Bronx Borough President Vanesa Gibson's Italian-American Heritage Celebration

 

Thursday night there was Italian food, Italian music, and lots of Italians that came to celebrate Bronx Borough President Vanea Gibson's first Italian-American Heritage Celebration. Even though the rain was coming down,  hard at times, the old lion area in the Bronx Zoo was filled with Italian people and those who came to help celebrate Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson's Italian-American Heritage event. 

While this was her first Italian-American event Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson fit right in with the Italian music, and theme of the event. News 12 the Bronx Anchor Anthony Carlo emceed the event doing a fine job with all the tough Italian names. There were greetings from the Consulate General of Italy in New York, followed by a welcome from Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Wildlife Conservation Society John Calvelli, who mentioned that the building where the event was being held was built by Italian immigrants. 

There was a greeting from Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, who then brought Mr. Calvelli back up to receive a check for five-hundred thousand dollars for the Bronx Zoo which she signed. The honorees were Dr. Gordon Tomaselli, Profesor, Department of Medical Cardiology Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Daniel Lombardi Senior VP/Chief Medical and Quality Officer at SBH Health System, Anna Agovino Owner of La Casa Del Caffe, Mr. Joseph Clarke CEO of Clarke Investors, Youth Award to Demenica Zalle of Preston High School. There was also a Special Presentation to Joseph Sciame,Cav.Uff.President/Chairperson Italian Heritage and Culture committee of New York. Delicious Italian food was provided by Mike's Deli of Arthur Avenue.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson welcomes everyone to her first Italian-American Heritage Festival.

John Calvelli of the Bronx Zoo hold a check for five-hundred thousand  dollars from Bronx BP Gibson.

Bronx BP Gibson with the Youth Award winner Demenica Zalle.

Anthony Carlo of News  12 received a citation from BP Gibson.

A group photo of all the honorees with Anthony Carlo of News 12 and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

A sampling  of the delicious Italian food served by Mike's Deli of Arthur Avenue.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: NYC’S Tech Sector Boom Partially Offset City's Pandemic Job Losses

 

Number of Tech Jobs Grew By Over 30% in the Last Five Years, Despite Overall Decline in Private Sector Employment City’s Tech Sector Second to Silicon Valley for Venture Capital Investment Jobs in New York City’s technology sector grew over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, while most other economic sectors suffered job losses, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report found that tech sector employment in New York City increased by 33.6% (43,430 jobs) from 2016 to 2021 to reach a record high of 172,570 jobs. The city’s private sector lost 3.3% of jobs during this same period. “My latest report provides further evidence that New York City’s tech sector boom helped prop up the city and state’s economies during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DiNapoli. “Despite the pandemic’s impact on the overall economy, the sector grew, and the number of companies and jobs has soared. For the tech sector’s continued success, the city and state should focus on increasing workforce diversity and creating educational pathways into the sector.” New York state’s tech sector employment totaled 321,280 jobs in 2021. Growth in the state that year was fueled by New York City, where 43,430 tech jobs were added. In the rest of the state, the sector lost 3,210 jobs. This loss is mainly attributable to the composition of sector jobs outside of New York City, which are primarily in manufacturing and telecommunications, subsectors which have been declining over the past decade. Not only did tech sector jobs in New York City see substantial growth between 2016 and 2021, but the number of businesses also grew. Tech sector businesses accounted for over 20% of the city’s total private firms added during these years. Over the past five years, the number of tech businesses in the city increased by 34.4% (2,650 firms), reaching 10,340 firms in 2021. Most of these firms consisted of fewer than 10 employees and contributed to the citywide growth in microbusinesses during the pandemic.  How the Pandemic Boosted the Tech Sector While other industries struggled, New York City’s tech sector expanded during the COVID pandemic as people became more reliant on technology during the lockdowns and the shift to working from home. As total private sector employment declined by 12.6% (494,810 jobs) in 2020, the tech sector grew by 9.4% (14,340 jobs), the largest growth since 2012. Amid the pandemic, tech jobs also grew in other “nontech” businesses (such as in retail trade) that employ tech workers like software developers or computer programmers. When combined with the jobs in nontech sectors, the city had a total of 281,100 tech jobs in 2021, 58% higher than in 2011. About the Tech Sector Where Are the Jobs: Nearly 90% (150,400) of the tech sector jobs in the city were located in Manhattan, followed by 7.6% (13,160 jobs) in Brooklyn, where the borough saw tech employment increase by 42.6% from 2016 to 2021. Tech industry jobs increased slightly in Queens and declined in the Bronx and Staten Island. Subsectors: Computer systems design is the largest subsector of tech in New York City, accounting for almost 40% of tech sector employment in 2021. The fastest growing tech subsector in the past five years was software publishers, including app developers, whose employment more than quadrupled. Who Works in the Sector: With an average age of 38, New York City’s tech sector has one of the youngest workforces when compared to the average of 41 years in the rest of the private sector. Workers in the tech sector are also overwhelmingly college educated. However, the sector is less diverse than the rest of the city’s private sector workforce. In 2020, over half (54%) of tech workers identified as White or Caucasian, much higher than the share of 40% among all other workers. Less than 29% of tech workers were women, a much lower share than the rest of the overall workforce share of 47%. High Pay: In 2021, the average salary in tech reached $228,620, almost double the average ($117,810) of the total private sector in New York City. The average salary in tech had the second largest growth in the past five years out of all sectors with over 2,000 employees. Impact on Real Estate: By 2020, technology, advertising, media and information business firms accounted for one-quarter of total real estate leasing in the city, a rate that more than doubled since 1990. Fears of an economic recession have slowed tech leasing in the first eight months of 2022. Tech startups in New York City have benefited from close proximity and relatively easy access to the city’s large pool of investors and venture capital firms. Start-up companies in the New York metropolitan area garnered more than 16% of the nation’s total venture capital investment in 2021, the largest share behind the San Francisco Bay Area. DiNapoli, as the trustee of the state’s pension fund, administers the In-State Private Equity Investment Program, which invested more than $296 million in 170 tech-related New York City companies between 2016 and 2021. While the pandemic provided a significant boost to the tech sector, rapid growth experienced in 2020 began to slow nationwide and locally in 2021, a trend that has continued in 2022. As firms navigate challenges amid a looming recession, the city must continue to monitor trends in tech employment to understand the future direction of the sector and its occupations. This approach should continue to inform the city’s investments in providing the institutional infrastructure and educational opportunities necessary to retain and grow the sector in the future. Report The Technology Sector in New York City

THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE FOR HOME CARE AIDES

 

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced a minimum wage increase for home care aides. Effective October 1, 2022, through Public Health Law § 3614-f, the minimum wage for home care aides has been increased to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, and $15.20 per hour for the remainder of New York State. 

“We know how valuable our home care aides are, especially with the shortages we’re currently seeing,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “This minimum wage increase will ensure home care aides are well paid and able to support themselves and their families, which will help attract more people to the profession. Overall, this will ensure better worker retention and patient care.”

This follows an order by the Commissioner and State Budget Director raising the general minimum wage to $14.20 for counties outside of New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, beginning on December 31, 2022, leading to an additional $1.00 increase an hour for Home Care Aides in those locations.

Under Public Health Law § 3614-f, “home care aide” refers to a home health aide, personal care aide, home attendant or other licensed or unlicensed person whose primary responsibility includes the provision of in-home assistance with activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living or health-related tasks; provided, however, that home care aide does not include any individual (i) working on a casual basis, or (ii) who is a relative through blood, marriage or adoption of: (1) the employer; or (2) the person for whom the worker is delivering services, under a program funded or administered by federal, state or local government.

Home care aides may be owed extra pay in addition to minimum wage rates for:

• Overtime - Home care aides must be paid 1½ times their regular rate of pay for weekly hours over 40 (or 44 for residential employees).
• Call-in pay - If home care aides go to work as scheduled and their employer sends them home early, they may be entitled to extra hours of pay at the minimum wage rate for that day.
• Spread of hours - If home care aides’ workdays last longer than ten hours, they may be entitled to extra daily pay. The daily rate is equal to one hour of pay at the minimum wage rate.
• Uniform maintenance - If home care aides clean their own uniform, they may be entitled to additional weekly pay.

The only time an employer may reduce wages below minimum wage is to claim a limited allowance for meals and lodging, provided they do not charge for those services.

 To learn more about minimum wage rates, visit NYSDOL’s minimum wage webpage and view this fact sheet to learn more about home care aide wages.

Governor Hochul Announces State Landmarks to be Illuminated Pink in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 State Department of Health Highlights the Importance of Routine Screenings, Early Detection, and Increasing Access to Diagnostics and Care

Free Screenings Available by Calling 1-866-442-CANCER (2262)

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that a dozen state landmarks will be illuminated pink this evening, October 16, in honor of breast cancer awareness month. The lighting is aimed at recognizing the importance of routine screenings and early detection to find breast cancer -still the most frequently diagnosed cancer in New York -at an earlier stage and when treatment works best. 

"On Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we honor those we have lost to this tragic disease, and all the brave New Yorkers still battling it," Governor Hochul said. "By illuminating these landmarks in pink, we recognize the advancements that have been made, the work must still be done, and the unwavering support we offer to the heroic survivors. This October, I encourage all New Yorkers to learn about the importance of self-checks and routine mammograms -simple steps we can take to fight this insidious disease." 

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with an estimated one in eight developing the disease in their lifetime. More than 16,800 women are diagnosed and about 2,500 are killed by breast cancer annually in New York, according to statistics compiled by the state Department of Health; about 160 men are also diagnosed with this disease each year.   

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "The pain of losing a loved one to cancer is real for too many New Yorkers. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we remember those we lost and honor the fighters and survivors. The Department of Health will continue to build a foundation of equitable access to screenings, early intervention, and quality care through continued investment, robust policy, and community-based partnerships." 

Landmarks and bridges that will be illuminated include:

• One World Trade Center
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds - Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• The Lake Placid Olympic Center
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal  

Far too often, women are unable to get critical early intervention because they lack insurance: About two thirds of women ages 50 to 74 and lacking health insurance were screened in 2020, according to a new report released by the New York State Department of Health. In comparison, about 83 percent of women with health insurance got screened. 

Moreover, breast cancer takes a disproportionate toll on women of color. While non-Hispanic Caucasian women have the highest prevalence of breast cancer, non-Hispanic Black women have the highest fatality rates, highlighting the gaping racial disparity in health outcomes. 

New York State continues to take nation-leading steps to bridge disparities in breast cancer outcomes and increase access to diagnostics and treatment. Earlier this month, a new funding opportunity was released to award state grants to 21 organizations to run the New York State Cancer Services Program in their communities. The grantees will cover every county and borough in New York and will focus their efforts on individuals who lack access to services and bear a disproportionate burden of cancer, including those without insurance, to reduce health disparities; more information about this funding opportunity is posted on the New York State Grants Gateway. 

Last week, Governor Hochul signed legislationto aid breast cancer survivors to ensure those who choose to have chest reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy or partial mastectomy have proper insurance coverage. 

The most important action women and New Yorkers can take is to have routine breast cancer screenings. To reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, the State Department of Health reminds New Yorkers to: 

• Be aware of family histories and discuss concerns with a health care provider. 
• Discuss the use of hormone replacement therapy with a health care provider. 
• Studies have shown that breastfeeding for longer periods of time lowers the risk of getting breast cancer. 
• Stay at a healthy weight. 
• Exercise regularly. 
• Discuss the risks and benefits of medical imaging, such as CT scans, with a health care provider to avoid unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. 

New Yorkers should talk to a health care provider about getting a mammogram. Those lacking insurance or a health care provider may still be able to get screened: Call the New York State Cancer Services Program at 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) to find a nearby location.  

The New York State Cancer Services Program offers free breast cancer screening for eligible, uninsured New York residents in every county and borough. The call is free, and operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. New Yorkers can also visit our Community Programs List to find a local program by county or borough and call directly. 

DEC Announces $1.4 Million in Grants for 23 Projects in Hudson River Estuary Watershed Communities

 

Grants Will Protect Communities from Future Flooding, Enhance River Access and Education, and Promote Environmental Stewardship

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced grants totaling more than $1.4 million for 23 projects to help communities along the Hudson River Estuary improve water quality and enhance environmental education and stewardship. The announcement coincides with the 20^th Annual 'Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor,' where 5,000 student scientists are gathering along the Hudson River and New York Harbor to collect data on the Hudson's fish and invertebrates, track the river's tides and currents, and examine water chemistry and quality.

"Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul's support, the $1.4 million in grants announced today will help Hudson River Valley communities develop plans and advance work on the ground to become more resilient to the ongoing impacts of climate change while protecting ecosystems and natural resources," said Commissioner Seggos. "New York is undertaking the nation’s most ambitious climate law. These grant awards build on local conservation efforts and priorities to sustainably improve water quality, protect our natural resources, and bolster statewide climate action." 

The grants are administered by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program. Now in its 20^th year, the Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2021-2025. To date, DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program has awarded 617 grants totaling nearly $27 million.

Funding for DEC’s Estuary Grants program is provided by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a critical resource for environmental programs such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. Among the many environmental victories in the 2022-23 State Budget, Governor Hochul succeeded in increasing the EPF from $300 to $400 million, the highest-ever level of funding in the program's history. The EPF supports climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, improves agricultural resources to promote sustainable agriculture, protects drinking water sources, advances conservation efforts, and provides recreational opportunities for New Yorkers. Grant recipients listed by region are:

MULTI-REGION

• Hudson River Watershed Alliance (HRWA) - $50,000: Watershed Characterization: Guidance Document and Planning Support. HRWA will create a regionally applicable guidance document on developing a watershed characterization using the watershed planning framework established by the Department of State and DEC, adding up-to-date information on data sources, the planning process, and best practices.A watershed characterization is the first step in developing a watershed management plan.
  

CAPITAL REGION

Rensselaer County

• Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, Inc. - $23,002: Poestenkill Headwaters Flood Mitigation Wetlands Pilot Project. The goal of the pilot project is to demonstrate the feasibility of detaining flood runoff from major precipitation events on wetlands in the upper Poestenkill watershed, and collect performance data for use in designing full-scale detention installations in these wetlands.
• Riverkeeper, Inc. - $150,000: Undamming Mill Creek. This project funds a site assessment, survey, structural engineering evaluation, and preliminary design and engineering plans for the removal of Kenwood Mill Dam on Mill Creek in the city of Rensselaer, which will open critical habitat for river herring and American eel.

MID-HUDSON VALLEY  

Dutchess County 

• Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies - $75,000: Mid-Hudson Young Environmental Scientists (MH-YES). MH-YES will help high school students from underserved communities and groups traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) build their knowledge, skills, motivation, and confidence to pursue environmental science through a three-week, paid research program.
• Town of Stanford - $20,406: A Natural Resources Inventory for the town of Stanford. The Stanford Conservation Advisory Commission, with assistance from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County and Hudsonia, Inc., will provide GIS analysis, mapping, and documentation of critical habitats and natural resources in the town of Stanford.
  

Dutchess and Putnam Counties

• Pace University - $37,085: Fishkill Creek Watershed Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program. The Land Use Law Center (LULA) at Pace University’s School of Law will implement a community-based LULA program for the Fishkill Creek watershed within Dutchess and Putnam counties, to foster the development of targeted policy, planning, and regulatory tools for natural resource and open space protection, watershed planning, and shoreline resiliency.
  

Orange County

• City of Newburgh - $50,000: Natural Resources Inventory. This project will produce a natural resources inventory for the city of Newburgh that will identify and document areas to protect, including water resources, habitats, viewsheds, wildlife, and natural areas important for climate resilience.
  

Putnam County 

• Walter Hoving Home, Inc. - $100,000: Philips Brook Dam Removal and Restoration Project. This grant will fund design, engineering, permits, and construction documents necessary for the removal of a dam on Phillips Brook in the town of Garrison, which will restore stream habitat and improve flood resilience.
  

Rockland County

• The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York - $74,969: Hudson River Education: Building A Pathway. The Building A Pathway project will enhance the Next Generation of Hudson River Educators paid internship program by offering the opportunity for student teams to develop field-research projects along a range of Hudson River science topics at the Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Field Station in Piermont.

Ulster County   

• Arm of the Sea Productions Inc. - $54,467: Estuary Education in Saugerties-on-Hudson. Arm-of-the-Sea is partnering with Saugerties Lighthouse Conservancy to offer environmental education and workshops about the Hudson River estuary using a newly built watershed model.

Westchester County

• Groundwork Hudson Valley - $49,900: Flood Vulnerability Modeling and Climate Resilience in the Saw Mill River Watershed. Groundwork Hudson Valley and the Saw Mill River Coalition will engage watershed stakeholders in a two-year process to plan for future flood risks. The Urban Systems Lab at the New School will provide an overview of flooding issues in the watershed and characterize the highest risk sites based on climate predictions, to inform future flood resilience plans.
• Groundwork Hudson Valley - $74,500: Furthering the STEM Career Pathway: A Research Fellowship for Yonkers Students at the Science Barge. This project will expand and formalize youth research initiatives at the Science Barge, a floating hydroponic farm and environmental education center in Yonkers, providing high school students with a flexible, paid fellowship research experience over a two-year period.
• Village of Ossining - $50,000: Ossining Riverfront Resilience Plan. This project will create a resilience vision and strategies for environmental sustainability for the Ossining waterfront north of Louis Engel and Gourdine parks, which is projected to be impacted by sea level rise, inundation, and increased flooding over the next three decades.
• Sarah Lawrence College - $70,000: Rising Training Innovative and Diverse Environmental Scientists (TIDES) – EELS Team (Evaluating Estuary Lateral Species). This project supports Rising TIDES, an immersive Hudson River ecology education and research program that will offer 20 Yonkers high school students paid, after-school education and research opportunities during the academic year.

Westchester and Orange Counties

• Riverkeeper Inc. - $68,042: Dam Removal Feasibility on Furnace Brook and Quassaick Creek. Riverkeeper will explore the feasibility of removing three priority dams on Furnace Brook in Westchester County and Quassaick Creek in Orange County to restore natural flow regimes, improve ecological connectivity, and benefit river herring and American eel.

Westchester and Putnam Counties

• Riverkeeper Inc. - $50,000: Water Quality Monitoring in Peekskill Hollow Creek. Riverkeeper will work with the city of Peekskill to monitor and assess water quality in Peekskill Hollow Creek, a critical, regionally significant drinking water supply for more than 100,000 people, identified in the city’s draft Drinking Water Source Protection Plan.

NEW YORK CITY  

New York County

• Billion Oyster Project, Inc. - $75,000: Billion Oyster Project Harbor Education Center. Billion Oyster Project will design and equip a newly renovated building on Governors Island to house the Billion Oyster Project Harbor Education Center. The center will include a public education exhibit, a classroom, and a training center for city public school teachers and community scientists.

• Friends of Hudson River Park, Inc. - $45,791: Hudson River Park Pier 57 Estuary Learning Center. This project will create curriculum and interpretive materials for the Estuary Learning Center, which provides interactive education programs about the park’s 400-acre Estuary Sanctuary for students, residents, and visitors.

• Friends of Hudson River Park, Inc. - $30,348: Hudson River Park River Access Community Planning and Safety Project. Hudson River Park will work with the four paddling and rowing groups and boathouses within the park to plan and implement best practices for safety on the park’s floating docks, which will include improving dock stability to provide resilience against flooding, and installing signage to educate users about safe river access and boating safety.

• Natural Areas Conservancy, Inc. - $73,923: Forest Remeasurement Research Project for City University of New York (CUNY) Interns in Northern Manhattan Parks. The Natural Areas Conservancy will develop environmental science research projects for paid CUNY student interns to conduct field research on the condition of natural area forests in northern Manhattan.
  

• New York Outrigger, Inc. - $60,800: Enhancing Equitable River Access for Adaptive Paddlers. New York Outrigger will purchase adaptive equipment for paddlers of all abilities that includes launching and docking assistive equipment, lightweight outrigger canoes, and wide-base stand up paddleboards and custom paddles, as well as provide training for coaches and volunteers.
  

• Randall's Island Park Alliance, Inc. - $75,000: Working Apprenticeship Through Estuarine Research for Students. Randall’s Island Park Alliance will enhance its current research and internship program, Park-as-Lab, by providing stipends for students from local neighborhoods to conduct environmental research at the island’s 22 acres of restored natural areas, which includes two salt marshes and more than four miles of shoreline in New York City.

Richmond and Bronx Counties

• Waterfront Alliance, Inc. - $65,241: Opening Underutilized New York City-Owned Sites along the Hudson River Estuary for Waterfront Recreation and Access. This project will create community action plans for two potential access sites to the Hudson in underserved communities on the north shore of Staten Island and the Bronx.

For more information about the Hudson River Estuary Program, go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - iMentor Education Summit, 10/27/2022

iMentor is an education non-profit and youth mentoring program working to empower first-generation college students to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions through one-on-one mentorships. iMentor partners with five Bronx high schools. Learn from education stakeholders about what makes their school unique, the joys and challenges their students’ face, and how iMentor supports their students in planning for their post-secondary journeys. Following a lively panel discussion, you will learn more about the iMentor program, how you can become a mentor, and make a difference in the life of a Bronx student. Panelists:   Moderated by O.J. Watson, Associate Director of Program, NYC, iMentor   Ben Grossman, Principal; Bronx Academy for Software Engineering   Michael Barakat, Principal; Bronx High School for Law and Community Service   David Buie, College Advisor; Bronx Leadership Academy II   Kirsten Larson, Principal; Marble Hill School for International Studies

Register - Click Here

Autumn Soiree: An Evening of Networking at Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy Thursday, October 20 at 6:00pm  Network and tour this historic gem in the Bronx and learn stories and tales of its inhabitants. Enjoy a trolley tour of the architectural splendor of one of the nation's most famous burial sites while getting to know fellow New York City business owners and elected officials. Meet at Woodlawn’s historic Woolworth Chapel and network with fellow business owners while experiencing the architectural beauty of Woodlawn illuminated at night. You will be escorted by the Woodlawn Conservancy Trolley, but some walking may be involved. Please dress for fall weather and wear comfortable shoes.  Register - Click Here Land Use & Our Economy Tuesday, October 25 at 10:00am Featuring Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Chair of the Land Use Committee, to discuss Bronx economic development projects including Hunts Point, and the Kingsbridge Armory, as well as zoning text amendment reforms and his thoughts on the Bronx and NYC economy. The Coffee and Conversation series, presented by The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, brings together decision makers, influencers, and thought leaders shaping the economic future of the Bronx and highlights priorities identified by Bronx Chamber members. Register - Click Here For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational  workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the  Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our  website events calendar link in your browser -  new events are added weekly!

 

Shots Fired on Neil Avenue off Williamsbridge Road

 

About 7 PM Friday night shots were fired during an argument between two people on Neil Avenue, between Williamsbridge Road and Yates Avenue. Police from the 49th Precinct closed off the block as they recovered two shell casings from the scene of the shooting. No arrests have been made as of yet as the investigation continues.

A small cone marks the spot where one of the shell casings was found by the police. They are looking at the angle the shot may have been fired.

The shooting took place one block from PS 108 on Neil Avenue. 

Attorney General James Announces 88 Guns Turned in at Binghamton Gun Buyback

 

AG James Has Taken More Than 3,600 Firearms Out of Communities Since 2019

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that 88 firearms were turned in to law enforcement at a gun buyback event hosted by her office and the Binghamton Police Department. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) accepts — with no questions asked — working and non-working, unloaded firearms in exchange for compensation on site. Today’s event is a part of Attorney General James’ ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and protect New Yorkers throughout the state. To date, Attorney General James has taken more than 3,600 firearms out of communities through gun buyback events and other initiatives since taking office in 2019.

“Gun violence is an epidemic that continues to endanger New York families, and removing unwanted guns from communities is one of the tools we have to confront this crisis,” said Attorney General James. “Through our partnership with the Binghamton Police Department, we were able to organize this important event and successfully get 88 guns off the streets. Every gun that was turned in today will help make this community safer. I will keep working to ensure that Binghamton residents, and all New Yorkers, are protected and can feel safer in their homes and neighborhoods.”

Today’s community gun buyback resulted in the collection of 88 guns, including 33 long guns, 50 handguns, three non-working guns, and two assault weapons. Since 2013, OAG has hosted gun buyback events throughout New York state and has successfully collected more than 5,600 firearms. To date, Attorney General James has helped remove more than 3,600 guns out of communities since 2019.

In exchange for the firearms, OAG offered monetary compensation, in the form of prepaid gift cards, when an unloaded gun was received and secured by an officer on site.