Councilmember Kristy Marmorato's Weekly Newsletter

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

Dear Neighbors,

We hope everyone is having a great start to the new school year! This week, we continued our commitment to supporting our community in many ways. We celebrated back-to-school with PS 108 and distributed fresh produce to local families. We wrapped up our summer concert series with the Glass Houses band performing Billy Joel classics, welcomed the new Playa Bowls in Morris Park, and sponsored the Allerton International Food Festival.

We also hosted the street co-naming of Betty Lou Schref Murphy, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and remembered and honored all those we lost on September 11th. Finally, the Councilwoman had the privilege of swearing in the board of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

In this week's newsletter, you will find details about the district events that took place this week, along with information on various upcoming events we have planned.

It is an honor to represent you in the New York City Council and continue fighting to keep our community safe, healthy, and prosperous!

Sincerely,

Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato

District 13, Bronx

Uniformed Fire Officers Association 

September 10, 2025

Last week I had the privilege of swearing in the board of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Coming from a New York City Fire Department family, I know first hand the needs, challenges & responsibilities that come with the job.



I vow to always fight for you, with you, and for your protection.

September 11, 2025

On September 11th, we remember and honor all those we lost. We will never forget the first responders, families and countless New Yorkers who showed unimaginable courage in the face of tragedy.

I had the privilege to spend the morning with some of our very own D13 first responders.

We appreciate and do not forget your dedication

Back to School Bash September 11, 2025

Back to school bash at PS 108 was a hit! I'm always happy to partner with our local schools and provide resources, like fresh produce to our local students and their families.

 

Summer Concert Series September 12, 2025

Last Friday was the final curtain for this year's summer concert series!

Thank you to everyone that came out and danced the night away with us and to Pugsley Pizza for the delicious pizza!

Playa Bowls

Welcome to Morris Park, Playa Bowls.

We are so excited to have you in the neighborhood (especially across the street from our office)!

Allerton International Merchant's International Food Festival

September 13, 2025

Had a great time with our friends on Allerton at the Allerton International Food Festival.

So happy to be a sponsor of such a wonderful event!

Street Co-naming

Last week's street co-naming for Betty Lou Schref Murphy was as bright and vibrant as we knew her to be!

50th Anniversary of the end of Vietnam War September 16, 2025

What a privilege to join the Vietnam Veterans of America commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

I will always stand with our veterans and fight to get them the resources and recognition they deserve!

What's Happening in D13?

Veterans Services   

Bronx Teens Saturday Program

                                 

CUNY Citizenship - Every Monday!

SPRING CLEANING COSTUME COLLECTION  Give Your Old Costumes a Second Life!

Street Co-Naming

Councilwoman Marmorato 

 718-931-1721

District13@council.nyc.gov                   

NEW MAYOR’S MANAGEMENT REPORT SHOWS ADAMS ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO DELIVER MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY, AFFORDABILITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR NYC RESIDENTS

 

Report Shows Murder Was Down 6 Percent and Robbery Was Down 17 Percent as New York City Continues Major Crime Declines

28,000 Affordable Housing Units Created or Preserved, Exceeding City Target by 41 Percent; Second Highest Number of New Construction Units Started in City History; Over 13,300 Affordable Housing Units Started Construction

Rat Infestation at Five-Year Low, Street and Highway Pothole Repairs Up 17 Percent as Adams Administration Continues to Improve Neighborhoods’ Quality of Life 

WATCH: Mayor Adams Discusses Five Things New Yorkers Need to Know About the Mayor's Management Report

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the release of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Mayor’s Management Report (MMR), evaluating city agency performance from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The report, once again, demonstrates major improvements and significant progress made under the Adams administration in key areas of importance to New Yorkers, including public safety, housing, affordability, and quality of life — all reflecting the city’s commitment to addressing the needs of its residents.

“This year’s Mayor’s Management Report is another testament to our commitment to a cleaner, safer, and more affordable New York City,” said Mayor Adams. “We are taking on every quality-of-life issue from rats to potholes, breaking affordable housing records, and dropping crime to historic lows. Our city agencies are being held to the highest standards of efficiency and accountability, and the work is showing. With rat infestation signs at their lowest levels in five years, over 28,000 affordable housing units created or preserved, smashing our own target of 20,000 units by 41 percent, and significant reductions in major crimes, including homicides and shootings, we’re building a city that works for everyone. This year’s report proves New York City is not just back, but that we are leading the way and continuing to make steady progress to deliver a safer, more affordable city for New Yorkers that is truly the best place to raise a family.”

“The Mayor’s Management Report is the product of dedicated, year-round performance management and an achievement for public accountability,” said Mayor's Office of Operations Director Daniel Steinberg. “The report features over 2,000 indicators across 45 city agencies, including narrative explanations for notable trends and an online Dynamic MMR for deeper analysis and monthly updates. By launching the DMMR and adding dozens of new indicators reflecting new challenges and programs, New York City continues to set the standard.”

Highlights of this year’s MMR include:

Keeping New Yorkers Safe:

• Six of the seven major felony crime categories saw decreases in FY 2025, with murder and non-negligent manslaughter dropping 6 percent, and robbery dropping by more than 17 percent. Shooting incidents also decreased 14 percent last fiscal year.
• Major felony crime decreased in parks by 12 percent, in the transit system by 2 percent, and in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments by 5 percent. Additionally, school safety incidents declined across all categories, including a 9 percent drop in major felony crimes.
• End-to-end average response time to critical crimes in progress by the New York City Police Department decreased by 14 seconds.
• Total traffic fatalities decreased 24 percent and were down across nearly all categories. This includes fatalities related to motorized two-wheelers, which decreased by 39 percent from 99 to 60; motor vehicle occupants, which saw a 32 percent decrease; and pedestrians, which decreased by 8 percent — making FY 2025 one of the best years for Vision Zero’s goals in recent history.
• The New York City Department of Buildings continued to see decreases in construction related incidents and accidents, down 37 percent from FY 2024, due to increased site visits and distribution of safety materials, as well as enduring adequate safety training on worksites.
• Total taxi medallion safety and emissions inspections conducted increased by 11 percent.
• The New York City Department of Design and Construction completed 4,427 feet of coastal protection as part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency and Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resiliency projects on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, protecting more than 150,000 residents by reducing flood risk due to coastal storms and sea level rise.

Helping Put More Money in New Yorkers’ Pockets:

• Total private sector employment rose for a fourth consecutive year, 2 percent up to 4.22 million, which is nearly 20 percent more than it was in FY 2021, evidence of the city’s sustained economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In total, 2,523 minority-and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBE) were newly certified or recertified, increasing the total number of certified M/WBEs to 11,382 — an over 2 percent increase from FY 2024 and more than 5 percent above the New York City Department of Small Business Services’ 10,800 certified M/WBEs target, building off the work the Adams administration has done to break records on supporting M/WBEs.
• The New York City Industrial Development Agency closed more than double the number of contracts, which is projected to generate $775 million in tax revenue and create over 230 jobs while leveraging nearly $2 billion in private investment.
• People receiving skills training and work experience through New York City Economic Development Corporation programs more than doubled to over 25,000, driven by programming related to entrepreneurship and jobs in the green economy, creative life sciences, and technology industries.
• Fair Fares NYC enrollment increased 11 percent to a record 378,527. Total WeCARE recipients increased 63 percent from 15,133 to 24,620.
• The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s (DCWP) Financial Empowerment Centers helped wipe away $136,968,576 in debt for clients — a 13 percent increase — and the cumulative amount of increased savings rose by 11 percent, to $17,673,479. This increase reflects stronger program management that helped counselors connect clients to savings strategies and debt relief resources, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• There were 110,352 tax returns filed for free by DCWP’s NYC Free Tax Prep program during FY 2025, a 9 percent increase from the previous year. Participants saved an estimated $38,181,792 in filing fees during the 2025 tax season, a 17 percent increase from FY 2024.
• The total amount of consumer restitution from DCWP actions reached the second highest amount in five years at over $2.3 million.
• The New York City Human Resources Administration nearly tripled the number of clients helped to obtain employment to nearly 22,000 working-class New Yorkers.
• Nearly 210,000 applications were processed for the city’s IDNYC card, up over 4 percent, and the 197,996 cards issued was 8 percent more than last year, while still maintaining a 97 percent application timeliness rate, meaning nearly all cards were sent within 14 days of the application being received.

Achieving Results in Educating City’s Youth and Supporting Families:

• Applying for child care is as accessible as ever with MyCity, the city’s online portal that provides a centralized, user-friendly platform for New Yorkers and businesses to access, apply for, and track various city services and benefits. Child care applications submitted through MyCity increased 68 percent from FY 2024 to nearly 70,000 applications in FY 2025, including a 26 percent increase in new applications, and a nearly five-fold increase in recertification applications.
• Voucher enrollment was up nearly across the board: The average child care voucher enrollment increased by 28 percent, the average center-based child care voucher enrollment increased by 33 percent, the average family child care voucher enrollment increased by 21 percent, and the average informal home-based child care voucher enrollment increased by 42 percent.
• The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) served a 97,004 participants across nearly 13,000 sites. The total amount of stipends and wages paid through SYEP accordingly increased by 12 percent from Fiscal Year 2024 to a record high of $139.9 million. Combined with other city agencies, SYEP surpassed the citywide goal of a record 100,000 summer opportunities for young people. Afterschool programs, such as Beacon and Cornerstone, also had record participation. Beacon programs enrolled 62,292 youth participants and 17,353 adults, increases of 10 percent and 4 percent, respectively; Cornerstone programs served 21,122 young people, an increase of 11 percent.
• School class size decreased across all grade bands and the proportion of students chronically absent decreased to the lowest level under the administration.
• Students in grades 3 to 8 meeting or exceeding standards increased seven percentage points, to 56 percent, for English Language Arts and nearly 4 percentage points, to 57 percent, for math — both five-year highs. These increases are a testament to the success of Mayor Adams’ signature initiatives, NYC Reads and NYC Solves, which the city expanded this year so that over 490,000 students can benefit this school year.

Delivering More Affordable Housing:

• The Adams administration created and preserved over 33,000 total units of affordable housing across the city’s housing portfolio in FY 2025, a 15 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. Of the total, over 28,000 affordable housing units were created or preserved by the New York City Housing and Preservation Department (HPD) — exceeding HPD’s target of 20,000 units by 41 percent. This included 13,361 units of new construction, the second highest number of new construction units in the city’s history.
• Affordable units issued through the city’s housing lottery took nearly 50 fewer days to approve — 26 percent faster than last fiscal year.
• Proactive building visits by the HPD Anti-Harassment Unit increased by 24 percent.
• HPD also expanded its reach through alternative enforcement tools with more buildings taking necessary steps to correct violations and exit enforcement programs in Fiscal 2025 compared to Fiscal 2024. The number of units discharged from the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP) rose by 36 percent, from 3,374 to 4,592 units.
• HPD created or preserved 4,178 units for homeless households, including 1,962 supportive housing units — representing the highest number of homeless units and third highest number of supportive units on record.
• New move-ins at NYCHA have increased significantly, increasing by 42 percent to 4,630.
• NYCHA work order response times continued to improve across several indicators due to reforms made to the work order process. The average time to resolve emergency service requests decreased 17 percent.
• Exits from shelter to permanent housing increased across the board: Single adults increased 6 percent, adult families increased 46 percent, and families with children increased 40 percent.

Improving Quality of Life:

• Initial inspections with active rat signs are at a five-year low at 19.7 percent, reflecting efforts are working, such as citywide waste containerization and public education efforts.
• Response to rat and other pest complaints have improved at NYCHA — the percent of rat complaints responded to within two days and within five days have increased by 17 and 13 points, respectively. Other pest complaints responded to within seven days and within 10 days have increased by 44 and 40 points, respectively.
• The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) deployed 17 percent more illegal dumping cameras, a total of 337 more; 21 percent more summonses were issued for illegal dumping, a total of 872; and the 417 illegal dumping vehicles impounded was 46 percent more than last year.
• DSNY removed over 26,600 vehicles from city streets, more than doubling last year’s total in support of Mayor Adams’ commitment to remove illegal vehicles from city streets.
• The city saw major environmental gains and savings, largely due to composting and recycling. Overall recycling tonnage increased 4 percent, and the diversion rate of recyclables rose for a third consecutive year to 21.8 percent, the highest since FY 2011. Tons of refuse disposed to landfills decreased to the lowest level in at least 15 years, largely due to the tons of organic waste that were diverted, which increased nearly 29 percent. Green infrastructure
• assets implemented increased 19 percent.
• Sewer back up complaints dropped by 36 percent, and resolution time for backed up sewers decreased by 26 percent. Catch basin complaints also decreased 38 percent.
• The New York City Department of Transportation repaired 15 percent more potholes on city streets, an increase of nearly 20,000 potholes, and repaired 23 percent more potholes on city highways. Between streets and highways, over 180,00 potholes were repaired.
• DSNY cleaned nearly 28 percent more miles of highways, an additional 800 miles.
• New Yorkers living within walking distance of a park continued to increase to 84.2 percent, and there were 10 percent more trees planted along city streets. Street trees pruned increased by 19 percent and the annual pruning goal completed was 99 percent, 15 percentage points better than last fiscal year and the highest in the last five years.
• Health-led crisis response and community-based de-escalations increased 22 percent, and individuals who received services from long-term mobile community-based treatment providers increased for a fifth consecutive year, by 10 percent to over 6,200.

Honduran Nationals Extradited to the United States to Face Federal Fentanyl Trafficking Charges

 

Two Honduran nationals were extradited from Honduras to the United States to face charges for their roles in conspiring to distribute fentanyl in Oregon.

Teodoro Rodas Dubon, 32, and Erick Yojan Lopez Miralda, 38, made their initial appearances in federal court in Portland Tuesday.

According to court documents, special agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned that beginning in 2022, Rodas Dubon directed and controlled the distribution of bulk quantities of fentanyl throughout the Portland area. Following law enforcement actions against Rodas Dubon’s drug trafficking organization, Rodas Dubon returned to Honduras where he resumed coordinating the distribution of fentanyl throughout the Portland area. On February 22, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Rodas Dubon with conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners will aggressively pursue threats like these no matter where they come from,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Mr. Rodas Dubon and Mr. Lopez Miralda are accused of serious crimes in the United States and we look forward to seeking justice in Oregon.”

Additional court documents revealed Lopez-Miralda separately ran a fentanyl distribution cell operating in the Portland area in 2023. Following a multi-kilogram seizure of fentanyl, Lopez Miralda returned to Honduras. On April 3, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Lopez Miralda with conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

Rodas Dubon and Lopez Miralda were both arrested by Honduran authorities pursuant to provisional arrest warrants in January 2025. On September 15, 2025, both defendants were extradited to the United States to face federal charges in the District of Oregon. Both defendants made their initial appearances in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. They were each arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin in November 2025.

“Rodas Dubon and Lopez Miralda’s extraditions to the District of Oregon send a critical message: the United States will relentlessly pursue and hold accountable those involved in trafficking fentanyl,” said United States Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “These cases reinforce our commitment to holding all individuals involved in illicit drug operations accountable for the devastating impact they’ve had in Oregon. I extend my gratitude to our federal and state partners and the Honduran authorities for their dedicated efforts in investigating, interdicting, and apprehending those involved, especially for the arrests and extraditions of Rodas Dubon and Lopez Miralda.”

These cases were investigated by the DEA with assistance from the DEA Tegucigalpa, Honduras Country Office, the Tigard Police Department, the Sherwood Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team. It is being prosecuted by Paul T. Maloney, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Honduran authorities to secure the defendants’ arrests and extraditions from Honduras.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

President Of Queens-Based Construction Company Sentenced For Fraud In Connection With Homeless Shelter Contracts Worth $12 Million

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that LIAQUAT CHEEMA, the leader of a fraudulent scheme to defraud New York City (the “City”) in connection with public contracts to perform general contracting work at City homeless shelters, was sentenced yesterday to four years in prison by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.  CHEEMA previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud on March 5, 2024, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang. 

“Liaquat Cheema stole millions of dollars in public funds intended to pay for maintenance at homeless shelters in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “This Office has no tolerance for those who use public contracts intended to aid members of our society-in-need to fraudulently enrich themselves.  We will aggressively pursue anyone who abuses public trust for personal profit.” 

According to the Indictment to which CHEEMA pled guilty, the Complaint, the plea agreement, and statements made in court:  

CHEEMA was the President of AFL Construction Co. Inc. (“AFL”), located in Queens, New York. AFL entered into public contracts with the City worth approximately $12 million to perform general contracting work at homeless shelters located in the City, including in the Southern District of New York.  Pursuant to the contracts, AFL was to perform, among other things, general maintenance, landscaping, roofing, and snow removal at shelter sites.

From at least in or about 2014 through at least in or about 2017, CHEEMA and others used the contracts to fraudulently enrich themselves and steal from the City.  In furtherance of the scheme, CHEEMA and others, among other things, submitted fraudulent invoices and other documentation in support of requests for payment on the contracts, which falsely claimed that workers had performed work on certain projects and inflated amounts paid by the defendants for materials purportedly used on such projects.  These fraudulent invoices and supporting documentation contained, without authorization, the identities of other persons, including the names and, in at least one case, the Social Security number, of purported workers who in fact had not worked on the projects specified in the requests for payment submitted by CHEEMA and others.

CHEEMA and others also obtained tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of Medicaid benefits by repeatedly submitting fraudulent certifications, which underreported their actual incomes and accordingly enabled them to obtain Medicaid benefits for which they were not eligible.  In support of requests for Medicaid benefits, CHEEMA and others repeatedly submitted nearly identical employment letters, which, among other misrepresentations, contained the name and purported signature of a purported “Project Manager” who, in fact, was deceased.  In connection with his guilty plea, CHEEMA agreed to pay back the money misappropriated from Medicaid.

In addition to the prison term, CHEEMA, 65, of East Elmhurst, New York, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $3,267,811.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the New York City Department of Investigation.