Governor Hochul Announces State Police Arrest 189 People for Impaired Driving Over Halloween Weekend

 

The New York State Police Issued More Than 11,500 Tickets During the Campaign, Including More Than 4,000 Speeding Tickets

 Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that the State Police issued 11,601 tickets and arrested 189 people for impaired driving during the special traffic enforcement detail over Halloween weekend. The initiative, which targeted speeding and impaired drivers, began on Friday, October 28, and continued through Tuesday, November 1. The enforcement campaign was funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. 

"I applaud the State Police and our law enforcement partners for their commitment to keeping dangerous and impaired drivers off the roads this Halloween," Governor Hochul said. "Through enforcement campaigns like this, my administration will continue to crack down on impaired and reckless driving to prevent needless tragedies and make New York roads safer for all."

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, "I applaud the tremendous work put forth by our members and law enforcements partners that have attributed to the success of this enforcement. We know all too well the preventable tragedies caused by impaired, reckless and distracted driving. We want to remind drivers to make responsible choices every time they get behind the wheel. Our Troopers will remain committed and vigilant in keeping impaired and reckless drivers off the roadways every day." 

During the campaign, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, added more DWI patrols and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices. Troopers also used both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who were violating the law. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

State Troopers arrested 189 people for impaired driving - up 42 percent from the previous year - and investigated 1,006 automobile crashes, including three fatal crashes and 109 personal injury crashes. During the 2021 Halloween weekend enforcement period, which ran one day less than this year's campaign, the State Police issued 7,824 total tickets and arrested 133 people for DWI. 

As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding, aggressive and distracted drivers across the State. Below is a sampling of the total tickets that were issued.

Speeding	4,129
Distracted Driving	233
Seatbelt violations	406
Move Over Law	104

Below are the results of the campaign, broken down by Troop: 

Troop	Region	Speed	DWI Arrests   (# of persons)	Distracted Driving	Child Restraint/   Seat Belt	Move Over	Total   Tickets   (includes other violations)
A	Western NY	368	18	13	38	2	1,063
B	North Country	242	4	3	18	6	784
C	Southern Tier	483	6	12	28	10	1,094
D	Central NY	375	16	40	52	9	1,226
E	Finger Lakes	376	11	19	67	11	1,186
F	Upper Hudson Valley	392	45	25	32	17	1,191
G	Capital Region	392	12	17	42	16	1,051
K	Lower Hudson Valley	518	28	21	37	14	1,134
L	Long Island	232	27	28	32	2	804
NYC	New York City	79	6	21	20	0	550
T	NYS Thruway	672	16	34	40	17	1,518

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Veterans Day Luncheon, 11/10/2022

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Are You a Veteran? - Click Here, complementary ticket

Join the Board of Directors and the leadership team of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the service of 50 veterans during our annual luncheon and recognition ceremony at Pasquale Rigoletto's, 2311 Arthur Avenue on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Under the Board leadership of Anthony Mormile and John Bonizio the Chamber salutes those who sacrificed so much for our communities and our country. This year we honor five veterans from each branch of the Armed Services. We celebrate these individuals for their dedication to protecting our nation's freedoms and ideals:   Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Garcia, U.S Army   Master Sgt. Chris Devoy, U.S Marine Corps   Seaman Michael Ramirez, U.S Navy   Senior Airman Chris Kocovic, U.S Airforce   Petty Officer 2nd Class David Leich, U.S Coast Guard Veterans are encouraged to attend and receive complementary admission to this annual Bronx Chamber signature event. If you are a Veteran that would like to attend, please email: events@bronxchamber.org. If you or your firm would like to sponsor the event and sustained programming for veterans please email, admin@bronxchamber.org.

Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Garcia enlisted in the army in 1990 and followed the tradition of his grandfather who served in WWII and his father who served during the Korean War. Ricardo’s first assignment was with the 94th ARCOM Reserve Unit in Massachusetts. He then moved to Pennsylvania and joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 28thInfantry Division. After a year, he eventually and permanently moved to New York and started his NYARNG career with the 42nd Infantry Division.

While serving with NYARNG, he participated in a number of active duty operations and deployments including Counter Drug Command, 9/11 World Trade Center-Operation Task Force, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Empire Shield and DHS/FEMA CERFP Operation. Additionally his military experience includes working with the Drug Enforcement Agency, U. S. Customs, U.S. Marshalls and the New York City Police Department on counter narcotics and counter terrorism operations. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom SFC Garcia trained the Iraqi Army in motorized operations and tactics. He also provided ground surface maintenance and was a recovery operator for downed or damaged military equipment and vehicles. He was in direct support of the US Army Special Forces 7th Group.

After his military service, he worked with various Veteran Service Organizations as a Career Coach. Ricardo continues to support Veterans at Hostos Community College where he runs the Office of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, he is the Commander of American Legion Post 1065.

Ricardo is currently enrolled in CUNY’s Graduate School of Public Health, where he is working towards a Master’s Degree in Public Health Policy, Management and Administration. 

Master Sgt Christopher Devoy was born in North Dublin, Ireland. He immigrated to the US in 1952 and six months later enlisted in the US Marine Corps. During a 20 year career as a Communications Chief, he rose to the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring in 1973. His tours of duty included support to all three Marine Divisions, Air Wings and Fleet Marine Forces. He deployed aboard the USS Cambria to the Mediterranean and participated in amphibious landings as a Quick Reaction Force during the Cold War. He deployed to Okinawa serving as a Wire Chief supporting 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines in their Infantry mission. Selected for special assignment, he supported Marine Airbase Squadron-31 and led a detachment of Marine providing Humanitarian Relief to Cuban Refugees. He was a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy in Morocco. He served as the Construction Crew Chief and Wire Supervisor for 8th Communications Battalion, and H&S Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC. 

He served as a Career Planner with the Marine Air Base in Beaufort, SC. He was the Communications Chief for H&S Battalion, FMF Atlantic. In 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Air Wing as a Communications Chief in Vietnam and supported Counter Insurgency Operations in Khe Sanh, Chu Lai, Da Nang and Hue City. He participated in Operations SCOTLAND II; LANCASTER II; OWEN MESA; TALLADEGA CANYON; POCHAHONTAS FOREST; MAUI PEAK; WHEELER WALLOWA; BURLINGTON TRAIL and TASK FORCE GALLOWAY.  Upon return from Vietnam, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Air Wing as the Communications Chief. MSgt Devoy’s final assignment was with the Inspector Instructor Staff, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines in Garden City, NY.

Chris is a member of the Marine Corps League and the Throggs Neck American Legion Post 1456. MSgt Devoy was honored as the 2017 Veterans Parade in Throggs Neck.

Seaman Miguel Ramirez served his country in the US Navy since enlisting in April 1972 until his discharge in June 1974. He was last assigned to the 129^th and 196^th Attack Squadron as an Assistant Jet Mechanic in Seattle Washington.

Seaman Ramirez attended Roosevelt HS until the 11^th grade. He left school to join the Navy but did receive his HS Diploma through classes in the military. After the Navy, Miguel worked with the Policia De Puerto Rico as a patrol officer and also worked in Local 272 as an Armored Car Supervisor.

Airman Ramirez is extremely active supporting both Veterans Organizations and the community. He is a member of the American Legion and is currently the Bronx County Commander. He is a graduate of the American Legion College, Department of NY.

Miguel and his wife Stella, their two sons Joseph and Anthony, and their two daughters Mary Elizabeth and Angelica all live in the Throggs Neck Community. 

Senior Airman Christopher Kocovic was born and raised in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. Born, July 18 1994 the Airman was raised by loving immigrant parents from Montenegro; Ljubo and Anna Kocovic. Chris graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx in 2012.

He joined the Air Force in 2014 and was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Assigned as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician, he worked on many different types of equipment. Chris earned his Associates of science in Aerospace Ground Equipment from the Community College of the Air Force in 2017. He was honorably discharged in 2018.

In between shifts at Ljubo's Pizza at Westchester Square in the Bronx he studied at Manhattan College and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership in 2021. Shortly after Chris joined and completed the Fire Academy in 2021 and is now a proud active firefighter stationed at Engine 48 in the Bronx.  

Petty Officer 2nd Class David Leich is the first born of three sons of German immigrant parents, Juergen and Erika Leich, and raised in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx, where I attended St. Frances de Chantal Elementary School, Stevenson and Lehman High Schools.

I signed my enlistment papers to the United States Coast Guard on March 16, 1978, under the delayed enlistment program and entered Basic Training on June 12, 1978, holding the position of Recruit Company Commander and graduated with the rank of full Seaman. My duty stations included Governors Island aboard the CGC “MAHONING” (WYTM-91), a 110’ sea going tug as well as Fort Totten in Queens at a small boat station where I earned my rate of BM 2 and my Coxswain certification. Upon my separation from active duty, I transferred to the Coast Guard Reserve and stationed back at Governors Island at Station NY doing search and rescue where I retired on November 11, 2003.

Upon my enlistment in 1978, I met my wife to be, Ruth Evers, whom I have been married to for 42 years. We have three beautiful daughters, Erika (son-in-law Tony), Katie and Laura. Also, one beautiful granddaughter, Kasie.

Being involved in the community has and is a very important aspect of my life and I have

volunteered in a multitude of organizations. From a Cadet to the Commanding Officer of the St. Frances Sea Cadets, Chief of the Throggs Neck Volunteer Ambulance Corp where I earned my EMT certification. Medical Officer for Boy Scout Troop 182 and Warriors Football. Set builder for Preston Players and all-around handyman for Preston Center of Compassion.

My career other than the Coast Guard was a family business in architectural woodworker,

building custom made furniture; currently I work for Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Riverdale.

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Bronx Chamber of Commerce | 1200 Waters Place, Suite 106, Bronx, NY 10461

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli - New York Drug Overdose Deaths Surged During Pandemic

 

Drug overdose fatalities surged during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York State, with opioid-related deaths increasing by 68% to nearly 5,000 individuals from 2019 to 2021, according to an analysis released by State Comptroller DiNapoli. The surge was largely due to a sharp increase in deaths from opioids related to illicit fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids. Overdose deaths statewide from opioids and all drugs (5,841) in 2021 surpassed the previous 2017 peak by more than 1,700 fatalities.

According to State Comptroller DiNapoli, “The data shows our battle against drug overdose deaths is far from over. State leaders must ensure an ongoing commitment of public resources and strategies, including new funding from legal settlements, and innovative, evidence-based solutions for the fight against this deadly epidemic to be effective.”

Among the guests joining the State Comptroller was Dr. Jeff Reynolds, President and CEO of Family and Children’s Association, THRIVE East End Program Manager Samantha Morales, State Senator Anna Kaplan, Senator John Brooks and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin. Watch the video to hear Samantha’s powerful testimonial of her recovery from a near-fatal overdose, how she “slowly got her life back together” and how her employment at THRIVE has been a “life-changing experience.”

Bronx Gang Member Charged With 2021 Murder

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Keechant L. Sewell, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging JALEEL SHAKOOR with racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, murder with a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition.  The charges relate to SHAKOOR’s murder of Gerry Mazzella on June 3, 2021, in the Bronx, New York.  As alleged in the Indictment, SHAKOOR shot Mazzella in the back of the neck from point-blank range.

SHAKOOR, who was already in federal custody, was presented before Magistrate Judge Barbara C. Moses.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, the defendant committed a murder as part of his gang membership: he shot Gerry Mazzella from point-blank range, killing him.  With these charges, we continue our daily work of investigating and prosecuting those who perpetrate these senseless acts.  We hope this prosecution brings some measure of comfort to the victim’s loved ones.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “This case is an outstanding example of what the NYPD and our law enforcement partners can accomplish when we strike back at the relatively few people responsible for spreading violence and fear in New York City.  Together, we remain committed to thwarting gang activity in all its forms, and to reinforcing the severe consequences that await anyone who dares to jeopardize safety in our neighborhoods.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court:[1]

From at least 2020 to 2022, JALEEL SHAKOOR, a/k/a “Midnight,” was a member of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation (“Gorilla Stone”), which is a set of the national Bloods gang.  Gorilla Stone operated primarily in the northeast United States, including in the Bronx, and in the jails and prisons of New York City and the State of New York.

Members of Gorilla Stone committed robberies and distributed controlled substances in order to enrich themselves.  They also murdered and assaulted members of rival gangs and members of Gorilla Stone in order to resolve disputes within the gang.  Gorilla Stone members promoted and celebrated the gang’s criminal conduct — including drug distribution, acts of violence, and firearms usage — on social media.

On June 3, 2021, in the vicinity of West 165th Street and Woodycrest Avenue in the Bronx, SHAKOOR shot Mazzella in the back of the neck, causing Mazzella’s death.  SHAKOOR committed this murder to maintain and increase his position in Gorilla Stone.

SHAKOOR, 27, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of death or life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; one count of murder through use of a firearm, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of death or life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of possessing ammunition after a felony conviction, which carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentence will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.  He also thanked the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Comptroller Lander Proposes Procurement Reforms to Fight Corruption, Improve Transparency, and Support MWBEs

 

Letter to Mayor Adams urges convening the Procurement Policy Board to close corruption vulnerabilities in the City’s contracting process, increase transparency about compensation and diversity, and raise the MWBE threshold.

In a letter to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander requested a convening of the New York City Procurement Policy Board (PPB) to consider changes to the rules of City procurement to fight corruption and enhance fairness. The letter details three areas of suggested reforms:

1. Raising the MWBE small purchase procurement threshold from $500,000 to $1 million, to match new State law, open up new opportunities, and address ongoing disparities.
2. Closing corruption vulnerabilities in the City’s oversight and administration of not-for-profit human service contracts, with stronger rules prohibiting nepotism and related third-party vendors.
3. Increasing compensation and diversity transparency of NYC contractors and subcontractors.

“Procurement policy often falls to the bottom of municipal priority lists, but for so much essential work, from combating homelessness to providing meals to seniors to fixing bridges to responding to disasters, procurement is how city government gets stuff done,” wrote Comptroller Brad Lander to Mayor Adams.

Comptroller Lander continued, “While the vast majority of the City’s nonprofit partners are dedicated public servants who focus on providing high-quality services and make best efforts to administer public funds responsibly, it is critical that the City have robust procedures in place to ensure integrity and safeguard City resources. Bad actors inevitably slip through cracks, mismanaging City funds at the expense of the vulnerable New Yorkers they serve. Those limited, but high-profile scandals erode public trust in City government, its use of tax dollars, and the organizations working hard to serve New Yorkers in need.”

Procurement reform has been a major area of focus and collaboration for the Comptroller and the Mayor since even before taking office. Comptroller Lander and Mayor Adams convened a task force to address longstanding delays in contracting with the city’s nonprofit human service providers starting in December 2021. Their joint “Clear the Backlog” initiative has unlocked over $4 billion of long-overdue payments, and the task force is continuing to aggressively identify ways to reduce the amount of time it takes for the City to contract with and pay its nonprofit partners. Additionally, the Comptroller’s office has been a core participant in the capital projects task force convened by First Deputy Mayor Lorainne Grillo, working to identify ways to address why the City’s infrastructure projects are so often years late and over budget.

Each year, New York City contracts with nonprofit organizations to deliver critical social services to over three million New Yorkers. In Fiscal Year 2021, New York City procured $12 billion in human services, which accounted for approximately 40% of the City’s total contracting portfolio. The vast majority of these contracts are implemented responsibly, providing early childhood education, after-school programs, affordable and supportive housing, senior services, arts and cultural programming, and much more.

However, a small handful of bad actors exploit vulnerabilities in the City’s procurement process. In November, 2021 the NYC Department of Investigation (DOI) published its “Report on Corruption Vulnerabilities in the City’s Oversight and Administration of Not-for-Profit Human Service Contracts,” reviewing its investigations over the prior seven years into corruption, waste, and fraud in nonprofit human services contracts. DOI made a series of recommendations to close corruption vulnerabilities. Comptroller Lander’s letter proposes to implement DOI’s key recommendations.

The Procurement Policy Board, made up of three appointees by the Mayor and two by the Comptroller, sets and enforces rules for how the City procures goods and services from vendors. The Board has not convened since November 21, 2019 .

The Comptroller urged the Mayor to convene the Board to consider the following reforms:

Raising the MWBE small purchase procurement threshold

The Comptroller proposed amending the PPB Rules to raise the non-competitive small purchase threshold for MWBEs to $1,000,000. On October 6, 2022 the Governor signed legislation to amend the §311 of the New York City Charter, which currently allows the PPB to adopt rules for City agencies to procure goods, services and construction not exceeding $500,000 from M/WBE firms without a formal competitive process. This amendment will double the M/WBE procurement threshold to $1,000,000. In doing so, the City will be able to significantly broaden its range of contracts with M/WBE firms.

Closing corruption vulnerabilities in the City’s oversight and administration of not-for-profit human service contracts

The Comptroller proposed incorporating into the procurement process restrictions on third-party contractors/subcontractors so they cannot be owned or controlled by related parties or relatives and adding anti-nepotism provisions to the PPB rules.  These may include but not be limited to disclosures of conflicts of interest and certifications pertaining to the competitive bidding process through which third party subcontractors are selected. These changes would help to ensure that subcontracted expenditures are paid responsibly and without potential for conflicts of interest, which can result in corrupt or otherwise suspect activities.

Increasing compensation and diversity transparency of NYC contractors and subcontractors 

The Comptroller proposed that the PPB require all City contractors and subcontractors, including both for-profit and not-for-profit contractors, to disclose key information regarding compensation and staff and board diversity:

• Compensation paid to the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and/or functional equivalent of either position along with every contract submitted for registration.

• Maximum, median, and minimum compensation paid to workers employed by that contractor during the previous calendar year.
• Their federal EEO-1 reports, if they are required to file them (i.e., if they have over 100 employees, or are a federal contractor with over 50 employees)
• A board matrix, identifying race/ethnicity, and gender information of their board members

“Together, we can build a stronger post-pandemic New York,” the Comptroller’s letter concludes. “One that provides the best possible use of public resources, provides high quality services, expands opportunities, closes corruption loopholes, and strengthens trust in our City government.