MAYOR ADAMS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL RELEASE “MAKING NEW YORK WORK FOR EVERYONE” ACTION PLAN

 

40 Initiatives Offer Roadmap for Future, Including Five Focus Areas for 2023 to Make NYC Best Place to Work

Action Plan Goals Include Reimagining 24/7 Commercial Districts, Shortening Commutes to Work, and Generating Inclusive, Future-Focused Growth 

Plan Builds on Recommendations Crafted by 59-Member “‘New’ New York” Panel Led by Former NYC Deputy Mayors Richard Buery and Dan Doctoroff

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul today released “‘New’ New York: Making New York Work for Everyone,” set of 40 proposals intended to make New York City the best place to work and serve as a roadmap for the city’s future. The New New York panel was launched in May 2022 and is being led by co-chairs and former New York City deputy mayors Richard Buery, now CEO of Robin Hood, and Daniel Doctoroff, former CEO of Sidewalk Labs. The broad and diverse panel of civic leaders and industry experts worked for six months to generate recommendations for the city and state — at a time of historic alignment between the two — to partner with each other and across sectors to reimagine a “New” New York that propels the city and the region forward for its next chapter of equitable, inclusive growth.

“New Yorkers have been through so much in the last three years, and as society shifts in significant ways, the last year has brought remarkable signs of recovery thanks to our resilience and creativity,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is committed to building a ‘New’ New York — a safer, fairer, and more prosperous city that will continue to adapt and thrive throughout the 21st century. And this plan lays out a clear vision for coordinated city, state, nonprofit, and private sector action to reenergize the areas still struggling from the pandemic and supercharge those with new momentum. I want to thank Governor Hochul and the entire panel for their partnership in this critical effort to put our city on the right track, and I look forward to moving that work forward together.”

“Thanks to an extraordinary partnership with Mayor Adams and the New New York Panel, this report is providing the road map toward a stronger, fairer, and more accessible New York,” Governor Hochul said. “We are no longer living in the same New York as we were at the beginning of the pandemic, and these proposals will help to revitalize our business districts, ease New Yorkers’ commutes, promote equity and tackle our 800,000-unit housing shortage. These are the types of bold, ambitious ideas we need right now, and my administration looks forward to closely reviewing the panel’s recommendations in the coming weeks to determine how we continue to make New York an even better place to live.”  

“New York City has always been a beacon of hope and an engine of opportunity. I am so proud that today, the ‘New’ New York Panel, alongside Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, are releasing our report — advancing a bold vision to reimagine New York post-pandemic as an inclusive, future-focused city, with central business districts where people live, work, and play 24/7; transportation policies that make it easier to get to where they want to go; and growth strategies that ensure that all New Yorkers benefit from our recovery,” said Richard R. Buery, Jr., co-chair, ‘New’ New York panel; and CEO, Robin Hood. “While the pandemic turned our world upside down, it also presented a generational opportunity to make New York City the best place in the world to live and to work. Now it’s up to us to make sure that the vision articulated in these pages turn into action and that New York commits to break down the barriers that have prevented so many New Yorkers from realizing their dreams and aspirations.”

“Out of crisis comes opportunity. While the pandemic and the problems it has created, especially its impact on the way we work and our commercial districts, are significant, New Yorkers never back down from a challenge,” said Daniel Doctoroff, co-chair, “New” New York panel; and former CEO, Sidewalk Labs. “The panel’s report is comprehensive and bold and, most important, has the once-in-a generation alignment of the governor and mayor. We have the opportunity to spur growth that is equitable, get people where they need to go faster, reimagine our key commercial districts, and make New York City the best place to work no matter what you do or where you do it from.”

Cover of “‘New’ New York: Making New York Work for Everyone.” Credit: “New” New York Panel

While the initial scope of the panel focused on reviving New York City’s business districts — especially those that have been slower to recover in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic like Midtown and Lower Manhattan — the panel quickly expanded its focus to address a wider range of interconnected challenges affecting all New Yorkers, from transportation to housing and from public space to childcare. The city and state’s action plan reflects this expanded focus by proposing three overarching goals that work together to ensure that New York works for all New Yorkers:

1. Reimagine New York City’s commercial districts as vibrant 24/7 destinations: Transforming New York City’s single-use business districts into great places where people live, work, and play.
2. Make it easier for New Yorkers to get to work: Improving commutes into Manhattan while strengthening employment hubs and workspaces across the five boroughs so people can work closer to home.
3. Generate inclusive, future-focused growth: Supporting the growth of jobs and innovation and breaking down barriers to economic mobility.

Across those three goals, the plan proposes 40 initiatives — to be advanced through legislation, policy changes, additional funding, and other actions — that Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul embrace as a roadmap for the future, including the following five key areas of action for 2023:

1. Make Midtown and other business districts more mixed-use and flexible: Actions include facilitating market-based conversion and redevelopment of outdated office buildings to residential uses, easing conversion of buildings built before December 1990, eliminating the 12 floor area ratio cap on residential buildings, and passing the ‘City of Yes for Economic Development’ zoning text amendment to create needed flexibility to fill vacant storefronts and allow businesses to evolve and expand.

2. Create modern, pedestrian-oriented districts with major public realm interventions: Actions include appointing a director of public realm at City Hall to oversee all public realm-related policies and projects, advancing a coordinated master plan to reclaim street space for new pedestrian and cyclist spaces in Midtown, and bringing public realm improvements to business districts and job hubs in all five boroughs. 

3. Increase the supply of housing by removing regulatory barriers to housing growth across the city, to increase affordability, reduce displacement and encourage inclusive communities,ensure workers have access to stable housing, and give employers confidence that they can retain and attract talent in New York City. To meet this urgent moment of our housing crisis, this set of city and state legislative changes will encourage housing production for all income levels to address the need for hundreds of thousands of new housing units across the city and state over the next decade.

4. Increase access to jobs and decrease commute time to Midtown and other business districts: Actions include dramatically expanding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) CityTicket program to make all Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad trips, including peak travel, that begin and end within New York City cost only $5, while encouraging greater housing density around downstate regional transit-oriented development.

5. Help working families participate in the labor force and drive an equitable recovery by making childcare accessible and affordable: Actions include continuing to implement the city’s childcare blueprint, encouraging uptake of the recent Business Income Tax Credit and Property Tax Abatement for creation of new childcare seats, exploring expanded eligibility for childcare vouchers and the Empire State Child Tax Credit, and clarifying and streamlining city regulations around using second floor and basement spaces for childcare centers.

The remainder of the 40 initiatives can be viewed in the full “‘New’ New York” report.

The implementation of the action plan will be led by the “New” New York Leadership Steering Group, a cross-governmental convening hosted by the first deputy mayor and the director of state operations and led by the deputy mayor for economic and workforce development and the deputy secretary for economic development and workforce. A new, dedicated senior advisor in the Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning will be hired to staff the steering group and oversee the day-to-day management of implementing the plan. Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul plan to make additional policy announcements informed by these recommendations in the weeks ahead. 

“Today’s action plan demonstrates a unified vision for the city from the mayor and governor to reimagine our commercial districts, increase the supply of housing, and support working families,” said First Deputy Mayor Lorraine Grillo. “I commend the 'New' New York panel and its co-chairs, Richard Buery and Daniel Doctoroff, for their creativity and commitment in leading this diverse set of stakeholders to results: 40 initiatives for us to work towards reviving the city.”

“Over centuries and through various crises, we have made decisions that have changed the course of our history, the lives of our people, and the fate of our industries. I'm thrilled that the city and state teams are releasing this action plan today, which will do the same and will build on months of hard work and invaluable insight from the ‘New’ New York panel,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “Now the hard work of implementing this plan begins, and I look forward to working with the broad and growing coalition of partners that this effort has brought together to build a stronger city that works for every New Yorker and that continues to lead the world.”

“With the release of the ‘Making New York Work for Everyone’ action plan, the New York City of tomorrow starts today,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “Front and center in this plan is strengthening our economy — but through an equity lens, building on the foundation of the administration’s multibillion-dollar childcare blueprint and breaking down historic barriers that have long prevented economic mobility for Black and Brown communities. I applaud the cross-sector collaboration and bold vision that will transform our city for the better.” 

“The pandemic highlighted the social and economic necessity of a creative, expansive, and thoughtful approach to designing and broadening our city’s public spaces,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “As the nature of office work shifts, we need to also reimagine our business districts across the city as public space assets by transforming them into modern, walkable pedestrian-orientated destinations for residents and tourists of all ages.” 

“The ‘New’ New York panel outlines a clear vision for bringing the city back from the pandemic stronger than ever, and that includes ensuring all of our neighbors have the housing, supports, and resources they need,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “I applaud former Deputy Mayors Buery and Doctoroff for their continued dedication to our city and look forward to working with everyone as we build a new New York together.” 

“The ‘Making New York Work for Everyone’ action plan outlines a new path forward for New York City that reimagines our commercial business districts with more mixed-use buildings and major public realm improvements, making it easier and more affordable for New Yorkers to get around, while spurring equitable economic growth,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “This series of recommendations, led by two former deputy mayors and some of New York’s most innovative thinkers, showcases the untapped potential of not only Midtown but the entire New York City region. I look forward to working with my partners in government and the private sector to bring these recommendations to life and continuing to build a more vibrant and inclusive economy for all New Yorkers.” 

“This is a smart, New York City-sized plan, designed to meet our current challenges head-on,” said City Planning Commission Chair and New York City Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick. “Together, we can create a city that helps New Yorkers more easily find an affordable home, a good-paying job, and a streamlined commute, and enjoy even better public open space. Let’s get to it.” 

“New York City is the greatest city in the world, and we must continue to make investments that ensure this city works for everyone,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “This agency is laser-focused on expanding housing supply to make this city more affordable for New Yorkers, so parents can raise their children here, young people can pursue their dreams, and older New Yorkers can age with dignity.”  

“The ‘New’ New York panel’s goals and recommendations have rightly recognized that inclusive, future-focused growth depends on positioning New Yorkers for career success beginning in K-12 and throughout their lives,” said Mayor’s Office for Talent and Workforce Development Executive Director Abby Jo Sigal. “Reimagining the New York City Workforce Development Board, embedding student career success objectives and work-based learning opportunities in New York City public schools and City University of New York programs, and expanding opportunities for New Yorkers to earn while acquiring employer-valued credentials are concrete steps we can take to realize a more inclusive economy and prosperity that is truly shared.”

“Businesses thrive where DOT creates welcoming public spaces for pedestrians and cyclists,” said New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “As we continue our pandemic recovery, DOT is committed to repurposing streets to create a healthier, more vibrant city. We thank Mayor Adams for his vision and this incredible partnership with the governor — and we look forward to even more collaborations on these exciting initiatives.”

“New York City’s future is built on innovation,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “This action plan consists of groundbreaking ideas to reimagine our commercial corridors, facilitate transportation, and ensure our city is future-focused on growth, while supporting entrepreneurship. Our small businesses, and the millions of residents who both work and patronize them, will benefit greatly from this plan.” 

“This administration has been clear: The status quo just isn’t going to cut it anymore,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “We’re committed to rethinking collection, exploring containerization, and finally getting the job done on cleanliness, so New York can come back stronger than ever.” 

“Art and culture are at the heart of what makes New York such a vibrant, lively place to live, work, and play,” said New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “I’m excited to get to work on the ‘New’ New York panel's far-reaching strategies for investing in and leveraging our cultural assets, so they can contribute to the vitality of our local businesses and neighborhood hubs.”

“It was my distinct privilege to be part of the creative conversations these past six months. Planning and maintaining beautiful, accessible, and inclusive public realm interventions will go a long way in creating vibrant destinations and livable neighborhoods around our business districts,” said New York City Public Design Commission (PDC) Executive Director Sreoshy Banerjea. “The PDC stands ready to help the future public realm director in creating a holistic approach to coordinating a thriving public realm.”

“New York City’s tourism economy contributes hundreds of thousands of jobs, supports businesses in all five boroughs, and showcases New York City as one of the world’s leading destinations for business and leisure travel,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “We welcome today’s recommendations by the ‘New’ New York panel and support a comprehensive strategy to ensure continued investment and innovation that supports New York City’s recovery and growth.”

“New York City is the creative capital of the world, supporting more than 500,000 jobs and $150 billion in economic activity within the media and entertainment sectors,” said Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo. “We look forward to the ‘New’ New York panel, reimagining these commercial districts as vibrant hubs for creativity, innovation, and inclusive growth that will help bolster these vital sectors, which are the heart and soul of our city.”

“Throughout our nation’s history, New York City has consistently and successfully reinvented itself like no other city in the world, and we are primed and ready to do it again,” said State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “There is no other place with as many unique opportunities as New York City, and I commend Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams for collaborating on this blueprint to move the City and its surrounding regions forward. This plan is about reimagining the city we all love and working together to bring it back better than ever before, with transportation playing a major role in these efforts. How we move people and goods from place to place — safely and efficiently — while creating new opportunities for a better quality of life is at the heart of the vision laid forth by the Governor and the Mayor. This is a roadmap to future prosperity that all New Yorkers can get behind and more importantly a unified vision for a New New York.”

“This collaborative plan expands on the state’s historic investments in childcare OCFS has proudly administered,” said New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Sheila J. Poole. “Working families are strongest when they can rely on the flexibility provided by quality, affordable childcare. We must also do everything we can to support women in the workforce by ensuring greater access to these programs. I am excited to see how the panel’s recommendations further enhance our relentless effort to fulfill that mission.”  

“It was an honor to work with talented individuals from diverse fields in the ‘New’ New York panel to develop concrete proposals to reimagine and transform our commercial districts and foster inclusive economic growth, taking careful account of the needs of communities of color, women, and individuals with disabilities,” said Khin Mai Aung, executive director, New York, Generational Citizen. “In particular, as the pandemic has widened economic disparities and wreaked a disproportionate toll on lower income people of color, I hope some of these proposals can play a small part in reducing these disparities, creating new opportunities, and improving the lives of all New Yorkers.” 

“I was honored to be asked by Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul to serve on such a broad and diverse cross-section of civic and business leaders on the ‘New’ New York blue-ribbon panel to help advance a city-state agenda for long-term, transformative initiatives to reinvigorate and repurpose our central business districts into vital and safe 24/7 communities where New Yorkers work, commute, and live,” said Fred Cerullo, president and CEO, Grand Central Partnership. “I look forward to working with our partners in government and our neighborhood stakeholders on many of these exciting ideas as we move into the new year.” 

“This action plan establishes the big ideas we must immediately implement in response to our new reality — if every present and future New Yorker is to thrive, we must improve our shared quality of life by building a vibrant world-class public realm; we must make our commercial districts more mixed-use through strategic office-to-residential conversion; we must improve commuter time and experience by reducing private vehicle use; and we must strengthen our social infrastructure,” said Vishaan Chakrabarti, founder and creative director, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism. “Time is of the essence—we can and must do this now.”

“As a highly motivated and enthusiastic stakeholder and cheerleader for New York City’s return to its pre-eminent position among world-class cities, the Hotel Association of New York City is thrilled to see the rollout of the mayor’s ‘New’ New York panel initiatives,” said Vijay Dandapani, president and CEO, Hotel Association of New York City. “We are confident that these initiatives will not only bring New York back to the forefront but also take us to new heights.”

“Implementing the panel’s recommendation will help New York maintain its identity as a vanguard of sustainable urbanism,” said Cara Eckholm, chief revenue officer, Nabr; and visiting scholar, Cornell Tech Urban Tech Hub. “As a fourth generation New Yorker who lost a family member to COVID, I am so proud to see the city and state emerge from the pandemic as a united front. Initiatives ranging from an improved bike network to an expanded pilot program for urban technology will bring vibrancy to the city.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for all New Yorkers, shaking the basic foundations of how we live and work in society. Immigrants were at the forefront of the economic survival of our state, doing much of the essential work that keeps New York moving,” said Murad Awawdeh, executive director, New York Immigration Coalition. “Today, the governor and mayor have released an action plan on what’s next for New York’s economy during COVID. Many immigrant and low-income New Yorkers continue to struggle to make ends meet and are still exposed to health hazards in order to do their jobs. We must bring everyone along in New York’s economic recovery and ensure more equitable opportunities moving forward, to build a stronger, more diverse New York together.” 

“We are delighted to have been part of the ‘New’ New York panel and commend the joint action plan that has been developed,” said Wayne Ho, president and CEO, Chinese-American Planning Council. “New York City’s Asian American neighborhoods were negatively impacted two months before the state shut down in March 2020 due to COVID, so our city’s economic recovery should be inclusive and equitable. We are supportive of the action plan’s focus on increased childcare, improved transportation, increased housing, and expanded job opportunities for communities of color, women, and people with disabilities.” 

“The ‘New’ New York panel recommendations are bold and yet pragmatic in helping commercial districts across the city, in a way that focuses on inclusive recovery,” said Angie Kamath, dean, New York University School of Professional Studies. “Good jobs, good benefits, flexibility, and economic mobility are critical to New York City, communities, and families. The ‘New’ New York panel worked to prioritize near-term work with anchor New York city institutions to create opportunities for years to come.” 

“I’d like to thank Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul for convening the ‘New’ New York Panel, as well as our fellow panelists for their tremendous contributions over these past months. An equitable recovery for this city is critical to the future of New York City’s hospitality workers, who have faced some of the hardest challenges these past few years,” said Rick Maroko, president, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO. “So many of the ideas generated from this panel will undoubtedly help get our members back to work, and I look forward to seeing those ideas turned into action.” 

“The joint action plan offers a tremendous opportunity to bring together public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders to create a better and more equitable New York,” said Melva M. Miller, CEO, Association for a Better New York (ABNY). “Key to the plan will be improving the livability of our central business districts in all five boroughs, thereby creating inclusive opportunities for growth as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. ABNY looks forward to continuing to work with the governor, mayor, and all of the stakeholders to implement the plan.” 

“New York cannot rest on its laurels when the competition for remote workers is so steep,” said Jessica Walker, president and CEO, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “Thankfully, Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul understand this. They had the foresight to assemble the best minds to help our city reinvent itself, just as it has done time and time again throughout its great history. Now, we must all pull together to implement the needed changes.” 

“This plan advances the cooperative efforts of Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to embrace a shared vision for our city’s post-pandemic future,” said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO, Partnership for New York City. “It includes action items that a broad coalition of New Yorkers who participated in the ‘New’ New York panel are prepared to help bring to fruition.” 

“Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams are to be commended for their unprecedented partnership in convening this incredible group of leaders — and for the work done to re-envision the future of our city and region,” said Lourdes Zapata, president and CEO, South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. “The emphasis on equitable recovery and proactive and progressive problem solving will ensure that the goals and objectives of this plan, visionary and ambitious, will touch every corner of our city. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that this expansive plan is put into action to ensure the ongoing success of our small businesses, strong support for all members of our community, particularly the BIPOC and otherwise disenfranchised groups, and reimagined city is worthy of future generations and what they deserve.”

Permits Filed For 536 East 183rd Street In Belmont, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a six-story mixed-use building at 536 East 183rd Street in Belmont, The Bronx. Located between Third Avenue and Bathgate Avenue, the lot is near the 182-183rd Streets subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Dean St. Realty LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 70-foot-tall development will yield 39,136 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 58 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 674 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 30-foot-long rear yard, and 19 open parking spaces.

Gladmore Mwandiambira of Baobab Architects is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

MAYOR ADAMS ESTABLISHES FIRST-EVER OFFICE OF ENGAGEMENT, STREAMLINES CITY’S CIVIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS

 

Mayor Creates Chief Engagement Officer to Coordinate and Lead New Office of Engagement 

Appoints Chief Democracy Officer, Re-Appoints Chair and Executive Director of Civic Engagement Commission, NYC Chief Service Officer, Executive Director of Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today took efforts to streamline the city’s civic engagement efforts by establishing the city’s first-ever Office of Engagement and appointing Betsy MacLean as its chief engagement officer. The chief engagement officer will ensure that the city coordinates community engagement efforts across agencies, systematically learns from communities to inform policy and programs, builds the capacity of all city agency outreach and engagement teams, and advances community-driven solutions. In addition to leading the Office of Engagement, MacLean will oversee the city’s primary engagement offices: the Community Affairs Unit (CAU), the Civic Engagement Commission (CEC), the Public Engagement Unit (PEU), and NYC Service. 

“Community engagement is a core pillar of this administration. We are committed to ensuring that New Yorkers have the tools they need to better engage with government and access its benefits, but to also do it in a more streamlined, simple-to-use manner,” said Mayor Adams. “The newly created Office of Engagement will ensure that we continue to collaborate, coordinate, and prioritize engagement across all agencies and that New Yorkers have a say in our policies, priorities, and resources. There is no better person to lead this effort than Betsy MacLean. Betsy chaired our Civic Engagement Committee during the transition and has had a groundbreaking career in community development for over 20 years. Once again, I have an all-star team of five women leading the charge with Betsy, Sarah, Laura, Adrienne, and Kathleen, and working alongside Fred Kreizman at CAU — all heading up our city’s engagement efforts. Together, we will continue to ‘Get Stuff Done’ and engage New Yorkers in new and creative ways.”

To maximize the opportunities for New Yorkers to work hand-in-hand with government, Mayor Adams also made these key appointments and reappointments:

• Kathleen Daniel, chief democracy officer, CEC
• Adrienne Lever, executive director, PEU
• Laura Rog, NYC chief service officer, NYC Service
• Dr. Sarah Sayeed, chair and executive director, CEC

These five appointments/reappointments will work hand-in-hand with CAU Commissioner Fred Kreizman.

“The Adams administration is committed to re-structuring government to ensure that our policies and programs are aligned with the priorities of the communities we serve each and every day,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “Betsy MacLean is a talented public servant who has dedicated her time in government to advancing community-driven initiatives and I know that there’s no one better to lead our city into this new era of participatory democracy. I’m thrilled she will be joined by our talented team of community engagement experts, including, Commissioner Fred Kreizman, Chief Democracy Officer Kathleen Daniel, Chair and Executive Director Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Chief Service Officer Laura Rog, and Executive Director Adrienne Lever.”

“I believe that democracy is a team sport,” said New York City Chief Engagement Officer Betsy MacLean. “I’m grateful to the mayor for the opportunity to work together with city agencies, community-based organizations, small businesses, and New Yorkers themselves to create the kind of civic infrastructure that will enable every New Yorker to have a say in all of the systems that shape our lives — from housing to jobs, schools to transportation, health care to parks. From my decades of experience working with residents throughout our city and beyond, I know that community engagement is not a photo op or a box to check; it is deep partnership, consensus building, power sharing, and paradigm shifting. And when we do it right, this kind of inclusive democracy builds community power, brings us closer together, and results in better policies and better outcomes. What a thrill to work alongside these inspired engagement leaders to expand our definition of civic engagement beyond elections, increase opportunities for government to work together with communities and amplify the voices of our neighbors.” 

“Congratulations to Laura Rog on her reappointment as the chief service officer for New York City,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Deputy Commissioner Collaborative Policing Chauncey Parker. “Laura is a visionary leader and great partner. Together with Laura and her exceptional NYC Service team, the NYPD has built a Youth Leadership Council in every NYPD precinct and command — connecting hundreds of young people and police officers to serve communities across New York City.”  

“Our ability to respond to emergencies is made stronger by our network of volunteers, who are ready to offer a helping hand to all New Yorkers recovering from any disaster,” said New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Commissioner Zach Iscol. “Through the Volunteer Coordination Task Force, Laura Rog and NYC Service are active partners with NYCEM. From the COVID-19 pandemic to Hurricane Ida and many other task force activations, Laura has been a tremendous partner to us. She is an incredible champion for what volunteerism can do and does for all New Yorkers. We are thrilled to continue to get to work with her and that she will continue to be a part of NYC Service. And Adrienne Lever and her team have been fantastic partners throughout a number of critical emergency responses efforts. The work she and her team did to support asylum seekers arriving at Port Authority was nothing short of heroic, and I am very grateful to know that we will continue to have Adrienne and PEU's support as we continue to serve New Yorkers through the challenges that lie ahead.”

“I want to extend my congratulations to Betsy MacLean and all of these distinguished women who have been nothing short of extraordinary partners in city government” said New York City Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Fred Kreizman. “Our mission at CAU is to connect communities across the city directly to City Hall, and all of our agencies work together hand-in-hand to serve every neighborhood. I look forward to the continued partnership with this amazing team to continue to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for the communities we serve.”

“For decades, Dr. Sayeed has worked tirelessly to expand democracy and ensure that all New Yorkers have a direct role in shaping the future of their communities and our city. She is caring, compassionate, and focused on execution — uplifting diverse voices to spur action within government and beyond,” said New York City Mayor's Office of Equity Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “I am thrilled to continue working with Dr. Sayeed and this all-star engagement team.”

“Adrienne Lever's visionary approach to collaboration between city agencies like ours ensures that we are reaching all New Yorkers on critical issues, including health, housing, and more,” said New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon. “The Department of Veterans’ Services celebrates the reappointment of Adrienne Lever as executive director of the Office of Public Engagement and our continued collaboration, especially as we work towards expanding health insurance access to veterans.” 

“We’re thrilled to congratulate Betsy MacLean on her new role as chief engagement officer,” said José López, co-executive director, Make the Road New York. “New Yorkers across the city understand that effective governance requires meeting communities where they are, engaging in good faith, and executing on community-generated strategies. Having a chief engagement officer to build out civic infrastructure and maintain connection between agencies is a step forward in that direction, and, as a long-time partner of Make the Road New York, we are confident that Betsy MacLean is the right choice to lead this effort. Betsy has spent her career working in partnership with communities — designing, managing and implementing community engagement strategies to promote racial and economic justice. We look forward to working with Betsy to ensure that New York City prioritizes the voices and ideas of our members and neighbors across the five boroughs.” 

“I am thrilled to see the administration make a coordinated effort to improve interagency collaboration and public participation, and Betsy MacLean is uniquely qualified to lead that charge,” said Linda E. Johnson, president and CEO, Brooklyn Public Library. “I look forward to working together toward our shared mission of strengthening democracy and empowering New Yorkers to remain engaged and informed.”

“I am thrilled that Mayor Adams is creating the position of chief engagement officer to deepen community engagement and outreach across all agencies, and there is no better candidate than Betsy MacLean. I have seen firsthand the dedication, drive, and commitment to community input that Betsy brings to all her work to ensure New York City neighborhoods are informed and involved in our democracy,” said Thomas Yu, executive director, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE). 

“The designation of a chief engagement officer and the strengthening of New York City’s civic engagement and outreach infrastructure will ensure that communities that have had historically limited access will now have meaningful influence,” said Marco A. Carrión, executive director of El Puente and former commissioner, New York City Community Affairs Unit. “The combined experience, talent and commitment that Betsy MacLean, Dr. Sarah Sayeed and all the exceptional leaders appointed today bring to their roles will spur a definite shift in how our communities’ voices are centered.”

“Dr. Sayeed is one of the strongest champions for civic participation in our city. I have worked closely with her over the last four years and watched her fearlessly lead the charge to implement the impressive charter mandate of the Civic Engagement Commission,” said Anetta Seecharran, CEC commissioner and executive director, Chhaya Community Development Corporation. “Dr. Sayeed has a remarkable ability to find common ground among diverse voices and push forward for the betterment of our city and our communities. I am delighted she will be able to continue to build on the solid foundation she has established over the last four years.”

“On behalf of the staff, board, and faith-leader constituents of the Interfaith Center of New York, I celebrate the re-appointment of Dr. Sarah Sayeed as chair and executive director of the CEC,” said Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, executive director, Interfaith Center of New York. “Under Dr. Sayeed's leadership these past few years, the Commission has flourished — providing language assistance at polls and participatory budgeting tools to congregations and community associations around the city. Dr. Sayeed’s continued leadership at the CEC is welcome news for all New Yorkers who seek to strengthen our diverse democracy.”

“During the pandemic, Laura worked closely with New York Cares to mobilize New Yorkers in volunteer opportunities pivotal in our city-wide response,” said Sapreet K. Saluja, executive director, New York Cares. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Laura and NYC Service, while championing new and innovative approaches to service throughout the five boroughs.”

“For over two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kathleen served as director of community engagement for the NYC Test & Treat Corps’ contact tracing effort, helping our program reach hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and offering critical support in their greatest time of need,” said NYC Test & Treat Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long. “New York City is lucky to have dedicated public servants like Kathleen, a born-and-raised New Yorker who knows how to engage our city’s diverse communities and is a champion of civic participation. I wish her luck in her new role as New York City’s chief democracy officer and I know New York City voters will be more engaged and informed because of her leadership.”

“Kathleen Daniel has been a tireless advocate throughout her career, fighting for all New Yorkers to be included and heard in the democratic process,” said Omar Khan, former executive director, Mayor's Public Engagement Unit. “In our work together at Census, she was a leading voice and strategist in organizing the effort to engage millions of residents all across the five boroughs. She has the ideal combination experience, vision, and integrity to serve as our city's next chief democracy officer.”

“It gives me great pleasure and excitement to formally pass the baton to Kathleen Daniel as our city’s new chief democracy officer,” said Laura Wood, leadership in government fellow, Open Society Foundations, and former chief democracy officer, NYC. “The chief democracy officer plays a central role in setting the priorities and strategy for engaging New Yorkers at every level of civic participation. It requires an individual with compassion and real experience building lasting relationships and centering community voice in our democratic processes. With this appointment, the Civic Engagement Commission will be even stronger in its mission to build trust in democracy in New York City and given Kathleen’s extensive experience in community engagement, there is no better person for this role.”

“As we forge forward in creating a city reflecting the diversity of New Yorkers, I am proud of Mayor Adams and his administration on the reappointment of Dr. Sarah Sayeed,” said Dr. Debbie Almontaser, CEO & founder, Bridging Cultures Group Inc. “Dr. Sayeed is no stranger to this work and she will continue to build bridges of engagement that will allow every New Yorker feel a part of the beautiful mosaic we call New York City.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

 

I, alongside Governor Kathy Hochul and my other colleagues in government, attended the groundbreaking for the Penn Station Access Project that will bring four new Metro-North stations to the East Bronx. These stations will make it easier for commuters to get to their destinations and will help to eliminate transit deserts in our borough. Thank you to Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, Congressman Torres, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, MTA and Amtrak for recognizing the importance of transit access and equity in New York City. We look forward to seeing the completion of this important project! 

 

Last week, we celebrated the holiday season with our Winter Wonderland Extravaganza. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of music and dancing and all of our partners that helped to make the event a success. 

 

The holiday festivities will continue in the coming days with our Chanukah & Menorah Lighting on Tuesday, December 20th from 4PM-6PM at Bronx Borough Hall and our Bronx Chanukah Celebration on Wednesday, December 21st from 10AM-11AM at the Riverdale Y. 

 

Lastly, with the rise in COVID-19, as well as Flu and RSV cases in the Bronx, we encourage everyone to take necessary precautions when gathering this holiday season. Get vaccinated and tested for COVID-19 before gathering with friends and family. Vaccinations save lives and can also keep your loved ones safe. 

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

United States Attorney Announces Charges Against FTX Founder Samuel Bankman-Fried

 

Bankman-Fried Charged in an Eight-Count Indictment with Fraud, Money Laundering, and Campaign Finance Offenses

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Merrick B. Garland, the United States Attorney General, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging SAMUEL BANKMAN-FRIED, a/k/a “SBF,” with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to defraud the Federal Election Commission and commit campaign finance violations.  The charges in the Indictment arise from an alleged wide-ranging scheme by the defendant to misappropriate billions of dollars of customer funds deposited with FTX, the international cryptocurrency exchange founded by the defendant, and mislead investors and lenders to FTX and to Alameda Research, the cryptocurrency hedge fund also founded by the defendant.  BANKMAN-FRIED was arrested yesterday in the Bahamas on these charges and will be presented before a Bahamian magistrate judge today.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “One month ago, FTX collapsed, causing billions of dollars in losses to its customers, lenders, and investors.  Now, a federal grand jury in New York has indicted the former founder and chief executive officer of FTX and charged him with crimes related to the phenomenal downfall of that one-time cryptocurrency exchange, including fraud on customers, investors, lenders, and our campaign finance system.  As today’s charges make clear, this was not a case of mismanagement or poor oversight, but of intentional fraud, plain and simple.” 

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “The Justice Department has filed charges alleging that Samuel Bankman-Fried perpetrated a range of offenses in a global scheme to deceive and defraud customers and lenders of FTX and Alameda, the defendant’s crypto hedge fund, as well as a conspiracy to defraud the United States government.  We allege that the defendant conspired to defraud customers by misappropriating their deposits; to defraud lenders; to commit securities fraud and money laundering; and to violate campaign finance laws. As this indictment demonstrates, the U.S. Department of Justice will aggressively investigate and prosecute alleged criminal wrongdoing in the financial system and violations of federal elections laws.  We will continue to work to ensure U.S. capital markets operate honestly and with the integrity that investors, lenders, and the American people are entitled to.”  

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “As the indictment today alleges, Bankman-Fried knowingly defrauded the customers of FTX.com through the misappropriation of the customer deposits to pay expenses and debts of a different company he also owned as well as make other investments.  If you deceive and defraud your customers, the FBI will be persistent in our efforts to bring you to justice.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court and court filings:[1]

SAMUEL BANKMAN-FRIED was the founder and chief executive officer of FTX, an international cryptocurrency exchange.  Since 2019, the defendant and his co-conspirators perpetrated a scheme to defraud customers of FTX by misappropriating billions of dollars of those customers’ funds.  As alleged, the defendant used billions of dollars of FTX customer funds for his personal use, to make investments and millions of dollars of political contributions to federal political candidates and committees, and to repay billions of dollars in loans owed by Alameda Research, a cryptocurrency hedge fund also founded by the defendant.  BANKMAN-FRIED also allegedly defrauded lenders to Alameda Research and equity investors in FTX by concealing his misuse of customer deposits in financial information that was provided to them.  

SAMUEL BANKMAN-FRIED and his co-conspirators made millions of dollars in political contributions funded by Alameda Research to federal political candidates and committees in advance of the 2022 election.  To conceal the fact that those contributions were paid for using funds from a corporation and to evade contribution limits and reporting requirements, BANKMAN-FRIED caused contributions to be reported in the names of co-conspirators rather than in the name of the true source of the funds.

SAMUEL BANKMAN-FRIED, 30, of Stanford, California, is charged with two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.  He is also charged with conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit campaign finance violations, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years.    

The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. 

Mr. Williams praised the investigative work of the FBI.  He also expressed appreciation for the assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, Public Integrity Section, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as that of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, both of which separately initiated civil proceedings against the defendant today.  Mr. Williams further thanked the Bahamas Office of the Attorney-General & Ministry of Legal Affairs as well as the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their assistance.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicolas Roos and Danielle Sassoon are in charge of the prosecution.  The Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Raymond and Thane Rehn also contributed to the investigation.

The allegations 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, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR ADAMS RELEASES COMMUNITY DRIVEN “NYC SPEAKS ACTION PLAN”

 

Plan Focuses on Five Key Visionary “North Stars” to Inform Policies in Adams Administration 

Part of Largest Civic Engagement Effort and Policy Survey in New York City’s History

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the “NYC Speaks Action Plan” — created in partnership with civic and community leaders — outlining policy goals for five issue areas that are priorities for New Yorkers: Housing and public safety, youth mental health, community spaces, jobs in high-growth sectors, and civic engagement. NYC Speaks is a public-private partnership led by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright, working alongside various philanthropic partners, community leaders, and civic institutions to inform the priorities and policies of the Adams administration.

“New Yorkers deserve a seat at the table to share their vision for our city’s future. It is why I engage and speak with community groups in all five boroughs every day, making sure I hear their concerns and dreams,” said Mayor Adams. “Having that input from New Yorkers is helping us ‘Get Stuff Done’ the right way. But I am only just one person and that’s why I am grateful to NYC Speaks for conducting the largest public policy survey in our city’s history, asking over 62,000 New Yorkers what their priorities are. Those responses led to our administration creating an action plan that covers five key issues crucial to New Yorkers’ success and well-being. When working together, our community can address the issues that affect their lives the most.”

“Today’s announcement is the result of this administration’s continued commitment to put people first,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright. “The NYC Speaks Action Plan comes directly from the voices of New Yorkers — hundreds of community conversations, the largest policy survey in our city’s history, and working directly with leaders in the Adams administration. Together, as one united city, we are prepared to accomplish the bold, shared vision laid out in the Action Plan’s North Stars.”

“NYC Speaks is only scratching the surface of what a people-driven transformation of city government can look like,” said NYC Speaks Co-Executive Director Jose Serrano-McClain, partner, HR&A Advisors. "NYC Speaks is proving that when civic engagement is done with rigor it can bring together City Hall, our leading institutions, and communities across the city to align on the kind of bold actions that address the big challenges we are facing as a city. We look forward to the administration seeing through the commitments laid in the NYC Speaks Action Plan, to keeping New Yorkers engaged, and to city government continuing to innovate in centering the voice of the people in major plans."

“NYC Speaks has successfully incorporated thousands of unique New Yorkers' voices to guide thoughtful plans to improve our city,” said NYC Speaks Co-Executive Director Dr. Shango Blake. “The effort — made possible by hundreds of devoted community advocates, canvassers, institutions, policymakers, and many more — has been fruitful, revealing, and inspiring. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the city and launch NYC Speaks 2.0 next year, where we hope even more New Yorkers will participate in this inclusive and innovative partnership between government and constituents.”

The Action Plan is the result of a yearlong public-private partnership. Over 80 members of the Civic Policy Councils — representing a diverse cross-section of New Yorkers — collaborated on the research and outreach strategies for the initiative. Policy council members led the development of the NYC Speaks survey questions, which captured more than 62,000 responses, totaling 3 million data points, from New Yorkers across every residential ZIP code. These efforts included outreach support from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the New York City Department of Veterans Affairs, the New York City Department of Probation, the New York City Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, the New York Public Library, the Queens Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Civic Engagement Commission. Notably, the NYC Youth Speaks Survey was formulated and shared with the support of the DOE to young people across New York City with more than 18,400 youth participating.

Following the results of the quantitative data, NYC Speaks launched community conversations to bring the survey data back to communities to interpret and help develop tangible actions. A total of 50 community-based organizations received microgrants to bring conversations to their communities, and 30 young people also joined the initiative as youth ambassadors and led conversations in their community. In total, NYC Speaks facilitated 220+ community conversations that convened in eight languages with 4,800 residents. The events were hosted online and in-person in all five boroughs, and served populations that have been historically marginalized, such as Black and Brown residents, seniors, those impacted by the criminal justice system, people living with disabilities, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Action Plan contains five key “North Stars” — foundational policy goals for New York City along with initial commitments from city government. The North Stars reflect the collective vision of New Yorkers and of the Adams administration to create a fairer, more equitable city for all.

• North Star #1: Formerly incarcerated New Yorkers will have the support and resources they need to succeed when they return home.

• North Star #2: New York City public school students have access to culturally competent mental health resources.

• North Star #3: Historically disinvested neighborhoods will be prioritized for capital investments in community and recreation spaces that support social, economic, and climate resilience.

• North Star #4: Young New Yorkers and residents in environmental justice communities will have access to green career pathways created by city-led decarbonization and resilience efforts.

• North Star #5: New York City’s government will be transformed into a national model of collaborative, inclusive, and accountable governance that strengthens democracy, expands civic engagement, and enhances civic trust.

Within the Adams administration, work is already underway to advance the objectives of the North Stars. Ranging from investing in initiatives that create pathways to the green economy to transforming New York City into a ‘City of Yes‘ that will build affordable housing for communities most in need, the North Stars align with Mayor Adams’s current policy agenda.

“The New York Speaks Action Plan is truly the embodiment of ‘of the people, for the people, and by the people,’” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “New Yorkers have distinct opinions, views, wants, and, yes, demands from their municipal government and Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor Wright, and the entire administration have been listening and are committed to acting on these priorities.”

“NYC Speaks represents an innovative approach to broad-based community engagement, and I appreciate the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who have shared their feedback for the future of the city,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “This engagement has reconfirmed that the central challenges facing New York are well understood by its residents, including the availability of housing and opportunities for economic advancement. I look forward to working with my colleagues in government to be responsive to this clear feedback.”

“Thousands of New Yorkers from all across the city shared their voices through NYC Speaks and we listened,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “With this action plan, we are answering that call. Ultimately, we strive to deliver services and implement policies for our fellow New Yorkers guided by their voice. Thank you to the teams across the government that have been part of this initiative and everyone who made their voice heard by completing our surveys. Together, we can create a better New York.”

“People often know exactly what they want and need in order for their community to prosper,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “Our job in government is to listen to those ideas, learn, and build that feedback into our plans for the future. This initiative does just that.”

“The NYC Speaks survey was an incredible effort to bring the needs of New Yorkers to the heart of this administration,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “From the concerns around housing needs and how cross cutting issues are for New Yorkers, the NYC Speaks Action Plan reflects the day-to-day reality of our neighbors and gives a clear path forward to build a stronger, more equitable, and fairer city for all."

“The cornerstone of any great public school is an engaged community that feels a responsibility to the young people of that school,” said DOE Chancellor David C. Banks. “It is an honor to be a part of the long-term strides that this administration is taking to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, and we are proud of the opportunity this plan creates for our youngest citizens. We are listening, we are learning, and we are excited to facilitate positive change.”

 “When I spoke upon my experience of being the only black female in educational spaces, NYC Speaks listened,” said, Omosefe Noruwa, youth ambassador, NYC Speaks. “This initiative provided me with a platform to share my ideas on racial inequality in education and helped me develop my youth mentorship program, PME Success Network. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to be a part of this initiative and I hope that it results in more young people of color feeling as though they can do it too.”

 “Immigrant communities tend to lack information on city government and resources,” said Erum Hanif, chief executive officer, APNA Brooklyn Community Center. “Many members of immigrant communities are limited English Proficient, are not technologically savvy and don’t know where or how to find the information and resources about city programs and services. APNA Brooklyn Community Center was able to join efforts with NYC Speaks and host multiple conversations with several non-English speakers in Urdu. It provided them an opportunity to learn about city services and get civically more engaged. The conversations were highly important for the participants, their families, and the immigrant community at large, and I continue to receive requests to host more.” 

 “NYC Speaks was an innovative project that actively sought to listen to everyday New Yorkers in their own neighborhoods,” said Juan Rosa, national director of civic engagement, NALEO Educational Fund. “At NALEO Educational Fund, we are dedicated to ensuring that Latino voices are heard in all civic processes, and NYC Speaks gave us a great opportunity to elevate the voices of Latino community members regarding the future of the city of New York. As a non-profit organization, it was encouraging to see how the city partnered with CBOs on equal footing to implement the various phases of NYC Speaks.” 

 “NYC Speaks provided a platform for stakeholders with disabilities to address their concerns directly,” said Sharon McLennon-Wier, executive director, Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York. “Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York serves New Yorkers with disabilities in each of the five boroughs and are always looking for better methods to advocate for our community. This is the first time in years that I have seen that opportunity given to the public, especially in such an intricate manner.”

 “An initiative such as NYC Speaks that opens the dialogue to overlooked and underrepresented people is a superpower,” said Terra Renee, founder and CEO, African Women in Cinema. “We are always looking for helpful ways to reach out to the community. We had a great turn out to the conversations that we hosted. Our community voices will be heard as it relates to some of the policies in the city we live in. People were so appreciative that policy makers took the time out to hear their concerns. I hope to see this become a staple.” 

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE PUSHES FOR RIKERS REFORMS AFTER NINETEENTH DEATH IN CITY CUSTODY OF 2022

 

Just two days after the most recent death of an incarcerated person on Rikers Island, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams emphasized the need for rapid change at the complex. At a hearing of the Committee on Criminal Justice, he lamented the current conditions in the complex, and advocated for taking new and different approaches to protect New Yorkers on and off the island. Nineteen people have lost their lives in city custody this year, already three more than the previously unprecedented crisis in 2021 and more than any year since 2013, when the jail population was twice as large.

The Public Advocate described the deteriorating and dangerous conditions on Rikers Island, including, “crumbling infrastructure, a lack of staff, fights and assaults, slashings and stabbings, missed medical and court appointments, doors that do not lock, frequent overdoses, and nineteen deaths so far this year,” despite the fact that the jail has the highest corrections officer to incarcerated person ratio in the country and it costs over $556,539 to incarcerate a single individual for a year. New York City also forces excessively long wait times on those charged with crimes: New Yorkers wait three to four times longer for a fair trial than the average American.

He also spoke about the city’s seeming inability to improve conditions in a way that strengthens safety for people on both sides of the bars, arguing that “We have spent enough time waiting for the federal monitor to improve the conditions at Rikers Island. It is time to explore other measures, including whether a federal receivership of the jail is necessary to end the cycle of violence and death…The threat of receivership should push us to take this as a final, critical moment for change. It should not be viewed as keeping the status quo, as we know that that does not work, and it should not mean the city should stop collaborating to figure out what is needed to make our jails humane and respectful of the dignity of those incarcerated in them.”  

Public Advocate Williams is the sponsor of Intro 549, the most comprehensive and concrete legislative effort to end the practice of solitary, which the United Nations defines as torture, on a citywide level. The bill has supermajority support in the City Council. 

Read the Public Advocate’ full comments from today’s hearing below. 

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS

TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

DECEMBER 13, 2022

Good afternoon,

My name is Jumaane D. Williams and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. Thanks again to the Chair and the members of the Committee for holding this important hearing and allowing me to speak.

In 2011, a group of people incarcerated at Rikers by the New York City Department of Correction (DOC) filed a lawsuit—Nunez, et al. v. City of New York, et al., or just “Nunez”—in the District Court for the Southern District of New York. They alleged that correction officers often took incarcerated people into areas of the jail that were out of view of video cameras and beat them, resulting in injuries including broken bones, concussions, and other emergency conditions requiring hospitalization and surgery. To cover up the misconduct, the officers falsified records or fabricated disciplinary charges.

Four years later, this lawsuit resulted in the court-appointed federal monitor for Rikers Island, with the goal of creating a safer environment for both the incarcerated people and the staff who are there. But that clearly did not fix the dangerous and deadly environment we know Rikers to be today: the jail is plagued by crumbling infrastructure, a lack of staff, fights and assaults, slashings and stabbings, missed medical and court appointments, doors that do not lock, frequent overdoses, and, as of yesterday, nineteen deaths so far this year, with another heartbreaking one, as I mentioned, just days ago. 

Sadly, the current state of Rikers is not surprising. We do know that correction officers work in dangerous jobs because of the environment that is there, and no one is safe on that island, and they suffer from injuries because of tha, and do need time to recover. We also know, and it is clear that there are officers who are misusing sick leave. Chronic staffing shortages caused by officers abusing unlimited sick leave creates a more dangerous environment where those incarcerated cannot access services and programming and officers must rely on last-resort measures such as emergency lock-ins and solitary confinement to manage the jail population. 

Further, in October, the Legal Aid Society alleged that DOC has been tampering with intake information that is used to monitor compliance with the Nunez ruling. We do not know if this was an isolated incident or an indication of chronic falsifying of records to skirt the requirements set by the federal monitor.

Since 2015, New York City taxpayers have spent more than $18 million on the federal monitor, Steve J. Martin and his team, who have failed to reform any significant part of life at Rikers. This price tag does not include the specially created unit within DOC that provides information to the monitor and ensures compliance with his mandates. Martin has in fact argued in his most recent report that the “problems [at Rikers] are so deeply entrenched and complicated that no single person, power, or authority will be able to fix them on the rapid schedule that the gravity of the problems demand.” 

This begs the question: where do we go from here? It is clear that Rikers and DOC needs a dramatic change in its culture. Correction officers who are abusing sick leave must come back to work, and we need a concrete plan from Commissioner Molina and DOC leadership to hold accountable officers that abuse sick leave, falsify records, and use excessive force. We must end harmful practices that make jails less safe, including and especially solitary confinement. And the city as a whole must commit to further decarceration, moving from historically punitive approaches to justice to restorative justice practices and alternatives to incarceration. We have to also get our court system to move more quickly to adjudicate cases.

We have spent enough time waiting for the federal monitor to improve the conditions at Rikers Island. We have to explore other measures, and while I haven’t decided on my opinion yet, I do think that we have to consider whether a federal receivership of the jail is necessary to end the cycle of violence and death. Last month, the court ruled that we should give Commissioner Molina more time to implement his plan for the jail. The court will review the progress made in April, and I hope to work closely with the administration and the City Council to ensure that there is positive progress made in that time. DOC and the city must also commit to the 2027 timeline that the prior administration agreed to close the jail on Rikers Island. The threat of receivership should push us to take this as a final, critical moment for change. It should not be viewed as keeping the status quo, as we know that that does not work, and it should not mean the city should stop collaborating to figure out what is needed to make our jails humane and respectful of the dignity of those who are detained and those who work in them. We have the distinction of having less people than we did over a decade ago, a better detainee to correction officer ratio, and the most violent jail in the nation. Hopefully we can do something about it. 

Thank you.