NEW YORK CITY TO CLOSE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR 1.6 MILLION RESIDENTS, ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY

Mayor de Blasio announces landmark advancements in digital equity across New York City, building critical broadband infrastructure for up to 1.6 million New Yorkers, while partnering on immediate-term affordable internet connectivity for more than 250,000 residents  

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the largest step of any city in American history toward providing affordable broadband for all. Through its Internet Master Plan, New York City will be the first city in the nation to reverse the digital redlining that has left communities of color disconnected, ensure that M/WBEs share in the economic growth of the broadband industry, and incentivize at scale high-quality affordable internet service options for New Yorkers.  

“Broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are closing the digital divide and bringing our city into the 21^st century by reaching communities most in need.”

 

Today, the City is announcing that it will reach up to 1.6 million New Yorkers in the next 36 months by using $157 million to build publicly owned, open-access broadband infrastructure. The City is also designating a wide range of companies -- large and small, including multiple M/WBEs -- to provide fast, reliable, and affordable connectivity options to an additional 70,000 NYCHA residents and 150,000 residents in the surrounding communities by early 2022.

  

Already, the City is in the process of bringing free or low-cost internet connectivity options for up to 40,000 residents in 18 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments by the end of the year. This historic initiative brings newly affordable connectivity to a majority of NYCHA residents, with options to further scale affordable broadband to all neighborhoods citywide.  

  

“The City is taking unprecedented action to make sure that the digital divide soon becomes a thing of the past,” said Deputy Mayor for Administration and Chief of Staff Emma Wolfe. “We’re not just connecting New Yorkers to the internet. With the City’s investment in both connectivity and new infrastructure, we’re ensuring that affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service will be possible well into the future.”   

  

“The Internet Master Plan proves that government can leverage its vast resources to bring affordable, essential Broadband services and infrastructure to those who need it most” said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives. “The Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity was proud to support this strategic investment that will greatly benefit our target communities most impacted by decades of disinvestment.”

 

“No matter your zip code, every New Yorker deserves an equal opportunity to participate in building our shared future,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer John Paul Farmer. “The New York City Internet Master Plan has enabled the Big Apple’s unprecedented progress in promoting digital equity and making that idealistic vision a practical reality. New York City’s bold new approach delivers cross-sector partnerships, incorporates cutting-edge technologies, upgrades performance, and ensures affordability for residents and businesses. That is how we are transforming the broadband marketplace.”

 

"This program is a model for ensuring that every American has access to reliable high-speed internet. New York is proof positive that this kind of equitable infrastructure development is a critical component of what it means to Build Back Better," said Dr. Alondra Nelson, Deputy Director for Science and Society, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. "That’s why the Biden-Harris Administration so values the vision and partnership of Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City."

 

"Many communities hardest hit by COVID have experienced longstanding health and socioeconomic inequities, including a lack of access to affordable and reliable broadband internet," said Sideya Sherman, Executive Director of the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity. "This disparity is the result of digital redlining. With today's announcement, the City is driving equity and righting this historic wrong."

 

“In today’s landscape, providing equitable access to internet service is essential for improving the quality of life and pathways to opportunity for our residents,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “Over the past year, we have made tremendous strides in expanding affordable broadband options for public housing communities, and we are excited to work with the City as well as our public and private partners in bringing a robust digital infrastructure to even more NYCHA campuses in the years to come.”

 

“We are thrilled these latest milestones implementing the Internet Master Plan continue to increase digital access for communities that need it the most," said NYCEDC President and CEO Rachel Loeb. "Now more than 250,000 New Yorkers, including NYCHA residents, will have access to new, affordable, high-speed internet options and we are excited to continue to work with our City Partners on advancing the City's Internet Master Plan."

 

"Providing equitable access to broadband is critical to the City's economic growth and recovery," said Jonnel Doris, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services.  "Now more than ever, small business owners and job seekers in underserved communities are relying on the internet to effectively participate in our economy.  SBS was proud to be an integral part of this initiative, which levels the playing field for customers, opens the door to smaller providers, and diversifies the City's digital service pool.  This is a win for everyone."

 

 “Broadband connectivity is increasingly important for the activities that help people lead productive and healthy lives,” said Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Jamie Torres-Springer. “By investing in broadband infrastructure the City is investing in the future, including the ability to deliver government services efficiently. DDC is prepared to support this important work however possible.”"

 

“This past year has revealed that while greenspaces and parks are essential, so too is reliable access to affordable internet,” said New York City Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff. “With this latest announcement, we are proud to be part of this administration’s Internet Master Plan and will continue to do our part to expand broadband infrastructure into our city’s parks and greenspaces where possible.” 

 

"The last 20 months have made clear what we’ve long known - fast, reliable, and affordable broadband is not a luxury, it's an essential utility for learning, working, public health, and to ensure all people can thrive," said Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation. “From pioneering publicly owned open-access broadband infrastructure to increasing competition between ISPs, these pathbreaking steps by New York City to close the digital divide marks a milestone in advancing the promise of equity in broadband access.” 

 

“The pandemic has permanently altered the role of broadband, and access to it, as essential infrastructure for individuals, communities, governments and small businesses to function in today’s digital world,” said Michael Froman, Vice Chairman and President of Strategic Growth for Mastercard. “Yet millions of households across the country do not have access and many small businesses lack the digital skills or education to leverage online services. Mastercard is committed to working with local governments, telcos and small business owners to ensure we obtain ubiquitous access to broadband and foster digital skills development as a critical step toward achieving a more equitable and inclusive society where opportunity exists for all.” 

 

“20 years ago, then-Councilman Bill de Blasio recognized how important broadband access is for all New Yorkers to learn, work, and participate in the 21st century economy” said Andrew Rasiej, Co-founder of Civic Hall. “With today’s announcement Mayor Bill de Blasio is making his vision of a more fair and equitable online future for all a public priority and reality.” 

Earth Day Initiative - What you need to understand about climate action

 

COP26 IS HERE.  WHAT CAN YOU DO? We recently hosted a discussion with representatives from March for Science and Fridays for Future and former New York Times chief environment and climate correspondent Andrew Revkin to explain what COP26 is, the state of the Paris Agreement, and what you can do.  You can watch that full COP26 explainer here.  The gist is that increasingly alarming reports are issued every week about the dire nature of the climate crisis and the lack of appropriate and robust responses from business and government.  Even the commitments made in the past (like finance for climate action) are not being met and vague goals (like carbon neutral pledges) set us up for failure in the future.  We need to see climate action before it's too late.  And the most impactful thing you can do is use your voice.   Take one minute to tell your own leaders that we need bold climate action before COP26 next week.  Click here.

Dozens of New York State Legislators Call on Congress to Fund Home Care

 

With the fate of the Better Jobs Better Care Act expected to be decided as a part of the imminent budget reconciliation process, 93 New York State Legislators are appealing to their federal colleagues to ensure that at least $190 billion in funding for home care stays on the table.  

The Better Care Better Jobs bill (HR 4131/S 2210) was introduced as New York and many other states face a critical juncture in providing home care to their aging populations. Nearly one in six New Yorkers are aged 65 and older, and the older adult population is growing faster than any other age group in the state. At the same time, New York must contend with a growing shortage in home care support and services.

In the eyes of the letter’s signatories, one solution to the looming crisis is to attract more home care workers by offering better wages and improved job quality. To do so, federal dollars are badly needed. 

Read the letters from the Assembly and the Senate.

“Home care workers do essential, skilled, and compassionate work that provides a level of independence to elderly and disabled New Yorkers. While we fight to change the State level policies such as the unconscionable 13-hour rule that allows employers to pay home health aides only 13 hours out of a 24-hour shift, we must also be calling on the federal government to play its role in dedicating funding for these workers, who are overwhelmingly women of color and immigrant New Yorkers. I’m proud to be joined by dozens of my colleagues in advocating on behalf of these essential workers,” said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein.

"New Yorkers who rely on home care workers know how critical they are to their health and independence. The workforce needs dignified wages to attract and retain home care professionals as the population in need grows. The nurses and aides providing care, mostly women of color and immigrants, continue to be paid poverty wages despite dedicating themselves to caring for others’ loved ones before returning home to care for their own. We need the federal government to do its part and adequately fund the home care workforce in the final Build Back Better package," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the New York State Senate Health Committee.

"1199SEIU home care members have demonstrated their dedication to their consumers and clients throughout this terrible pandemic, while they continue their fight to be respected, protected, and paid. These members are doing everything they can to make sure that the Federal government makes a real investment in home care services through the Build Back Better Act. It is critical that seniors and people with disabilities receive the services they need to live independently in their own homes. It is also imperative that the workers providing care have the tools they need to live with dignity. We are grateful that almost 100 members of the State Legislature are standing with us in urging Congress to fund home care,"  said Helen Schaub, New York State Policy and Legislative Director of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

65 Days and Counting

 

Friday is the deadline for our Police, Fire, Sanitation, and other New York City workers must, I repeat must be vaccinated or they will not be able to work, and they will be sent home without pay if they are not vaccinated. 

Yes the essential workers are hero's who worked through the pandemic, but now it is time for them to be vaccinated. Only a few of each agency have been not vaccinated. We have asked everyone else to be vaccinated, so hero's or not, the municipal workers must all het vaccinated. There will be no shortages as we will have double shifts, and mandatory overtime, with all vacations cancelled. 

49th Precinct Council Meets at Eastchester Gardens

 

Tuesday night the 49th Precinct held an in person meeting at the Eastchester Gardens Houses. Once again rain may have kept away some residents, but those who attended the Precinct Council meeting voiced their concerns. 

Councilman Mark Gjonaj spoke, and said that he is one of three council members who has part of the 49th Precinct area. Council members Oswald Feliz and Kevin Riley also cover The 49th Precinct area. He said his office is open to all even residents of Eastchester Gardens which is not in his district. New NCO Sergeant Hines spoke briefly and listened to the community concerns. 

Since the meeting was being held in Eastchester Gardens many of those in the audience were from there, and they aired their problems. The main concern was safety in the Eastchester Houses, and the lack of police patrols. It was said that in the past there were as many as eight officers patrolling the houses which made the residents fell safe. Now there are just two officers who work only five days and only for eight hours, and there is only one Youth Coordinator officer. The residents do not feel safe, and said there are gangs in the buildings, they also wanted to know who their elected officials are, and where they are? A representative of Councilman Riley was in attendance, and went up front to speak. He also met with some members of the audience after the meeting. 

Councilman Mark Gjonaj addresses the audience, (L-R) are 49th Precinct Council Corresponding Secretary Phyliss Nastasio, Secretary Grace Lovag,  Community Affairs officer Sturdivant, NCO Sergeant Hines, President Joe Thompson, and Treasurer Eli Morales. 

The representative of Councilman Riley answers some of the questions brought up by the residents of Eastchester Gardens. 

Two Defendants Convicted Of Aviation-Based Drug Trafficking Charges

 

Jean-Claude Okongo Landji and Jibril Adamu Conspired to Use U.S.-Registered Aircraft to Fly Tons of Cocaine Between South America, Africa, and Europe

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Wendy C. Woolcock, Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced today that a jury returned guilty verdicts yesterday against JEAN-CLAUDE OKONGO LANDJI and JIBRIL ADAMU on the charge of conspiring to traffic five kilograms and more of cocaine on board an aircraft owned by a United States citizen and registered in the United States.  U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe presided over the two-week trial.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As a jury found, Jean-Claude Okongo Landji and Jibril Adamu sought to exploit their abilities as pilots and use Landji’s private jet to smuggle multi-ton loads of cocaine from South America to West Africa and on to Europe and elsewhere.  Presuming they would be able to make regular runs to Europe, figuratively flying under the radar, Landji and Adamu were instead arrested in Croatia at the end of an initial test flight.  Now they await sentencing for their crime.”

As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

Beginning in or about October 2017, LANDJI, ADAMU, and others agreed to use a United States-registered Gulfstream G2 private jet owned by LANDJI, a United States citizen, to distribute multi-ton quantities of cocaine in South America, Africa, Europe, and elsewhere.  LANDJI and ADAMU, who are both pilots, planned to use the G2 and other aircraft to fly unregistered and untraceable “black flights” with multi-thousand kilogram loads of cocaine from South America to West Africa to be unloaded at clandestine airstrips, including landing sites in the Sahara desert.  After the cocaine was off-loaded in Africa, LANDJI and ADAMU planned to use LANDJI’s aviation business, incorporated in the state of Georgia, as cover for cocaine smuggling flights to Europe and elsewhere.  For example, LANDJI agreed to use his company to arrange seemingly legitimate passenger “VIP” flights to Europe for which ADAMU would serve as a pilot while concealing multi-ton quantities of cocaine hidden on board for further distribution in European countries.  LANDJI and ADAMU further sought in particular to evade the scrutiny of the DEA and U.S. law enforcement and discussed methods to avoid the U.S. justice system.  For example, during recorded meetings in 2018, LANDJI agreed to traffic cocaine by aircraft with a co-conspirator who warned “if you put one kilo on a plane that has the American registration, it’s the same thing[] as putting it . . . in the middle of . . . Madison Square Garden in New York.  The same thing.  For the justice system.” 

On or about October 30, 2018, LANDJI and ADAMU conducted a test shipment and flew the G2 from Mali to Croatia with one kilogram of cocaine on board.  LANDJI and ADAMU expected that their successful provision of the one-kilogram cocaine sample to clients in Europe would pave the way for providing twice-monthly shipments of cocaine worth as much as $40 million each in the European market.  However, members of the Croatian National Police investigating LANDJI and ADAMU in coordination with the DEA searched the G2 following their arrival in Croatia, recovered the kilogram of cocaine, and arrested LANDJI and ADAMU.  Both defendants were later extradited to the United States.

LANDJI, 58, of the United States and Gabon, and ADAMU, 58, of Nigeria, were convicted of one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine with a United States citizen on board any aircraft, and on board an aircraft owned by a United States citizen or registered in the United States, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  The statutory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by Judge Gardephe.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations New York Office, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, and the Croatian National Police Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.

Attorney General James Announces Indictment of New York State Trooper on Murder Charge

Trooper Christopher Baldner Allegedly Used State Police Vehicle to Ram Car Occupied by Family, Causing Death of Monica Goods

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment of Christopher Baldner, on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, and Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree. The indictment alleges Baldner — a member of the New York State Police — while on patrol along the New York State Thruway in the County of Ulster, in December 2020, used his police vehicle to ram a car occupied by four members of the Goods family — causing the family car to flip over, resulting in the death of 11-year-old Monica Goods.

Additionally, the indictment alleges that, in September of 2019, Baldner similarly endangered the lives of three passengers by using his police vehicle to ram their car.  

Baldner was arraigned today before Judge Bryan Rounds of Ulster County Court and was remanded. Baldner will make a bail application, the hearing on which is set for Thursday, November 4, 2021. Murder in the Second Degree carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

“Police officers are entrusted to protect and serve, but Trooper Baldner allegedly violated that trust when he used his car as a deadly weapon and killed a young girl,” said Attorney General James. “While nothing will bring Monica back, we must hold law enforcement to the highest standards, which is why my office is committed to seeking justice in this case.”

It is alleged that on December 22, 2020, at approximately 11:40 PM, Tristan Goods was driving in the northbound lane of the New York State Thruway with his wife and two daughters, aged 11 and 12, on the way to visit family for Christmas. Near mile marker 92, in Ulster County, Trooper Baldner was on patrol in his marked New York State Police vehicle and stopped the Goods family car for traveling at a high rate of speed. During the stop, Baldner deployed pepper spray into the interior of the car and Mr. Goods sped away. During the pursuit, Baldner twice rammed his police vehicle into the rear of the Goods car. Upon the second strike, the Goods car flipped over several times and came to rest upside down. The impact ejected Monica Goods from the car, and she died.  

The Attorney General is the prosecutor in this matter pursuant to New York Executive Order 147 and Executive Order 7, both of which were signed by the governor.

Criminal charges are accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty at trial or by plea.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - OCTOBER 27, 2021

 

91,711 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

35 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

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

"While our numbers are holding steady, it is crucial that New Yorkers remain vigilant in combatting COVID-19," Governor Hochul said. "I want to encourage those who remain unvaccinated to get their vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccine lessens the severity of the virus and is our best hope in putting an end to COVID once and for all. While we continue to stop the spread of this virus, we're also fighting the pandemic on another front: vaccine misinformation. That is why we launched our #GetTheVax Facts campaign today, ensuring New Yorkers have the facts it comes to making a decision about their health."

 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

·         Test Results Reported - 166,067

·         Total Positive - 4,284
·         Percent Positive - 2.58%

·         7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.11%
·         Patient Hospitalization - 1,996 (-48)
·         Patients Newly Admitted - 245
·         Patients in ICU - 454 (0)
·         Patients in ICU with Intubation - 262 (+6)
·         Total Discharges - 207,408
·         New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 35
·         Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 45,448

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 - 57,845

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 - 26,836,021
·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 91,711
·         Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 423,511
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 83.8%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 76.2%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 86.9%
·         Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 78.2%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 71.0%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 64.5%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 73.7%
·         Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 66.3%