Thursday, December 2, 2021

49th Precinct Council November Meeting


Tuesday night was the meeting of the 49th Precinct Community Council, where Deputy Inspector Andrew Natiw announced that after three years at the helm, the 49th precinct would be getting a new commanding officer at the beginning of the new year. He could not say where he would be going or if he would be retiring. 

The meeting was held in person at Maestros Caterers on Bronxdale Avenue, and about thirty people were in attendance. In his Commanding Officer report, Deputy Inspector Natiw said that crime was up slightly, as it was citywide, but not as great as the citywide numbers. He said citywide numbers are going back to those last seen in the 1990's. 

Crime Prevention Officer Medero repeated what he has at previous meetings, and that was to lock your car and take the keys with you. Do not leave your car running, as your car can be gone quicker than you can come back out of the store. The Cop of the Month was Police Officer Eric Acosta, and the Civilian of the month was Ms. Joanne Panzarella. Neighborhood reports were last, where those areas reporting said there were more quality of life issues with panhandling, or homeless people. 


Deputy Inspector Natiw announces that after three years at the helm of the 49th Precinct, there will be a new commanding officer next year.


Gene De Francis of the Allerton International Merchants Association speaks of the rise in crime to shopkeepers, on the avenue. Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Vice-President Steve Glosser, seated, was next with a question of what can be done about the homeless people who hang out on the parkway and White Plains Road.


Mr. Yahay Obied announced that the Alliance of Yemenis businesses are opening their new office Saturday December 4th 3 PM at 1639 Bronxdale Avenue.


Councilwoman Elect Marjorie Velazquez addressed the council and audience. 

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - DECEMBER 1, 2021

coronavirus cell

113,929 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours    

45 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday     

Announces 60 National Guard Medical Teams Will be Deployed to Long-Term Care Facility Locations in Need of Extra Assistance


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

"As the weather gets colder and friends and family gather indoors for the holiday season, the risk of a winter spike in COVID-19 cases rises," Governor Hochul said. "My administration is carefully monitoring developments with the Omicron variant and is working to continue making vaccines and boosters widely available. We have the tools to fight this virus - get vaccinated if you haven't, and get the booster if you're vaccinated. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and keep you and your loved ones safe."  

Governor Kathy Hochul today also announced the deployment of 60 National Guard medical teams to various long-term care facility locations across New York. The medical teams will assist at nursing homes and long-term care facilities where the need for additional resources has been identified. The New York State Department of Health is coordinating the deployment of these resources with each impacted facility to ensure the deployments target each facility's unique needs and that the additional staff is assimilated smoothly.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

  • Test Results Reported - 188,906
  • Total Positive - 9,462 
  • Percent Positive - 5.01%   
  • 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.37%  
  • Patient Hospitalization - 3,022 (+30)
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 465  
  • Patients in ICU - 586 (+19)
  • Patients in ICU with Intubation - 313 (+10)
  • Total Discharges - 215,847 (+402)
  • New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 45 
  • Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 46,574 

    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 - 59,280 

    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 - 29,877,985 
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 113,929
  • Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 530,950
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 85.9%    
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 78.4%  
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.9% 
  • Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 80.8%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 74.2%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 66.6%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 78.2%  
  • Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 68.5% 

NEW YORK CITY SUES FRENCH FASHION MEDIA COMPANY L’OFFICIEL USA FOR FAILING TO PAY NYC FREELANCERS

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that the Citys Law Department and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) have filed a lawsuit against LOfficiel USA, the American subsidiary of the French-owned global media company that operates several print and digital magazines about fashion, beauty, music, film, literature, culture, politics, lifestyle, and wellness. The lawsuit, which was filed in New York County Supreme Court, alleges that LOfficiel has engaged in a pattern of failing to pay freelancers on time or at all, including writers, editors, photographers, videographers, graphic designers and illustrators.

NYCs Freelance Isnt Free Act, the first law of its kind in the country, gives freelance workers the legal right to written contracts, timely payment, and freedom from retaliation. While the Law established a Court Navigation Program as one avenue to assist freelancers in getting paid and accessing other resources, it also authorizes the City to file cases against businesses with a systemic pattern and practice of violating the Law. 

“Freelancers are a valued part of New York City’s workforce and their work isn’t free,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We will not allow L’Officiel to get away with reaping the benefits of our talented freelancers without paying them for their hard work. To those who break the law: New York City will hold you accountable.”

“People deserve to get paid for the work they do and freelancers are no different,” said Corporation Counsel Georgia M. Pestana. “As detailed in our complaint, L’Officiel published articles, photography, and illustrations by freelancers but either didn’t pay them at all or sometimes paid them months, even years later. Our first of a kind suit seeks to hold L’Officiel responsible for its consistent and blatant disregard of the City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, which was enacted to address a growing problem faced by the freelance community in New York City.”

 

“These freelancers have had to fight too hard and too long to get paid. Despite our best efforts to support compliance, L’Officiel continues to flout the law, so we had to sue to recover the money it owes these workers,” said DCWP Commissioner Peter A. Hatch. “L’Officiel and all hiring parties should know that NYC will fight for its freelancers. We also encourage any other freelancers who have not been paid by L’Officiel to contact us.” 

Since the Law went into effect in May 2017, DCWP has received more than 20 complaints from freelancers about L’Officiel failing to pay on time or at all, as well as failing to provide a written contract and for being retaliated against for exercising their rights. On several occasions, freelancers even received 1099 tax forms for money that was owed to them. While L’Officiel initially responded to DCWP about complaints against them, they eventually stopped responding. As a result, the lawsuit seeks double the unpaid wages for the freelancers, and that L’Officiel change their policies and practices in paying freelancers, submit monthly reports to DCWP about its payments to NYC freelancers, and pay civil penalties to the City. 

Under the Law, a freelance worker is any individual hired or retained as an independent contractor by a hiring party to provide services for compensation. The Law protects freelance workers against non-payment by:

·         Requiring contracts between freelance workers and hiring parties that are worth $800 or more to be in writing, including agreements that total $800 in any 120-day period.

·         Requiring hiring parties to pay freelance workers on or before the date in the contract, or if the contract doesn’t specify a date, within 30 days after the work is completed.

·         Protecting freelance workers against retaliation for asserting their rights under the Law.

·         Providing freelance workers the right to file a complaint with DCWP. Hiring parties must respond to the complaint in writing within 20 days. If a hiring party does not respond to a complaint within 20 days, the freelance worker receives a “rebuttable presumption” in their favor when they bring their complaint to court, which means the judge should presume the hiring party committed the violations.

·         Providing the right to sue in court to seek double the unpaid amount, damages for retaliation, damages for failing to enter into a written contract, and attorneys’ fees and costs. DCWP’s Court Navigation Program offers freelance workers information about the law, the court process, sample court forms, court services, worker classification, and more.

Since 2017, DCWP has received 1,806 inquiries about the Law and 2,024 complaints from freelancers. DCWP has helped freelancers recover $2,144,198 in owed compensation for their work.

Workers, including additional freelancers who have not been paid by L’Officiel, and hiring parties can visit nyc.gov/workers or call 311 and ask for Freelance Workers” for more information about the Freelance Isnt Free Act. Information for freelancers in multiple languages (SpanishBengaliChineseHaitian CreoleHindiKoreanPortuguesePunjabiRussianTagalog, and Urdu) and hiring parties, a model contractcomplaint formFAQs and Navigation Program information are available at nyc.gov/workers.

WESTCHESTER MAN INDICTED FOR 1999 COLD CASE MURDER OF 13-YEAR-OLD BRONX GIRL

 

Cold Case Solved After Familial DNA Hit; First Time Technology is Used to Solve a Crime in New York City

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea today announced that a Westchester man has been indicted on Murder charges in the 1999 killing of a Bronx teen after investigators used familial DNA, the first time the technology is used in New York City to solve a case. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly killed 13-year-old Minerliz Soriano and then took her bound body in a garbage bag and left it in a dumpster in Co-op City near where a mall now stands. This beautiful little girl was treated as less than human. It has been 22 years since her life was cruelly taken, but detectives never gave up on finding justice for her and her family, and neither did my ADAs.

 “The DNA science and technology advanced over the years, and familial DNA was instrumental in linking the defendant, Joseph Martinez, AKA Jupiter Joe, to the murder. But while the technology was vital, it really was the humanity, dedication and compassion of the investigators and their relentless drive to get justice in this case. That is why we do this work. I hope today’s indictment brings some consolation to the victim’s family.” 

 NYPD Commissioner Shea said, “Today’s indictment reflects the commitment of NYPD detectives to be the voice of victims who can no longer speak for themselves. In this case they used the science of familial DNA searching, combined with dogged investigative work, to achieve a measure of closure for all who knew and loved 13-year-old Minerliz Soriano. Detectives, both active and retired, along with our forensic experts and partners in the Bronx District Attorney’s office never gave up in their work to ensure justice for this innocent child.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Joseph Martinez, AKA Jupiter Joe, 49, of Memorial Highway, New Rochelle, N.Y., was arraigned today on two counts of second-degree Murder, Felony and Intentional, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Efrain Alvarado. The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on March 7, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on February 24, 1999, the victim walked home from school. The victim’s body was found wrapped in a trash bag in a dumpster behind a video store in Co-op City on February 28, 1999. The victim had been sexually abused, and her neck was compressed, causing her death.

 Martinez was arrested on November 29, 2021 after the NYPD and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in April 2019 submitted a joint application to get results from the familial DNA system. A DNA sample, which was obtained from a semen stain on the victim’s sweatshirt, was submitted to the New York State convicted offender DNA database for male relatives that matched the specimen, which led to Martinez’s father, who is deceased. Investigators then obtained a DNA sample from the defendant, which matched the DNA found on the victim’s sweatshirt. This is the first case in New York City that has been solved using familial DNA.

 District Attorney Clark thanked Detective Dominic Robinson, Detective James Menton, Detective Patrick Sullivan, retired Detective Malcom Reiman, Sergeant Thomas O. McLaughlin and Lieutenant William S. O'Toole, all of the NYPD Bronx Homicide Task Force, as well as retired NYPD Detective Bernard Ryan of the 45th Precinct, who was the original case investigator. District Attorney Clark also thanked Detective Joseph Bello, Detective Joseph Rodriguez, Detective Martin Guilfoyle and Criminalist Supervisor Melissa Huyck, all of the NYPD Forensic Investigation Division for their assistance in the investigation, and retired Detective Michael Lagiovane of Bronx Homicide.

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

CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Urges Consumers to Be Aware of Rights When Faced With Attempts to Collect Upon Consumer Debt

 

Consumers Who Believe They Are Victims of Improper Debt Collection Practices Should File a Complaint With OAG

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert, informing New Yorkers of their rights when contacted by a debt collector. Consumers facing debt collection now have added protections under federal and state law. New nationwide rules adopted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — that took effect yesterday — limit how and when debt collectors are allowed to contact consumers. These rules also require debt collectors to give consumers detailed information about the origin and history of the debt they seek to collect. Additionally, a new state law — the Consumer Credit Fairness Act, which was signed into law on November 8, 2021 — gives New Yorkers rights when sued in regard to consumer debt.

“New Yorkers have the right to know how much they owe without smoke and mirrors,” said Attorney General James. “No consumer should be sued over a debt they do not legally owe or which a creditor has no right to collect, but as we recover financially from COVID-19, we are seeing more and more debt collectors come out of the woodwork with outrageous claims. These simple tips should help protect our state’s consumers from deceptive and abusive debt collection practices. My office will continue to take the necessary actions to protect New Yorkers’ wallets.” 

For years, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has brought dozens of enforcement actions and obtained numerous settlements against debt collectors that engaged in improper debt collection tactics. In 2019, Attorney General James partnered with the Federal Trade Commission to obtain court orders halting a scheme to distribute and collect on millions of dollars in “phantom debts” — fake debts that consumers did not owe. Earlier, the OAG reached agreements with four of the nation’s major debt buyers, which regularly pursued untimely lawsuits against New York consumers, often obtaining default judgments when the consumers failed to respond to the lawsuits. As a result of the OAG’s actions, many companies and individuals have been permanently banned from engaging in debt collection in New York

The OAG reminds consumers that they should be aware of their rights under federal and state law:

  • Right to Know What You Owe — Debt collectors must provide you with key information about your debt within five days of their first communication with you. This is called a “validation notice” and typically includes:
    • The name of company or person you originally owed the debt to;
    • The date and amount of the original debt; and
    • An itemization of fees, interest, payments, and credits that have been added to or deducted from the original debt.
  • Right to Dispute the Debt  You have a right to dispute the debt. The validation notice must include information on how you can dispute the debt. The CFPB also has a sample dispute letter available for use. Once you dispute a debt, the collector must stop all attempts to collect from you until they provide information supporting their claim to the debt.
  • Debt Collectors Must Follow Limits on How and How Often They Contact You — Limits have been put in place to avoid harassment by debt collectors:
    • Debt collectors cannot call you more than seven times in any seven-day period;
    • Debt collectors must wait seven days before calling again after they make contact with you by phone;
    • Debt collectors cannot call you between 8 PM and 9 AM in the time zone where you are located;
    • You have the right to tell debt collectors not to contact you by email or text message or any other means of communication, and you may tell them not to contact you at all (You can use this sample letter from the CFPB to make that demand);
    • Debt collectors generally cannot try to reach you at your work email address, through a public social media post, or through third parties, like friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers (under some circumstances, debt collectors may be allowed to contact third parties simply to obtain information about your location);
    • Debt collectors cannot contact you at your workplace if your employer prohibits such contacts (for example, you are not allowed to take personal calls at works); and
    • You can also tell a debt collector you cannot take calls at work.
  • You Cannot Be Sued for Old Debts — Debt collectors are required to notify you, before accepting a payment from you, if they are contacting you about a debt that is beyond the time limit for bringing a lawsuit:
    • After April 7, 2022: Creditors cannot sue you, or threaten to sue you, on debt that is older than three years; and
    • Until April 7, 2022: Creditors cannot sue you, or threaten to sue you, on debts that are older than six years. That time limit may be even shorter if the original company or person you owed the debt to is incorporated in or has its principal place of business in a state with a shorter time limit. For example, Delaware has a three-year limit. Consumers are cautioned that until April 7, 2022, if they make a payment on a debt that is too old for a lawsuit, the payment may renew the creditor’s ability to sue them for the full amount of the old debt.
  • New Rights for Consumers Facing Debt Collection Lawsuits in New York —
    • If you are sued for a debt in New York, the court clerk must mail a notice of the action to you;
    • The court clerk must send a notice advising you of how to oppose any request by the creditor or debt collector to enter a judgment against you; and
    • A debt collection lawsuit filed in New York must include detailed information about the debt, including:
      • The name of the original person or company you owed the debt to;
      • The last four digits of your account number;
      • The date of your last payment; and
      • An itemization of the amount sought.

Attorney General James urges New Yorkers to be vigilant consumers and to report debt collectors to her office if they fail to follow the law or if they engage in conduct that is deceptive, harassing, or abusive. Consumers who are having these experiences with debt collectors are urged to file complaints with the OAG online or to call the OAG’s consumer helpline at 1-800-771-7755.

Former Employee Of Technology Company Charged With Stealing Confidential Data And Extorting Company For Ransom While Posing As Anonymous Attacker

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of  Investigation (“FBI”), announced the arrest today of NICKOLAS SHARP for secretly stealing gigabytes of confidential files from a New York-based technology company where he was employed (“Company‑1”), and then, while purportedly working to remediate the security breach, extorting the company for nearly $2 million for the return of the files and the identification of a remaining purported vulnerability.  SHARP subsequently re-victimized his employer by causing the publication of misleading news articles about the company’s handling of the breach that he perpetrated, which were followed by a significant drop in the company’s share price associated with the loss of billions of dollars in its market capitalization.

SHARP was arrested earlier today in the District of Oregon and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta.  The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Nickolas Sharp exploited his access as a trusted insider to steal gigabytes of confidential data from his employer, then, posing as an anonymous hacker, sent the company a nearly $2 million ransom demand.  As further alleged, after the FBI searched his home in connection with the theft, Sharp, now posing as an anonymous company whistle-blower, planted damaging news stories falsely claiming the theft had been by a hacker enabled by a vulnerability in the company’s computer systems.  Now the alleged theft and lies have been exposed, and Sharp is facing serious federal charges.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “We allege Mr. Sharp created a twisted plot to extort the company he worked for by using its technology and data against it. Not only did he allegedly break several federal laws, he orchestrated releasing information to media when his ransom demands weren't met. When confronted, he then lied to FBI agents. Mr. Sharp may have believed he was smart enough to pull off his plan, but a simple technical glitch ended his dreams of striking it rich.”

According to the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

At all times relevant to the Indictment, Company-1 was a technology company headquartered in New York that manufactured and sold wireless communications products, and whose shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  NICKOLAS SHARP, the defendant, was employed by Company-1 from in or about August 2018 up to and including on or about April 1, 2021.  SHARP was a senior developer who had access to credentials for Company-1’s Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) and GitHub Inc. (“GitHub”) servers.

In about December 2020, SHARP repeatedly misused his administrative access to download gigabytes of confidential data from his employer.  For the majority of this cybersecurity incident (the “Incident”), SHARP used a virtual private network service that he subscribed to from a company named Surfshark to mask his Internet Protocol (“IP”) address when he accessed Company-1’s AWS and GitHub infrastructure without authorization.  At one point during the exfiltration of Company-1 data, SHARP’s home IP address became unmasked following a temporary internet outage at SHARP’s home.

During the course of the Incident, SHARP caused damage to Company-1’s computer systems by altering log retention policies and other files, to conceal his unauthorized activity on the network.  In or about January 2021, while working on a team remediating the effects of the Incident, SHARP sent a ransom note to Company-1, posing as an anonymous attacker who claimed to have obtained unauthorized access to Company-1’s computer networks.  The ransom note sought 50 Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency – which was the equivalent of approximately $1.9 million, based on the prevailing exchange rate at the time – in exchange for the return of the stolen data and the identification of a purported “backdoor,” or vulnerability, to Company-1’s computer systems.  After Company-1 refused the demand, SHARP published a portion of the stolen files on a publicly accessible online platform.

On or about March 24, 2021, FBI agents executed a search warrant at SHARP’s residence in Portland, Oregon, and seized certain electronic devices belonging to SHARP.  During the execution of that search, SHARP made numerous false statements to FBI agents, including, among other things, in substance, that he was not the perpetrator of the Incident and that he had not used Surfshark VPN prior to the discovery of the Incident.  When confronted with records demonstrating that SHARP purchased the Surfshark VPN service in July 2020, approximately six months prior to the Incident, SHARP falsely stated, in part and substance, that someone else must have used his PayPal account to make the purchase.

Several days after the FBI executed the search warrant at SHARP’s residence, SHARP caused false news stories to be published about the Incident and Company-1’s response to the Incident and related disclosures.  In those stories, SHARP identified himself as an anonymous whistleblower within Company-1 who had worked on remediating the Incident.  In particular, SHARP falsely claimed that Company-1 had been hacked by an unidentified perpetrator who maliciously acquired root administrator access to Company-1’s AWS accounts.  In fact, as SHARP well knew, SHARP had taken Company-1’s data using credentials to which he had access in his role as Company‑1’s AWS cloud administrator, and SHARP had used that data in a failed attempt to extort Company-1 for millions of dollars.

Following the publication of these articles, between March 30, 2021, and March 31, 2021, Company-1’s stock price fell approximately 20%, losing over $4 billion in market capitalization.

SHARP, 36, of Portland, Oregon, is charged in four counts.  The first count charges him with transmitting a program to a protected computer that intentionally caused damage, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  The second count charges transmission of an interstate threat, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.  The third count charges wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The fourth count charges the making of false statements to the FBI, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the extraordinary work of the FBI.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR DE BLASIO, SPEAKER JOHNSON, COMMISSIONER GUTMAN RELEASE MASTER PLAN FOR FUTURE OF CITY STREETS

 

Streets Plan to double down on Vision Zero and guide road redesigns over next five years

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Hank Gutman today released the New York City Streets Plan to guide the development of bus, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure over the next five years. This plan, which lays out ambitious goals and makes sweeping recommendations for future plans, will help New York City equitably deliver Vision Zero projects and ensure the safe, sustainable movement of people and goods. 

 
“Vision Zero has shown the nation how to reimagine our streets for buses, bikes, and pedestrians – not just private vehicles. This plan charts a path forward to build on that progress with innovative ideas from the lessons we’ve learned. It will make our streets safer than ever,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Thanks to the City Council’s important advocacy and DOT’s boundless energy and determination, New Yorkers have a thoughtful blueprint for the next era of street safety measures.”
 
“The piecemeal way we plan our streets held us back for far too long. New Yorkers paid the price every day stuck on slow buses or as pedestrians or cyclists on dangerous streets. I applaud DOT for all their work in making this new vision of a streets master plan a reality. This plan gives New Yorkers a concrete vision of how we will reshape the City over the next five years and work toward our goal of making this a safer and more equitable place to call home." said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
 
“This plan provides us the framework we need to target the next generation of street redesigns. It represents a draft that will help us deliver faster commutes for bus riders; safe bike lanes for cyclists; and sidewalks and curbs that are better managed for the changing demands of city living,” said DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman. “We thank Mayor de Blasio, the City Council and Speaker Corey Johnson for their leadership, guidance and vision in the creation of this plan.” 
 
The de Blasio administration has built almost 70 miles of new bus lanes — nearly doubling the city’s network — and added another over 140 miles of protected bike lanes. This plan builds upon that work by identifying the next series of priority areas to redesign. DOT has created a new formula to determine where to prioritize improvements, identifying Priority Investment Areas that are based on equity, density, and previous levels of DOT investment. With a focus on equity, the DOT will ensure the Streets Plan benefits all New Yorkers fairly, bringing disadvantaged communities to the forefront of its planning process. This lens will help define areas of the city as priorities for improvements, along with previously established Vision Zero priority corridors.
 
The Streets Plan commits DOT to meeting the following benchmarks by Dec. 31, 2026:
  • 150 Miles of physically or camera-protected bus lanes
  • 4,750 Transit signal priority at intersections
  • 250 Miles of protected bike lanes
  • 2,500 Bus stop upgrades like benches, shelters, and real-time passenger information
  • 2,000 Redesigning signalized intersections
  • 2,500 Accessible pedestrian signals at intersections
  • Assess and amend commercial loading zones and truck routes
  • Develop parking policies to promote the master plan’s goals of safety, mass transit use, reduced vehicle emissions, and access for individuals with disabilities
  • Create and maintain one million square feet of pedestrian space.
 
Community engagement will guide all of DOT’s street redesign projects, including vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, and bus infrastructure. Beginning in 2023, DOT will detail progress toward these goals in annual updates. Two public feedback sessions will be held virtually on Dec. 14 and Dec. 16.
 
Some of the recommendations and transformative proposals from the Streets Plan include:  
 
Freight
Innovating on the Movement of Goods: This plan, in conjunction with similar initiatives already underway at DOT, will reimagine how goods move to reduce our dependence on large, diesel trucks. We will look to better use the city’s waterways, rail, and smaller, greener alternatives. Equitable distribution of resources, street safety, and carbon footprint reduction will guide all efforts to build smarter freight management practices.
 
Traffic Safety & Vision Zero
Automated Enforcement: DOT will pursue New York State legislation to expand camera enforcement to include other dangerous driver behaviors, like blocking bike lanes, illegal turns, parking violations and even the presence of oversized trucks, among other illegal practices detailed in the report.
 
Cycling
Greenways and High-Capacity Protected Bike Lanes: DOT will develop new greenways that are physically separated from vehicular traffic and can serve as cycling highways across the city. These new greenways will complement ongoing efforts like the DOT’s Bike Boulevard program, which has helped build streets prioritizing bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
 
New Cycling Connections: DOT will identify locations with significant demand for new cycling/pedestrian bridges that could provide safer, more direct routes (such as Newtown Creek, Coney Island Creek, Hunters Point/Roosevelt Island), and initiate concept design studies. DOT will also explore introducing more high-capacity bikeways on our major bridges, as was just implemented on the Brooklyn Bridge, and coordinate with MTA to add or improve pedestrian and cycling accommodation on MTA bridges.  
 
Curbside Management & Parking 
Prioritize parking efficiency: DOT plans to increase meter parking in some of the densest parts of the city, with different prices for certain vehicles, to free up space for deliveries and other curb uses.
 
Sustainability & Resilience
Mitigating Urban Highways: DOT will prioritize community planning to develop redesigns to the City’s highway system that are either underutilized or have negatively impacted the health of surrounding residents, similar to Sheridan Blvd. The DOT has already committed $2 million to study the negative impacts of the Cross-Bronx Expressway and possible improvements.

Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Congressman Nadler Issue Joint Statement on Today's Congressional Delegation Meeting

 

 "This afternoon, we met with members of the New York Congressional Delegation to discuss New York's ongoing efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect New Yorkers - including preparing for the Omicron variant - while putting federal resources to work in our State.

"New Yorkers are already benefiting from pandemic relief programs, and soon federal infrastructure dollars - thanks to the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - which will deliver critical support for major projects and bolster our economic recovery. We will continue to work together to help New Yorkers who are still struggling from the economic impacts of the pandemic, create good-paying jobs, and build our economy back better."