📩 Latest from Councilwoman Marmorato's Desk

 

Take a look at what we’ve been up to!

Celebrating our CD13 chief of staff April Cardena’s birthday!

A happy birthday to our Chief of Staff, April, the best right hand anybody could ask for! 

Thank you for all you do and being our Councilwoman’s #1 supporter!

MTA’s landscape cleanup on Mace and Esplanade avenues

Sending a big thank you to the MTA for this recent landscape cleanup on Mace and Esplanade avenues in Pelham Gardens.

We also assisted with a cleanup at this location back in March. Acknowledging the MTA for doing such a thorough job with this cleanup!

Department of Health removes illegal food truck from Buhre Avenue

Sending a big thank you to NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for inspecting this illegal food truck on Buhre Avenue.

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspectors found multiple complaints with the placement of the food truck, then issued the owner multiple summonses and eventually ordered them to move.

Thanking DOH for taking the steps to resolve this issue within our District!

49th Precinct recovers illegal firearm within our District

Thanking the NYPD’s 49th Precinct once again for an outstanding effort this morning in recovering an illegal firearm within our District!

OATH Outreach at Orchard Beach

We were at Orchard Beach yesterday with New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings for "OATH Outreach At The Beach" talking to constituents about summonses and the steps to take if somebody receives one.

Thank you OATH for collaborating with us for this event. We couldn't have asked for a better beach day! 

District 13 walk through with NYC Department of Environmental Protection

I was glad to have a walk through with NYC Department of Environmental Protection this morning.

Our office along with DEP visited multiple areas within our District, including a Metro North site as well as Indian Village and Locust Point, where we also met up with one of our constituents.

Looking forward to improving our sewers, drains, catch basins and the infrastructure of our District!

Keeping Up with the Community!

During our District 13 walk through with Department of Environmental Protection we also spoke with a constituent about the neighborhoods infrastructure and potential ways which it could be improved.

Sending a big thank you to NYC Department of Sanitation for their graffiti cleanup earlier this week on Lydig Avenue!

I appreciate everything DSNY has done to keep our District vandalism free!

Glad to see another illegal smoke shop closed within our District, this one on Dill Place just off of East Tremont Avenue in Throggs Neck.

I cannot overstate the terrific job that the NYPD, NYC Sheriff’s office, NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and the NYS Office of Cannabis Management have done enforcing laws regarding illegal smoke shops in District 13 and throughout NYC.

Upcoming Events

Take a look at the upcoming District 13 events!

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA COMING TO A SENIOR CENTER NEAR YOU!

Senator Rivera is excited to be visiting neighbors at Senior Centers throughout his district ahead of the annual Senior Health Fair. Senator Rivera started his tour at the Morris Innovative Senior Center in Morris Heights and will be visiting six Senior Centers across the northwest Bronx next week. View the list above to see when Senator Rivera is coming to your senior center!

Senator Rivera invites seniors to join us at the Annual Senior Health Fair and Luncheon on Thursday July 25th at Lehman College! Attendees will enjoy raffle prizes, health screenings, refreshments, and much more.

If you are interested in attending the Senior Health Fair, you can reserve a ticket by calling our office at 718-933-2034. Tickets are limited. Only those who reserve a ticket will be able to attend the luncheon.

NEXTAR: HOCHUL WARNS OF COVID UPTICK WEEKS AFTER PROPOSING MASK BAN

"I hope we recognize the continued vigilance that COVID requires as concerning mask bans have been proposed in our state and across the country. Wearing a mask is a proven preventive measure to protect each other from COVID-19,"

- State Senator Gustavo Rivera

Senator Rivera spoke with Johan Sheridan from Nextar about the increase in COVID cases in New York State. According to the data, COVID hospitalizations have increased recently across the state. Last week, Governor Hochul provided an update and said "While we are well below the figures seen during the pandemic, we are closely monitoring activity regarding the latest variants.” Senator Rivera responded reminding New Yorkers about the importance of masks as a measure to protect from COVID-19amidst concerning proposals to ban them. To read the full article, click here

KINGSBRIDGE UNDERPASS PROVIDERS SCHEDULE

Senator Rivera shares the community's concerns about public drug use and syringe litter near the Kingsbridge Underpass, Poe Park, and nearby hot spots. There are local harm reduction providers who clean up the needles safely and who connect with users to help them with recovery, medical care, and basic needs. Our team created this schedule and contact informational sheet in collaboration with the harm reduction organizations serving the Northwest Bronx so that neighbors can contact them to assist with issues near Kingsbridge Road and the Grand Concourse. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 718-933-2034 or grivera@nysenate.gov

NEED A PLACE TO COOL OFF? FIND COOLING CENTERS IN DISTRICT 33

ALLEGED VANDAL CHARGED WITH FELONY HATE CRIME AFTER TARGETED ATTACK ON RELIGIOUS STATUE IN FRONT OF CATHOLIC CHURCH

 

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jamshaid Choudhry has been charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime and other related crimes for allegedly smashing a Holy Family statue outside of the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Fresh Meadows on June 30. The attack caused the head of one of the statues, the depiction of a child Jesus, to break off.

District Attorney Katz said: “We will not tolerate unprovoked attacks, especially those driven by hate. Queens stands as a beacon of diversity and inclusivity, where freedom of religion and expression are celebrated as fundamental pillars of our democracy. Thanks to my Hate Crimes Bureau and the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force, this individual has been apprehended.”

Choudhry, 44, of 186th Street in Hollis, was arraigned today in Queens Criminal Court and charged with criminal mischief in the second degree as a hate crime, criminal mischief in the third degree as a hate crime, criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime, criminal mischief in the second degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and aggravated harassment in the first degree.

If convicted of the top count, Choudhry faces a potential maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison. Judge Srividya Pappachan ordered him to return to court on August 1.

According to the charges:

• On June 30, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Choudhry was seen on video surveillance parking a yellow cab across the street from the church and running up to the statue depicting Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
• Once next to the statue, Choudhry can be seen taking off his shoe and then spitting on and hitting the statue repeatedly with the shoe.
• The attack caused the head of the Jesus statue to break off completely.
• The amount of damage caused by the attack is estimated at $3,000.
• Choudhry was arrested yesterday evening.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Brian Lukowsky of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Geoffrey Parris

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released police body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Geoffrey Parris, who died on February 12, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens.

On the morning of February 12, NYPD officers responded to reports of shots fired at an apartment on Beach 51st Street in Queens. When officers arrived at the apartment, they encountered Mr. Parris who was reportedly holding what appeared to be a gun. An officer ordered Mr. Parris to drop the gun and when Mr. Parris failed to do so, an officer fired his service weapon, striking Mr. Parris. Mr. Parris was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a BB gun at the scene.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released video from a body-worn camera that one of the NYPD officers was equipped with during the incident. The release of this video follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office in the course of an OSI investigation be released to the public in order to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime. 

Warning: This video contains content that viewers may find disturbing.

Following First Shark Sighting of the Summer, Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on Shark Monitoring Efforts

 

Governor Hochul Directed New York State Parks To Add More Drones and Drone Operators at Beaches at State Parks on Long Island To Monitor for Sharks

Governor Hochul Reminds New Yorkers To Follow Shark Safety Guidance

Governor Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers on measures to monitor for sharks and other marine life at beaches at state parks on Long Island this summer. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation added and renewed surveillance capability earlier this summer, including more drones and drone operators at beaches at state parks on Long Island. Following the first shark sighting of the summer at Rockaway Beach, Governor Hochul is encouraging New Yorkers to follow safety protocols and listen to local authorities when planning a trip to the beach.

“This summer, we expanded shark surveillance at our beautiful Long Island beaches to help ensure New Yorkers can safely cool down in the ocean and enjoy the sunshine,” Governor Hochul said. “After the first shark sighting of the season, I encourage all New Yorkers to listen to local authorities and take precautions to help ensure safe and responsible beach trips this summer.”

In May, Governor Hochul announced State Parks expanded shark surveillance capabilities this summer, which includes:

• Five additional drones at beaches at state parks on Long Island for a total of 22 drones.
• 12 additional drone pilots at beaches at state parks on Long Island among operations staff, lifeguards and Park Police, for a total of 41.
• One drone assigned to Park Police, which is a large enterprise drone with thermal imaging, laser range finding, and high-quality cameras to allow for night-time surveillance and patrols in adverse weather conditions. This drone can also drop personal flotation devices in emergencies.

Sightings of shark activity in the nearshore ocean waters is expected to increase during the summer months through September. Humans assume risk whenever they enter any wild environment, whether on land or in the water. Although it is impossible to eliminate risk altogether, ocean users can modify their behavior to minimize potential interactions with sharks and reduce overall risk. When in the ocean, DEC encourages New Yorkers to be aware of their surroundings and follow DEC's shark safety guidelines to minimize the potential for negative interactions with sharks:

• Avoid areas with seals;
• Avoid areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, or diving seabirds;
• Avoid swimming at dusk, night, and dawn;
• Avoid murky water;
• Swim, paddle, and surf in groups;
• Stay close to shore, where feet can touch the bottom; and
• Always follow the instructions of lifeguards and park staff.

Sharks have existed in New York's marine waters for millions of years. Today there are more than 13 shark species that migrate through New York's marine waters each year. Each shark species has unique habitat and food preferences and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and balanced marine ecosystem. Sharks can prevent other species from monopolizing limited resources and degrading the marine environment. The presence of sharks in New York's marine waters is a positive sign of a healthy marine ecosystem.

Learn more about sharks in New York State.

When there are shark sightings and/or interactions at State Parks beaches, swimming is suspended, and all bathers are cleared from the water. Swimming is allowed to resume at least one hour after the last sighting. State Park lifeguards, Park Police and park staff stay on high alert and patrol the waters for dangerous marine life.

In addition, the Long Island Coastal Awareness Group, comprised of more than 200 individuals from municipalities, agencies, and private beach operators stretching from Queens through Long Island, is notified so they may take appropriate action in their respective jurisdictions. On May 8, 2024, State Parks and DEC’s Division of Marine Resources held a meeting with more than 65 representatives of agencies and municipalities from the coastal awareness group to provide a briefing regarding dangerous marine life. In addition to representatives of New York State Parks and DEC, presentations were made by Stony Brook University and the Wildlife Conservation Society. New York State Park Police representatives also gave a drone presentation.