Council Member Eric Dinowitz - Community Movie Night This Saturday! 10/11/25

 

New York City Council Member

ERIC DINOWITZ  

Dear Neighbor: 

Get ready for this Saturday night’s festivities - our last and final movie in the park (after dark)! We will be screening Elio, at Williamsbridge Oval. Also, if you get there early (4pm), there will be activities and giveaways from our co-sponsors. Activities will include face painting, games, and arts and crafts. 

 

The first 50 families get a free pumpkin! 

 

Bring a blanket, pack a snack (or enjoy popcorn and cotton candy on us), and enjoy a night of film and community! 

 

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025 

Time: Pre-movie activities begin at 4pm, movie begins at around 6:00pm (dusk) 

Location: Williamsbridge Oval Track & Field, entrance at 3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx, NY 10467 

Movie: Elio 

 

This event is free and open to all ages. Friends, families, and neighbors - all are welcome. 

 

We hope you can spread the word and see you there! 

11th Council District, Bronx  

277 West 231st, Bronx, NY 10463 

Tel: (718) 549 - 7300

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO PROTECT $12 MILLION IN FEDERAL COUNTERTERRORISM FUNDING FOR NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY SYSTEM

 

Subways Transport Average of 5.5 Million People Daily 

 

Transit Security Grant Program Helps Protect Public-Transit System Against Terrorist Attacks 

 

Cuts Threaten Anti-Terror, Explosives, Suspicious Activity, and Operational Response Work Conducted by NYPD in Subways 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the City of New York has filed an amicus brief supporting the State of New York’s ongoing case to prevent the Trump administration from revoking $12 million in grant funding that would be passed from the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for counterterrorism policing in the subway system. In the brief, the city supports the state’s motion for a preliminary injunction in New York v. Noem, which the federal government opposes. 

 

“The subway system is the lifeblood of our city, making it one of the biggest terrorist targets in the nation, so we cannot afford to lose a single dollar — let alone $12 million — when it comes to protecting 5.5 million daily riders,” said Mayor Adams. “Extremist behavior is taking place across the globe, and these funds are crucial in both being proactive and reactive to the threats to the safety of everyone in our city. We filed this amicus brief to support our state partners in the fight to stop the federal government’s dangerous funding cuts.” 

 

“Cutting federal funds that support vital NYPD counterterrorism efforts endangers all New Yorkers,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant. “The Trump administration is risking mass casualties, severe property damage, and public terror to coerce the City of New York into falling in line with its policy priorities. The DHS secretary’s unlawful and dangerous action should be enjoined.”  

 

On September 30, 2025, New York state learned that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the federal government was revoking funding under the Transit Security Grant Program (TGSP) that was originally allocated to the MTA for the coming fiscal year. The NYPD is primarily responsible for public safety in the city’s subway system, a component part of the MTA’s transit network, and the MTA planned to pass on $12 million of the grant award to the NYPD for counterterrorism policing in the subways. The NYPD uses the funds to train and support units that detect explosives and chemical and radiological weapons, identify and preempt incipient attacks, train transit officers to respond to active shooter attacks in the subway, and respond effectively to terrorist incidents. 

 

The NYPD plans to use its portion of the grant funds for Fiscal Year 2025 to continue to safeguard the subway-riding public. The grant funding withheld by DHS would support a variety of NYPD deployments that work to keep the subway safe, including: 

 

•  Officers on the Radiological Anti-Terror Patrol Train Operational Sweep Team, which inspect critical infrastructure throughout the subway system — including stations, tunnels, equipment rooms, tracks, and train cars — for radiological weapons. 

•   The Explosive Detection Canine Unit, which patrols the subway system with dogs trained to find chemical, radiological, and nuclear explosives. 

•   The Mobile Explosive Screening Team, which uses explosive detection equipment to screen passengers’ bags at entrance points. 

•   The Suspicious Activity Behavior Recognition Team, which sends undercover officers on the subway system to prevent terrorism. 

•   The Transit Operational Response Canines and Heavy Weapons Team, which patrols entrances during rush hour to deter attacks.  

•   Funding active-shooter training. 

 

According to the brief, the harm from the loss of those funds will not only endanger the average 5.5 million daily commuters and tourists who ride the subways every day, but all of the city’s 8.5 million residents. The city argues that the DHS secretary’s choice to deny MTA funding — for the first time since the grant program’s creation — was motivated by a policy disagreement with city and state officials rather than any assessment of the risk of a terrorist incident in New York City’s subway system. Cutting funding based on a policy disagreement violates the statute authorizing the counterterrorism grant. The statute expressly provides that funds “shall” be distributed to public transit systems based solely on the risk of terrorism. The city’s subway system faces a higher risk of a terrorist attack than any other transit system in the country, and the DHS secretary is required to allocate part of the grant to the MTA.  

 

The action comes on the heels of the federal government’s decision to reverse its $187 million reduction in public safety grants. As the brief notes, “the DHS secretary’s decision is even more unsupportable given that the secretary has reversed course on announced massive cuts to the state from a similar but separate grant —the Homeland Security Grant Program — which is also required to be distributed based on risk.” 

 

Since the inception of the TGSP program, the NYPD has received close to $250 million in funding, which it has used to support vital counterterrorism initiatives in the subway system.  

Governor Hochul and Labor Leaders Announce Maximum Weekly Benefit Increase for Unemployed Workers

Starting this Month, Maximum Weekly Benefit Increases from $504 to $869

Increase in UI Benefits Comes at Same Time as GOP Federal Shutdown Impacted 115,000 Federal Employees in New York, Leaving Them Without Paychecks

Governor and New York State Legislature Paid Off Trust Fund Loan in FY 2026 Budget, Bringing the Fund to Solvency, Increasing Benefits for Unemployed New Yorkers and Cutting Costs for Businesses

Part of Governor Hochul’s Efforts To Increase Benefits for New York’s Workforce and Save Businesses Money

Governor Kathy Hochul and labor leaders today announced the maximum weekly unemployment insurance (UI) benefit increase for unemployed workers across the state. As part of the Governor’s FY26 Enacted Budget, the State invested nearly $7 billion to pay off the federal UI Trust Fund loan, and bring the fund to solvency and increase the maximum weekly benefit from $504 to $869. The increase in UI benefits comes at the same time as the GOP federal shutdown impacts 115,000 federal employees in New York, leaving them without paychecks.

“Donald Trump and Washington Republicans’ agenda is a direct attack on hardworking New Yorkers, with reckless trade wars causing skyrocketing prices, and now their decision to shutdown the federal government has left thousands of New Yorkers unemployed and unsupported,” Governor Hochul said. “It’s a stark contrast to everything we’re doing here in New York. With the weekly maximum benefits increasing starting this month, we are able to uplift unemployed New Yorkers, including those that Republicans in Washington have failed, while cutting costs to businesses.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Increasing the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit will greatly help New Yorkers navigating job loss. This historic increase will help more people make ends meet when they need it most and put money directly into the hands of those out of work through no fault of their own. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for working together to pay off the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund debt and make these increases possible.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the UI Trust Fund had a positive balance of nearly $2.5 billion. However, due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the balance was paid out to New Yorkers, requiring the State to borrow from the federal government to continue paying eligible claims. Paying off the debt and making the fund solvent has allowed the State to increase the maximum UI benefit rate so that it better aligns with other states and changes to the taxable wage base to help build up reserves and stabilize the UI Trust Fund for the future.

Starting with payments issued the week of October 13, the maximum amount customers can receive weekly will increase from $504 to $869, and increases are expected for many customers even if they are not currently receiving the highest rate. The weekly benefit payment amount is determined by how much a worker earned during a specific base period. New Yorkers can use this tool to estimate their weekly Unemployment Insurance benefit amount.

By paying off the debt, the State is also putting money back in the pockets of business owners, whose contribution rates had continued to climb while the debt was paid down. Employers will no longer receive annual Interest Assessment Surcharge (IAS) bills and are projected to save an average of $100 per employee in 2026 and $250 in 2027. Additionally, the taxable wage base will increase in 2026, strengthening the trust fund over time and helping to maintain affordable tax rates for New York’s employers in the long term.

 

Housing Lottery Launches for Concern Logan at 467 Logan Street in East New York, Brooklyn

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for Concern Logan, a nine-story mixed-use building at 467 Logan Street in East New York, Brooklyn. Designed by Dattner Architects and developed by Concern for Independent Living, the structure yields 66 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 25 units for residents at 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $55,166 to $105,000.

Amenities include pet-friendly policies, an on-site resident manager, community center, business center, common area Wi-Fi, elevator, gym, and a sundeck. Residences are equipped with air conditioning, energy-efficient appliances, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including stove.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are two studios with a monthly rent of $1,498 for incomes ranging from $55,166 to $77,760; 17 one-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,582 for incomes ranging from $58,595 to $87,480; and six two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $1,888 for incomes ranging from $70,560 to $105,000.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than December 5, 2025.

Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in Brooklyn

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on October 5, 2025 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn.

Shortly after 9 a.m. on October 5, NYPD officers were responding to a 911 call when they encountered a man outside of a building on East 86th Street in Brooklyn. When officers attempted to stop the man, he ran away, and officers pursued him. The man stopped on Coventry Road between East 86th Street and Ralph Avenue. The man was holding a gun, and officers instructed him to drop the gun. The man allegedly failed to drop the gun, and an officer discharged his service weapon, striking the man. The man was transferred to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a gun at the scene.

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.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.  

Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. Invites You To A Night of Celebration and Italian Culture

 

Friends,

It is my great honor to invite you to the inaugural Italian American Heritage Dinner at the Bronx Zoo.

Please join me on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Bronx Zoo’s Schiff Hall as we celebrate Italian culture and heritage in our community and honor the many great Italian Americans—past and present.

The Italian community has been at the heart of the Bronx for generations. From the South Bronx to the North Bronx, Italian families have left their mark on our neighborhoods, and we are proud that the traditions of yesterday continue to thrive today.

This event is FREE and open to the community, but RSVP is required as space is limited.

Please see the flyer below for RSVP details.

With Gratitude, 

John Zaccaro, Jr.

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $17.7 Million Roadway Restoration Project on Long Island Expressway

Deteriorated Concrete Replaced Along Six-Mile Stretch of Highway Between Exits 67 & 69 in Suffolk County

Repaired Road Surface Enhances Safety and Resiliency of Vital Commuter Artery

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of a $17.7 million project that restored a six-mile stretch of the Long Island Expressway (Interstate 495) between Exit 67 (Yaphank Avenue) and Exit 69 (Wading River Road) in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County. The project, which began in the fall of 2023, removed and replaced deteriorated sections of the concrete road surface, enhancing safety and easing travel along one of Long Island’s busiest commuter arteries. Additional targeted repairs were made to the road surface to further improve rideability on this stretch of the roadway.

“The Long Island Expressway is vital to the flow of people and commerce on Long Island and we are committed to making the necessary investments to ensure that it continues to serve the needs of residents, visitors and commuters for many years to come,” Governor Hochul said. “These concrete repairs will give motorists a smoother ride along a key stretch of the highway while also making it better able to withstand the impacts of severe weather.”

The project replaced deteriorated sections of concrete — which were installed during the highway’s construction in the late 1960s and early 1970s — with new, high-strength concrete, designed to better withstand heavy daily traffic and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Crews also sealed cracks and pavement joints, restored the shoulders where needed, and installed new reflective pavement markings to extend the durability of the six-mile stretch of highway and to ensure a more comfortable driving experience. The repairs will also reduce future maintenance needs.

To minimize impacts to travelers, much of the work was staged during off-peak and overnight hours, consistent with New York’s Drivers First Initiative.

Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X, the Long Island region on X, or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.