DEC's Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale is Now Open

 

Free Seedlings Available Through the School Seedling Program

Trees Planted Contribute to the State’s Goal of Planting 25 Million Trees by 2033 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery’s annual spring seedling sale is now open and will run through May 13. Each year, the nursery offers low-cost, locally grown trees and shrubs for sale to encourage plantings that help conserve New York State’s natural resources and foster the next generation of forests.  

“DEC’s Saratoga Tree Nursery annual seedling sale is a simple, affordable way for New Yorkers to help create wildlife habitat, clean our air and water, reduce flooding, lower summer temperatures, and improve the quality of life in their communities,” Commissioner Lefton said. “Every tree planted counts toward Governor Hochul's 25-million-tree-planting goal for the state, which will strengthen our forests and build more resilient communities. By planting native seedlings today, you’ll be making a lasting investment in a healthier, greener future for generations to come.”  

DEC's tree nursery grows more than 50 conifer and hardwood species from local seed sources, creating seedlings that are well suited to New York State’s climate. Seedlings are sold in bundles of 25 or more and there are several mixed species packets available. Seedlings are bare root, a minimum of 5 inches tall, and 1–3 years old (depending on the species). Call 518-587-1120, Monday–Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to place your order. For more information, visit the Spring Seedling Sale webpage on DEC's website.  

Make sure your planted trees count toward New York State’s 25 million trees goal! Enter them into the Tree Tracker at on.ny.gov/treetracker. For more information about the 25 Million Trees Initiative, visit on.ny.gov/25milliontrees.  

School Seedling Program Application Period Now Open 

Applications are being accepted for the nursery’s School Seedling Program until March 27. Schools and youth education organizations across New York State may apply to receive 50 free seedlings to plant with their students.   

The goal of the program is to foster environmental stewardship at a young age and equip students to make informed decisions about natural resource use. The program is an excellent tool for educators to help meet the Next Generation Science Standards as it provides a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about natural systems and the valuable role that trees play, while building their awareness of conservation issues.  

All schools (public, private, nursery, elementary, secondary, vocational, college, or university), homeschool groups, and any youth education-based organization may apply, provided trees are planted within New York State. Individual homeschools must apply through a homeschool group, co-op, or other association. Seedlings are 2 –3 years old, about 4”–12” tall, and bare root. There are three species available—pitch pine, red oak, and silky dogwood—and up to two teachers/educators per school or organization may apply for a package of seedlings this year. Visit DEC’s website for more information and to apply online. For assistance or questions, contact the Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery at nysnursery@dec.ny.gov or 518-581-1439. 

Release of Body Worn Camera Footage from an Officer Involved Shooting that Occurred on December 21, 2025 in the confines of the 101st Precinct

 

The NYPD is today releasing body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 21, 2025, in the confines of the 101st Precinct.

The video includes available evidence leading up to the incident as well as during the incident. The NYPD is releasing this video for clear viewing of the totality of the incident.

All NYPD patrol officers are equipped with body-worn cameras, which provide transparency into police activity and serve as an independent account of interactions between the NYPD and the citizens they serve.

You can find the video here

TD Bank Insider Pleads Guilty to Facilitating Money Laundering

 

A former New York-based employee of TD Bank N.A, Wilfredo Aquino, pleaded guilty today to facilitating a money laundering network’s movement of hundreds of millions of dollars through TD Bank accounts.

“The defendant leveraged his position at TD Bank and facilitated the criminal activity of a money laundering network that moved hundreds of millions of dollars through the bank’s accounts,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “During the illicit scheme, the defendant evaded reporting requirements to hide the identity of the leader of the money laundering network. The Criminal Division is fully committed to rooting out money-laundering networks and their facilitators that exploit the security and stability of our country’s banking system.”

“Aquino helped criminals launder money from inside TD Bank,” said Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello for the Criminal and Special Prosecutions Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. “Bank employees are the first line of defense against money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes. When bank employees ignore their obligations and instead use their positions to commit crimes and line their own pockets, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable.”

“Wilfredo Aquino’s position at TD Bank required him to report suspicious customer activity and adhere to robust anti-money laundering regulations,” said Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Newark Field Office. “Instead, he turned a blind eye to complying with the law and prioritized enriching himself. IRS-CI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate individuals taking advantage of our financial system through criminal activity.”

Aquino, 47, of New York, pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with conspiring to launder monetary instruments. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12.

According to court filings, beginning in 2019 and continuing until February 2021, Aquino, then a TD Bank assistant store manager, leveraged his position to facilitate a money laundering network’s movement of hundreds of millions of dollars through TD Bank accounts. During that time, the leader of the network, Da Ying Sze, also known as David, and his co-conspirators (collectively known as David’s Network) moved approximately $474 million through TD Bank accounts by depositing cash at TD Bank stores in New York, New Jersey, and elsewhere. In February 2022, David pleaded guilty to coordinating a $653 million money laundering conspiracy, operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, and bribing bank employees in connection with financial transactions.

While David’s Network used a number of TD Bank stores to conduct its money laundering activity, it laundered the most money through Aquino’s Midtown Manhattan store. Nobody processed more transactions for David’s Network at the Midtown Manhattan store than Aquino.

During the course of David’s money laundering scheme, Aquino processed approximately 1,680 official bank checks for David’s Network, totaling more than approximately $92 million. Nearly all of these bank checks were funded with a corresponding cash deposit exceeding $10,000, which triggered TD Bank’s legal requirement to file a currency transaction report (CTR). Although Aquino knew that David was conducting these cash deposits, Aquino never identified David as the “conductor” on the CTR. Aquino also knew that TD Bank had closed other accounts linked to David for suspicious activity; one colleague even warned Aquino that David’s activity “looks like money laundering.” In February 2021, Aquino facilitated three of David’s money laundering transactions, totaling almost $2 million in cash, in a third party’s account. He failed to report David as the conductor of the transaction, thus concealing David’s role in the money laundering scheme.

Aquino accepted numerous retail gift cards from David totaling over $11,000 in return for his facilitation of this scheme, including for the three transactions in February 2021.

The charge of money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the offense, whichever is greater.

IRS-CI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC-OIG) investigated the case. The Department also thanks the Morristown Police Department for its assistance with the investigation.

Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea Rooney of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marko Pesce, Chief of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.

The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.

Own Every Dollar Gang Leader Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that JESUS ZAPATA, a/k/a “Jeezy,” a/k/a “Hendrix,” was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken to 17 years in prison for his role as “Duarte,” or leader, of the violent gang Own Every Dollar (“OED”).

“This case reflects our efforts to dismantle violent gangs, with today’s sentence reinforcing that accountability reaches gang leaders, like Jesus Zapata, who directed and ordered violence that harmed New Yorkers and their quality of life,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in public filings and public court proceedings:

ZAPATA served as the “Duarte” of the violent OED gang, a subset of the Trinitarios gang based in and around the Washington Heights area of Manhattan.  The prosecution in this case has involved the convictions of 22 members of OED for five murders, more than 10 attempted murders, multiple robberies, and the control and operation of an extensive drug trafficking network that sold large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine. ZAPATA is being held responsible for committing and ordering a number of violent acts on Rikers Island, including three slashings in 2021, as well as for trafficking narcotics.

ZAPATA is the 21st defendant to be sentenced in the case, and the 11th defendant to be sentenced to a prison term of 10 or more years.

In addition to the prison term, ZAPATA, 36, of New York, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.      

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, the New York State Police, and the NYPD Task Force Officers assigned to this Office for their assistance in the investigation.

Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Chez Fray

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Chez Fray, who died on December 21, 2025 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens.

At 12:35 a.m. on December 21, two NYPD officers went to an apartment building in Queens in response to a 911 call. When officers arrived at the building, they went to the fourth-floor hallway, where they encountered Mr. Fray holding a box cutter. The officers instructed Mr. Fray to drop the boxcutter, but he did not comply. One officer discharged their service weapon, striking Mr. Fray. Mr. Fray was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released footage from two body-worn cameras that officers were equipped with during the incident. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public 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. 

Safer Streets: Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, Police Commissioner Tisch Announce Crime in New York City Continued to Fall in 2025, New York Remains the Safest Big City in the Nation

NYPD Data Shows 2025 was the Safest Year for Gun Violence in New York City on Record With the Fewest Shooting Incidents And Shooting Victims

Subway Crime Reached the Lowest Level in 16 Years

Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch today announced that New York City remains the safest big city in the country. New 2025 data released by the NYPD and detailed this morning during a press conference show that the city is safer above and below ground, with murders, retail theft, robberies, and subway crime continuing to decline. Shooting incidents and the number of individuals harmed by gunfire also reached record lows last year across the city.

“When I became Governor, I made keeping New Yorkers safe my top priority and tackled crime head-on in New York City and across the state. Since then, I have made unprecedented investments in police and public safety – more than $3 billion – to make New York’s neighborhoods and subways safer,” Governor Hochul said. “Our aggressive approach is paying off: crime has fallen to record lows, making New York a safer place to live, work and visit. I look forward to continuing this work with Mayor Mamdani, Police Commissioner Tisch and the brave men and women of law enforcement who sacrifice so much to ensure New York remains the safest big city in the country.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “Last year, New York City had its safest year for gun violence ever. This achievement—among many others—is a testament to the leadership of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the dedication of the NYPD, and the tireless work of community-based organizations that help keep our neighborhoods safe. This work, however, is not done. Together with Police Commissioner Tisch and Governor Kathy Hochul, we will continue to drive down crime—addressing the needs of New Yorkers and working with our officers to deliver public safety.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said, “These historic reductions in crime did not happen by chance or accident — they are the direct product of a deliberate, data-driven strategy achieving unprecedented public safety milestones for New York City. The NYPD drove shooting incidents and shooting victims to the lowest levels in recorded history and delivered the safest year on our subway system, outside of the pandemic era, since 2009. These numbers describe an agency that’s firing on all cylinders: taking down violent gangs, removing thousands of guns off the street, and shattering record-low violent crime numbers. New York City is still the safest big city in the country, thanks to the extraordinary work of the women and men of the NYPD who answer the call every day to protect and serve.”  

The following data were compiled by the New York City Police Department as of December 31, 2025.

Record-Lows for Shooting Incidents and Victims, Shattering Previous Records 

In 2025, New York City recorded 688 shooting incidents, shattering the previous record low set in 2018 by 10 percent with 66 fewer shootings (688 vs. 754). Compared to 2024, shooting incidents declined 24 percent, a staggering 216 fewer shootings (688 vs. 904). In the fourth quarter of 2025, shooting incidents decreased 36 percent (134 vs. 211) compared to the same period last year. In December, there were only 35 shooting incidents citywide — the fewest shootings ever recorded in any single month in New York City history. 

For comparison, Chicago – a city of roughly 3 million people — recorded more than 1,400 shooting incidents last year, more than double New York City’s total, despite having roughly one-third of the population. Philadelphia — less than one-fifth of the size of New York City, with 1.5 million people — recorded more than 825 shooting incidents in 2025.   

The number of people shot in New York City also fell 5 percent to a historic low in 2025 with 856 shooting victims citywide, compared to the previous low of 897 reported in 2018. Compared to 2024, shooting victims declined by 22 percent, a stunning 247 fewer people shot (856 vs. 1,103). In the fourth quarter, the number of shooting victims fell by more than 34 percent (161 vs. 246), with December experiencing the lowest victim total ever recorded.    

The historic decline reflected a citywide effort, with reductions across all five boroughs in 2025 and Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island each recording the lowest number of shooting incidents in their history. Shooting incidents declined by 38 percent in Manhattan, 26.7 percent in Staten Island, 25.4 percent in the Bronx, 24.4 percent in Queens, and 15 percent in Brooklyn.

The NYPD’s work to remove guns from the streets and take down the most dangerous gangs also helped achieve historic lows in shootings. Last year, officers seized more than 5,293 illegal guns and NYPD detectives carried out 70 gang-related takedowns, getting the most dangerous criminals off the streets and out of our communities. 

Reductions in Major Crime Across All Five Boroughs   

In addition to addressing gun violence, the NYPD successfully drove down major crime by implementing a data-driven, precision policing strategy that resulted in consistent declines throughout the entire year. The Department deployed an unprecedented number of officers assigned to nightly foot posts to areas with high crime across precincts, public housing, and the subway system. This targeted strategy led to a three percent decline in major crime in 2025 (121,542 vs. 125,026). 

Across the city, murders declined by 20.2 percent (305 vs. 382), with 77 fewer murders compared to 2024. In December, there were only 15 murders citywide, down nearly 38 percent from 2024 (15 vs. 24). Alongside those reductions, the NYPD’s Detective Bureau maintained a murder clearance rate of 69 percent in 2025. Murders also decreased in four of the five boroughs. On Staten Island, murders fell by more than 60 percent in 2025, with no murders reported in December. Murders decreased 33 percent in Manhattan, 24 percent in Brooklyn, and 18 percent in the Bronx. In Queens, murders increased seven percent.  

Citywide, robberies declined by nearly 10 percent, with 1,600 fewer incidents compared to last year (15,065 vs. 16,696). For the month of December, robberies declined by 15 percent (1,039 vs 1,224). Burglary dropped nearly four percent (12,777 vs. 13,301), marking the third consecutive year of declines. In December, burglary decreased by more than 15 percent (1,017 vs. 1,201) and by 9.9 percent (3,168 vs. 3,518) in the fourth quarter. Auto theft decreased by five percent (13,520 vs. 14,233) citywide in 2025, with a nearly eight percent (3,127 vs. 3,386) drop in the fourth quarter compared to 2024. Grand larceny declined nearly two percent (48,034 vs. 48,963).   

In the city’s housing developments, crime declined by 3.6 percent (5,794 vs. 6,009). Hate crimes decreased by 12 percent compared to 2024 (576 vs. 657). Antisemitic incidents were down three percent, but still accounted for 57 percent of all hate crimes reported in 2025, despite Jewish New Yorkers representing approximately 10 percent of the city’s population. 

Rape incidents increased by 16 percent (2,049 vs. 1,767). The rise in reported incidents is partly attributed to legislative changes made in September 2024 that importantly broadened the legal definition of rape in New York State to include additional forms of sexual assault.

Domestic-violence-related rapes increased by 25 percent, and now account for roughly half of all reported rape cases citywide. To address this concerning trend, the NYPD launched the Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) in October 2025 — the largest unit of its kind in the nation with 450 fully dedicated domestic violence investigators — to investigate domestic violence cases, build stronger relationships with survivors, and receive enhanced training. The NYPD continues to encourage survivors of sexual assault to come forward and report these incidents. 

Felony assault increased slightly: 29,792 vs. 29,684, or 0.4 percent. During the month of December, however, there were 106 fewer felony assault victims compared to the same period in 2024 (2,235 vs. 2,341), a decrease of 4.5 percent citywide. The increase in felony assaults is largely driven by assaults on public sector employees and domestic violence. Assaults on public sector employees, which include police officers, increased by roughly 25 percent in 2025. Domestic violence incidents accounted for 41 percent of recorded felony assaults. To address this issue directly, the Domestic Violence Unit will continue its work with providers and survivors to prevent and investigate domestic violence incidents.

Safest Year on the Subways in 16 Years, Excluding the Pandemic Years   

Below ground, the NYPD delivered the safest year on the subways since 2009, excluding the pandemic years. For six consecutive months, major crime on the subways declined, contributing to a four percent reduction in 2025 (2,160 vs. 2,251). Officers recovered an all-time high of 77 firearms, which helped drive a reduction in shooting incidents from eight to three as well as a reduction in shooting victims from 14 to three. This decline in violence also contributed to a drop in murders in the subway system, which reached their lowest levels in five years and declined by 60 percent (four vs. 10) from 2024. 

Transit robberies reached their lowest levels ever, including the pandemic years, and fell 12.5 percent (398 vs. 455), compared to last year. Grand larceny pickpocketing within the subways declined to its lowest level outside of the pandemic years, down nearly 44 percent (122 vs. 217), compared to last year. 

In January, the NYPD strategically shifted officers onto trains and platforms where the vast majority of transit crime — 73 percent in 2025 — occurs. Governor Hochul secured $77 million in the current state budget to support this effort and has committed to funding an additional $77 million for enhanced patrols in her FY 27 Executive Budget proposal. This additional funding and targeted deployment has led to a more secure, orderly transit system. New Yorkers are feeling the results: a recent MTA poll revealed that seven out of ten subway riders say they feel safe in the transit system, an increase of 12 percent from the start of 2025. Finally, the NYPD continues to deploy drones to monitor, respond to, and intervene in subway surfing incidents. Drones enabled 163 rescues and overall subway surfing incidents declined 37 percent (11 vs. 16) compared to 2024. 

Addressing Retail Theft

In addition to these historic declines the NYPD’s revamped strategy on retail theft led to a 14 percent (52,696 vs. 61,328) decline in retail theft citywide compared to 2024. Last year, the NYPD developed and executed a new strategy to respond to retail theft, a recidivist-driven crime, including identifying the patterns driving retail theft, concentrating resources at high-propensity locations during peak hours, and shifting from pass-through enforcement to sustained investigation. 

 

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

 

Dear Neighbor,

Happy 2026 to you and your loved ones.

We are excited to continue serving the more than 1.4 million residents of our borough and would like to remind you that our office remains open and available to assist you.

If you or someone you know needs support, our team is located at 851 Grand Concourse, Room 123, Monday through Friday. You can also contact our office by phone at (718) 590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

Additionally, we invite you to attend our Winter Coat Giveaway on Thursday, January 15, at Bronx Borough Hall (851 Grand Concourse) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to help families stay warm this winter. For more information, please contact our office.

For real-time updates and event highlights, remember to follow us on social media:

FACEBOOK: @BronxBp

INSTAGRAM: @Bronxbpgibson

TWITTER: @BronxBp

UPCOMING EVENTS

BOROUGH BULLETIN

DEC Announces Licensed Guide Program 2026 Exam Dates

 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced upcoming dates for the New York State Licensed Guide exam. Licensed Guides offer services for hire, including directing, instructing, or aiding another individual in camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, whitewater rafting/canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, and ice climbing. To provide enhanced access, DEC is offering these examinations online and free-of-charge. 

“As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the customer experience, DEC is proud to offer these free examinations online,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “This process makes it easier for individuals to apply and take part in helping others safely and responsibly enjoy New York’s incredible outdoor recreational opportunities.” 

To become a licensed guide, a person must be 18 or older. Applicants are not required to be a resident of New York State to receive a guide's license. All exams will be online, except for the in-person exam offered at the New York State Outdoor Guides Association (NYSOGA) Winter Rendezvous meeting on March 28, 2026. Exam and registration instructions can be found on DEC’s Licensed Guide Program webpage. 

2026 Licensed Guide Examination Schedule
Exam Date	Exam Times	Registration Must be Received by:
Jan. 29, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	Jan. 28, 2026
Feb. 20, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	Feb. 19, 2026
March 28, 2026	NYSOGA meeting only	March 21, 2026
April 14, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	April 13, 2026
May 12, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	May 11, 2026
June 11, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	June 10, 2026
July 9, 2026	7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.	July 8, 2026
August 21, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	August 20, 2026
Sept. 15, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	Sept. 14, 2026
October 23, 2026	7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.	October 22, 2026

To register, visit the Licensed Guide Exams Registration Website. Applicants will receive an email acknowledging registration with a one-time link to access the exam on the specified exam date. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive information on applying for the license, including an application form. Please do not send applications or fees prior to passing the examination. 

An outline of exam content and a study guide can be found on DEC’s Licensed Guide Program webpage. The “Scouting America Fieldbook” is also recommended as a reference and is available online. 

For questions or assistance please contact:

NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752

Email: SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov

Phone: 518-402-8985, Fax: 518-402-8925