VCJC News & Notes 11/29/24

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Reminders

Shabbos

Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar.

Here are the times you need:

Shabbos Candles Friday 11/29/24 @ 4:11 pm

Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.

Shabbos Ends Saturday 11/30/24 @ 5:14 pm

If you require an aliyah or would like to lead services, read from the torah or haftorah please speak to one of the gabbaim.

Our mailing address is:

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center

3880 Sedgwick Ave

Bronx, NY 10463

New York State Park Police Candidates Sought by Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

 

New Officers Help Provide Safe and Enjoyable Recreation for Park and Historic Site System's Record Numbers of Annual Visitors

Applications Accepted Through February 2025

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) is recruiting its next class of State Park Police Officer Trainees to help provide safe and enjoyable recreation to the state park system’s record 84 million annual visitors. State Parks provides outstanding outdoor and cultural experiences while offering some of the safest beaches, trails, golf courses, pools, picnic areas, and entertainment venues in the nation. Applications for Park Police Officer Trainee positions will be accepted until February 28, 2025, and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

“Our attendance figures show just how much people rely on and love our parks and sites, we also want to find the next group of recruits with a calling for state service and the outdoors,” said State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons. “Our New York State Park Police are among the first law enforcement agencies in the nation, and we are committed to the growing movement of 30x30 – the New York initiative to reach 30 percent of women in recruiting classes by 2030. Advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety.”

 

State Parks maintains a welcoming environment and offers new recruits hands-on training and classroom education in Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Park and Recreation Law and criminal investigations. Recruits will also receive training in firearms, first response, snowmobile and ATV operation, emergency vehicle operation, and a wide variety of other law enforcement-related topics and skills.

 

Once training and a competitive process including a New York State Civil Service exam is complete, appointments to the State Park Police Officer position are made. State Park Police Officers are permanent, full-time Police Officer positions, dedicated to preserving the peace in a wide variety of park environments around the state.

 

Typically, the State Park Police handle very large crowds, assist park goers, search for and rescue missing persons, make arrests, conduct criminal and non-criminal investigations, and provide emergency services wherever and whenever they are needed. Special services the State Park Police also offer include marine law enforcement and education duties on New York waterways, snowmobile enforcement and education, and high angle and swift water rescue teams.

 

In January 2025, the State Park Police Academy will graduate 29 new officers who will be assigned to serve New York's state parks and historic sites. Graduates reinforce what is learned in the classroom through field training during the first months of their new assignments. After that training, pay ranges from $73,796 - $93,129, based on work location, with performance-based salary increases to follow.

 

Click here for more information regarding the application process, agility testing, screening requirements and written exam.

Park Police Chief Michael Daddona said, “During my career, I have seen every level of this profession. It is a challenging and rewarding career. Our Park Police are relied upon to help people during extreme weather events, conduct criminal investigations and enforce laws on New York State's waterways and trails. Our new recruits will be joining a team of dedicated officers who provide a great public service to the people of New York State.”

 

Park Police officers are highly trained specialists dedicated to the New York State Park Police’s core values of P.R.I.D.E. – Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence. They provide New York State residents and visitors with safe and enjoyable recreational experiences at State Parks and Historic Sites.

 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog.

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Dear Neighbors,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! On this special day, it is my hope that we can reflect on the many blessings we have in our personal lives and as a community. I'm thankful to all of you for sending me back to Albany to continue working tirelessly to address the issues that matter the most to you and your family. Once again, have a peaceful, joyful holiday!



As Thanksgiving approached, Senator Rivera and his team traveled across his district to distribute turkeys ensuring that our community has everything it needs to spend a joyful holiday. With generous donations from local businesses, corporate partners, community organizations, as well as anonymous donors, over 700 families received a turkey from Senator Rivera's office. 

Pelham Parkway Houses Turkey Giveaway!

Pictured left to right: Senator Rivera, Oscar Grant, MetroPlus Health Representative

Since last Friday, team Rivera distributed turkeys at the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance, Open Hand Association, P.S. 033 Timothy Dwight, Twin Parks West, Riverdale Senior Services, Divino Niño Pediatrics, P.S. 32 Belmont, and the Webster Police Athletic League.

This past Monday, Senator Rivera distributed turkeys making various stops at the Mosholu Montefiore Senior Center, Pelham Parkway Houses Development, and the Bean Morris Community Garden. At Pelham Parkway Houses, he honored Mr. Oscar Grant with a proclamation for his outstanding community work.

On Tuesday, November 26, Senator Rivera joined Senator Zellnor Myrie, along with other colleagues and harm reduction organizations to call on City Hall for transparency over the $100 million in settlement funds directed to New York City. 

When Senator Rivera passed the law creating the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board, his goal was to ensure that these funds would go directly to meaningful and much-needed substance use disorder prevention programs that include treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services for New Yorkers.

In the Bronx, we are seeing staggering rates of 63.3 overdoses per 100,000 people, making it the county with the highest overdose rates in New York State. Therefore, we must act with the urgency that this public health emergency requires especially in communities like The Bronx and Brooklyn that are bearing the brunt of it.

Last week, Senator Rivera participated in the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) 22nd Annual Summit in Denver, Colorado. During the summit which gathered Hispanic state legislators from all over the country, Senator Rivera moderated a policy session titled "Transforming Obesity Care: Innovative Solutions for States." The discussion was focused on finding innovative policies to help tackle obesity especially since this co-morbidity disproportionately affect Hispanic and African American communities.

Better late than never! Senator Rivera would like to congratulate his amazing Community Affairs Representative, Jasmine T., for successfully completing the New York City Marathon on November 3rd, 2024.

Our State is currently under a drought watch, and 15 counties have been elevated to a drought warning status due to the ongoing shortage of rainfall, including the Bronx. All New Yorkers must do their part to conserve water. Learn how you can conserve water at nyc.gov/savewater

APPLY NOW FOR THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP)

New York State Parks is looking to fill Park Ranger positions statewide for the 2025 Summer season. Park Rangers serve as ambassadors for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. They help oversee a variety of environments including campgrounds, tourist attractions, beaches, marinas, trails, park offices, and more!

Park Ranger job duties range from responding to calls for assistance to proactively engaging with visitors in the parks and helping to maintain a safe environment for all. If you have a passion for the outdoors and love to connect with people, this could be the job for you! Apply before December 31. 

SIGN UP FOR CONGESTION RELIEF ZONE TOLLING WEBINARS

Starting January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 St—will be charged a toll. The program will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund better public transit.

 

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars in December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling. Webinars will explain why New York needs congestion pricing, how the Congestion Relief Zone works, what the toll rates are, who is entitled to discounts and exemptions, and other things people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will feature a brief presentation, followed by Q&A.

 

Learn more about the sessions and register to attend here.

 

For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info. 

CITY RELEASES INVESTIGATION REPORT INTO 2023 BRONX BUILDING COLLAPSE

 

New Enforcement Actions Taken Against Contractor 

Department of Buildings Staffing Up New Proactive Enforcement Unit Focused On Preventing Dangerous Collapses 

Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo announced the release of the city’s investigation report into a major structural collapse that occurred at 1915 Billingsley Terrace, in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx on December 11, 2023. The comprehensive 48-page report is the result of an extensive multi-agency investigation conducted in close coordination with the NYC Department of Investigation, and is being made available online in the interest of public transparency. The investigation found that the collapse was primarily caused by the unsafe removal of a load-bearing masonry pier on the northeast corner of the building that was holding up the corner of the building, performed by contractors who failed to install temporary structural shoring prior to the removal of the load-bearing masonry pier. This reckless action was performed because the engineer of record associated with the project failed in his critical duty of identifying the load-bearing nature of the pier. While thankfully no one was seriously injured in the collapse, it did result in the long-term displacement of dozens of families. As a result of our investigation, the Department has taken enforcement actions against the engineer of record and the general contractor for their failure to safeguard the public from construction activity at this building. 

Read the 48 page Investigation Report

https://www.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/1915_billingsley.pdf

MANHATTAN MAN SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HITTING MAN WITH STOLEN TRUCK, CRUSHING THE VICTIM’S BODY

Victim Will Suffer Long-term Pain and Disability

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Manhattan man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree Assault and Leaving the scene of an Incident without Reporting, for crashing a truck he stole into a man on White Plains Road, causing permanent injuries. 

District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant stole a flatbed truck and while driving in a reckless manner, crashed into the pedestrian, crushing him into the side of another vehicle. He then fled the scene, leaving the victim with broken bones, a punctured lung and two fingers severed. The defendant’s reckless actions have now been answered with a substantial prison sentence.” 

The defendant, Carl Jenkins, 61, of East 30th Street, Manhattan was sentenced today to seven years in prison and five years post-release supervision on second-degree Assault and Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Shari Michaels. Jenkins pleaded guilty to the charges on October 7, 2024. 

According to the investigation, on April 22, 2022, the defendant got into a 2002 Mitsubishi flatbed truck parked in front of a lumber yard on White Plains Road that did not belong to him. The keys were inside. Video cameras recorded his taking the truck and later captured him driving in a reckless manner further down White Plains Road. He struck a 49-year-old-man, crushing him into the side of another vehicle. The victim suffered a punctured lung, broken bones in one arm, broken ribs, two severed fingers, broken teeth, and internal bleeding. Surgeons had to implant titanium plates and screws into his right forearm and ribs.

District Attorney Clark also thanked Detective 2nd Grade Carl Beal of the 47th Precinct for his work on the case. 

Governor Hochul Participates in Day of Service at Capital City Rescue Mission’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

Highlights Governor's Effort to Increase Funding for Emergency Food Security

3,000 Thanksgiving Meals Served by Capital City Rescue Mission

“Community organizations like the Capital City Rescue Mission go above and beyond to serve our neighbors in their times of need, not just on Thanksgiving, but every day,” Governor Hochul said. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside their team members today, and I thank the many volunteers across New York who are dedicating their time to give back to their communities this Thanksgiving.”

Capital City Rescue Mission Pastor and Executive Director Perry Jones said, “It is a privilege to host a special Thanksgiving celebration for those in our community who need a helping hand and companionship. We thank each donor for their generosity and prayers.”

This year's Capital City Rescue Mission meal distribution was made possible thanks to generous community donations. The organization prepared 1,000 pounds of turkey, 500 pounds of yams and 700 pounds of fresh vegetables for this year’s Thanksgiving Dinner.

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has remained committed to combatting food insecurity and supporting New York agriculture in the process. As part of that effort, earlier this week, Governor Hochul announced $27.5 million in additional funding toward the New York State Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) and Nourish New York (Nourish NY) programs. This funding will be awarded to eleven food security organizations which support a network of more than 2,600 New York State food pantries, soup kitchens and shelter sites that are particularly busy during the holiday season. Together, they will provide nearly 400 million emergency meals to assist those in need annually, while providing a boost to New York farmers.

New Yorkers in need of food assistance are encouraged to visit the following links to learn more about the many programs available here in the state:

• Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program,
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the
• Child and Adult Care Food Program

U.S. Attorney Announces Cocaine Importation Charges Against Chief Superintendent Of Royal Bahamas Police Force And Other Bahamian Officials

 

Elvis Nathaniel Curtis and Other Corrupt Bahamian Officials Led Efforts to Support and Protect Large-Scale Cocaine Shipments Through The Bahamas en Route to the United States

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, the Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 13 defendants with cocaine importation and related weapons offenses in connection with their participation in a massive cocaine importation conspiracy enabled by corrupt Bahamian government officials, including high-ranking members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (“RBPF”). ELVIS NATHANIEL CURTIS, an RBPF Chief Superintendent, and DARRIN ALEXANDER ROKER, a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (“RBDF”), were arrested on Monday in Florida and had their initial appearances yesterday afternoon in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.  LORIELMO STEELE-POMARE, a/k/a “Steele” and WILLIAM SIMEON, a/k/a “Harvey Smith,” a/k/a “William Jacques,” a/k/a “Romeo Russell,” a/k/a “Dario Rolle,” were arrested overseas on Monday.  LUIS FERNANDO OROZCO-TORO was arrested overseas yesterday.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, for years, drug traffickers have smuggled tons of cocaine through The Bahamas with the support and protection of corrupt Bahamian government officials who control airports throughout the country and provide sensitive information about U.S. Coast Guard movements to drug traffickers.  This Indictment is the latest in a series of charges that this Office and the DEA’s Special Operations Division have brought against corrupt government officials around the globe who partner with dangerous cocaine traffickers. These charges should serve as yet another powerful wake-up call to corrupt officials everywhere—we will not rest until you are held accountable for your role in the drug trade that is poisoning this country and our community.  I commend the career prosecutors of this Office and our partners at the DEA for their tireless efforts to disrupt drug-fueled corruption wherever it takes hold.” 

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said: “The arrests of corrupt officials, including a leader of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and another government official in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, expose the alarming betrayal of public trust that has enabled tons of cocaine to flow through The Bahamas and into the United States.  In 2024, there was a 5.4% increase in cocaine seizures in the United States.  By abusing their positions to accept bribes, protect traffickers, and facilitate drug shipments via airports and maritime routes, these individuals jeopardized countless lives for personal gain.  Let this be a clear message from the DEA: if you are a government official who uses your power to traffic in drugs and corruption, we will bring you to justice in the United States.”

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

Since at least May 2021, drug traffickers have smuggled tons of cocaine through The Bahamas for importation into the U.S. with the help and support of corrupt Bahamian government officials.  The Bahamas has in recent years become an increasingly important transshipment point for U.S.-bound cocaine.  This is a result, in part, of its proximity to the U.S., as the northernmost Bahamian islands are less than 100 nautical miles from the coast of Florida, making The Bahamas an attractive route for cocaine traffickers.

The increased cocaine flow through The Bahamas and into the U.S. has been a direct result of yearslong, drug-fueled corruption by certain officials in key Bahamian government institutions.  Such corruption includes certain high-ranking members of the RBPF and other Bahamian government officials who work with drug traffickers to receive, protect, and provide safe passage for massive cocaine shipments through the airports and ports of The Bahamas.  These corrupt officials support the drug trade into the U.S. at multiple levels. First, cocaine-laden aircraft, including on U.S.-registered planes, are received at remote airstrips and larger airports in The Bahamas under the supervision of corrupt RBPF officials who work with, and accept bribes from, drug traffickers.  Then, once the cocaine arrives in The Bahamas, those corrupt officials also help drug traffickers transport their cocaine from the northernmost points of The Bahamas to the U.S. using go-fast vessels, yachts, and fishing boats.

The DEA has historically coordinated drug enforcement operations with the RBPF through a counternarcotics program called Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or “OPBAT.”  Although OPBAT has had its share of successes in combatting the drug trade in the Caribbean, certain corrupt RBPF and Bahamian officials abuse the OPBAT program and their relationship with the DEA to disrupt U.S.-led law enforcement attempts to combat drug trafficking in The Bahamas.  Corrupt RBPF officials have, among other things, denied the DEA access to seized cocaine and evidence, provided information to the DEA that was contradicted by aerial surveillance, and even informed a DEA agent that certain drug trafficking targets were “off limits.”

As alleged, CURTIS is an RBPF Chief Superintendent who supervises airport locations throughout The Bahamas, including the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau (the “Nassau Airport”), which is the largest airport in The Bahamas.  In exchange for bribes made by drug traffickers, CURTIS has abused his official position to, among other things, provide safe passage for cocaine shipments through airports in The Bahamas, with the assistance of other corrupt officials such as RBPF Sergeant PRINCE ALBERT SYMONETTE.  For instance, on or about October 18, 2023, CURTIS and SYMONETTE each accepted approximately $10,000 in bribe payments as a down payment for their assistance in what they understood to be an upcoming 600-kilogram cocaine shipment to The Bahamas through the Nassau Airport, for eventual distribution to the U.S.  Additionally, in or about September 2024, CURTIS explained that, in exchange for a $2 million bribe, a high-ranking Bahamian politician that CURTIS named would authorize the assistance and involvement of armed RBPF officials to facilitate incoming cocaine shipments.  CURTIS and ROKER also discussed abusing their official positions to transport drug proceeds from cocaine sales in the U.S. back to The Bahamas, including with Bahamian government and military aircraft.

Other corrupt Bahamian officials, such as ROKER, a Chief Petty Officer in the RBDF, have facilitated maritime drug trafficking activities through The Bahamas and into the U.S. by providing sensitive information about U.S. Coast Guard and DEA-led OPBAT operations to alert drug traffickers, in exchange for bribes. RICCARDO ADOLPHUS DAVIS also purports to be an official in the Bahamian government who used his influence with corrupt Bahamian government officials to authorize drug trafficking facilitated by RBPF officials.

Drug traffickers who work with the RBPF and other Bahamian officials coordinate closely with pilots to fly their U.S.-bound cocaine shipments from Central and South America into The Bahamas.  These pilots also work for various Bahamian private charter companies that provide flight services to Bahamian citizens and foreign tourists who are visiting The Bahamas.

CURTIS, 51, of The Bahamas; SYMONETTE, 52, of The Bahamas; ROKER, 56, of The Bahamas; DAVIS, 59, of The Bahamas; SIMEON, 52, of The Bahamas; THEODORE NATHANIEL ADDERLEY, a/k/a “Blue,” 53, of The Bahamas; JOSHUA MCDONALD SCAVELLA, a/k/a “Cow,” 46, of The Bahamas; STEELE-POMARE, 59, of Colombia; OROZCO-TORO, 58, of Colombia; DAVON REVION KHAIM ROLLE, 34, of The Bahamas; DARREN ARTHUR FERGUSON, a/k/a “Hubba,” 54, of The Bahamas; DOMONICK DELANCY, 36, of The Bahamas; and DONALD FREDERICK FERGUSON II, a/k/a “DJ,” a/k/a “Billy,” 26, of The Bahamas, are charged with cocaine importation conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; using and carrying firearms during, and possessing firearms in furtherance of, the cocaine-importation conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison; and conspiring to use and carry firearms during, and possessing firearms in furtherance of, the cocaine-importation conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Special Operations Division’s Bilateral Investigations Unit, Nassau Country Office, Bogota Country Office, and Panama City Country Office, as well as the assistance of the Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

The case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan L. Bodansky, Nicholas S. Bradley, and Juliana N. Murray are in charge of the prosecution.

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

If you or someone you know has information about the conduct in this case, please contact the DEA’s tip line at BahamasNarcoTips@dea.gov

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