Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 10, 2023

 

Governor Encourages New Yorkers to Keep Using the Tools to Protect Against and Treat COVID-19: Vaccines, Boosters, Testing and Treatment

14 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19 and outlined basic steps they can take to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections that become more common in the winter season. 

"I urge every New Yorker to remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "Stay up to date on vaccine doses and be sure to test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options."

Governor Hochul is urging New Yorkers to take common prevention measures — like staying up to date on vaccines and practicing proper hygiene — to protect from the flu and COVID-19 and reduce the patient burden on local hospitals. The Governor reiterated these basic steps when she updated New Yorkers on the state's health preparedness efforts this winter. 

The New York State Department of Health recently launched a new 12-week campaign on television, social media and streaming services to encourage New Yorkers with underlying medical conditions to recognize the importance of getting and staying up-to-date with the recommended COVID-19 bivalent booster to avoid serious illness or death. These conditions including being 65 or older, pregnant, obese, diabetic, or suffering from heart or lung disease, or having a weakened immune system. 

Additionally, the Department of Health released its  weekly flu surveillance report for the week ending March 4 and showing influenza remaining geographically widespread throughout the state for a twenty-second consecutive week, with a total of 319,547 positive cases reported this season to date. The report found that confirmed cases statewide decreased 2 percent to 1,854 for the week, while overall hospitalizations were down 33 percent from the previous week, at 131 hospitalizations across the state.    

There were five outbreaks in acute care and long-term care facilities, the report determined. There was no influenza-associated pediatric death reported for the week, for a total of 11 statewide.    

With flu season continuing, Governor Hochul reminds all New Yorkers that it's not too late to get their annual flu vaccine. The flu virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are both circulating, so getting vaccinated against both is the best way to stay healthy and to avoid added stress to the health care system.    

The Health Department is continuing its annual public education campaign, reminding adults and parents to get both flu and COVID-19 shots for themselves and children 6 months and older. For information about flu vaccine clinics, contact the local health department or visit vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/.   

Governor Hochul also continues to urge New Yorkers to get their bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters. In December, the New York State Department of Health announced new guidance for bivalent COVID-19 booster doses, which are now available for eligible children down to 6 months of age.    

The updated boosters are the first to be targeted to the original virus strain and recently circulating variants and are recommended for young New Yorkers and all those eligible. To schedule an appointment for a booster, New Yorkers should contact their local pharmacy, county health department, or healthcare provider; visit vaccines.gov; text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.   

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Cases Per 100k - 6.57
• 7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 6.17
• Test Results Reported - 46,920
• Total Positive - 1,283
• Percent Positive - 2.50%**
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.39%**
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,508 (-54)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 208
• Patients in ICU - 148 (-5)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 49 (+2)
• Total Discharges - 405,989 (+253)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 14
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 61,978

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.   

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.  

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 78,834

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.  

• Total vaccine doses administered - 43,861,823
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 4,169
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 26,560
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 85.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 90.7%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older who are up to date - 16.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series - 74.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.3%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 who are up to date - 6.5%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 with completed vaccine series - 40.1%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 41.0%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 5-11 who are up to date - 3.9%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 0-4 with completed vaccine series - 7.8%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 0-4 who are up to date - 7.8%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 76.5%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 80.9%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers who are up to date - 14.0%  

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:   

Borough	Tuesday,   March   7, 2023	Wed.  March  8, 2023	Thursday,   March   9, 2023
Bronx	1.72%	1.70%	1.69%
Kings	1.21%	1.10%	0.99%
New York	2.41%	2.34%	2.13%
Queens	1.97%	2.01%	1.88%
Richmond	1.79%	1.68%	1.58%

Former Finance Director Of Non-Profit Trade Association Charged With Embezzlement Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today charges against DONNA MURRAY, a former director of finance for a non-profit financial services trade association headquartered in Manhattan, for a months-long embezzlement scheme through which she stole approximately $490,000 from her employer.  MURRAY is expected to be presented later today in the Southern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Donna Murray betrayed her employer’s trust by using her employer’s bank account — to which she had access as its finance director — as her personal ATM, stealing nearly half a million dollars and spending the stolen money on frivolous items, even including a cat treadmill.  Today’s charges send a message to would-be embezzlers: if you abuse your position of trust for personal gain, we will hold you accountable.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “As we allege today, Ms. Murray misappropriated approximately $490,000 from her employer over several years and used the funds for a variety of personal uses.  Violating her employer’s trust in the manner in which she did is a federal crime, and, as a consequence, she will now be forced to face the consequences of her actions.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]

From in or about December 2017 through in or about August 2022, MURRAY was employed as the Director of Finance for a non-profit financial services trade association located in Manhattan.  The organization, which has more than 600 institutional members, works to promote industry thought leadership, participate in industry advocacy work, educate members and stakeholders, and establish industry standards and best practices.

As the Director of Finance, MURRAY had access to the organization’s bank accounts.  From at least October 2019 through at least in or about March 2021, MURRAY misappropriated approximately $490,000 from one of the organization’s bank accounts through more than 100 unauthorized wire transactions from the organization’s bank account to her personal bank account.  To conceal the embezzlement from her employer, MURRAY fabricated recipients and invoice numbers purporting to be associated with the wire transactions in her employer’s general ledger, even though MURRAY was the true recipient of those wire transfers.

After siphoning hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer’s bank account to her own, MURRAY withdrew from her bank account over $400,000 in cash on more than 300 occasions and used the remainder of the stolen funds for peer-to-peer online money transfers, loan payments, and consumer and luxury items, including Yves Saint Laurent and Michael Kors designer apparel; beauty, wellness, and skincare products and services; home furnishings and décor; hundreds of Amazon orders; smoke shop purchases; and a treadmill for cats.

MURRAY, 38, of Staten Island, New York, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.    

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.

The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS NESTOR DAVIDSON AS RENT GUIDELINES BOARD CHAIR

 

Davidson Brings Decades of Experience and Deep Expertise in Affordable Housing Law

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today appointed Nestor Davidson as the chair of the New York City Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). A professor of housing and land use at Fordham University School of Law, Davidson is an expert in affordable housing and land use law and brings decades of experience in government and academia to the role. Davidson’s appointment reflects the Adams administration’s commitment to affordable housing and evidence-based policymaking.

“Nestor Davidson brings the experience and expertise New Yorkers deserve in a leader at the Rent Guidelines Board. I am confident he will be a faithful steward of our city’s rent stabilized housing stock while rooting his decisions in facts and data,” said Mayor Adams. “Rent stabilization is one important part of our affordable housing ecosystem, and our administration will always continue using all of the tools in our toolbox to make New York City more affordable, to create the housing we desperately need, and to support working people.”

“The Rent Guidelines Board plays a critical role in ensuring we provide affordable housing to New Yorkers, while also preserving housing quality for tenants,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “Nestor Davidson is an expert in how cities approach their housing needs, particularly affordable housing priorities, and I know, as chair, he will be well equipped to balance the complex decisions that come before the board.”

“I am deeply honored that Mayor Adams has given me the opportunity to serve our great city as chair of the Rent Guidelines Board,” said RGB Chair Davidson. “Affordable housing has been a passion of mine throughout my career, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the staff of the board to help advance the board’s critical work.”

“Nestor Davidson brings a wealth of experience and expertise in housing policy from his work at both the state and national levels to the leadership role at the Rent Guidelines Board,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner and CEO RuthAnne Visnauskas. “Nestor served as a board member of HFA for over seven years and always pushed the team to use data and analysis to better inform our work and to guide our housing policy. It is a pleasure to work with someone so thoughtful, supportive, and invested in improving the lives of fellow New Yorkers. We look forward to working closely with Nestor and continuing our partnership with the RGB as we strive to combat housing insecurity and effectively oversee the rent stabilization system in New York.”

“Nestor is one of the most brilliant housing minds I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with, but it’s his passion for fairness and equity that truly sets him apart,” said Shaun Donovan, senior fellow, Ford Foundation; former director, U.S. Office of Management and Budget; former secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and former commissioner, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. “New York City will deeply benefit from his public service, especially at a time when affordable housing is more important to our shared future than ever before.”

“Nestor is respected by all who know him for his exceptional integrity, open-mindedness, and genuine empathy and willingness to listen,” said Vicki Been, Edward Weinfeld Professor of Law, New York University School of Law; and former deputy mayor for housing and economic development. “His deep knowledge of housing, local government, and landlord/tenant law and policy will help make the Rent Guidelines Board an even more effective arbitrator of the balance needed to protect tenants and ensure the availability and quality of our precious rent-regulated housing.”

“I am confident that the board will continue to thrive under the leadership of Nestor Davidson, an esteemed expert in this field,” said David Reiss, outgoing Rent Guidelines Board chair and professor of law, Brooklyn Law School. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as member and chair of the Rent Guidelines Board. I am proud of the work we have done to protect tenants and promote the preservation and affordability of rent-stabilized housing in New York City. I look forward to supporting the board’s important work in the years to come.”

“Nestor Davidson is not only an expert on cities and how they function, but he also has deep experience working on affordable housing issues and a tremendous love of New York City,” said Matthew Diller, dean and Paul Fuller Professor of Law, Fordham University School of Law. “He has deep experience in government, in the private sector, and in academic leadership.  He is a great choice for this critically important role.”

About Nestor Davidson

Nestor Davidson is an expert in land use and affordable housing law and policy. He serves as the Albert A. Walsh Professor of Real Estate, Land Use, and Property Law at Fordham University School of Law, and is the founder and faculty director of the school’s Urban Law Center. He has also taught at the University of Colorado Law School and at Columbia Law School.

He previously served as special counsel and principal deputy general counsel at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as a clerk for former United States Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter.

Davidson was a member of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) board for six years and currently serves on the board of advisors of the Yale State and Local Policy Review. He is also the founder of the Association for Urban Law Scholars.

He is a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia Law School.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALLS FOR FUNDING KEY PRIORITIES IN STATE BUDGET AS NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE

 

As state lawmakers are in the final weeks of negotiations for the coming Fiscal Year 2024 budget, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams is calling on the governor and legislative leaders to allocate funding to key priorities in areas including housing, public safety, healthcare, education, and environmental justice. In a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Carl Heastie, he outlined these priority programs and the need for a state budget that centers progressive, equitable investment for New Yorkers most in need. The Public Advocate will also travel to Albany today and meet with lawmakers as part of the SOMOS Albany Conference.

“New Yorkers deserve a bright future that includes safe and adequate housing, health care, with accountability and transparency on what services the state prioritizes,” writes Public Advocate Williams in his request. “With the long term effects of Covid still to be seen, a prioritization of health care services is more vital than ever. With soaring grocery and housing costs and stagnant wages, access to food and medicine are concerns today like we haven’t seen before in my lifetime. Communities of more color that have been overlooked in the budget process in the past continue to face the worst repercussions of this disinvestment. For an economy that works best for all New Yorkers, no matter our identity or economic class, I ask you to consider and prioritize the following budget allocations, which would improve the lives of countless New York City and State residents.”

Among the spending priorities that the Public Advocate outlines are:

Improving Responses to Individuals in Mental Health Crisis

Funding a Gun Violence Prevention Initiative

Increasing Salary and Resources for EMT and Emergency Responders

Fighting Climate Change and Implementing Local Law 97

Implementing Restorative Justice and Mental Health Support in Schools

Improving Access to Bilingual Programming for English Language Learners

Expanding Support for Asylum Seekers

Allocating Opioid Settlement Funding for Overdose Prevention Centers

Enacting the Housing Access Voucher Program

Ensuring the Statewide Right to Counsel

Supporting the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act

Additionally, the Public Advocate is calling for revenue raising measures, including increasing taxes on the top 5% of earners by restructuring NY’s income tax to make it more progressive and raise up to $15 billion per year annually. He is also pushing for a capital gains tax to combat existing loopholes and raise $7 billion for the state each year. These measures would help to support the progressive programs outlined in the request.

Read the Public Advocate’s full letter and monetary requests here.

Attorney General James Continues Crackdown on Unregistered Cryptocurrency Platforms

 

AG James Sues KuCoin for Allowing Investors in New York to Buy and Sell Crypto without Registering with the State

Lawsuit Marks AG James’ Eighth Action to Rein in Shadowy Cryptocurrency Platforms

New York Attorney General Letitia James continued her efforts to crack down on unregistered cryptocurrency platforms by filing a lawsuit against KuCoin for failing to register as a securities and commodities broker-dealer and falsely representing itself as an exchange. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) was able to buy and sell cryptocurrencies on KuCoin in New York even though the company is not registered in the state. Through this enforcement action, Attorney General James seeks to stop KuCoin from operating in New York and to block access to its website until it complies with the law. Today’s action is the latest in Attorney General James’ efforts to rein in cryptocurrency platforms.

“One by one my office is taking action against cryptocurrency companies that are brazenly disregarding our laws and putting investors at risk,” said Attorney General James. “Today’s action is the latest in our efforts to rein in shadowy cryptocurrency companies and bring order to the industry. All New Yorkers and all companies operating in New York have to follow our state’s laws and regulations. KuCoin operated in New York without registration and that is why we are taking strong action to hold them accountable and protect investors.”

KuCoin is a virtual currency trading platform that allows investors to buy and sell cryptocurrency through its website and app. On its platform, KuCoin investors can buy and sell popular virtual currencies, including ETH, LUNA, and TerraUSD (UST), which are securities and commodities. This action is one of the first times a regulator is claiming in court that ETH, one of the largest cryptocurrencies available, is a security. The petition argues that ETH, just like LUNA and UST, is a speculative asset that relies on the efforts of third-party developers in order to provide profit to the holders of ETH. Because of that, KuCoin was required to register before selling ETH, LUNA, or UST.

KuCoin also sells unregistered securities in the form of KuCoin Earn, its lending and staking product. New York law requires securities and commodities brokers to register with the state, which KuCoin failed to do. The OAG was able to create an account with KuCoin using a computer with a New York based IP address and buy and sell digital tokens, for which KuCoin charged a fee. The OAG was also able to deposit digital tokens into the KuCoin Earn product, for which KuCoin also charged a fee.

In addition, KuCoin claimed to be an exchange, but is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a national securities exchange or appropriately designated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as is required under New York Law. KuCoin also failed to comply with a subpoena issued by OAG to provide more information about its digital asset trading activities in the state. KuCoin has already been found to be operating without proper licensure in multiple jurisdictions including the Seychelles, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Through her lawsuit, Attorney General James seeks a court order that stops KuCoin from misrepresenting that it is an exchange, prevents the company from operating in New York, and directs KuCoin to implement geo-blocking based on IP addresses and GPS location to prevent access to KuCoin’s mobile app, website, and services from New York.

This lawsuit continues Attorney General James’ efforts to enforce New York laws in the cryptocurrency industry and protect New York investors. Last month, Attorney General James brought action against CoinEx for similarly failing to register as a securities and commodities broker. In January, Attorney General James and a multistate coalition recovered $24 million from the cryptocurrency platform Nexo for operating illegally and sued the former CEO of Celsius for defrauding investors and concealing the company’s dire financial condition. In June 2022, Attorney General James warned New Yorkers of the dangerous risks of investing in cryptocurrencies after the market reached then-record lows. Also in June, Attorney General James reached a nearly $1 million settlement with crypto platform BlockFi Lending LLC for offering unregistered securities. Last March, Attorney General James issued a taxpayer notice to virtual currency investors and their tax advisors to accurately declare and pay taxes on their virtual investments. In October 2021, Attorney General James directed unregistered crypto lending platforms to cease operations for not registering with the state.

Attorney General James once again urges New Yorkers who have been affected by deceptive conduct in the virtual assets market to report these issues to OAG. Attorney General James also encourages workers in the cryptocurrency industry who may have witnessed misconduct or fraud to file a whistleblower complaint with her office, which can be done anonymously.

Bronx Daycare Provider Charged With Sexual Exploitation Of A Child And Production, Receipt, And Distribution Of Child Pornography

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Patrick J. Freaney, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the United States Secret Service (“USSS”), Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that SILFREDO CASTILLO MARTINEZ was charged with sexual exploitation of a child and production of child pornography as well as receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography.  CASTILLO MARTINEZ will be presented today before United States Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Silfredo Castillo Martinez’s primary responsibility as a daycare provider was to watch over neighborhood children.  Instead, he allegedly abused that role in order to sexually exploit one of the minors under his care.  During the time when he was supposed to be protecting children, he also allegedly received, distributed, and possessed tens of thousands of images of child

USSS Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Freaney said: “The charges brought forth today allege pornography.  Castillo Martinez’s alleged conduct was unconscionable, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect the children of our community.”  reprehensible violation and exploitation committed by an individual who was expected to provide extraordinary trustworthiness and protection to the most vulnerable.  Our expert investigators and partners assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force have successfully brought this individual before our justice system to face these allegations.  I am thankful for their continued dedication and unending work in our shared investigative priority to keep our children safe from harm.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said: “The crimes Castillo Martinez stands charged with today are nearly unimaginable.  As alleged, while operating a licensed day care facility, he enticed an 11-year-old child to engage in sexually-explicit conduct and made recordings of the conduct.  Our children are some of our society’s most vulnerable members, and protecting them from predators remains a top priority for the FBI.  We encourage anyone who believes they may have information relevant to this investigation to contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.”

NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said: “This investigation highlights the most important function of law enforcement in our society: protecting the vulnerable against criminal predators who would seek to abuse, exploit, and harm them.  Today’s charges affirm, again, that the NYPD and our partners will never abate our efforts to keep children safe – and we will relentlessly pursue anyone who targets them.  To that end, I thank and commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, the United States Secret Service, the New York Field Office of the FBI, and every investigator who worked on this important case.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]

From in or about July 2015 through in or about at least May 3, 2022, CASTILLO MARTINEZ operated a licensed daycare facility for children at his residence in the Bronx, New York (the “Daycare Facility”). 

From at least in or about May 2018 through at least in or about July 2018, CASTILLO MARTINEZ induced an 11-year-old minor (“Minor Victim-1”) who attended the Daycare Facility to engage in sexually explicit conduct at the Daycare Facility, and CASTILLO MARTINEZ recorded that conduct on his cellphone and camera.

On or about May 3, 2022, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at CASTILLO MARTINEZ’s residence and seized several electronic devices belonging to CASTILLO MARTINEZ.  Those devices contained, among other things, several images and a video containing child pornography depicting Minor Victim-1 and approximately 9,800 other images depicting child pornography.

CASTILLO MARTINEZ, 32, of the Bronx, New York, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison; and one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

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

Any individuals who believe they have information that may be relevant to this investigation should contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or https://tips.fbi.gov.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the USSS’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the FBI, and the NYPD.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.

The charges contained in the Complaint 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 Complaint constitutes only allegations, and every fact described herein should be treated as an allegation.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Join Us for Our Women's History Month Celebration!

 

Dear Neighbor, In honor of Women's History Month, we are hosting our annual Women's History Month Celebration! Join us on Thursday, March 16th at 5:30PM at Fem Hundra Hall, 2341 Hoffman Street for an evening of music and dancing. . Click here to RSVP. In partnership, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF NYC311 WITH RELEASE OF STATE OF 311 REPORT

 

 

Report Details All-Time Stats, Historic Milestones, Most Memorable Calls from NYC311’s Service to New Yorkers

 

Mayor Also Releases Video Reciting List of Some of Most Outrageous 311 Calls Over Years

New York City Mayor Eric Adams celebrated the 20^th anniversary of the launch of New York City's 311 service, the platform that provides New Yorkers seeking information and assistance from the city agencies direct answers and support to their needs. Since it launched in March 2003, 311 has received more than 525 million contacts — through phone calls, texts, social media posts, website submissions, chat support, and a mobile app — from New Yorkers. As part of the celebration, Mayor Adams today released a State of 311 Report, detailing all-time contact statistics, peak moments of service, and some of the most popular service requests. Mayor Adams also released a video reciting a list of the most outrageous questions and comments New Yorkers have made to 311 over its 20-year span.

 

“Since its launch two decades ago, NYC311 has become an indispensable resource for New Yorkers looking to make a noise complaint, report a cleanliness issue, learn whether alternate side parking is in effect, and so much more,” said Mayor Adams. “Responding to 525 million contacts is a testament to the thousands of public servants who literally respond to the call of service each and every day. From day one, our administration has been focused on improving the customer experience to make city services more equitable and accessible for New Yorkers, and we are grateful for the critical role NYC311 has played in this effort.”

 dication to helping New York run better.”

 

The first call to NYC311 came on March 9, 2003 for a noise complaint in Jackson Heights, Queens. Since that time, the service has expanded to take questions and comments not only via phone, but also via a mobile app, chat support, text, social media, and a website, and currently provides support in 175 languages. NYC311’s two decades of service is detailed in the State of 311 report, which is being released today. Highlights of the report include: 

• NYC311 has received more than 525 million customer contacts, 359 million of which were received by phone, 147 million through the website, 16 million through the NYC311 Mobile App, and the remaining contacts through other available forms of submission.
• The top three busiest call volumes took place during a blizzard in 2011, a blizzard in 2013, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
• The top inquiry of 2004 — the first full year of reporting — was for the removal of appliances using freon.
• The top inquiry of 2022, the most recent year of reporting, was for a parking ticket or camera violation.

At the start of his administration, Mayor Adams consolidated NYC311 with other technology agencies across the city to create the new New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI). In 2022, OTI completed a major upgrade to NYC311’s technology architecture to ensure the long-term health of its systems.

 

“The success of NYC311 is made possible by our people,” said Joseph Morrisroe, deputy commissioner of 311, NYC Office of Technology and Innovation. “I am grateful to the extended NYC311 and OTI teams for their unwavering commitment to customer service in New York City.”

 

A customer satisfaction survey conducted by CFI Group found that New Yorkers give 311 agents a nine out of 10 rating in annual surveys.

 

NYC311 provides information and services for over 200 agencies and non-profits. For more information on NYC311, New Yorkers can visit the NYC311 website.