NYC DOC OFFICER CHARGED IN GROPING OF FELLOW OFFICER WHILE BOTH WERE ON DUTY IN RIKERS ISLAND

 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber today announced that a New York City Department of Correction Officer has been charged with Forcible Touching, third-degree Sexual Abuse and Harassment of a Correction Officer at a Rikers Island facility.

 District Attorney Clark said, “We will hold accountable anyone who commits a crime in the jails, and workplace sexual abuse will not be tolerated. The victimized officer was performing her job and was allegedly abused by a colleague, someone she should be able to trust in a place where Correction staff are victims of violence by inmates.” 

 Commissioner Strauber said, “No person – and no City employee -- should be subject to sexual abuse and harassment in the workplace. The defendant’s alleged conduct toward a fellow officer is not only a violation of Department of Correction policies and his duty as a City Correction Officer, it is a crime. I thank the Department of Correction for referring the complaint and the Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark for prosecuting this important case, which makes clear that the charged conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Carlos Ozorio, 38, an 11-year veteran of the DOC, was arrested and arraigned today on a Misdemeanor complaint charging Forcible Touching, third-degree Sexual Abuse and second-degree harassment before Bronx Criminal Court Judge Matthew Grieco. He is due back in court on June 7, 2023.

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Carlos Ozorio, 38, an 11-year veteran of the DOC, was arrested and arraigned today on a Misdemeanor complaint charging Forcible Touching, third-degree Sexual Abuse and second-degree harassment before Bronx Criminal Court Judge Matthew Grieco. He is due back in court on June 7, 2023.

 For DOI, the investigation was conducted by the Office of the Inspector General for DOC, specifically Captain Lawrence Bond, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General Marissa Carro, Senior Inspector General Whitney Ferguson, Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella and First Deputy Commissioner Daniel G. Cort.

A complaint is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Governor Hochul Announces Long Island Rail Road Surpasses One Million Customers at Grand Central Madison

 

Record Pandemic-Era Ridership Coincides with Opening of Second Manhattan Terminal

On-Time Performance Has Climbed Above 93 Percent Following Schedule Enhancements

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Long Island Rail Road has surpassed one million paying customers traveling in or out of Grand Central Madison Terminal, which opened with full service on February 27. The milestone was surpassed on Friday, April 7. In addition, the LIRR announced several pandemic-era ridership records achieved since Grand Central Madison opened for full service. On both Saturday, April 8, and Sunday, April 9, the railroad carried record pandemic-era weekend ridership as New Yorkers used mass transit to get around during the holiday weekend - 108,740 customers traveling on Saturday and 98,030 traveling on Sunday. On Tuesday, March 21, 213,026 customers took the LIRR, surpassing the previous pandemic-era record from November 2022.

"We have made historic investments in transit on Long Island, making it easier to connect commuters across the region," Governor Hochul said. "With the millionth rider traveling through Grand Central Madison mere months after the terminal's opening, it shows just how essential this service has already become for New Yorkers over only a short period of time."

The LIRR also announced several milestones achieved since the opening of Grand Central Madison. This March, the LIRR has sold 358,609 City Tickets - which provides off-peak travel within New York City for $5 - a 118.5 percent increase over the previous March. The Combo Ticket, an opportunity for customers to purchase discounted tickets when traveling on both LIRR and Metro-North Railroad in the same journey made possible through the opening of Grand Central Madison, has been utilized by over 4,000 customers since its launch. Through April 18, 2023, 15,503 LIRR trains have arrived at or departed from Grand Central Madison. The MTA's popular TrainTime app has seen over 370,000 tickets purchased for trips to or from Grand Central Madison.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "One million customers represent a major milestone in the rollout of Grand Central Madison. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers have had their lives improved since GCM opened - some by more convenient connections to world-renowned hospitals, others by first-time reverse commuting connecting city residents to Long Island jobs, and still others just by saving as much as 40 minutes on their daily commute. Little by little, Grand Central Madison is fundamentally transforming the fabric of New York."

In recent weeks, schedule adjustments and lengthened trains have been introduced, increasing comfort and reliability, and boosting on-time performance above 93.5 percent. Since February 27, the LIRR has exceeded 200,000 riders on 16 days, a threshold the railroad had only crossed twice during the first 57 days of 2023. During the seven days between April 9 and April 15, the LIRR carried an average of 168,726 daily customers, the best seven-day average since March 2020. The highest daily ridership at Grand Central Madison was achieved on Tuesday, April 11, with approximately 32,060 customers traveling in and out of the new Manhattan terminal.

To mark the milestone of one million rides being surpassed, the LIRR welcomed two Grand Central Madison customers to join the celebration: Ray Ragunauth and Karen Hamilton. Ragunauth is a physical therapist and Long Island resident, who was able to pursue new career opportunities on the East Side of Manhattan thanks to the shortened commute brought about by Grand Central Madison. Hamilton is a resident of Laurelton, Queens, who has benefited both from the introduction of more frequent service to stations within Queens and the opening of Grand Central Madison, where she frequently travels with her mother to medical appointments at NYU Langone Health.

Chair of the LIRR Commuter Council and Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA and MTA Board Member Gerard Bringmann said,"1,000,000 Grand Central Madison trips is a major milestone for riders and the LIRR. In the few months since new LIRR service began, Grand Central Madison has opened new travel options and improvements for tens of thousands of daily LIRR riders who now have direct access and shorter commutes to the East Side. We're glad to see that the MTA has continued to respond to rider feedback through ongoing adjustments, most recently this Monday, April 17th, and look forward to seeing even more riders take advantage of new service in the coming months. Grand Central Madison is truly a symbol of a more unified and integrated transit system with both railroads and the Subway under one roof!"

MAYOR ADAMS RECOGNIZES IMPACT OF VOLUNTEERISM AND SERVICE IN NEW YORK CITY

 

City Celebrates Volunteer Efforts for National Volunteer Month  

Launches New Digital Platform to Engage New Yorkers in Service 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Chief Service Officer Laura Rog today honored four recipients of the Mayoral Service Impact Awards, as well recognized nearly 4,000 volunteers from 150 not-for-profit organizations and 16 private sector businesses engaging 30 percent or more of their employees in volunteerism as part of the annual Mayoral Service Recognition Program.

“We overcame the darkest days in New York City history because of the selfless work of everyday New Yorkers and volunteers,” said Mayor Adams. “Your time and talents are invaluable. One hour of service could mean a life changed forever. I want to thank the volunteers, our private sector partners, staff, and leaders of community-based organizations for dedicating your careers to serving others. And to the recipients of the Mayoral Service Impact Awards, I applaud you for your service to New York City. You’ve made the communities around you cleaner, healthier, and happier. And you’ve shown us how we can make a difference, too. Together, we will keep building this city up, one act of service at a time.”

“Service is love in action and New Yorkers love hard,” said Chief Engagement Officer Betsy MacLean. “Together, through love and service we are able to create positive change in this city that we love so dearly, and it’s a privilege to honor thousands of volunteers who show their love each and every day through their talent, time, and resources.”

“Volunteering and service are the cornerstones of thriving and healthy communities. When we act in service to others, we are connected to a movement bigger than ourselves and united by love for our communities,” said Chief Service Officer Rog. “It’s an honor to celebrate the organizations and people who have answered the call to serve in New York City.”   

The recognition program is a citywide celebration of volunteerism across sectors, underscoring the power of service to unite individuals and build a city where all New Yorkers can succeed. In March 2023, Mayor Adams announced the “Spread Love NYC” campaign, a nine-month long cross-sector campaign to connect New Yorkers to both short one-hour and long-term service projects with local not-for-profit organizations. Since launching, more than 100 organizations have joined the campaign and more than 600 New Yorkers have committed to serve. 

Mayor Adams and Chief Service Officer Rog also unveiled a new digital platform operated by NYC Service, as well as a new mission and vision for the mayoral office focused on building a culture of service in New York City and providing meaningful access and opportunities for New Yorkers to serve. The new additions to the digital platform offers the more than 380 not-for-profit community groups the ability to source in-kind donations for volunteer programs, as well as grow employee engagement partnerships with the private sector to further employee volunteer engagement.

Mayoral Service Impact Awards honor youth, business and community partnerships, community-based organizations, and AmeriCorps alumni for exceptional volunteer and service projects. NYC Service received more than 150 nominations for the four award categories.

The Mayoral Service Recognition Awardees honored for exceptional service in 2022 are:

• Katharine Reed: Honored with the AmeriCorps Alum Impact Award for embodying the AmeriCorps spirit of “Getting Things Done” in New York City communities beyond her service year. Reed engaged over 900 volunteers in safe and accessible composting and community-clean-up projects.

• Children of Promise, NYC: Honored with the Community Impact Award for leveraging the power of volunteers in innovative and resourceful ways to strategically address community needs. A total of 176 volunteers provided academic support to 180 youth, as well as supported their families and caregivers.

• New York Yankees and Food Bank For New York City: Honored with the Partnership Impact Award for an innovative partnership in service to a community. Through the partnership, over 150,000 meals were distributed to more than 21,338 New Yorkers in the Bronx.

• Afnan Faiza: Honored with the Youth Impact Award for going above and beyond to create tangible impact in her community through the Older Adult Center Enrichment Initiative in Sunnyside, Queens.

New Yorkers can learn more about the Mayoral Service Recognition Program online.

“During my time as an AmeriCorps member and now in my full-time position with the Sanitation Foundation, I have had the incredible opportunity to join forces with so many dedicated community leaders who are working together to create a cleaner and healthier city,” said Katharine Reed, winner, AmeriCorps Alum Impact Award. “My AmeriCorps experience has and will continue to play a significant role in shaping my career path. I am both humbled and honored to accept this award.” 

“For 13 years, Children of Promise, NYC has been honored to partner with an incredible network of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to empowering young people impacted by parental incarceration across the city,” said Sharon Content, founder and president, Children of Promise, NYC, winner, Community Impact Award. “As the pandemic exacerbated many of the challenges facing our scholars, our volunteers leaned in to meet evolving community needs and we are thrilled to receive this honor amplifying our collective impact.”

“As an organization, the Yankees remain steadfastly committed to positively impacting the health and wellness of the local community, and we are grateful to have a dedicated partner in the Food Bank For New York City with whom we can meet this challenge,” said Brian Smith, senior vice president, Corporate/Community Relations, New York Yankees, winner, Partnership Impact Award with Food Bank For New York City. “Food insecurity has a debilitating effect on New York City residents of all ages, undermining the quality of life and future prospects for entire families and neighborhoods. Through our joint efforts with the Food Bank For New York City, we have been able to provide high-quality provisions for thousands of in-need New Yorkers on a consistent basis, and we can testify to the immense impact that can be made when organizations come together on a vision they could not realize alone.”

“Food Bank For New York City is proud and thankful to have had the New York Yankees, a cornerstone institution in New York City and for many of its residents, as a partner for the past 12 years,” said Leslie Gordon, president and CEO, Food Bank For New York City, winner, Partnership Impact Award with the New York Yankees. “The Yankees have been a pillar in helping Food Bank provide low-income communities with greater access to nutritious foods and, through their hard work and dedication, in 2022 alone, they’ve helped us distribute over 150,000 meals to more than 21,338 New Yorkers. With the Bronx having the highest rates of food insecurity in the city, we are forever thankful for their continued commitment, partnership, and devotion in helping to feed New Yorkers in need.”

“The Sunnyside Community Older Adults Center helps so many people every day and I feel so privileged to have been given the opportunity to help at the center,” said Afnan Faiza winner, Youth Impact Award. “Thank you to Ms. Serrano and the rest of the Sunnyside Community Services team for allowing me to play a small role in positively impacting the center and community.”  

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Tomorrow is 4/20 - Are you joining us?

 

Register - Click Here

Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, NYC Department of Small Business Services, the NYS Latino Cannabis Association, ConBUD NY, the Bronx Cannabis HUB, and the Bronx Community Foundation as we discuss cannabis and its impact on our health, businesses, and economy.

For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!

17-YEAR-OLD INDICTED IN MURDER OF 17-YEAR-OLD AT SUBWAY STATION

 

Defendant Allegedly Acted in Concert to Shoot Victim 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a 17-year-old Bronx boy has been indicted on Murder, Manslaughter, and additional charges in the fatal shooting of a 17- year-old boy at the Burke Avenue station of the 2/5 subway line.

 District Attorney Clark said, “Yet again, we are talking about the death of a boy at the hands of boys with a gun. The defendant, in concert with others, allegedly shot at the victim as he tumbled down the station stairwell, then as the victim lay on the ground, he was shot multiple times at close range by one of the assailants. As I have said, we are losing a generation to gun violence in the Bronx and everyone must help end this carnage.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Owen Darien, 17, is charged with second-degree Murder, second-degree Manslaughter, and two counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Darien was arraigned April 17, 2023, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Joseph McCormack and was remanded. He is due back in court on April 20, 2023, for a retention hearing.

 According to the investigation, on April 10, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m. in the Burke Avenue station on the 2/5 line along White Plains Road, the defendant and three other unapprehended individuals approached the victim, Kymani Woods, 17, on the elevated subway platform. There was a struggle. The defendant is seen on surveillance video with a gun in his hand, as the victim is thrown down the stairs and shot at, at least five times. Moments later, one of the unapprehended individuals is seen shooting the victim multiple times at close range as he lay on the ground. When the police arrived, they also found Darien with a gunshot wound to his thigh.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Rashawn Merrick of the 47th Precinct Squad and Patrick Sullivan of the Bronx Homicide Squad for their work in the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

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

 

Dear Neighbor,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review.

 

Today is National Transgender HIV Testing Day and we are taking this moment to encourage all New Yorkers to get tested. Testing can save lives. To find a testing site near you, click here.

 

Last week, we saw the opening of a new small business, joined Senator Gillibrand in support of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Reauthorization Act that will directly impact our Hunts Point Produce Market, and joined our Muslim community for our annual Iftar Dinner at Borough Hall. We also commemorated Black Maternal Health Week by sending Governor Hochul a letter with recommendations on how to further support and improve health outcomes for birthing individuals in our borough. Black women are still three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women and we are committed to addressing this disparity. Click here to read the full letter.

 

Lastly, The New York Academy of Medicine is working with the Bronx Borough President’s Office and Council Members Eric Dinowitz and Marjorie Velazquez to conduct an online and paper survey of adults age 65+ who live in The Bronx. We want to hear from each of you about how well the borough is meeting your needs and suggest ways that The Bronx can better support older adults and people of all ages. Your responses will be anonymous, and the collected data from this survey will be shared directly with the Bronx Borough President’s Office, along with concrete recommendations on how to make The Bronx the best borough for people to age-in-place. You can complete this survey in English, Spanish, Bengali, Chinese, Italian or Russian online or email cstem@nyam.org to receive a paper survey in any of these languages. Thank you so much for your time and your input.

 

As always, 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

IN THE COMMUNITY Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Iftar  Dinner!  It was incredible sharing space and celebrating with our  community. A huge shout out, as well, to my team for their hard work  and dedication to this event; and to our sponsors for making  this event possible! The Hunts Point Produce Market is vital to the health of our  Borough and City. The Market provides 25% of the City’s  fresh produce and employs thousands of New Yorkers. That is why I was proud to join with The Bronx Chamber of  Commerce, NYS Bodega Association, Hunts Point Produce  Market and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as she announced  her support of the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)  Reauthorization Act. This act would provide mandatory  annual funding for this critical program which helps develop  grocery stores and non-retail food enterprises seeking to  eliminate food deserts in our communities. We are grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s partnership and  commitment to the health our community. Congratulations to Bodega Social on their grand opening!  We are so happy to see a new small business open it’s doors  in our Borough. Junior Martinez, Alfredo Angueira, Jasmine Garcia, Chef  Luis Martinez and Juan Carlos Sanchez never cease to  amaze me with their commitment to the Bronx and  community. We wish you continued success! Thank you for having us. COMMUNITY EVENTS

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - Notice of Public Hearing - Boston Road Rezoning

 

Dear Neighbors,

The 2560 Boston Road Rezoning Proposal will have a New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises hearing, as part of the City’s Uniform Land Use Process (ULURP) tomorrow, Wednesday, April 19th at 12 PM. I look forward to continuing to hear from community members on the proposed project.

If you would like to testify virtually or via phone call-in, please register. Those who would like to testify in person are not required to pre-register. If you would like to submit written testimony, you may do so up to 72 hours following the adjournment of the committee hearing by emailing landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov.

If you have any questions or would like assistance registering for the upcoming hearing, please reach out to my office at District13@council.nyc.gov or call 718-931-1721.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 2-6 YEARS IN PRISON FOR KILLING MAN IN CRASH ON MAJOR DEEGAN EXPWY. THAT SENT VICTIM’S VEHICLE OFF ROAD TO 135TH ST. BELOW

 

Defendant Was Drunk Driving Over 100 Miles Per Hour

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man was sentenced to two to six years in prison for speeding while drunk on the Major Deegan Expressway and crashing into another vehicle, causing it to flip over the Expressway and land upside down on the street below, killing the driver.

 District Attorney Clark said, “A father of two was killed in this horrendous crash. The defendant drove drunk, and it led to fatal consequences, and years in prison. Had the defendant took public transportation or called a taxi, the victim would be alive today and his family would not be in agony.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Freddy Martinez, 24, was sentenced today to two to six years in prison before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Albert Lorenzo. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree Manslaughter on February 22, 2023. 

 According to the investigation, on December 12, 2021, at approximately 4:47 a.m. the defendant was driving his vehicle 104 miles per hour along the Major Deegan Expressway South. The posted speed limit is 50 miles per hour. The defendant was changing lanes without applying brakes. Martinez’s vehicle stuck the vehicle of Mamadou Diane, 46, a father of two who was going 12 miles per hour while merging on the Expressway. The victim’s vehicle flipped over the Expressway landing upside down on East 135th Street below. He was deceased by the time emergency crews arrived on scene. Martinez’s blood alcohol content was .16 percent, twice the legal limit. At the time of the crash, he told police he had just left a bar/restaurant, where he drank two cups of alcoholic beverage.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Sergeant Randal McFarland, formerly of the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad and Police Officer Idaniel Tavares of the 44th Precinct, for their work in this investigation.