Bronx Gang Member Who Shot 12-Year Old Child In Playground Sentenced To 22 Years In Prison

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NICHOLAS JOSEPH, a/k/a “Gotti,” a/k/a “Finesse,” was sentenced today to 22 years in prison in connection with his participation in the Castle Hill Crew, a violent street gang based in the Castle Hill Houses in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx, including for his role in the shooting of a 12-year old child on April 28, 2017, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, fraud, and other acts of violence.  On September 22, 2021, a jury found JOSEPH guilty of racketeering conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, and firearms offenses after a seven-day trial.  U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “For years, Nicholas Joseph actively participated in the Castle Hill Crew, a violent gang that infected the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx with guns, drug dealing, fraud, and violence.  These crimes included a shooting in a crowded playground next to an elementary school, which seriously injured a 12-year-old child.  Today’s lengthy sentence sends an important message to gang members who commit crimes that they will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

As alleged in the Indictment and based on the evidence at trial and statements made in open court:

Between in or about 2014 and in or about December 2020, JOSEPH was a member and associate of the Castle Hill Crew, a racketeering enterprise that operated principally in the Castle Hill Houses in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx.  In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, Castle Hill Crew members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; engaged in fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.

On or about November 19, 2015, JOSEPH and others stabbed a rival gang member in the head and back.

On or about April 28, 2017, JOSEPH shot at rival gang members in the vicinity of the Story Playground in the Bronx, New York, during which a 12-year-old child was injured.

In addition, on or about July 10, 2020, and in or around November 2020 and December 2020, JOSEPH illegally possessed firearms and ammunition. 

In addition to his prison term, JOSEPH, 23, of the Bronx, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Department of Investigation.

VCJC News & Notes 7/1/22

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders Shabbos Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar. Here are the times you need:   Shabbos Candles Friday 7/1/22 @ 8:13 pm Shabbos morning services at 8:45 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.  Shabbos Ends Saturday 7/2/22 @ 9:16 pm   Blood Drive!  VCJC is hosting a blood drive on Sunday, July 31, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm.  We need both people to donate blood and volunteers to help run the drive.   To donate:  https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/296446  To volunteer: Call the office or email Stu Harris.    Happy Independence Day! In observance of Independence Day, the office will be closed on Monday, July 4 Van Cortlandt Jewish Center 3880 Sedgwick Ave Bronx, NY 10463

MAYOR ADAMS TO TURN ON NEW YORK CITY’S SPEED CAMERAS 24/7 ON AUGUST 1, FOLLOWING MONTH-LONG PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

 

Multi-Agency, Multimedia Outreach Campaign in 11 Languages Will Remind Drivers About Coming Change

 

Speed Cameras Are Proven Preventive Tools That Save Lives, Reduce Speeding by 72 Percent

  New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced that New York City’s speed cameras will begin operating 24/7 on August 1, 2022, following a month-long public awareness campaign starting tomorrow to prepare drivers and all New Yorkers for the change. The city’s 2,000 automated speed cameras were previously authorized by the state to operate only on weekdays, between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, missing the 59 percent of traffic fatalities that occurred when the cameras were previously required to be turned off. A state law signed last week by New York Governor Kathy Hochul now allows the cameras to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Speed cameras and automated traffic enforcement are proven, effective safety tools shown to reduce speeding by 72 percent.

 

“New Yorkers deserve to be safe on our streets 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and keeping our cameras on is a critical step in that direction,” said Mayor Adams. “Speed cameras work: They save lives, reduce speeding, and help protect New Yorkers all across the city. And we are expanding this proven program to ensure that New Yorkers have that protection at any time of any day.”

 

“Sadly, we know reckless drivers are on our streets 24/7 — so our cameras must be on 24/7 too,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Thanks to the hard work of many people, our cameras will now be on at all hours, helping to keep our streets safer.”

 

“Overnight and weekend crashes have become far too prevalent in recent years, and we are so grateful that state legislators heard our call for 24/7 speed-camera coverage,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “We thank the mayor for his support as we put together an aggressive plan to get this critical law up and running. As we make the nation’s largest automated enforcement network even more effective, we will get out the word about this new law, which will allow us to start saving lives on our streets as soon as possible.”

The city’s automated enforcement program has been highly effective at both reducing speeding and changing driver behavior when cameras are active. Since the start of the speed camera program in 2014, speeding violations are down 72 percent on average at camera locations in the 750 school zones citywide during the hours they operate. Most vehicles caught speeding have only received one or two tickets since the start of the program. Still, traffic violence and rampant speeding have skyrocketed nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, including in New York City — and 31 percent of on-street traffic fatalities now occur in camera zones during hours when the city’s speed cameras could not previously operate, inhibiting the city’s ability to identify drivers and take appropriate action.

 

Starting tomorrow, July 1, DOT will launch a month-long messaging and outreach campaign to inform New Yorkers of the program’s expansion ahead of the August 1^st implementation date. Digital and print materials will be available in 11 languages.

 

The campaign will include:

 

• Paid Media: The city will leverage paid and pro-bono media to amplify speed camera expansion communications, with a total investment of $500,000 and a special focus on community and ethnic media.

 

• Digital Communications: The city will deploy a 30-day “countdown” social media campaign to provide details of the speed camera expansion and explain the program’s benefits.

 

• Physical Outreach: DOT has produced postcards that will be distributed by DOT Street Teams. Ahead of the August 1^st change, Vision Zero agency partners will partner on a Day of Awareness — a large-scale, five-borough, on-street event. Finally, DOT will produce a notice that will be included in all speed camera violations.

 

• Education Programs: DOT will modify its summer and fall programs in schools, senior centers, and community centers to specifically address the change in the law and the safety benefits of the program.

 

The new effort follows Mayor Adams’ historic investment of more than $900 million in street safety announced in his Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams also announced a plan to redesign 1,000 intersections across New York City to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.

 

“Speed cameras are an essential tool to keep all New Yorkers, from pedestrians and cyclists to TLC-licensed drivers and passengers, safe from traffic violence — but they can’t be effective when they’re turned off,” said New York City Taxi and Limousine Commissioner (TLC) and Chair David Do. “We are grateful to Mayor Adams, Commissioner Rodriguez, Governor Hochul, and the state Legislature for expanding the city’s speed camera program and ensuring that road users are protected from reckless drivers regardless of the time of day.”

 

“Turning speed cameras on 24/7, 365 days a year is a critical step towards improving safety and protecting all New Yorkers,” said New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “As a Vision Zero Task Force member agency, we believe that decreasing speed can lead to an increase in traffic safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. Expanding camera hours is one of many tools we can lean on to improve our city and promote safe driving. At DCAS, we expect all of our fleet operators to remain focused and abide by traffic laws, and we encourage all motorists to do the same.”

Partnerships for Parks - Free Webinars in July

 

WORKING WITH NYC PARKS: HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS Community groups who support neighborhood parks and green spaces are most effective when they understand how NYC Parks operates and develop relationships with staff. NYC Parks may be a challenging system to navigate, but this webinar will help lay the groundwork for a mutually beneficial relationship, so you can best advocate for—and lead—projects in your community. Join us to learn more about: How NYC Parks is structured, both centrally and in each borough. Examples of successful community group relationships with NYC Parks staff. Tips on how to build working relationships and lead park projects. Relevant COVID-19 updates to NYC Parks policies. Featured speakers: Ted Enoch, Director of Catalyst at Partnerships for Parks Ismael Guzman, Outreach Coordinator at Partnerships for Parks Registration for this session is required and will close the day before the event. You will receive information on how to join the webinar once you register. Traducción en Español disponible. Wednesday, July 13, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm REGISTER NOW SOIL HEALTH BASICS WITH NYC PARKS GREENTHUMB Interested in gardening in a local park or green space? Partnerships for Parks (PfP) and sister program NYC Parks GreenThumb bring you a webinar around soil vitality and its impact on plants. Plant health is directly linked to the health of the soil it is growing in. If we take care of the soil, the soil will take care of our plants and crops. Join us to learn: The basics of soil science and soil health. Different ways to assess, prepare, and amend the soil in order to improve its vitality. Featured speaker:  Mara Gittleman, Workshops and Education Coordinator at NYC Parks GreenThumb. Registration for this session is required and will close the day before the event. You will receive information on how to join the webinar once you register. Traducción en Español disponible. Wednesday, July 27, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm REGISTER NOW Volunteers from Different Directions at Ramon Aponte Park on IMP-act Day. SPRING IMP-ACT DAY On Saturday, May 21st, despite the near-record breaking temperatures, Partnerships for Parks (PfP) supported 38 grassroots community groups who held beautification projects in parks across the city for Spring IMP-act Day (It’s My Park Action Day), one of the largest annual citywide volunteer days for parks in NYC.  Throughout the weekend, over 1,000 volunteers came out to remove weeds, spread mulch, trim trees, plant flowers, paint benches, clean trash, and replace fences; beautifying parks, gardens, street trees, beaches, and blocks across New York City ahead of what is sure to be another busy, hot summer with communities needing access to thriving green space more than ever.  Get involved with It's My Park year-round.  FIND A PROJECT Partnerships for Parks is a joint program of City Parks Foundation and NYC Parks that supports and champions a growing network of leaders caring and advocating for neighborhood parks and green spaces. We equip people and organizations with the skills and tools needed to transform these spaces into dynamic community assets.

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in West Virginia Vs. Environmental Protection Agency

 

"From Superstorm Sandy to Hurricane Ida, New Yorkers know all too well that the climate crisis is already here. We have no time to waste in our fight to cut carbon emissions and build a clean energy economy.

"Make no mistake: today's decision by the Supreme Court is a major setback in our fight against climate change. By limiting the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to protect our environment, the Court is taking away some of the best tools we have to address the climate crisis. It presents three immediate priorities: The EPA must swiftly implement the strongest possible new emissions rule, States must redouble our climate efforts, and Congress must pass robust climate legislation this year to allow us to go further, faster.

"New York is once again in the familiar, but unwelcome, position of stepping up after the Supreme Court strikes a blow to our basic protections. But as always, New York is ready. We will strengthen our nation-leading efforts to address the climate crisis, redouble efforts with sister states, build new clean energy projects in every corner of the state, and crack down on pollution harming the health of many New Yorkers. After this ruling, our work is more urgent than ever."

Justice Department Announces Investigation Of New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Division

 

Comprehensive Review of Policies, Procedures, and Training, Including SVD’s Investigations of Sexual Assault Crimes and Treatment of Survivors

 Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Breon Peace, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today a civil pattern or practice investigation into the Special Victims Division (SVD) of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The investigation will assess whether the SVD engages in a pattern or practice of gender-biased policing. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of the policies, procedures, and training for SVD investigations of sexual assault crimes, including how SVD interacts with survivors and witnesses, collects evidence, and completes investigations; any steps NYPD has taken to address deficiencies in its handling of sexual assault crimes; how SVD allocates staffing and other resources; and the services and support offered to survivors of sexual assault. As part of this investigation, the Justice Department officials will reach out to community groups and members of the public to learn about their experiences with SVD.   

Prior to the announcement, Justice Department (Department) officials notified Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell, and NYC Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, who have pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said:  “Survivors of sexual assault should expect effective, trauma-informed and victim-centered investigations by police departments.  Based on information provided to the Justice Department, we find significant justification to investigate whether the NYPD’s Special Victims Division engages in a pattern or practice of gender-biased policing. Investigations into sexual assault that comply with the Constitution promote accountability, enhance public safety and foster community trust.” 

SDNY U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Victims of sex crimes deserve the same rigorous and unbiased investigations of their cases that the NYPD affords to other categories of crime.  Likewise, relentless and effective pursuit of perpetrators of sexual violence, unburdened by gender stereotypes or differential treatment, is essential to public safety. We look forward to working with our partners in EDNY and the Civil Rights Division to assess the NYPD’s practices in this area.”

EDNY U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said:  “Respectful, thorough, and complete investigations of sexual assaults are fundamental to a well-functioning justice system.  Over the last several months, we have learned concerning information from a variety of sources of historical issues about the way the Special Victims Division has conducted its investigations for many years.  Our review is intended to ensure that, going forward, survivors of sexual assault in New York City receive fair and just treatment in the criminal justice system, and as a result, those who engage in sexual violence are held accountable.  We appreciate that the NYPD has already taken steps to address these concerns.”

The Department received information alleging deficiencies at SVD that have persisted for more than a decade, depriving survivors and the public of the prompt, thorough, and effective investigations needed to protect public safety. These deficiencies allegedly include failing to conduct basic investigative steps and instead shaming and abusing survivors and re-traumatizing them during investigations. 

The investigation is being conducted pursuant to the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. The Act allows the Justice Department to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation. The Department will be assessing law enforcement practices under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as well as the Safe Streets Act of 1968.

The Civil Rights Unit in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and the Civil Rights Team in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the Special Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will jointly conduct this investigation. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the Department via email at USANYS.CommunitySVD@usdoj.gov or by calling 212-637-2746. Individuals can also report civil rights violations regarding this or other matters using the Civil Rights Division’s new reporting portal, available at www.civilrights.justice.gov, to the Eastern District of New York at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/civil-rights, or to the Southern District of New York at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/civil-rights.  

Information specific to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division’s Police Reform Work can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download.  The Department’s updated guidance on improving law enforcement response to sexual assault and domestic violence can be found here:  Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias (justice.gov).

Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is available on its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York is available on its website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt.

Attorney General James Issues Statement on SCOTUS Decision Limiting EPA Authority to Regulate Power Plant Emissions

 New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today in West Virginia v. EPA to restrict the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to limit carbon emissions from power plants:

“Today’s ruling is a dangerous and irresponsible restriction on federal agencies’ ability to carry out their functions. Climate change is an imminent and indisputable threat, and EPA must be able to regulate the energy industry so that the worst consequences can be avoided. Despite this setback, my office will continue to be a champion for our environment, our future, and the health of New Yorkers. We will work to end our nation’s reliance on fossil-fuel power plants that pollute our environment, and move towards clean, renewable, and affordable electricity. It’s not too late to move off the path towards climate disaster, but we must take decisive action now.”

Attorney General James has long been a leader in the national effort to protect the planet from the impacts of pollution and climate change. In January 2022, Attorney General James led a coalition of 30 states and local governments in submitting a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in this case, providing a strong legal defense of the ability of EPA and states to set meaningful limits on climate change pollution from power plants under the Clean Air Act. In January 2021, Attorney General James won a lawsuit against the Trump Administration when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the Administration's Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule, or so-called “Dirty Power” rule, which replaced the Clean Power Plan. The Clean Power Plan was the first-ever nationwide limit on one of the largest sources of climate change pollution — existing fossil-fueled power plants. The Trump Administration rule rolled back these limits and would have had virtually no impact on these emissions, prolonging the nation’s reliance on polluting, expensive coal power plants and obstructing states’ progress towards clean, renewable, and affordable electricity generation.   

MAYOR ADAMS’ STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN WEST VIRGINIA V. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency: 

 

“New York City has been a leader in protecting people from the dangers of climate change, but we’ll have to fight even harder because of this horrific Supreme Court decision.  This ruling removes a key ability of the federal government to regulate emissions from power plants throughout the nation, leaving New Yorkers and all frontline communities more vulnerable to increasingly severe hurricanes and coastal storms, longer and hotter heat waves, and more droughts. This Supreme Court has chosen the coal and petroleum industries over peoples’ health and safety. Despite this setback, nothing will change about the work we’re doing, and we’ll continue to work with partners – nationally and internationally – to mitigate the impact this misguided decision will have on our communities.”