Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation Into Civilian Death in Brooklyn

 

  The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian, who died on December 20, 2021, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

In the early morning hours of December 20, 2021, NYPD officers responded to a 911 call about an individual who was allegedly armed. After the individual allegedly displayed a knife, the officers fired several times and the individual died. Following the incident, officers recovered a knife at the scene.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change. 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS AHEAD OF HOLIDAYS

 

"As I continue to isolate following my COVID-19 diagnosis, I am encouraged by some of the announced efforts to protect New Yorkers amid an Omicron wave and the holiday season, and deeply frustrated that they were not already in place. While expansion in testing and provision of at-home rapid tests are essential, the long lines across the city waiting for those tests show an abundant lack of preparation by the city. Barriers to testing also disproportionately harm lower income communities of more color, showing that we are still failing to learn from the mistakes of 2020.

"Given his apparent acknowledgement of the severity of risk, it is unclear to me why the Mayor has not yet shifted city workers to remote work wherever possible ahead of the holidays, with government offices leading by example. That shift should occur immediately. It also seems clear that despite calls since September, the Mayor and administration have not prepared the necessary infrastructure to make it possible to do the same for schools ahead of the holidays. They should begin preparations now in case a remote option should be necessary after the holidays, and follow the recommendation of incoming Comptroller Brad Lander to test students and educators ahead of a post-holiday return to classrooms.

"It’s not enough, as cases increase, to tout our vaccination rates in some areas. Vaccination and booster shots are the best and most essential tool we have to protect New Yorkers, but in this moment, they are not the only tool. We need to adapt – to mask up and get tested, and also to avoid large holiday gatherings and unsafe environments – to limit this wave, reduce the burden on our healthcare system, and prevent greater restrictions. New Yorkers know what works and what they can do to protect themselves and each other, and government needs to provide the infrastructure to make those precautions possible."

NYCHA Selects Development Partners For Major Rehabilitation Project Edenwald Houses In The Bronx

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has formally announced its development partners that will help complete a major rehabilitation project at Edenwald Houses, one of the oldest and largest public housing developments in the agency’s portfolio. The portfolio comprises 40 residential buildings spread across 48 acres in the Edenwald section of The Bronx.

NYCHA’s project partners include Camber Property Group, Henge Development, and SAA|EVI Development, which are expected to engage with current residents and community groups to refine all renovation plans. The partners were selected as a function of the Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program, which questioned prospective development teams on proposed building upgrades, management practices, potential sustainability and renewable energy retrofits, and enhancements to on-site social services.

When complete, the project will impact nearly 4,800 residents and more than 2,000 apartments.

 Current (left) and proposed rendering (right) of the new Edenwald Houses in The Bronx.

Current (left) and proposed rendering (right) of the new Edenwald Houses in The Bronx.

“The selection of this development team, and the process used for that selection, highlight the important changes NYCHA continues to make to improve the PACT program in partnership with its residents,” said Vicki Been, deputy mayor for housing and economic development. “The robust resident engagement and inclusion of both minority-led and minority women-led firms are further evidence of the benefits PACT can bring to NYCHA’s residents and the city at large.”

The Edenwald rehabilitation project includes improvements to building envelopes, mechanical systems, and individual units with particular focus on energy efficiency, the creation of quality housing, and reducing the portfolio’s overall carbon emissions. The project will also deliver a fully renovated senior center, new laundry facilities, improved waste management, and exterior site improvements including security, paved walkways, and outdoor green spaces.

“I’m looking forward to Edenwald’s partnership with Camber Property Group, Henge Development, and SAA|EVI Development,” said Edenwald Houses Tenant Association president Walter McNeill. “In addition to the major repairs that will be coming to our development through this partnership, we’re looking forward to the reopening of our senior center, which has been closed for several years. We’re also looking forward to the reopening of our laundry rooms, continuing with the resident watch program, and increasing the capacity of our compactor yard.”

The selected project team will use the Rental Assistance Demonstration program to transition operating subsidies to the Project-Based Section 8 program and finance the 20-year capital needs at the development. They will also be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the development. NYCHA will continue to own the land and buildings, administer the Section 8 subsidy, set rents, manage the wait list for vacant apartments, and monitor conditions at the development.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2023.

Yonkers Man Pleads Guilty To March 2011 Murder

 

 Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MARCUS CHAMBERS, 30, a/k/a “Chino,” a/k/a “Chi D,” a/k/a “SP,” pled guilty today to participating in the murder of Jonathan Johnson, 21, on March 18, 2011, in White Plains, New York.  

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “In March 2011, Jonathan Johnson was shot dead, the victim of senseless drug-related violence.  Marcus Chambers has now admitted to participating in the murder while robbing Johnson of marijuana.  Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our law enforcement partners, Chambers now faces significant prison time for this terrible crime.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment and statements made in public court proceedings[1]:

On or about March 18, 2011, CHAMBERS and his codefendant Darnell Kidd murdered Jonathan Johnson by shooting him during the course of an armed robbery for marijuana in White Plains, New York. CHAMBERS arranged by phone to purchase the marijuana from Johnson.  CHAMBERS and Kidd met with Johnson to rob him of marijuana, and during the robbery, Johnson was shot and killed.

CHAMBERS pled guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951 and 18 U.S.C. § 2, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  In connection with his guilty plea, CHAMBERS admitted his role in the murder.  CHAMBERS also pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 

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.

CHAMBERS will be sentenced on March 22 or 23, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román, to whom the case is assigned. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the White Plains Police Department and the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, which comprises agents and task force officers from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Probation Office, New York State Police, New York City Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Ramapo Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Greenburgh Police Department, Peekskill Police Department, Westchester County Police Department, and Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance in this matter.

The Indictment against Darnell Kidd is merely an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

Attorney General James Calls for Changes to Standards for Realistic Toy Guns as Holiday Shopping Season Continues

 

Federal Toy Gun Regulations Have Remained Unchanged for Decades Threatening Youth

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today continued her fight to promote gun safety and reform gun regulations by urging the Biden-Harris Administration to increase safety standards for realistic toy firearms. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Alexander Hoehn-Saric, chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Attorney General James calls for new, strong, coherent federal regulations mandating distinct visual differences between toy guns, BB/pellet guns, and lethal firearms.

“As families conclude their holiday shopping and some purchase toy guys for their children, the last thing we want is for a Christmas gift to turn into a Christmas nightmare,” said Attorney General James. “When toy guns are indistinguishable from actual firearms, the consequences can, and have been, deadly. We must take action to protect our children and our communities. In my nearly three years as attorney general, I have consistently seen the tragic consequences of split-second decisions when the authenticity of a gun is in question. There should be no opportunity for confusion when individuals’ lives are on the line. We must put people above profit and ensure our police, crime victims, and children can clearly and easily distinguish fake guns from real ones.”

In her letter, Attorney General James makes clear that existing regulations — essentially unchanged for decades — have proven inadequate to protect the health and welfare of Americans. As it currently stands, toy guns must have only one of the following indicators:

1. Have a permanently affixed blaze orange plug inserted in the firearm’s barrel,
2. Have a similar marking on the exterior of the barrel,
3. Be constructed entirely of transparent or translucent materials, or
4. Be covered in certain bright colors. 

All four of these indicators together still make toy guns hard to tell from real ones, but the Office of the Attorney General has found that the required “blaze orange plug” is even regularly removed or camouflaged. Additionally, even when untampered with, research has shown that an orange tip is all-but-useless in split-second, high-stress situations. 

Furthermore, the appearance of non-powder guns remains wholly outside the scope of formal federal regulation. As it stands, the possession of realistic, non-powder guns can have dire consequences. At least 249 people have been killed by police while in possession of a toy or non-powder gun since 2015. Just last month, another New Yorker, not yet included in the database, was killed by police while in possession of a BB gun.

Attorney General James also expressed concern about fake guns being used to commit real crimes, citing a study that found that police recover thousands of fake crime guns every year, including in approximately 15 percent of all robberies. Fake guns are commonly available and less expensive than authentic firearms and can be bought legally without a background check or federal record of the transaction, even by individuals who are barred from legally purchasing firearms.

Strengthening realistic toy gun regulations would protect adults and children, the latter group of which, according to a 2018 study, generally cannot distinguish a real gun from a realistic toy gun, even following careful visual examination.

Today’s letter emphasized the importance of federal regulations and re-established Attorney General James’ commitment to advocating for gun safety reform through both state and federal regulations. Attorney General James also applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to gun safety, writing, “From the outset, this administration has demonstrated a clear and consistent willingness to use the levers of its regulatory authority to protect consumers and to take on our gun violence epidemic. I believe this issue — which sits at a critical intersection between those two key priorities — deserves to be part of that ambitious agenda.”

Today’s letter is just the latest action Attorney General James has taken to support gun safety measures. Just last week, Attorney General James vowed to defend a New York state law passed earlier this year that restores the ability of the state and localities to bring civil liability actions against firearm manufacturers and sellers for their own bad conduct.

Last month, Attorney General James defended New York state’s gun licensing protection law at the U.S. Supreme Court against a lawsuit in the case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

Governor Hochul Announces Comprehensive Winter Surge Plan

10 Million More Free At-Home Tests Coming to New York State

2 Million Tests for Schools

Each State-Run Mass Vaccination Site to be Stocked with Tests

$65 Million to Help Counties with COVID-19 Response Costs

7 Test Sites Launching Across the State

6 Million Masks to Be Distributed

Governor Hochul: “This is not March of 2020. It is not even December of 2020…We don't even make those comparisons because they're not comparable to what we went through when we did not have vaccinations and boosters and the knowledge we have now.” 

 Thank you for joining us, once again. We have the COVID response dream team here assembled. You'll be hearing from Kathryn Garcia, who is our head of everything, head of state operations. As well as Jackie Bray, the Acting Commissioner for the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

So, we'll get started with today's report. One thing I do want to say that we would have had one more seat here this morning to join us, but Dr. Bassett will not be joining us. She has tested positive through a COVID rapid test. Everyone who sees me is tested or all the team that comes through here is tested every day. We’re following the strict protocols. She’ll be having another PCR test just to confirm that. So, in the meantime, we're going to take all the necessary precautions and she left the office immediately and we're just waiting for those results. Of course, she is vaccinated and boosted so this would be a breakthrough case, but she's feeling fine and we're thinking about her and her family and all the New Yorkers who are just having their family plans disrupted because of this virus. So reminder, there's no better time to be vaccinated and boosted and wear your masks and your symptoms, if it's following the trends that we've been experiencing this far, will not be very serious.

So, what did I do today? I got on the road again. It was great to be here. Everywhere from Wyoming County to Tioga County to Broome County and made a quick stop up in Wayne. But, I had a chance to do some things that were important to me. First of all, to thank the healthcare workers who are on the front line every single day. When I went to the hospital, the community hospital in Warsaw, in Wyoming County, just to have a chance to talk to the nursing staff, the skilled nursing staff, the head of the hospital, as well as a lot of nurses, these individuals are just incredible. They're tired. They've been working so hard, but they never show it. They stay every single day, no matter how exhausted and exasperated they feel, because they also know that did not have to be this way. We did not have to have so many hospitalizations and even a small hospital, it has 24 beds filled with patients. Nearly half are COVID patients. And so, this is putting a real stress on our smaller upstate healthcare systems.

This is even before this Omicron surge hit upstate. We knew the winter surge was coming. We've been talking about this. It's one of the reasons I also went to a vaccination site, a test site down in Broome County, and I had a real good conversation there and thanked our National Guard. But as we talk about this winter surge and the vertical increase in the number of cases, and it is vertical, it's going straight up. This is not March of 2020. It is not even December of 2020. And I'll talk about why we don't even make those comparisons because they're not comparable to what we went through when we did not have vaccinations and boosters and the knowledge we have now.

We're taking it very seriously. This does not mean we're not being very aggressive in our approach, we've been since the very beginning, but we have to just meet this moment with action and not fear, but also just lean into the strengths we know we have, and that we'll get through this. And so, asking everyone to do something that you're going to hear from me over. Vaccinations, get the booster shot, get tested, stay home if you're not feeling well. And that's how we're going to get through this together, New York. I know we can do this.

Let's take a look at some of the numbers. Yesterday we broke another record with 23,391 cases. You can see the cases per 100,000 people has been rising a four time increase in cases from last week. We had about 6,000 last Sunday to 23,000 this Monday. So, that is a very high spike in cases. We've been watching this closely, just what we've been seeing in the places it started, another place in the world, just what we're seeing all over this country. Something that was foreseen once Omicron made its way to this nation, and we knew this was going to be the case, but we are starting to see some other encouraging news from the other nations that have been affected. Those numbers went up quickly and they dropped quickly. And that's what we expect to see happening as well as in cases where people are vaccinated and boosted. Again, the severity is not what it was at all with respect to Delta or even our early variants of this.

So, that's something just to keep in mind when we're just calibrating a response, we're going to be as aggressive as possible. And we have. But in terms of people's own personal anxiety about it, just know that it's very likely to be minor symptoms if you’re vaccinated and boosted.

Another very important metric to us, our daily hospitalizations. Sadly, we had 60 people die yesterday, their families will be devastated during this holiday season. People who had been hospitalized, very sick, and this is just a horrific time of the year to have to experience this loss and that is why our hearts go out to these individuals and their families, and their loved ones, their neighbors, their friends. But also a reminder that we have to take the steps now to make sure that everybody we love is with us for the next holiday season. And we have the power over that.

But the hospitalizations, if you look at where we were on this graph the beginning, March of 2020, April, very, very high numbers of people hospitalized in our state. Just to compare, about almost a year ago, a higher spike, you can see the trend is starting to head upward, but it also, because this Omicron variant does not result in such severe cases that require hospitalization. We may not hit those peaks again, but we're preparing.

We're preparing for the worst and that's what I've been focused on in particular. So, we had people hospitalized, but we're still under two thirds of what we were this time last year during the winter surge. So, let's just remember that, again, I mentioned it's not March of 2020, it's not even December 2020, just to keep things in perspective.

And it is milder than Delta. We're going to give a quick update on Omicron, and we're still keeping a close eye on the science and the data, but from the early reports and what we've seen in, as I mentioned, other countries and elsewhere, it does seem to be more minor and that's a very good dynamic.

What do we have to fight against here? What do we have to fight with? It's the vaccination. So, I'm really, really pleased that we've had over 3 million doses just since December 1st. Thank you, New Yorkers, those of you who may have been waiting a little bit, you wanted to have more time to think about it and, you know, have more time lapse from the beginning when this first entered the marketplace and now, I really thank you for doing the right thing. So that's an enormous jump. We'll be hitting 95 percent of people with at least one dose, that is incredible, over age 18. Completed vaccines 82 percent. Would like to see that higher. Those people who have had one dose and have not had the second one and are eligible, you do not want to wait. Don't wait a second longer. We want to make sure that you are protected.

Where we need improvements. More children need to get vaccinated. So ,mom and dads, moms and dads, use this holiday break to go into one of our ever expanding locations. You know, not just your pediatrician office if you can’t get an appointment. You can go to one of our vaccination sites. They're on every corner. They're everywhere throughout the state. There's literally thousands of locations where you can get vaccinated and we encourage you to do so. Get your children protected before they head into the next school year.

I do want to take a moment to share some of our winter surge plans that we're undertaking. Some we've spoken about and some are newer. We want to talk about again, focusing on the boosters. 80,000 people got a booster shot yesterday. I was really delighted to see that, that's nearly 1.4 million boosters since December 1st. People are getting the message. They're hearing what we're saying every single day about these. And you can see the increase throughout the state. I'm really pleased to see that.

Right now we've had about 40 percent of New Yorkers who are eligible for a booster get one, let's get that up. I'd like to see it hit 70, 80, 90 percent. There's no reason, if you're willing to get a vaccination and the boosters are now available and you're eligible again, not everyone's eligible. There's a certain timeline, a lapse between the time you received either your Pfizer or your Medina vaccination, or your J&J to get one. So, when that time hits, whether it's five months, six months, you need to be ready in line to get that booster. So, because so many people have gotten their first vaccination, typically all the healthcare workers, this fall, a lot of our workers that we required to be vaccinated. They are not yet eligible. So, this number is going to continue to move up, but it's not going to be a huge jump because we have a lot of people who won't even be eligible for a number of months, but at least they got the vaccination and they're on the path, which we're very happy about.

Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr. - Hispanics Ignored Again

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW By

Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr.

You should know we have far too often hear speak of “White Privilege” but now with the recent election of Adrianne Adams to Speaker of New York City Council, the tortilla has flipped.  It seems more likely that we can now speak of “Black Privilege” given that the African Americans now control most of the positions of power and prestige in the State of New York. They are as follows:

 

Brian Benjamín                   

Lieutenant Governor

Andrea Stewart Cousins         

Speaker of The New York State Senate

Carl Heastie                           

Speaker of The New York State Assembly

Leticia James                          

New York State Attorney General

Eric Adams                           

Mayor of the City of New York

Adrianne Adams                    

Speaker of The New York City Council

David Banks                           

Commissioner of the NYC Dept. of Education

Keechant Sewall                     

NYC Police Commissioner

Jumaane Williams                    

NYC Public Advocate

Vanessa Gibson                         

Bronx Borough President

Darcel Clark                            

Bronx County District Attorney          

 

If you take notice, my dear reader, and add on to the above-mentioned positions, those positions held by Black Americans in the state albeit in Congress, State Senators, State Assembly, City Council and Presidents of the Democrat Party within the different counties throughout the City of New York, there is ample room for one to note the obvious, that we are witnessing “Black Privilege”.

 

The Democrat Party and the African American Community can no longer continue to stand on the notion of racism, discrimination, and or how it is that the Black community is being ignored, when it is the Hispanic community that has been used and abused.  

 

The Hispanic Community for too long have been ignored by the Democrat Party and its leadership.  We the Latino Community have been used to help others achieve their political aspirations, but when it comes to helping elevate one of our people, backs are easily turned, and our community is ignored.

 

Recently we saw a repeat of this scenario. During the selection, or election for the position of NYC City Council Speaker, the Democrat Leadership had a great opportunity to show their support for the Hispanic Community, as well as their support and defense of immigrants. Council Member Francisco Moya, a member of the Hispanic community, and an immigrant was a great candidate that would have represented the immigrant, and Hispanic Communities as well as speaker of the City Council.  It would have also shown diversity and equity in the Democrat politics and leadership. 

 

This was the Democrats opportunity to demonstrate that we all would have a piece of the pie Instead the Democrat leadership chose to close ranks against the Hispanic and Immigrant member and once again the Hispanic Community was by passed, ignored and discriminated against by the leadership of the Democrat Party.  

 

This was the Democrat Party’s perfect opportunity to demonstrate that the Latino community matters. That the Hispanic’s Community counts not only when we’re needed to determine the outcome of elections.

 

It is important that you know, my dear reader, that during the past Presidential elections Donald Trump acquired 30% of the Hispanic vote in the City of New York! I dare say that if these discriminatory practices continue against the Hispanic Community, it is very possible that the Republicans will acquire 40% of the Hispanic vote. This would prove tragic for the New York State Democrats! 

 

You should also know, my dear reader, that I have been a Democrat all my life, and I will continue to be a Democrat. Unfortunately, I cannot keep quiet when I see my community’s “political funeral procession” passing by in front of my porch.  I’m sorry but I cannot remain silent.

 

This is Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz, and this is What You Should Know.

City Unveils Roadmap to Prevent Injuries and Fatalities Caused by Commercial Garbage Trucks

 

New Report Outlines Steps to Improve Safety

 NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Acting Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock and NYC Business Integrity Commission (BIC) Commissioner Noah Genel today announced the release of a new roadmap to prevent injuries and fatalities caused by commercial garbage trucks. The report, titled Safe Fleet Transition Plan: Private Vehicle Crashes and Vehicle Safety Technology, focuses on ways to improve the safety of commercial garbage trucks through modified vehicle design.

Commercial garbage trucks were involved in at least 43 fatalities and 107 injuries in New York City from January 2010 through May 2019, the period examined in this report. The report examined the root causes of these crashes and identified steps to address the problem.

“Commercial garbage trucks pose unique dangers in an urban environment, but there are clear steps that can be taken to make them safer,” said Dawn M. Pinnock, Acting Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “Enhanced vehicle design and added safety features can improve driver visibility and help operators navigate crowded city streets.”

“Improving traffic safety in the commercial waste hauling industry is an important goal of BIC’s, and the guidance provided by this preliminary report has been crucial in furthering that goal,” said Noah D. Genel, Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Business Integrity Commission. “This past summer, BIC issued new rules relating to traffic safety. Enforcement of those regulations, together with further educating the industry and working with our numerous partners on future efforts will help continue to make our City’s streets safer.”

Collisions involving commercial garbage trucks are on the rise nationally and there are heightened risks in urban environments. These large vehicles often have limited driver visibility and are more difficult to operate than other vehicles. To address the problem locally, the report, part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative, offers four core recommendations:

• Changing the design of truck cabs. Conventional truck cabs have limited visibility that increases the risk of collisions involving injuries or fatalities. Large trucks with conventionally designed cabs can have a frontal obstructed view of 20 feet or more. Since 2010, all fatal collisions in New York City involving a commercial garbage truck that was stopped and then put into drive, involved a cab with a conventional design. In 2017, the City of New York released its Safe Fleet Transition Plan for government trucks, which called for high vision truck cabs when available. This report reinforces the need for this design change for commercial garbage trucks. One way DCAS plans to put this finding into practice is through using the Volpe-developed VIEW Blind Zone app and database, which can help fleets buy the safest available vehicles.

• Installing side guards. Side guards are barriers installed on the side of trucks to prevent vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists from sliding under the truck during a side-impact collision. Side guards can result in a 40% reduction in fatalities compared to trucks without this technology. Under Local Law 56 of 2015, the City of New York began to install truck side guards on all City-owned trucks. The law also required all trade waste trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating over 11,000 pounds be fitted with side guards by 2024. In October 2021, the city council passed legislation that moves this deadline up by one year to 2023. The new law requires truck side guards for any trucks used under a City contract valued at $2 million or more, starting with new contracts signed on or after January 1, 2023. The City will provide information sessions about truck side guards to contractors and other interested parties throughout 2022.

• Investing in vehicle technology. Technologies like surround cameras, safety lights, automatic braking systems, and additional mirrors can reduce fatalities and injuries. These and other technologies adopted as part of the City of New York’s Safe Fleet Transition Plan for City fleet vehicles can also improve safety for private garbage trucks. DCAS is in the process of installing 1,500 surround cameras on City trucks. The Volpe Center, DCAS, and BIC will continue to work together on developing best practices for retrofitting technology onto commercial garbage trucks. BIC rules now also require certain commercial garbage trucks with conventional cabs to install a mirror to reduce the blind spot in the front of the truck, among other requirements.

• Addressing visual impairments. Certain vehicle retrofitting devices, like bug deflectors, can increase visual impairment and pose an unnecessary safety risk.

“As part of Vision Zero, the City launched a Safe Fleet Transition Plan in 2017 to ensure that our fleet units were designed and specified for safety,” said Keith Kerman, DCAS Deputy Commissioner for Fleet Management and NYC Chief Fleet Officer. “We have implemented over 65,000 safety improvements so far. The City Safe Fleet Transition Plan can now help serve as a model and roadmap for safety enhancements for commercial waste trucks and other private fleets.”  

“The U.S. DOT Volpe Center is proud to provide technical expertise to the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services and Business Integrity Commission,” said Dr. Alexander Epstein, US DOT Volpe Center. “In addition to safer vehicle operators and roadways, safer vehicles can reduce the number of fatalities and injuries in the BIC-regulated fleets. Our initial analysis has led to a number of best practices that can be implemented, and we look forward to continuing to partner on fleet safety for Vision Zero.”

"Studying the causes of collisions is an important aspect of running a safe, responsible business,” said Noah Budnick, Interim Executive Director of Together for Safer Roads. “Safety requires a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. What BIC and NYC Fleet are recommending as safety measures such as high visibility vehicles and side guards makes a lot of sense and can save lives. We applaud them and the entire industry for making this a priority."

The report was developed through the joint efforts of DCAS, BIC, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center). This report is also the first to be issued in conjunction with Mayoral Executive Order 53, which directs DCAS to promote fleet safety and sustainability across private fleets through a Fleets of the Future initiative.

Using the findings of this report, BIC created new safety rules for the trade waste industry that are now in effect. The rules include new requirements such as crossover mirrors for trucks with conventional cab designs, bi-annual truck inspections, annual safety training, and record-keeping requirements. In addition, BIC will use the findings of the report when considering additional rulemaking on traffic safety. DCAS will also partner with the trade waste industry to push manufacturers of garbage trucks to offer high vision truck options as standard features. DCAS has rolled out side guards, surround view cameras, and telematics in its own fleet and is working with BIC to implement the side guard requirements of Local Law 108 of 2021 for the trade waste industry and some City-contracted fleets.

About DCAS

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) provides effective shared services to support the operations of New York City government. Its commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides its work with City agencies on recruiting, hiring, and training employees; providing facilities management for 56 public buildings; acquiring, selling, and leasing City property; purchasing more than $1 billion in supplies and equipment each year; and implementing conservation and safety programs throughout the City's facilities and vehicle fleet.