News from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Resources and Updates

 

Dear Neighbors,   On January 1, 2022, I became your 14th Bronx Borough President, and my team and I have been hard at work to serve the residents of this great borough. It has been a challenging and difficult few weeks in The Bronx, as we experienced a tragic 5-alarm fire with 17 fatalities in Fordham Heights, we have seen a wave of violence including an incident involving an 11-month year old child, a building explosion in Longwood, a police officer shot in the line of duty in Belmont, a shooting inside of Jacobi hospital, and COVID-19 continues to impact our everyday lives.   Although we have faced incredible hardships, we know that in trying times, Bronxites always come together and display our strength. We have seen neighbors helping neighbors, and we have seen overwhelming generosity from community members wanting to help one another. Our office, along with our local elected officials have been on the ground since the fire in Fordham Heights, to ensure immediate services are coordinated to help our residents and families. We immediately established Monroe College as a service center that included multiple city agencies and community based organizations to assess the needs of each household. We established collection sites in the area including Bronx Community College, The Gambian Youth Organization, and local Mosques to receive necessary items and toiletries for our families. Weeks later, we continue to work with our families on long- term needs including permanent housing in the Bronx. We have committed to ensuring that none of our families are displaced, nor forced to return to Twin Parks if they choose not to. Our collective goals are to help with both short and long term housing, social services, wraparound services and necessary counseling to help our families heal and rebuild. The deaths of our neighbors will not be in vain and we will turn our pain into purpose to rebuild Twin Parks in the long term. I am grateful for the love and support of New Yorkers, Bronxites and neighbors who stepped up to help. The overwhelming support has been felt by the families of Twin Parks and we are truly grateful to the New York City Police Department, first responders, the FDNY, American Red Cross, faith leaders, the Office of Emergency Management and so many others that have offered support.   In response to the recent incidents of gun violence we have seen in our city, our office is joining forces with elected officials, clergy, community leaders, and our violence interrupters to execute a plan of action to make our streets safer. When a young baby is senselessly shot, it is a sign that this is a state of emergency, and that we have more work to do to end the proliferation of guns in our neighborhoods.   In addition to the work we have done with our partners in government, we want to make sure the voices of the community are also being heard. We have opened up applications to join your local community board and we are encouraging everyone ages 16 and up to apply. You can click HERE for more information on how to apply in English or in Spanish.   Even during these difficult times, I am reminded of the resiliency of our borough and the need for us to lead with compassion, consistency, dedication, empathy, and purpose. I look forward to seeing you all in every corner of our borough soon, and together we will build a healthier, safer Bronx for everyone.   In partnership, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

In the Community

Borough President Gibson and Deputy Borough President Peguero join The Bronx Drafthouse, CB5 and NYPD to distribute gift cards to families impacted by the fire at Twin Parks North West Apartments. Borough President Gibson and local elected officials distribute COVID-19 testing kits in Wakefield.

Borough President Gibson joins with the 32nd Precinct to honor the lives of Officers Mora and Rivera, who were shot in the line of duty. Borough President Gibson, local elected officials and AT&T announce a partnership to distribute 100 tablets and six months of internet connectivity to families with students impacted by the fire at Twin Parks North West Apartments.

Borough President Gibson, Senator Schumer and the Fire Safety Task Force announce a four-point federal fire safety package. Borough President Gibson attends the roll call at the 44th precinct to discuss public safety and to thank the officers for their service.

Borough President Gibson attends the roll call at the 49th precinct following this week's shooting at Jacobi Hospital. Borough President Gibson meets with representatives from Bronx Community College and The Bronx Drafthouse to discuss relief efforts for the victims of the fire at Twin Parks North West.

Borough President Gibson and Deputy Borough President Peguero join Fat Joe and Remy Ma on Hot 97 and WBLS for a telethon to raise funds and awareness for residents of Twin Parks North West. Borough President Gibson joins a discussion with Mayor Eric Adams and cure violence groups on ending gun violence in our city.

Borough President Gibson joins community leaders, colleagues and anti-violence groups for a Peace Week rally. Borough President Gibson joins Mayor Adams to visit the neighborhood and businesses where an 11-month year old baby was the victim of gun violence.

Borough President Gibson joins Pastor Donnie McClurkin to distribute supplies to victims of the Twin Parks North West fire. Borough President Gibson and Council Member Eric Dinowitz distribute COVID-19 testing kits in Woodlawn.

Borough President Gibson attends the unveiling of an ADA accessible elevator at the 170th Street train station. Borough President Gibson speaks at The National Action Network Policy Forum on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Borough President Gibson and Deputy Borough President Peguero distribute air purifiers at Twin Parks North West Apartments. Borough President Gibson hosts an interfaith service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in partnership with Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Borough President Gibson attends the kick-off for New York City Peace Week. Borough President Gibson and local elected officials visit the Monroe College service center to evaluate the needs of the families impacted by the fire at Twin Parks North West Apartments.

Borough President Gibson visits the Morris Park Relief Drive. Borough President Gibson and Christina Farrell, First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department, visit the Monroe College service center.

Borough President Gibson attends the National Action Network Saturday rally. Borough President Gibson visits The Bronx Community College distribution center site.

Borough President Gibson and local elected officials distribute COVID-19 testing kits in Parkchester. Borough President Gibson and the newly formed Fire Safety Task Force announce proposed legislation.

Borough President Gibson joined colleagues in the Northeast Bronx to distribute COVID-19 testing kits. Deputy Borough President Peguero attended a fire safety discussion at the Police Athletic League Bronx location.

Borough President Gibson was joined by colleagues in the Northwest Bronx to distribute COVID-19 testing kits. Borough President Gibson and Council Member Feliz distributed COVID-19 testing kits at Jonas Bronck Housing Co.

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON SUSPECT IN OFFICER SHOOTING BEING RELEASED ON BOND

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after the suspect in last week’s shooting of Police Officer Kaseem Pennan in the Bronx was released on bond:

“New Yorkers should all be outraged that a repeat offender, accused of shooting at a police officer, is today walking free on bond because judges are precluded from even considering danger to the community, like every other state and our federal courts. It is further proof that our current system is failing us. Today of all days, with the city in mourning over the deaths of Detective First-Grade Jason Rivera and Police Officer Wilbert Mora, we all must come together and agree that changes are needed. We cannot allow those who carry guns to walk free – we can pursue safety and justice at the same time, and we must, for the safety of all of us."

Pelham Parkway Neighborhood Association Meeting - Tuesday February 8th, 2022 at 7pm

Join us as the PPNA has their monthly community  meeting  on Tuesday  February   8th, 2022 at 7pm at our new location 2134 Barnes Avenue (on the corner of Lydig Avenue and Barnes Avenue). We will welcome special guest New Council Member Marjorie Velazquez .  This is your opportunity to bring your issues, questions and concerns and problems to this meeting. Involvement from the community  is essential  to having a safe ,clean, and graffiti  free neighborhood.  Its time to get  involved in your community  and stay involved .Your  problems get addressed and action is taken. Show  up  and speak up! 

Attorney General James Announces Major Progress on $26 Billion Opioid Agreement

 

  New York Attorney General Letitia James marked a key milestone in her efforts to bring billions of dollars in much-needed resources to communities across the country through the $26 billion opioid agreement with the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors — Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen — and Johnson & Johnson over the companies’ role in creating and fueling the nationwide opioid crisis. Since the agreement in July, which included 52 states and territories, thousands of local governments across the country have joined during the subdivision sign-on period. New York has secured full subdivision participation, ensuring that New York will receive the maximum amount of $230 million available under the settlement agreement.

“Every region across New York has been impacted by the opioid crisis and every community has been devastated in its wake,” said Attorney General James. “We went after these manufacturers and distributors because they must pay for their roles in this crisis and for the lives they have forever harmed. While no amount of money will ever bring back the New Yorkers we’ve tragically lost to opioids, with full participation from all of New York’s political subdivisions, we are doing all we can to get the most money possible for our state to put into treatment and prevention efforts.”

Alongside Attorney General James, the attorneys general of North Carolina, Tennessee, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas led the negotiations of this multistate agreement and signed the above joint statement.

This is the latest step in Attorney General James’ efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. In March 2019, Attorney General James filed the nation’s most extensive lawsuit to hold accountable the various manufacturers and distributors responsible for the opioid epidemic. The manufacturers named in the complaint included Purdue Pharma and its affiliates, as well as members of the Sackler Family (owners of Purdue) and trusts they control; Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its affiliates (including its parent company Johnson & Johnson); Mallinckrodt LLC and its affiliates; Endo Health Solutions and its affiliates; Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates; and Allergan Finance, LLC and its affiliates. The distributors named in the complaint were McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., Amerisource Bergen Drug Corporation, and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc. 

In December last year, an agreement with Allergan was reached that will deliver up to $200 million to New York state and Nassau and Suffolk counties for opioid abatement, as well as make enforceable a bar that stops Allergan and all of its subsidiaries, predecessors, and successors from selling opioids in New York and acknowledges Allergan’s prior exit from the opioid business.

In September last year, an agreement with Endo was reached that has already delivered $50 million to New York state and Nassau and Suffolk counties to combat the opioid crisis.

Also, in September last year, the bankruptcy court in Purdue confirmed a $4.5 billion plan — at least $200 million of which will be earmarked for New York — from the Sackler family and foundations that they control, will end the Sacklers’ ability to manufacture opioids ever again, and will shut down Purdue Pharma. The court’s ruling against Purdue and the Sacklers has since been challenged by dissenting states and is currently in mediation.

In July last year, a settlement with McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen that will deliver up to $1 billion to New York state to combat the opioid epidemic was announced.

In June last year, a settlement that ended Johnson & Johnson’s sale of opioids nationwide and that will deliver $230 million to New York alone was announced.

The deals with Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal Health, and Amerisource Bergen have a global value of approximately $26 billion.

The cases against Mallinckrodt and Rochester Drug Cooperative are now moving separately through U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Pursuant to the new law establishing the opioid settlement fund, all funds collected by the state from opioid settlements or litigation victories will be allocated specifically for abatement efforts in communities devastated by the opioid epidemic and will not go towards the state’s general fund.

Separately, but related to her work on opioids, last February, Attorney General James co-led a coalition of nearly every attorney general in the nation in delivering more than $573 million — more than $32 million of which was earmarked for New York state — toward opioid treatment and abatement in an agreement and consent judgment with McKinsey & Company.

Lastly, just last month, a jury found Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and its affiliates liable for violating New Yorkers’ rights and responsible for the public nuisance charges made by New York state in its opioid trial in Suffolk County State Supreme Court. A subsequent trial will now be held to determine how much Teva and others will be required to pay, which will be added to the up to $1.5 billion Attorney General James has already secured for the state of New York from different opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Housing Lottery Launches For Third At Bankside, At 2401 3rd Avenue In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Third at Bankside, at 2401 3rd Avenue in Mott Haven, The Bronx via NYC Housing Connect

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Third at Bankside, two 25-story towers and one 17-story building atop an eight-story podium at 2401 3rd Avenue in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Designed by Hill West Architects and developed by Brookfield Properties, the structure yields 450 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 134 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $61,543 to $167,570.

Residents will have access to a wide range of amenities including assigned parking, shared laundry room, yoga and dance studio, media room, business center, children’s playroom, a doorman, and a landscaped roof garden. Units include name-brand appliances and finishes, air conditioning, washers and dryers, high-speed internet, dishwashers, and hardwood floors.

Amenities include pet-friendly policies, a dog washing station, bike storage lockers, a garage with electric car charging stations, a shared laundry room, gym, yoga and dance studio, pool, media room, a party room, recreation room, business center, children’s playroom, common area Wi-Fi, package lockers, an on-site resident manager, concierge, doorman, and numerous outdoor spaces including a rooftop terrace.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are 47 studios with a monthly rent of $1,795 for incomes ranging from $61,543 to $124,150; 49 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent ranging from $2,200 to $2,350 for incomes ranging from $75,429 to $139,620; and 38 two-bedrooms with a monthly rent ranging from $2,695 to $2,900 for incomes ranging from $92,400 to $167,570.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than April 13, 2022.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers On State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 27, 2022

 

Statewide COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop by Nearly 600 in Past 24 Hours

Cases Per 100k (7-Day Average) Declining in All Regions

134 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

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

"I want to thank New Yorkers for doing their part to help fight the winter surge and keep our loved ones safe, but let's not take our progress for granted," Governor Hochul said. "Keeping our friends, loved ones, and fellow New Yorkers safe and healthy is a team effort. We know what works - get vaccinated if you haven't yet, get the booster if you have, and if you've done both make sure your friends and family do as well."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 235,742
• Total Positive - 17,305
• Percent Positive - 7.34%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 8.50%
• Patient Hospitalization - 8,741 (-594)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1004
• Patients in ICU - 1318 (-37)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 771 (-25)
• Total Discharges - 268,518 (+1,397)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 134
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 52,447

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 - 65,357

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 - 35,696,232
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 66,901
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 448,485
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 90.7%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 81.8%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 84.3%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 80.0%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 71.6%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 87.2%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.8%   

State Labor Department Releases Preliminary December 2021 Area Unemployment Rates

The Unemployment Rates in December 2021 Were Lower in Every New York State County Compared to a Year Ago  

 The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for December 2021. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The State’s area unemployment rates rely in part on the results of the Current Population Survey, which contacts approximately 3,100 households in New York State each month. To recap last week’s statewide press release, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 6.6% in November to 6.2% in December 2021.

Local Area Unemployment Rates*(%) 
December 2020 and December 2021 (Not seasonally adjusted)

The data in the preceding table are not seasonally adjusted, which means they reflect seasonal influences (e.g., holiday and summer hires). Therefore, the most valid comparisons with this type of data are year-to-year comparisons of the same month, for example, December 2020 versus December 2021. Labor force data for the current month are preliminary and subject to revision as more information becomes available the following month. Revised estimates for prior months are available at: https://statistics.labor.ny.gov/lslaus.shtm

Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, for New York and every other state are based on statistical regression models specified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are the most up-to-date estimates of persons employed and unemployed by place of residence. Estimates are available for New York State, labor market regions, metropolitan areas, counties and municipalities with population of at least 25,000.

Unemployment Rates By County, New York State, December 2021  Jobs and Unemployment Fact Sheet This fact sheet conveys important technical information that will contribute to a better understanding of labor force data (“household survey”), including resident employment/unemployment rates, and jobs by industry data (“business survey”), which are presented in the New York State Department of Labor’s monthly press release. State Unemployment Rates Based on Regression Model Beginning with data for January 1996, unemployment rates for New York State and all other states (as well as New York City and the City of Los Angeles) have been estimated using time-series regression statistical models developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Advantage of Regression Model Use of a time-series regression model reduces the month-to-month variation in unemployment rates and resident employment by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical noise (irregularities). Benchmarking of Estimates Once each year, labor force estimates, such as civilian labor force and the unemployment rate, are revised to reflect updated input data including new Census Bureau populations controls, newly revised establishment jobs data and new state-level annual average data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). As part of this procedure, all state figures are reviewed, revised as necessary and then re-estimated. This process is commonly referred to as “benchmarking.” Changes in Methodology Labor force estimates are now produced with an improved time-series regression model, which utilizes “real-time” benchmarking. “Real-time” benchmarking reduces end-of-year revisions, which also means that major economic events will be reflected in a more timely manner in state labor force estimates. In addition, the new methodology includes an updated way of estimating for sub-state areas (e.g. counties, metro areas) the number of unemployed who are new entrants or re-entrants into the labor force. This change in methodology will result in lower unemployment rates in some areas and increased rates in others. Unemployed and UI Beneficiaries The estimate of the number of unemployed includes all persons who had no employment during the reference week (the week including the 12th of the month), were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference week. Unemployment insurance (UI) beneficiaries include those who apply for and qualify for UI benefits. Consequently, the estimate of the number of unemployed and the number of UI beneficiaries do not necessarily move in tandem. Jobs Data Jobs data are obtained from a separate joint federal-state survey of business establishments. The survey, called the Current Employment Statistics of Establishments, has a sample size of 18,000 establishments in New York State. It excludes self-employed workers, agricultural workers, unpaid family workers and domestic workers employed by private households. This data represents a count of jobs by place of work. Data for each month is revised the following month as more complete information becomes available.

Attorney General James Issues Warning Letter to COVID-19 Testing Lab PacGenomics to Stop Misrepresenting Turnaround Times for COVID-19 Test Results

 

PacGenomics Promised Results in 24 Hours, But Left Consumers Waiting for Days

Some Consumers Received their Results with Incorrect Information

 New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning letter this week to a COVID-19 testing lab, PacGenomics, for failing to meet promised turnaround times for COVID-19 test results. Several consumers waited more than 10 days to receive their results, even though some consumers had been promised turnaround times of as little as 24 hours. Some others received their results with the incorrect test date. Attorney General James’ letter notifies PacGenomics that New York law prohibits false advertising and instructs the company to immediately update its website and any signage at test sites to accurately reflect how long individuals can expect to wait before receiving COVID-19 test results.

“New Yorkers are depending on accurate and timely COVID test results to make decisions and they shouldn’t have to wait longer than they were told to know if they can return to work, travel, or gather with loved ones,” said Attorney General James. “We are entering year three of the pandemic and COVID-19 testing sites should not be misleading consumers. Accurately advertising COVID-19 turnaround test times is not optional and COVID-19 testing sites that fail to do so can expect to hear from my office.”

“After receiving numerous complaints from my constituents about false and misleading claims made by PacGenomics, we referred this company to New York Attorney General Letitia James and are pleased that she is taking action,” said New York City Council Member Julie Menin. “As the former Commissioner of Consumer Affairs for the city of New York, I take false and misleading claims extremely seriously and have sent a cease and desist letter to PacGenomics. I am urging the city to license these businesses, as they are falling into a regulatory abyss. We need accountability now from suspicious COVID-19 testing locations to keep vulnerable New Yorkers healthy and ensure their private information is secure.”

In addition to warning PacGenomics to update its website and signage and to instruct its employees to provide accurate information concerning turnaround times, the letter requests that the company contact the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to explain why consumers are receiving results that include inaccurate test dates of when they took their test, raising concerns about whether proper protocols are in place to ensure that test results are accurate.

Today’s letter follows several other letters Attorney General James sent to labs and testing companies, including ClearMD Health, LabQ, Labworq, Sameday Health, EZ Test NY, and Keep Health Safe, demanding that the companies take similar steps to update their websites and their signage, and to inform consumers about realistic wait times for COVID-19 test results.

Attorney General James asks any consumer who believes a lab or other testing facility is making misleading statements about their turnaround time for COVID-19 test results to file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau or call the office at 1-800-771-7755.New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning letter this week to a COVID-19 testing lab, PacGenomics, for failing to meet promised turnaround times for COVID-19 test results. Several consumers waited more than 10 days to receive their results, even though some consumers had been promised turnaround times of as little as 24 hours. Some others received their results with the incorrect test date. Attorney General James’ letter notifies PacGenomics that New York law prohibits false advertising and instructs the company to immediately update its website and any signage at test sites to accurately reflect how long individuals can expect to wait before receiving COVID-19 test results.

“New Yorkers are depending on accurate and timely COVID test results to make decisions and they shouldn’t have to wait longer than they were told to know if they can return to work, travel, or gather with loved ones,” said Attorney General James. “We are entering year three of the pandemic and COVID-19 testing sites should not be misleading consumers. Accurately advertising COVID-19 turnaround test times is not optional and COVID-19 testing sites that fail to do so can expect to hear from my office.”

“After receiving numerous complaints from my constituents about false and misleading claims made by PacGenomics, we referred this company to New York Attorney General Letitia James and are pleased that she is taking action,” said New York City Council Member Julie Menin. “As the former Commissioner of Consumer Affairs for the city of New York, I take false and misleading claims extremely seriously and have sent a cease and desist letter to PacGenomics. I am urging the city to license these businesses, as they are falling into a regulatory abyss. We need accountability now from suspicious COVID-19 testing locations to keep vulnerable New Yorkers healthy and ensure their private information is secure.”

In addition to warning PacGenomics to update its website and signage and to instruct its employees to provide accurate information concerning turnaround times, the letter requests that the company contact the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to explain why consumers are receiving results that include inaccurate test dates of when they took their test, raising concerns about whether proper protocols are in place to ensure that test results are accurate.

Today’s letter follows several other letters Attorney General James sent to labs and testing companies, including ClearMD Health, LabQ, Labworq, Sameday Health, EZ Test NY, and Keep Health Safe, demanding that the companies take similar steps to update their websites and their signage, and to inform consumers about realistic wait times for COVID-19 test results.

Attorney General James asks any consumer who believes a lab or other testing facility is making misleading statements about their turnaround time for COVID-19 test results to file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau or call the office at 1-800-771-7755.