioner Shea Take Down Auto Theft Ring Linked to Theft of Over 225 Vehicles

 

10 Individuals Indicted for Roles in Theft and Resale of Vehicles in NYC and Westchester

 New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Dermot Shea today announced the indictment of 10 members of an auto theft and distribution operation for their roles in the theft and/or criminal possession of 45 vehicles during a six-month period and their roles related to the theft and resale of more than 225 vehicles throughout New York City and Westchester. The 303-count indictment is a result of a two-year joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the NYPD’s Auto Crime Division.

“For two years, these individuals have fueled fear in our communities and taken some of peoples’ most valuable assets,” said Attorney General James. “During the pandemic, they moved this operation into high gear, taking advantage of New Yorkers’ staying at home to allegedly stealing more than 45 cars in six months. We exhausted every avenue to track down these thieves, and, today, we send a loud and clear message that we will not stand idly by as New Yorkers are burglarized. New Yorkers deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and we thank the NYPD for their partnership and support in this effort.”

“This was a complex, high-tech operation that sought to weaponize every hidden vulnerability in the automotive industry from creating keys based on bootleg code lists to altering computer settings to creating a mill that furnished false registrations for altered VIN numbers,” said NYPD Commissioner Shea. “Being an operation that never missed a chance to exploit vulnerability, it also turned up the volume of thefts during the pandemic, knowing that people were homebound or sick. I want to thank the investigators from the NYPD’s Auto Crime Division, as well as the prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force for recognizing the seriousness and complexity of this case and building a solid prosecution.”

The investigation — dubbed “Operation Master Key,” due to the ability of the theft crews to create keys to gain access to vehicles — revealed auto theft crew members Norberto Pena Brito, Jose Lebron Pimentel, Edwin Hidalgo Estevez, Dariberto Fernandez Perez, and Hector Rivera were responsible for locating, stealing, altering, and reselling stolen vehicles throughout New York City and Westchester.

From April 2020 to October 2020 — during the months the state was shut down due to the pandemic and New Yorkers stayed at home and parked their cars for days at a time — this crew scoped out and targeted cars to steal, obtained key code information for these vehicles from unlawful websites, and created keys that allowed them to breach and steal the vehicles. Once inside of the vehicle, they reprogrammed the vehicle’s computer system to gain control of the vehicle, disable alarms, and start the engine. In a matter of minutes, the theft crew was able to steal a vehicle without sounding alarms or drawing any attention, even in a dense urban setting. The theft crew was also able to reprogram the vehicle to stop recognizing the true owners’ electronic keys, so that the owners’ keys stopped working. 

Members of this organization then transported the vehicles back to one of several lots located in the Bronx, where the vehicles were altered and the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) were changed in order to give the stolen cars a new identity. Jesus Cabral was hired to remove and replace windshields and to change vehicle VINs assigned by the manufacturer. At times, Norberto Pena Brito and Jose Lebron Pimentel would also buy stolen cars from Carlos Valverde. Afterwards, crew members sold the stolen cars to their customers, including to Willy Abreu Martinez and Abdul Khan, who were two of the high-volume customers purchasing the stolen cars for resale in the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Leticia Saldivar — the owner and operator of Carmela’s Multiservice and Auto Tag in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — was recruited to obtain, organize, and file fictitious vehicle documents with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and obtained clean registrations and titles for stolen vehicles. 

This joint investigation included hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance, court-authorized wiretapping of numerous targeted phones, execution of search warrants, and the recovery of surveillance video capturing the thefts of numerous vehicles.

The 303-count indictment — unsealed today in Bronx County State Supreme Court — charges the 10 individuals with numerous counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second and Third Degrees (Class C and D felonies), Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class D felony), Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (Class E felony), Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (Class D felony), Conspiracy in the Fourth and Fifth Degrees (Class E felony and Class A Misdemeanor), and related charges for conspiring to steal, possess, and sell 45 stolen vehicles, and also conspiring to register stolen cars in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by filing forged vehicle documents.

If convicted, defendants Carlos Valverde and Leticia Saldivar each face a maximum of seven years of prison. The remaining defendants face a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Those charged in today’s unsealed indictment include:

NORBERTO PENA BRITO – 35 years old, Bronx, NY

JOSE LEBRON PIMENTEL – 39 years old, Bronx, NY

EDWIN HIDALGO ESTEVEZ – 31 years old, Bronx, NY

DARIBERTO FERNANDEZ PEREZ – 30 years old, Bronx, NY

HECTOR RIVERA – 52 years old, Bronx, NY

JESUS CABRAL – 55 years old, Waterbury, CT

WILLY ABREU MARTINEZ – 39 years old, Bronx, NY

ABDUL KHAN – 35 years old, Bronx, NY

CARLOS VALVERDE – 33 years old, Bronx, NY

LETICIA SALDIVAR – 37 years old, Waterford Works, NJ

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The charges in the indictment are the result of a joint investigation by the OAG’s OCTF and the NYPD's Auto Crime Division. The OAG would like to thank the Yonkers Police Department; the Pennsylvania State Police; the Police Department for the City of Reading Pennsylvania; the Bureau of Police for the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; the Massachusetts State Police; the New Jersey State Police; the Miami-Dade Metro Police Department; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force; the Vermont Division of Motor Vehicles; the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; the New York Department of Motor Vehicles; the National Insurance Crime Bureau; and the National Automotive Service Task Force for their valuable participation in this investigation.

The investigation was jointly led by NYPD Auto Crime Division Detective Daniel Fox and OAG OCTF Detective David Walsh. Detective Fox is under the supervision of Lieutenant Jorge Rodriguez and the overall supervision of Deputy Inspector Robert LaPollo. Detective Walsh is under the supervision of Supervising Detective Bradford Miller and the overall supervision of Deputy Chief John McManus of the OAG's Investigations Bureau. The OAG's Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folks.

Governor Hochul Announces Appointments to Office of Cannabis Management Board

 

Reuben R. McDaniel, III and Jessica Garcia to Serve as Board Members

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Reuben R. McDaniel, III and Jessica Garcia have been appointed to the board of Office of Cannabis Management. The Cannabis Control Board and Office of Cannabis Management will create and implement a comprehensive regulatory framework for New York's cannabis industry, including the production, licensing, packaging, marketing and sale of cannabis products.

"New York's cannabis industry has stalled for far too long - I am making important appointments to set the Office of Cannabis Management up for success so they can hit the ground running," Governor Hochul said. "I am confident Mr. McDaniel and Ms. Garcia will serve the board with professionalism and experience as we lead our state forward in this new industry."

Reuben R. McDaniel, III is the President and Chief Executive Officer of DASNY. Mr. McDaniel's appointment was confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 10, 2020. Mr. McDaniel is responsible for the overall management of DASNY's administration and operations. Mr. McDaniel joined DASNY in 2019 as an accomplished investment banker with more than 30 years of experience in financial services, including public finance, personal wealth management, corporate finance and private equity. During his career in public finance, he participated in more than $75 billion in tax-exempt bond issuances throughout the country. Mr. McDaniel also founded an investment advisory firm, where he managed more than $50 million in investment portfolios and business assets for a variety of professionals. Prior to, Mr. McDaniel served as Chair of the Atlanta Board of Education for Public Schools, where he led a diverse group of constituents and served as a voice for the community of parents. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Jessica García is Assistant to the President of the Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union, UFCW, a national labor union representing workers along the food supply chain, as well as workers in non-food retail and healthcare. She previously served as Deputy Political Director for the RWDSU, where she worked to advance the union's legislative and political agendas. Prior, she served as Director of Programs and Organizing at New Immigrant Community Empowerment and spent her early career advocating for fair funding for public schools in New York City. She currently serves as chair of board of the New York Committee for Safety and Health and the Advocacy Institute, vice-president of the Rural & Migrant Ministry board of directors, and member of the board of the Costa Rican-based organization, Vivir El Sueno. Originally from Honduras, Jessica is a graduate of the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and Harvard University.

Leader Of Latin Kings Set Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that CARMELO VELEZ, a/k/a “Jugg,” was sentenced today to 19 years in prison in connection with his participation in the Black Mob set of the Latin Kings and their distribution of narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.  VELEZ pled guilty on May 25, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Valerie E. Caproni, who imposed today’s sentence.   

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Carmelo Velez was the leader of a violent gang who himself participated in acts of extreme violence.  His wanton disregard for his victims has now earned him a lengthy prison term.”

According to public filings and statements made in court:

The Black Mob is a New York-based set, or “tribe,” of the nationwide Latin Kings gang.  In order to enrich the enterprise, protect and expand its criminal operations, enforce discipline among its members, and retaliate against members of rival gangs, members and associates of the Black Mob committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, and crack; committed robberies; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.

The Black Mob’s leadership structure resembles the traditional leadership structure of other Latin King tribes.  Leaders in the Black Mob are referred to as “Crowns,” with the respective Crowns ranked as “First Crown,” “Second Crown,” etc.  VELEZ served as the First Crown of the Black Mob since in or around 2012 and, in that capacity, oversaw the Black Mob’s day-to-day operations and also ordered and participated in acts of violence and narcotics trafficking.

In December 2019 and April 2021, VELEZ was charged along with several other members and associates of the Black Mob, including Angel Lopez, a/k/a “SB,” and Christopher Rodriguez, a/k/a “Taz,” with racketeering offenses, narcotics conspiracy, and firearms offenses.  Lopez and Rodriguez, both of whom also held leadership roles within the Black Mob, previously pled guilty and were sentenced to 240 months in prison and 210 months in prison, respectively.

VELEZ pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics.  In connection with his guilty plea, VELEZ further stipulated to his involvement in multiple acts of violence: a June 2017 slashing of a rival gang member, an October 2018 home invasion that resulted in the slashing and assault of two rival gang members, and a gunpoint robbery of a drug dealer in or around September 2019. 

In addition to the prison term, VELEZ, 32, of Newburgh, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department. 

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED FOR 2018 CAR CRASH THAT KILLED PEDESTRIAN, WOUNDED WOMAN

 

Defendant Was Convicted of Manslaughter and Assault 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to three to nine years in prison after he was convicted of second-degree Manslaughter and third-degree Assault in a 2018 car crash on the Grand Concourse that killed an elderly woman and left another woman injured. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant was driving at least 62 miles an hour in a 25 mile-per-hour zone and struck multiple cars. He rear-ended one of the vehicles and propelled it into a 74-year-old woman who was crossing the street. The driver was injured, and the pedestrian died of her injuries two years later. Reckless drivers will be held accountable for their actions. I hope this sentence gives the victims and their families a measure of healing from this trauma.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, David Fennell, 49, of 767 East 218th Street, was sentenced today to three to nine years in prison for the second-degree Manslaughter charge and one year for the third-degree Assault charge by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. The defendant was found guilty of the charges after a bench trial on July 16, 2021.

 According to the investigation, on May 18, 2018 at approximately 11:00 a.m., the defendant was driving a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350 at a high rate of speed on 175th Street and Grand Concourse. Fennell sideswiped a car, crashed onto the curb and slammed into wooden fencing. He then side-swiped a second vehicle and rear-ended a 2006 Chevy Malibu, pushing it into the crosswalk where Barbara Hendricks, 74, was crossing the street. The driver in the Malibu, Daisy Bonilla, 51, sustained lacerations and bruises and was taken to a local hospital for a brain bleed, neck and back pain. Hendricks was hospitalized after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, brain bleed, broken pelvis, and multiple broken bones. She was intubated in the Intensive Care Unit and was treated in long-term treatment facilities where she died of her injuries on March 25, 2020.

 The defendant was arrested in May 2018 and was arrested again after charges were upgraded to Manslaughter on July 28, 2020.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Peter Jarvis of the Collision Investigation Squad and NYPD Officer Gregory Gianacopulos of the Collision Investigation Squad for their assistance in the investigation.

Healthfirst Offers First Ride Free on Citi Bike Beginning on September 25th

 

New Riders can use the promo code Healthfirst21 to redeem a Single Ride in the Lyft or Citi Bike app

From Saturday September 25, to Saturday, October 9, 2021*, Healthfirst, the official wellness partner of Citi Bike, is offering a First Ride Free to help get more New Yorkers outside and using pedal power to get to their favorite local spots or for some healthy exercise. The free ride activation includes one free 30-minute ride on Citi Bike classic bikes**. Citi Bike is operated as a partnership between NYCDOT and Lyft. 

"Citi Bike has become an integral part of New Yorkers lives by making cycling more readily available than ever before," said NYC DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. "I thank Healthfirst and our partner Lyft for offering this two week opportunity to try this green, affordable and healthy way to get around our city."

“Citi Bike was there for New Yorkers during the pandemic, and as we’re seeing New York come back to life, we have a unique opportunity to help support the reawakening of the city and help NYC rebound.” said Laura Fox, General Manager for Citi Bike at Lyft, “Biking is not only a fun way to experience the city but it’s also an important way to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, which is why we’re working together with Healthfirst to help introduce new people to the benefits of cycling.”

To claim the free 30-minute bike ride starting Saturday, September 25, riders can use the promo code Healthfirst21 to redeem a free ride in the Lyft or Citi Bike app. 

Healthfirst is also the presenting sponsor of the Reduced Fare Bike Share program, which offers discounted $5/month memberships to eligible NYCHA residents, SNAP recipients and members of select community development credit unions. Currently, more than 14,000 New Yorkers access the Reduced Fare Bike Share program. Membership has doubled in the past year due to expansion of bike stations and riders finding Citi Bikes to be a safe and dependable mode of transportation.

“If you haven’t taken a ride on a Citi Bike, First Ride Free offers a great opportunity to give it a try compliments of Healthfirst,” said Miguel Centeno, Healthfirst Vice President of Community Engagement. “We were excited to see the steady growth in the number of Reduced Fare Bike Share members over the past year which reinforces that the program provides a valuable resource to the community.  Providing affordable and dependable transportation which allows people to get to work, to doctor appointments and to access resources and services, as well as participate in a healthy exercise option, aligns perfectly with Healthfirst’s mission to promote equity and health and wellness for all New Yorkers.”

Researchers at Colorado University recently found in the first study of its kind that bikeshare saves the United States $36 million in public health dollars every year, with more than $15 million of that coming from Citi Bike alone. The researchers estimated that putting 100,000 additional New Yorkers onto bikeshare would result in 15 fewer deaths, 2556 fewer disability adjusted life years, and more than $111 million fewer public health dollars spent annually through increases in physical activity and improvements in air quality. 

Citi Bike provided a socially distanced and reliable mode of transportation for New Yorkers during the pandemic, supporting millions of rides, many of which were taken by our heroic frontline workers. Through the launch of the Critical Care program, Citi Bike was able to step up and provide over 30,000 free memberships and 1.2 million rides to essential workers and healthcare providers.

Today Citi Bike is the most widely used bike share system in North America, reaching a milestone of 100 million all-time rides last year and a record-breaking 135,004 trips taken on a single day on September 11. Last year alone, nearly 900,000 Citi Bike riders pedaled over 42.1 million miles. Citi Bike has also expanded to add another 250 stations this year, with over 1,500 stations and 23,000 bikes total across the system. 

*New users only. Only valid for redemption within the Citi Bike or Lyft apps. Offer valid from September 25 through October 9, 2021, or while supplies last. Must set up a valid Citi Bike account with a valid credit card. Limit one (1) free ride per account. Pass applies to the Single Ride fare for Classic bikes up to 30 minutes. Cannot be combined with other offers. Subject to Citi Bike Rental Agreement and Liability Waiver

.

**Riders can also use this code to unlock an ebike for an additional $0.18 per minute.

CLIMATE WEEK: CITY ANNOUNCES $75 MILLION IN NEW INVESTMENTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Funding will add 275 electric vehicle chargers, replace 300 gas-powered City fleet vehicles, and retrofit diesel-powered trucks to run on electric

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), and the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, today announced a $75 million investment in electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the City of New York’s vehicle fleet. The new investments will help the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country become even greener. 

 

The investments include:

 

•    300 electric vehicles to replace fossil fuel-powered models

•    275 fast vehicle chargers

•    20 portable vehicle chargers

•    11 new solar charging carports

•    3 electric buses to replace diesel models

•    78 electric ambulances

•    In addition, the City will retrofit 125 existing diesel-powered trucks to be electric-powered. 

  

These and other investments are part of the City’s plan to transition its entire vehicle fleet to electric vehicles.

 

 “Climate change is an existential threat facing our city, our nation, and our world,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “You can count on New York City to lead the way when it comes to finding sustainable climate solutions, fighting back against global warming, and building a greener future for the next generation.”

 

 “The EV investment and infrastructure that we put in place today will become the foundation of a clean and reliable transportation system for the next generation of New Yorkers,” said Ben Furnas, Director of the NYC Mayor's Office of Climate and Sustainability. “Today's announcement is a key example of the City's commitment to end the age of fossil fuels, improve air quality and public health — especially in Environmental Justice communities most impacted by polluting tailpipe emissions — and tackle the urgency of the climate crisis before us.”

 

 “The $75 million in investments announced today will help pave the way for ending the use of fossil fuels in the City of New York’s municipal vehicle fleet,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “The time to act on climate change is now, and New York City is leading the way by transitioning to an all-electric vehicle fleet.”

 

 “The City of New York operates the largest electric vehicle fleet and electric vehicle charging network in New York State,” said Keith Kerman, NYC Chief Fleet Officer and DCAS Deputy Commissioner. “And these efforts have only just begun. These critical new investments will enable convenient fast charging for fleets throughout the City and support the expansion of EV and adoption into our van and trucking fleets.”  

 

“The City’s investments in electric vehicles and infrastructure is a step in the right direction, allowing us to further improve our transportation system and address the climate crisis,” said Senator Alessandra Biaggi. “New York must continue to serve as a national leader in combating the climate crisis by ending our dependence on fossil fuels and continuing to invest in green, renewable energy. By investing in renewable, sustainable alternatives, we are bettering our planet, our city, and our livelihoods.”

 

“The transition of our transportation sector to emission-free vehicles requires a substantial and sustained investment in access to charging equipment and grid capacity,” said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. “This step by the city to electrify more of the municipal vehicle fleet will undoubtedly push us in the right direction, and kudos to DCAS and the Mayor's Office for making this commitment.”

 

“The actions our City takes today will effect generations of New Yorkers to come,” said Assembly Member David Weprin. “That is why I am thrilled to lend my support to NYC’s investment in green transportation infrastructure. This investment will combat climate change and improve the quality of life in our City,” said Assemblyman David Weprin.

 

 “The transportation sector accounts for approximately one third of our greenhouse emissions statewide,” said Assembly Member and Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee Michael Cusick. “Electrifying transportation is a vitally important step in reducing our emissions, improving our energy efficiency, and meeting our climate goals. In the State Assembly I have sponsored legislation geared toward making our state more electric vehicle friendly and we have passed this legislation through both houses of the legislature. I am thrilled to see that New York City is making such a solid investment in electrifying its fleet.”

 

“Electric vehicles are our future,” said Assembly Member Kenny Burgos. “With climate change being an existential threat, this new investment will only help our infrastructure, reduce air pollution, and create a more environmentally friendly city. I appreciate the Mayor's office and our city for leading the way to make our planet more sustainable.” 

 

“It’s abundantly clear that we must do everything we can to reduce the use of fossil fuels, and it’s heartening to see so many New Yorkers embracing Electric Vehicles,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon. “I’m glad that the City is providing the necessary support infrastructure to encourage the use of EVs, which incentivizes us all to do our part to reverse the climate change emergency we face.”

 

“As Chair of the New York City Council’s Environmental Committee, I am proud to continue supporting this initiative, which aims to make our city more eco-friendly,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro. “These types of investments bring us one step closer to the goal of the New York City Climate Protection Act – a bill I authored in 2008 to dramatically reduce greenhouse emissions. This $75 million investment in electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure is sending an important message to New Yorkers—that making the switch to an electric vehicle has never been easier. I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio for his visionary leadership and all his hard work to make NYC greener.”

 

In 2019, DCAS launched an initiative to install 100 fast electric vehicle chargers across the five boroughs. Fast electric vehicle chargers can charge vehicles up to seven times faster than traditional chargers. To date, 90 of these fast chargers are in operation, and all 100 will be operational by the end of the year. Currently, eight fast chargers are also available for public use. (Guidelines for NYC Fleet Chargers Public Access) In the next two years, DCAS will add an additional 275 fast chargers at City agency sites to support fleet units and also the electrification of school buses at the NYC Department of Education. At least 20 of these charging locations will also be available for public use. Once completed, the City of New York will have one of the largest fast charging networks in the country.  

 

The 20 portable chargers announced today can be moved from location to location, supporting flexible and emergency charging as the City of New York transitions the fleet to electric vehicles. Working with the NYC Department of Correction, DCAS introduced the City’s first mobile charger in 2019. DCAS will also add 11 solar carports, which will give the City 100 free-standing solar carports, the largest such project in the world. These carports, which are mobile, power electric vehicles solely using sunlight, are not tied to the electric grid, and are an important emergency resource in the case of power outages.

 

The 300 new electric vehicles announced today will replace at least 300 fossil fuel-powered light duty vehicles and vans. In addition, for the first time, the City will retrofit 125 existing diesel support trucks to convert them to electric power. The first converts will be box vans, rack trucks, small dump trucks, and other non-emergency units. This will enable the City to make progress on electric truck implementation as manufacturers continue to develop new electric truck models. 

 

DCAS and the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability today attended the City’s 32^nd Annual Fleet and Equipment Show, hosted by DCAS and NYC Parks Department at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Over 150 vendors displayed the latest in green and safe fleet technologies at the show. The non-profit Empire Clean Cities, which focuses on fleet sustainability, also hosts its annual stakeholder event at the show. Both of today’s events were part of the official Climate Week NYC programming. Immediately following the show, DCAS also participated in a virtual panel on Urban Charging Infrastructures at the 2021 Edition of IMPULSION MTL organized by Propulsion Québec. This international fleet forum is in its third year each supported annually by DCAS.

 

The City of New York’s municipal vehicle fleet includes 2,350 on-road electric vehicles and 796 off-road electric and solar units, and the entire fleet will become all-electric. To support this transition, the city currently has 1,061 electric vehicle charging ports to service its fleet. This network is the largest charging network in New York state and includes level-2 chargers, level-3 fast chargers, a mobile charger, and the nation’s largest network of 89 free-standing solar charging carports.