News From Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

 

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Mass Shooting in Uvalde, TX Leaves 21 People Dead, Including 19 Children End of Legislative Session Rapidly Approaching Adult Survivor's Act Passes Assembly Local Update: Use Caution at Blue USPS Mailboxes Albany Update: New Legislation to Create Climate Change Superfund in New York Around the Community: Wave Hill, Van Cortlandt Park, Riverdale Neighborhood House, PS 360, & More Poll of the Week: Gun Violence REMINDER: Virtual Town Hall on June 7 REMINDER: Shred Day in Wakefield on June 4 and Riverdale on June 12 REMINDER: MetroCard Van Services in Woodlawn and Central Riverdale Next on Tuesday, May 31 Updates from Government & Community Partners

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Mass Shooting in Uvalde, TX Leaves 21 People Dead, Including 19 Children

Earlier this week, on May 24, our nation was shaken to the core by another school shooting — this time, in Uvalde, Texas at an elementary school. The gunman murdered at least twenty-one people, including nineteen children and two teachers. It appears that at least seventeen people are also injured, including thirteen children, one teachers, two police officers, and the shooter's grandmother. The gunman was killed by law enforcement. A motive is unknown, although the shooter was an 18-year-old teenager who lived in Uvalde. There have also been some serious issues raised regarding the response to the Uvalde shooting. The Associated Press reports that many parents of children who were involved in the Uvalde school shooting have said that police officers refused to enter the school once they arrived on the scene. Recent reports seem to confirm that it took 78 minutes for law enforcement officers to stop the shooter once he entered the school, and that US Border Patrol agents were prepared to enter at 12:15pm, but local police prevented them from entering until 12:50pm. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, local law enforcement believed that everybody inside was already dead — despite numerous 911 calls from students who were still inside. It is also unclear whether or to what extent an armed school security officer engaged with the shooter before the shooter entered the school. If these reports about the slow police response are true, then there needs to be a serious investigation and consequence for this failure. This tragedy comes a mere ten days after ten people were murdered in another mass shooting in Buffalo. Although many of these incidents did not make national headlines, there were fifteen mass shooting events between the Buffalo and the Uvalde mass murders (according to the Gun Violence Archive), resulting in the deaths of twelve people and injuries to sixty-nine more people. These other mass shootings occurred in Ohio, South Carolina, Indiana, Washington, Florida, California, Louisiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Texas. This is a national problem, and it is absolutely repugnant that so many people continue to refuse to even acknowledge that we have a dire need for common sense gun reforms. Standardized background checks, waiting periods, and safety trainings are common sense and should not be even remotely controversial. Nationwide red flag laws, assault weapon restrictions, and other proposals are also good ideas. We cannot allow NRA-backers in Congress to continue to put our kids' lives, and our own lives, in jeopardy. Voters across the nation will have an opportunity to make their opinions known in November of this year.

End of Legislative Session Rapidly Approaching

There are three scheduled days left in the legislative session this year, and as usual there is a huge list of very important issues that are still left to be done. I am confident that we will get a lot done in coming days, and I know that many key issues have had extensive conversations among stakeholders to work out any concerns regarding the legislation. Here are a few of the issues that I feel strongly should get done this year, in no particular order: • Gun Violence Legislation: There are several outstanding measures that I believe could be implemented in order to help reduce the dangers of gun violence in New York. There is a bill to require microstamping of ammunition, which would help investigators identify the people responsible for shooting someone after a crime occurs. Governor Hochul has proposed, and I strongly agree, that we should raise the required age to purchase certain types of very dangerous weapons (like the AR15) from 18 to 21. We also may need to return this summer depending on a Supreme Court decision regarding New York's concealed carry laws. • Protecting Abortion Access: Over the past several weeks, my colleagues and I have been working hard to formulate a constitutional amendment which would enshrine equal rights in our state constitution. This legislation, once passed by two consecutive legislatures and ratified by statewide popular vote, would add language to the state constitution that prohibits the denial of equal rights based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or sex - notably including pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. We have also been discussing legislation to help protect abortion providers from lawsuits that arise from other states, to help people pay for abortions, and other important protections to ensure that New York remains a state where women can choose whether or not to have an abortion. • New York Health Act: This has long been one of my top priorities, and I am hopeful that we will pass it once more in the Assembly. This legislation would create a universal healthcare system which is paid for by essentially the money that employers are already paying towards employee healthcare. It would also require that workers who receive healthcare benefits as part of a collective bargaining agreement get compensation for the trade-offs that they made in lieu of salary or wage increases. • Good Cause Eviction: Throughout the pandemic, my top focus was working to pass laws (and several extensions of said laws) to prevent people from being evicted from their homes. Good Cause Eviction takes the next step to give every New Yorker the opportunity to stay in their homes - including protections against extreme rent increases or refusals to offer lease renewals. There would be exceptions for small, owner-occupied properties as well as in cases where the tenant is damaging property or disturbing neighbors. • Sexual Assault Reform: There are several bill in the Assembly that would help prosecutors win convictions against rapists. One of these bills is my own legislation, which would prohibit defendants from using the voluntary intoxication of a sexual assault survivor as part of their criminal defense. Another bill would redefine consent in our penal code, creating an affirmative consent standard as opposed to the current standard which requires that a sexual assault survivor actively say no. A third bill would establish better standards for rape kit testing, so that rape kits are not sitting in a warehouse somewhere instead of being used to catch and prosecute rapists. Additionally, the "Rape is Rape" bill passed the Assembly but is awaiting action in the State Senate. • Speed Camera Expansion: The speed camera program in New York City is a vitally important program which helps keep New Yorkers safe against dangerous driving. The data is clear that more incidents of dangerous driving occur when speed cameras are not active. We need to expand speed camera active hours to 24/7, and we should ultimately take steps to allow New York City to set its own rules about how many speed cameras should be installed and how they operate. • Build Public Renewables Act: We absolutely need to take major steps this year to combat climate change, and the Build Public Renewables Act is low-hanging fruit that I believe should get done without further delay. This legislation would eliminate a cap on how much renewable energy the New York Power Authority (NYPA) can generate, and would empower NYPA to be more proactive about developing future renewable energy projects.

Adult Survivors Act Passes Assembly

This week, I proudly co-sponsored and voted to support the Adult Survivors Act. This legislation is very similar to the Child Victims Act, and would create a window for people who were sexually assaulted as adults to file civil lawsuits against the person who assaulted them. This is a very important piece of legislation to help survivors of sexual assault and abuse seek the justice that they deserve. For many people, it can be difficult to process what happened immediately after a sexual assault or during a period of abuse. The statute of limitations for these types of lawsuits is restrictive, and I believe it is not consistent with what modern science suggests is a reasonable timeline for survivors to process their experience and trauma. I want to specifically commend my colleague, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, as well as State Senator Brad Hoylman, for never giving up on this legislation. As the lead sponsors, they knew it would be a tough fight and they deserve kudos from all New Yorkers for getting this to the finish line for the Governor to sign into law. I also want to recognize the efforts from advocates, such as Safe Horizon, as well as Speaker Heastie for their support on this legislation as well. Justice delayed is justice denied, and justice has been delayed and denied for far too long.

Local Update: Use Caution at Blue USPS Mailboxes

My office has received several recent reports about a continuing problem that there is sticky residue on some mailboxes throughout our community. We contacted the 50th Precinct and the United States Postal Inspection Service about these reports, and they are actively investigating them. Please be aware that this residue is likely caused by mailbox fishing, which is when criminals steal mail from the box, often looking for checks that they can wash and rewrite to their own names. If you see a mailbox with sticky residue on it, please avoid using it. Additionally, please try to avoid sending checks or other sensitive materials using these mailboxes. If you must use one, please try to avoid dropping your mail in after the last collection of the day (posted on each box).

Albany Update: New Legislation to Create Climate Change Superfund in New York

This week, I introduced new legislation which would create a $30 billion fund to help pay for climate adaptive infrastructure, such as sea walls or other projects that are necessary in order to combat the anticipated impacts of climate change. This program is modeled after the Superfund program, which was created in the 90s in order to force toxic polluters to pay for the cleanup required from their operations. You can read more about this legislation in my recent news release here. On Thursday, we had a virtual press conference to announce the bill. The State Senate lead sponsor, Liz Krueger, and I hosted the press conference and we were joined by Blair Horner from New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Peter M. Iwanowicz from Environmental Advocates NY, Lee Wasserman of the Rockefeller Family Fund, and Rachel Rothschild of the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU School of Law. In summary, this legislation is common sense. The fossil fuel industry spent decades knowingly ignoring climate science, with full awareness of the damage that their product was causing to our climate. It's time that they paid for the damage that they've done. We all learned in grade school: if you make a mess, you clean it up. It's time we hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the mess that they created. Pictured above at a virtual press conference to announce the new Climate Change Superfund Act.

Around the Community: Wave Hill, Van Cortlandt Park, Riverdale Neighborhood House, PS 360, & More

I attended the annual gala for Wave Hill along with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Council Member Eric Dinowitz. Wave Hill is an astounding place to visit if you have not been already, and admission is free on Thursdays!

I attended the Spring Fete for the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance. It was wonderful to see our new Parks Commissioner Sue Donaghue as well as our beloved former Bronx Borough Commissioner (and now First Deputy NYC Commissioner) for Parks Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. I proudly shared proclamations with the two honorees for the evening, Sonia Manzano (of Sesame Street and Alma's Way) and Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. These two women have done an incredible job at promoting the Bronx and making the Bronx a great place for young people to grow up.

I was proud to present a set of proclamations at Riverdale Neighborhood Houses' 2022 Community Day Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to Good Neighbor Jen Laurie and Teen of the Year Olukanyinsola "Esther" Olojede!

I was pleased to meet with Principal Rivera at PS 360, located in Kingsbridge Heights and tour her wonderful school. It is always great to have a collaborative relationship with our schools, and I'm already working to convince DOT to install a second speed bump outside the school on Kingsbridge Terrace.

It was my privilege to speak with the Social Action Committee at Riverdale Senior Services. We talked about the need to get the traffic signal at Kappock Street and Johnson Avenue installed more quickly, and their opposition to the proposed "road diet" on northern Riverdale Avenue, and other important topics.

Poll of the Week: Gun Violence

The poll last time asked "Do you believe working from home should continue to be encouraged?" We had over 80 responses, and the results are below: Yes: 59% No: 23% Unsure: 18%

This week's poll is about your thoughts on gun violence. We have seen several mass shootings in recent weeks, including in Buffalo as well as at an elementary school in Uvalde, and there is once again a national conversation about how we should prevent gun violence. In New York, we already have very strong laws to combat gun violence, but there are still things that could be done to keep people safe.

Do you believe New York should take additional action to restrict access to firearms? Yes. Select EDITOR' NOTE: It should be noted that Assemblyman Dinowitz sent this poll out with only the Yes select button.

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Federal Jury Convicts High Level ISIS Member of Six Counts of Material Support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, Including Two Counts Resulting in Death

 

Mirsad Kandic Faces Up to Life Imprisonment for Becoming an ISIS Fighter, Recruiting Other ISIS Fighters, and Providing Weapons, Equipment, and Battlefield Intelligence to ISIS

 A federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict against Mirsad Kandic on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), and five substantive counts of providing material support to ISIS in the form of personnel, including himself, Australian citizen Jake Bilardi, and others, as well as services, weapons, property, equipment, false documentation and identification, all between January 2013 and June 2017, when the defendant was arrested in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The verdict followed a three-week trial before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis.  When sentenced, Kandic faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on the two counts of the indictment resulting in death, and 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the other four charges.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Ricky J. Patel, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI), and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdict.

“Kandic was a high-ranking member of ISIS who recruited countless fanatics, helping them travel to Syria and other territories to become ISIS fighters.  In addition to fueling the front lines of the ISIS army, the defendant aided the extremist group in many other ways, including by providing weapons and spreading its violent propaganda across the globe, to further its bloody and brutal terrorist campaign.  Kandic’s actions were directly linked to attacks and significant loss of life,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “With today’s verdict, Kandic has been held accountable for his barbaric crimes.  This Office and our law enforcement partners will never rest in our mission to protect the United States from those who threaten its safety and security.”

“Kandic helped to build a secret supply chain of willing fighters for ISIS, recruiting them over social media and ensuring their illegal transit into Syria so they could wage war. He played a vital role in the terrorist group's communications network allowing ISIS to maintain its stranglehold on territory within Syria, and propagating ISIS fighters around the world to plot attacks. Although the threat posed by ISIS has evolved, we must continue our pursuit and punishment of those who support the terrorist organization,” stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

“Kandic’s blind loyalty and dedication to engage in jihad was evident in his determination to join and then support the horrific actions of ISIS, whose terror campaigns have resulted in countless deaths around the world.  For years, Kandic was deeply entrenched, orchestrating the movement of personnel and materiel and even helping to shape the messaging and image of ISIS in an effort to recruit and radicalize new followers,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.  “The verdict returned today is the result of years of multi-jurisdictional cooperation between international and domestic partners. HSI will continue to work alongside our partners to ensure the safety of individuals around the world from the actions of radical terrorists and bring those who seek to engage in terrorist acts to justice.”

As proven at trial, the evidence and testimony established that the defendant was a high-ranking member of ISIS—the deadliest terrorist organization in the world.  He had multiple responsibilities within the global terrorist organization, including recruiting foreign fighters, trafficking foreign fighters from the West through Turkey and into Syria, and obtaining weapons, military equipment, maps, money, and false identifications for ISIS fighters.  In carrying out these responsibilities, the defendant worked directly with ISIS emirs and battlefield commanders, including Bajro Ikanovic, who commanded an ISIS training camp in Syria beginning in or around 2014.  Ikanovic, in turn, reported to Omar Shishani, then the top military commander for ISIS, and a key advisor to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, at the time the leader of ISIS and the self-declared Caliph of the Islamic State. 

The witness testimony—which included 36 witnesses and evidence drawn from six continents—established the following:  Kandic attempted to leave the United States to fight jihad as early as the summer of 2012.  He was denied boarding and notified that he was on the No-Fly List.  In January 2013, Kandic attempted to fly from Toronto, Canada to Istanbul, Turkey on a direct flight.  He was again denied boarding.  The defendant then took a two-day Greyhound bus ride from New York City to Monterrey, Mexico, in November 2013, and flew through Panama, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Kosovo, and Turkey before arriving in Syria at the end of 2013.  In Syria, Kandic joined ISIS and became a fighter for the group in Haritan, an ISIS stronghold in the outskirts of Aleppo, wielding Russian-made PK machine guns and AK-47 assault rifles.

ISIS leadership then directed Kandic to Turkey to take up the role of smuggling foreign fighters and weapons into Syria from abroad, and to serve as an emir for ISIS media.  Kandic disseminated ISIS recruitment messages and gruesome propaganda using more than 120 Twitter accounts.  For example, Kandic sent out an ISIS-produced “documentary” titled the “Flames of War.”  This video celebrated ISIS conquests and macabre executions of ISIS captives, including instances where victims were forced to dig their own graves before being summarily executed by gunshot.  The defendant tweeted that this video was the “best thing ever seen on screen.”

Kandic was also a dedicated and prolific recruiter of foreign fighters for ISIS.  He sent thousands of radicalized ISIS volunteer fighters from Western countries into ISIS-controlled territories in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East.  This included a fellow New Yorker who became an ISIS sniper and sniper trainer, and another individual who became an emir for ISIS safehouses in the Idlib province of Syria.

One foreign fighter recruited by the defendant was Jake Bilardi of Australia.  Bilardi contacted the defendant in June 2014 for assistance in traveling to Syria to join ISIS.  Kandic provided Bilardi—who had just turned 18 years old and had never traveled internationally before—with instructions and guidance for reaching Istanbul, Turkey.  Kandic then arranged for Bilardi to be picked up at the airport in Istanbul and smuggled him into Syria.  Kandic maintained contact with Bilardi as he became an ISIS fighter and ISIS suicide bomber.  Bilardi went on to commit a suicide truck attack with fellow ISIS members on March 11, 2015, in Ramadi, Iraq, killing himself, more than 30 Iraqi soldiers, and an Iraqi policeman.  Prior to the attack, the defendant wished Bilardi well and stated, “May Allah make there inner organs implode.”  After the attack, Kandic praised Bilardi, both on Twitter and to a co-conspirator.  In audio recordings referencing similar suicide attacks, the defendant praised the killing of more than 90 people as “good.”

In addition, Kandic provided battlefield intelligence and maps to ISIS battlefield commanders and fighters on the ground, including Ikanovic.  Kandic also conspired with Ikanovic and other ISIS members in Syria to dig tunnels under the Turkey-Syria border to move 800-1000 fighters into ISIS at a time.  Kandic also shaped the information environment in which ISIS operated by enforcing ISIS media and publicity discipline.  For example, the defendant directed other ISIS supporters to refrain from posting any information about the success (or failure) of ISIS recruitment efforts as well as to minimize any reporting about ISIS military action.  Kandic also managed money for ISIS fighters in Syria, including two ISIS fighters who gave the defendant their bank cards, from which bank records showed more than $40,000 in transactions.  Kandic smuggled weapons to ISIS in Syria, including a rifle scope for an ISIS sniper.  Kandic operated a private market via Telegram—called “Khilafah (Caliphate) Market”—for which the defendant was the group administrator with authority to restrict access to the group.  Members frequently posted firearms and military equipment for sale, including mortars, suicide belts, assault rifles, and other firearms.  Among the members of the defendant’s private Telegram market was Abu Luqman, who, at the time, was the ISIS governor for the Raqqa province, ISIS’s de facto capital in Syria.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s Legal Attachés abroad, and foreign authorities in multiple countries on three continents provided critical assistance in this case.  The Office extends its appreciation to the Bosnian State Investigation and Protection Agency, the Bosnian State Intelligence and Security Agency, the Bosnian Foreigner’s Affairs Service, Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosnian State Prosecutor’s Office, the Australian Federal Police, the Victoria Police (Australia), the Australian Border Force, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Attorney-General’s Department, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, Joint Operations Command in Iraq, and the FBI Legal Attaché Offices in Sarajevo, Canberra, Nur-Sultan, and Baghdad, for their extraordinary assistance in the investigation and prosecution.  The Office also thanks the Ministry of Justice for the Republic of Finland, the Stuttgart Police Department and Federal Office of Justice in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Department of Justice & Constitutional Development in the Republic of South Africa, and the central authorities responsible for mutual legal assistance in Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Ukraine, as well as the FBI’s Legal Attaché Offices in those countries for their assistance in the investigation.

The Ali Forney Center- OASIS returns on July 20th!

 

SAVE THE DATE! OASIS RETURNS JULY 20TH

Save the date for Wednesday, July 20th—OASIS returns to its pre-pandemic home at the beautiful, newly renovated Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers! We are thrilled  to welcome back over 800 supporters for the largest LGBTQ+ summer cocktail party in NYC to celebrate AFC's 20 years of service. It is THE event of the summer and you definitely do not want to miss it. OASIS raises critical funds each year for the Ali Forney Center's breadth of services including housing, meals, medical and mental health programs, and more. Click below to sponsor the event, buy tickets, and join the celebration on July 20th, doors open at 7 PM TICKETS AND SPONSORSHIPS

Permits Filed For 2621 Grand Avenue In University Heights, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 2621 Grand Avenue in University Heights, The Bronx. Located between West 192nd Street and West Kingsbridge Road, the lot is two blocks west of the Kingsbridge Road subway station, serviced by the 4 train. Franc Gjini of 2625 Grand Avenue Corp. is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 40-foot-tall development will yield 20,716 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 34 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 609 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar, penthouse, a 40-foot-long rear yard, and 17 enclosed parking spaces.

Node Architecture Engineering Consulting PC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in January for a three-story residential building. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Another large old Bronx house will come down for an apartment building covering the entire plot of land, bringing ten times the people who lived in the house. It will look similar to the building next to it in the picture. 

Former Long Island Resident Indicted for Massive Fraud Scheme Involving Sports Betting

 

Defendant Led Group That Made Tens of Millions of Dollar Misleading Victims into Believing The Group Had Inside Information on College and Professional Sporting Events

 A two-count indictment was unsealed in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging Cory Zeidman with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a sports betting fraud scheme he operated from Long Island and Florida. The defendant was arrested this morning and Florida and will make his initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Miami.  

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ricky Patel, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York, Patrick Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department, and Daniel Brubaker, United States Postal Inspector in Charge, announced the charges.  

“As alleged, Zeidman defrauded his victims, stole their life savings and persuaded them to drain their retirement accounts to invest in his bogus sports betting group, all so he could spend it on international vacations, a multi-million dollar residence and poker tournaments,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Today’s indictment serves as a reminder to all of us to be wary of so-called investment opportunities that purport to have inside information, as they are really a gamble not worth taking.” 

“As alleged, Zeidman preyed on individuals who were led to believe he had inside information that would lead them to easy money. In reality, he was selling nothing but lies and misinformation— bilking millions from victims along the way, leaving their lives in financial ruin and their bank accounts empty,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “HSI will continue to work together with our partners to follow the money and tackle complex financial investigations to bring to justice fraudsters like Zeidman, who finance their lavish lifestyles by concocting ways to bamboozle the innocent when their only real goal is lining their pockets with ill-gotten cash.” 

“Mr. Zeidman took advantage of the public’s interest to “get in on the ground floor” of his sports betting organization.  He devised a criminal scheme to fatten his pockets using nothing more than people’s love for sports and his clever words wrapped around a fraud.  Postal Inspectors remind investors to thoroughly review all investment offers to ensure they are not left with a line of empty promises and a drained bank account,” said Inspector in Charge Brubaker.  

The defendant was the leader of an organization that placed national radio advertisements to lure victims to retain the organization for sports betting advice.  The victims were led to believe that the organization had privileged information that made betting on sporting events a no risk proposition.  Victims were required to pay a fee to obtain this information which, unbeknownst to them, was either fictitious or obtained from an internet search by defendant and his co-conspirators.  Many victims lost their life savings. 

The defendant used the following aliases:  Richard Barnes, Walter Barr, Mr. Carlyle, Ray Palmer, Rick Cash, Elliot Stern, Gordon Howard, David Coates, Simon Coates, Paul Knox, Mark Lewis, Joel Orenstein and Steve Nash.  Some of the company names used by defendant’s scheme were Gordon Howard Global, Ray Palmer Group and Grant Sports International.    

Any individuals who believe they may have been the victim of the alleged crimes perpetrated in connection with this release can contact HSI at 1-866-347-2423. 

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

CONSUMER ALERT: The NYS Division of Consumer Protection Provides Safety Tips to Follow When Using Gas or Charcoal Grills

 

Following Safety Procedures When Grilling Can Reduce Injury and Save Lives 

These Tips Will Help You and Your Family Enjoy a Safe Grilling Season All Summer Long

 Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer for many New Yorkers, and with it, the start of the grilling season. As New Yorkers get ready to fire up their grills this Memorial Day weekend, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) reminds consumers to consider some important safety tips for safe summer barbecues.

“ As we are looking to have fun with family and friends, it is important to keep in mind some safety tips that can make our summer activities more enjoyable,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “This Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of the summer and there is  nothing better than to cook for visitors and relatives to mark the occasion so let’s be proactive and careful by following the tips that will make our gatherings memorable and full of great food and a lot of fun just about all summer long.”

According to statistics from Fire Departments around the United States, there are about 10,600 home grill fires reported annually included around 4,900 fires per year in or on structures. Besides, about 100 deaths due to grill fire injuries are reported and about $135 million in direct property damage per year. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency’s US Fire Administration statistics also reflect that almost half of home grill fires happen between 5-8 p.m. and the majority of home grill fires happen between May and August, the summer months when grills are used more often. Furthermore, 79% of all grill fires are from gas grills

Tips for Using Your Grill Safely:

Before lighting the grill do a safety check.

• Have a fire extinguisher nearby and easily accessible in case of a fire.
• Inspect the hoses on a gas grill for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing and that all connections are secure. Replace if necessary.
• Check for propane gas leaks. Open the gas supply valve fully and apply a soapy solution with a brush at the connection point. If bubbles appear, there is a leak. Try tightening the tank connection. If that does not stop the leak, close the gas valve and have the grill repaired by a qualified professional.
• Make sure the grill is clean. Regularly cleaning the grill, as described in the owner’s manual, and cleaning the grease trap, will reduce the risk of flare-ups and grease fires.
• Make sure the grill is stable and on a level, flat surface. Be sure it doesn’t rock or tip when you open and close the lid. If your grill isn’t set on concrete or pavers, consider investing in a grill mat.
• Always start a gas grill with the lid open. Keeping the lip open while starting the grill allows excess gas to escape. If the lid is closed, the gas can pool under the lid and, when opened, combust suddenly creating a fireball.
• Light charcoal in a charcoal chimney. A charcoal chimney is a safer way of starting a charcoal grill since it doesn’t involve the use of accelerants like lighter fluid.
• Only use grills outside in a well-ventilated area. Never use a grill indoors, in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, next to your home or under a surface that will burn.

Gas and charcoal grills present a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning that could result in injury or death. Of the thousands of grill-related injuries reported in hospital emergency departments each year, many are related to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Pay close attention once the grill is lit.

• Never leave a grill unattended. If a flare-up occurs, turn off the gas or spread out the coals to lower the temperature.
• Watch for grease fires. If a grease fire occurs, turn off the gas and use baking soda and/or a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
• Keep children away from the grill area. The outside surface of a grill can get hot and cause severe burns.

Store your grill and fuel tanks safely.

• Leave charcoal grills outside. Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store a grill indoors with freshly used coals.
• Use caution when storing liquid propane (LP) gas containers. Always keep containers upright. Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill. Never store a full container indoors.
• Transport LP gas containers carefully. Consumers should transport the container in a secure, upright position, and never keep a filled container in a hot car or trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, causing the relief valve to open which will allow gas to escape.

Keep food safety in mind.

• Marinate foods in the refrigerator — never on the kitchen counter or outdoors. If you plan to use some of the marinade as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a portion separately before adding raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Don’t reuse marinade.
• Meat must be cooked to the proper temperature. Germs, such as E. coli and salmonella, can be present in undercooked meats, such as hamburger and chicken. Always check the temperature with a meat thermometer.
• Don’t reuse platters or utensils. Using the same platter or utensils that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood allows bacteria from the raw food to spread to the cooked food. Instead, have a clean platter and utensils ready at grill-side to serve your food.
• Keep cold food cold and hot food hot. Keep meat, poultry, seafood, salads, and other cold foods refrigerated until they’re about to be cooked or served. If grilled food is finished cooking but won’t be served right away, keep it hot until served. To prevent bacteria growth, cold food should be kept at 40 °F or below, and hot food should be kept at 140 °F or higher.
• Refrigerate any leftovers immediately! Never leave food at room temperature for more than two hours, or only one hour if the temperature is above 90 °F.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. 

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.