Get Offline, Get Outside: Governor Hochul Invites New Yorkers to Experience the Outdoors at 2026 ‘Get Outdoors & Get Together Day’ Celebrations on Saturday, June 13

Inclusive and Accessible Family-Friendly Recreation at Locations Across New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York’s “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” celebrations. Events will be held on Saturday, June 13 at more than 20 locations across New York State as part of the Governor's initiative to “Get Offline, Get Outside,” and to highlight the expansion of accessibility on state public lands announced during her State of the State address. The events bring people of all abilities, ages, identities and backgrounds together for a day of fun and healthy activities.

“I’ve always said that our state parks and lands are for everyone, and ‘Get Outdoors & Get Together Day’ is my invitation to all New Yorkers, no matter what your background or ability, to get outside and experience the outdoor beauty that is uniquely ours here in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “This year I unveiled my ‘These Lands are for Everyone’ initiative and we’re investing even more in upgrades to make sure our state lands are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to residents and visitors alike. We want everyone to enjoy New York’s parks and state lands.”

This year’s event is hosted by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Parks), in partnership with the Office of the Chief Disability Officer, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), the Department of Veterans' Services (DVS), the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. This year, the College of Staten Island (CSI) CUNY will also host an event on their property in Staten Island.

At 21 locations across the state, participants will be encouraged to discover new skills and enjoy a range of introductory-level outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, nature walks and hikes, birding, archery, paddling, camping demonstrations and more. There will also be family-friendly activities like lawn games and arts and crafts.

Each event will highlight ways to enjoy the outdoors safely and sustainably. All locations will offer a selection of accessible activities, and use of adaptive equipment and demonstrations will be provided at many sites, including trail and beach mobility aids, archery assist stands, arm supports for fishing, adaptive birding equipment and more. Certain sites will also feature sample assistive technology devices on loan from New York’s regional Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) centers. This year, many sites will also offer sensory friendly kits and designated quiet areas.

New York's Get Outdoors & Get Together Day coincides with National Get Outdoors Day, an annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun. Most “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” celebrations will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with a few exceptions. Exact times and locations are available on the Get Outdoors and Get Together Day website at www.ny.gov/GOGTDay and the State Parks and DEC websites

These events complement Governor Kathy Hochul’s “These Lands Are For Everyone” accessibility and inclusivity initiative announced in the 2026 State of the State. To ensure New York’s open spaces are accessible and inclusive, “These Lands Are For Everyone” is investing in inclusive, sensory friendly and accessible experiences, including tactile exhibits, sensory trails and inclusive nature centers, ensuring all children and adults can enjoy New York’s natural treasures.

The following locations will host Get Outdoors & Get Together Day in 2026.

Long Island

• Hempstead Lake State Park in partnership with DEC (Nassau County)
• Sunken Meadow State Park (Suffolk County)

New York City

• College of Staten Island (Richmond County)
• Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park (New York County)

Mid-Hudson

• Sterling Forest State Park (Orange County)
• Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (Dutchess County)
• Kenneth L. Wilson Campground (Ulster County)
• Catskills Visitor Center (Ulster County)

Capital Region

• Lake Taghkanic State Park (Columbia County)
• Five Rivers Environmental Education Center (Albany County)
• Saratoga Spa State Park (Saratoga County)
• North-South Lake Campground (Greene County)
• Scaroon Manor Campground (Warren County)

North Country

• Southwick Beach State Park in partnership with DEC (Jefferson County)

Central New York

• Chenango Valley State Park (Chenango County)
• NYSDEC's Onondaga Lake Visitors Center (Onondaga County)

Finger Lakes

• Mendon Ponds Park in conjunction with the ADK Outdoor Expo (Monroe County)

Western New York

• Allegany State Park (Cattaraugus County)
• Darien Lakes State Park (Genesee County)
• Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center in partnership with State Parks (Erie County)

Southern Tier

• Taughannock Falls State Park (Tompkins County)

Activities at Get Outdoors & Get Together Day celebrations may include the following:

• Camping 101: Visitors can try their hand at camping basics by pitching a tent on the lawn and learning how to pack for a camping trip.
• Birding: Participants can learn how easy and fun it is to enjoy birdwatching almost anywhere.
• Hiking: Participants can take a short walk or hike and learn the basics of finding the perfect trails on their own.
• Outdoor safety: Learn the basics of being prepared and safe so all outdoor adventures are good ones.
• Accessible outdoor recreation: Experience and learn about accessible outdoor recreation opportunities on State lands including hiking, camping, birding, fishing and boating.
• Arts and Crafts: Engage in arts and crafts like making pinecone birdfeeders to take home.
• Lawn Games: Try your hand at games like ladderball, ring toss and tic tac toe as you enjoy the outdoors.
• Photos: Have your photo taken in our Get Outdoors & Get Together Day oversized photo frame.
• Select locations will also include I Fish NY catch-and-release clinics with rods and reels available for loan, introductory paddling on the water, and introductory archery, including important safety tips.

Wheelchair-accessible features, including restrooms, as well as activities and select recreation opportunities are offered at all locations. Adaptive equipment will be available for select activities across participating sites. Please contact the event coordinator directly with accommodation requests and to find out about the adaptive equipment and activities offered at each site.

Details for events held on DEC state lands, including schedules and activity lists, can be found on the “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” page.

Visitor amenities as well as program and scheduling details for events held at State Parks can be found by visiting parks.ny.gov.

For details about the event at College of Staten Island, contact OPWDD at communications.office@opwdd.ny.gov

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day is a free event. Parking at all DEC sites and the College of Staten Island is free. No parking fee will be charged during event times at New York State Parks.

The New York City and Long Island events located at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, Hempstead Lake State Park and Sunken Meadow State Park are very popular, and there is limited parking available for oversized vans accommodating larger groups at these sites with the exception of the College of Staten Island. If you have a bus or oversized van you need to park at any location, please contact the facility directly to inquire about parking availability in advance of your arrival. For parking inquiries at the College of Staten Island, contact OPWDD at communications.office@opwdd.ny.gov

The Department of Environmental Conservation manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails, and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with us on Facebook, Bluesky, X, Flickr and Instagram.

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, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. 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. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities provides high quality person-centered support and services to people with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders and other neurological impairments. OPWDD provides services directly and through a network of not-for-profit providers. OPWDD's mission is to help people live richer lives that include meaningful relationships, good health, personal growth and a home that supports them to participate in their community. For more information visit opwdd.ny.gov or connect with us on Facebook, X and Instagram.

The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services proudly serves New York’s Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families, connecting them with benefits, services, and support. All who served should contact the Department at 888-838-7697 or via its website — veterans.ny.gov — to meet in-person or virtually with an accredited Veterans Benefits Advisor to receive the benefits they have earned. Follow DVS on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

The New York State Office of Mental Health is committed to promoting the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a particular focus on providing hope and recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. The agency oversees a large, multi-faceted mental health system serving nearly 800,000 individuals annually. OMH operates 3,597 inpatient beds at 23 psychiatric centers statewide, while also overseeing the Nathan S. Kline Institute and New York Psychiatric Institute. In addition, the agency is tasked with regulating, certifying, and overseeing more than 6,500 programs operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies, which are dedicated to serving individuals and families living with mental illness.

The Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs was established in 2013 by the Protection of People with Special Needs Act. The agency was created to restore public trust in the institutions and individuals charged with caring for vulnerable populations by protecting the health, safety and dignity of all people with special needs. For more information on the agency, visit: justicecenter.ny.gov.

As Budget Deadline Nears, Comptroller Levine Urges Focus on Projected $8.8 Billion FY 2028 Budget Gap

 

Fiscal watchdog releases final analysis of executive budget, including updated revenue projections; calls for a charter amendment

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine released his analysis of the FY 2027 Executive Budget, including updated revenue estimates, ahead of his testimony before the City Council on the City’s spending plan. In his testimony summarizing the report’s key findings, the Comptroller commends the administration for balancing a budget without raising property taxes or drawing down the rainy-day fund — outcomes made possible thanks to strong revenue from Wall Street, support from Albany, and efficiencies and savings proposed by the Mayor. However, the Comptroller warns that the budget also relies on one-shot measures, and serious underlying fiscal challenges remain. His analysis projects an $8.8 billion budget gap in FY 2028, exceeding the $7.1 billion forecast in the May Financial Plan, even absent an economic downturn.  

“When we plug in our tax forecast and our estimates of underbudgeted costs and unmet program needs, including overtime and childcare vouchers, the FY 2028 gap widens to a daunting $8.8 billion. We will face that gap without the option of the many one-shot measures that we used up this year,” Comptroller Levine said. 

The analysis provides six key takeaways: 

• The economy is strong, but not for everyone: The Office of the Comptroller has revised tax forecast upward by $927 million in FY 2026 and $1.1 billion in FY 2027 since March. However, the private sector has lost 6,000 jobs in 2026, while real wages decline for 2/3rds of private sector workers and local inflation hit 4.6% in April, the highest in three years. 

• The budget is balanced with one-time and temporary measures: The May Financial Plan relies on $6.1 billion in one-time measures, including pension re-amortization, accounting adjustments, delaying class size mandates, and lower subsidies to the MTA. 

• We are spending more than we take in: The plan dramatically reduces the pre-payment of next year’s expenses by $2.8 billion —from $3.8 billion in FY 2025 to roughly $1 billion in FY 2026 — a 72% decline. Taking the reduced prepayment and the re-estimate of prior year expenses together, this means that we are spending $4.4 billion more than we are bringing in this fiscal year. 

• The budget gap is widening: Even with extensive one-time measures and booming tax revenue, the City’s stated outyear gaps are growing. The Office of the Comptroller estimates an even larger FY2028 gap of $8.8 billion.  

• There are risks ahead: The Plan carries roughly $600 million in unallocated savings, plus $1.97 billion over four years in three new “cost-containment” targets for CityFHEPS, DHS shelter, and DOE special-education Due Process Cases — all which require detailed implementation plans. Additionally, the plan draws down the General Reserve in FY 2027 to $100 million (the statutory minimum) and does not prepare for the potential impacts of AI or other economic uncertainty.  

• Long-term Reserves should be grown: The City will finish the year with $2.0 billion in the Revenue Stabilization Fund and $5.2 billion in the Retiree Health Benefit Trust. As a share of City taxes, that is well below the 16% the City should target.  

In his testimony, the Comptroller calls for a Charter amendment establishing formal rules for the Rainy Day Fund: a 16% target of tax revenues with a 10% floor, a deposit formula when revenues exceed trend, and clear, narrow criteria for withdrawals. New York City’s Rainy Day Fund currently has few parameters for making regular deposits or when reserves can be withdrawn, a departure from other major cities.  

Read Comptroller Levine’s full testimony before the City Council Finance Committee Hearing On the FY 2027 Executive Budget and May Financial Plan, to be delivered today at a scheduled 2 p.m. hearing, at: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/testimonies/testimony-of-nyc-comptroller-levine-city-council-finance-committee-hearing-on-the-mayors-executive-budget/

Read the Comptroller’s full report on New York City’s Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 and Financial Plan for Fiscal Years 2026-2030 at: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/comments-on-new-york-citys-executive-budget-for-fiscal-year-2027-and-financial-plan-for-fiscal-years-2026-2030/  

Van Cortlandt Park Alliance - Juneteenth Celebration is next Friday

 

RSVP Now. Our Contact Information Van Cortlandt Park Alliance 80 Van Cortlandt Park South, Ste. E1 Bronx, NY 10463 718-601-1460 http://vancortlandt.org

Westchester Man Charged With Robbery Spree That Targeted Convenience Stores In Mount Vernon And New Rochelle

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging JABARI CLARKE in connection with a series of gunpoint robberies in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New York.  CLARKE was arrested and presented in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik, who ordered him detained.

“As alleged, Jabari Clarke carried out a spree of gunpoint robberies of gas stations and convenience stores,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “If you use a gun to rob a store, you should expect federal charges and to be off the streets—that’s the message and the reality New Yorkers want and deserve.”

“Jabari Clarke allegedly committed gunpoint robberies threatening the safety of the general public and terrorizing innocent civilians,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr.  “The FBI’s Westchester Safe Street’s Task Force continues to target gun violence plaguing our communities.”

As alleged in the Indictment:

Between May and June of 2025, CLARKE robbed four gas stations and convenience stores in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle.  In each of these robberies, CLARKE or his accomplices brandished firearms and stole cash before fleeing.  Through these gunpoint robberies, CLARKE stole thousands of dollars of cash.

CLARKE, 22, of New Rochelle, New York, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and four counts of Hobbs Act robbery, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  CLARKE is also charged with four counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, each of which carries an additional mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison that must be served consecutively to any other prison terms imposed. 

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the efforts of the FBI, the Mount Vernon Police Department, and the New Rochelle Police Department in connection with this investigation.              

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin L. Brooke and Ioannis D. Drivas are in charge of the prosecution.   

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

As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Investigation Results in Federal Charges of Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracies against Prolific Methamphetamine Trafficker Tied to United Cartels

A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment against Jaime “Jimmy” Sanchez Soriano, 45, of Mexico, a prolific drug trafficker who imported vast amounts of methamphetamine into the United States. 

Before his capture on March 19 by Mexican authorities, Sanchez Soriano procured methamphetamine from Los Viagras Cartel, a notoriously violent drug trafficking organization affiliated with the United Cartels, which is among the world’s most significant methamphetamine producers, capable of manufacturing multiple tons every month. The United Cartels’ distribution network spans the United States, with hubs in Kansas City, Missouri, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Sacramento, California, Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago, and extends to Europe, Australia, and other regions. On Feb. 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of State designated the United Cartels (also known as Cárteles Unidos), as both a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, as amended. In August 2025, the Criminal Division announced criminal charges against several top leaders of the United Cartels and Los Viagras Cartel.

Sanchez-Soriano is charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine for importation into the United States, and money laundering conspiracy. If convicted he faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. 

Trial Attorneys Roger Polack and Kirk Handrich of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri provided significant assistance.

MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.

MNF’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Unit investigates and prosecutes the top command and control elements of international drug cartels, drug trafficking organizations and related transnational criminal organizations.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Two Criminal Aliens Convicted for Deadly Mass Pharmaceutical Scam

 

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the following statement after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operation led to the convictions of two criminal aliens for running a scheme to manufacture and distribute millions of deadly counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

On June 1, 2026, a jury in the Southern District of New York convicted Francisco Alberto Lopez Reyes and Edward Eustate Jimenez, two criminal aliens from the Dominican Republic. They ran a scam manufacturing and distributing counterfeit pharmaceutical pills through fake online pharmacies. The pills contained fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, which resulted in the death of one victim.

The fake pills that the defendants tried to sell

Reyes was found guilty of serving as a principal administrator of a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, narcotics distribution, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Jimenez was convicted of conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and narcotics distribution.

Francisco Alberto Lopez Reyes

Edward Eustate Jimenez

“Thanks to the hard work of the brave men and women of ICE law enforcement, these criminal aliens from the Dominican Republic have been brought to justice,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “These criminals ran a deadly scheme to sell millions of counterfeit pharmaceutical pills and ultimately killed a person with their fentanyl-laced products. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, DHS will never stop cracking down on drug-trafficking and locking up those who profit off of bringing this poison into our country.”

“A unanimous jury found that Francisco Alberto Lopez Reyes and one of his deputies, Edward Eustate Jimenez, ran a massive, predatory scheme to distribute pills containing fentanyl and other drugs through fake online pharmacies, including pills that tragically killed a United States Army veteran in February 2024,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “For years, Lopez Reyes was a one-man opioid crisis, duping thousands of victims by distributing millions of pills through the mail from what he thought was the safety of his home in the Dominican Republic. The pills were designed to look like real pharmaceuticals, but they actually contained deadly fentanyl and other controlled substances. The scale of Lopez Reyes’s distribution is staggering, as is the scale of the harm his shipments brought to our communities. A jury has now confirmed what New Yorkers know: if you deal in fentanyl, you deal in death.”

Jimenez entered the country illegally at an unknown date and location. He was encountered by authorities in Arizona in December of 2022, and was RELEASED by the Biden Administration. Reyes was extradited to the U.S. on drug trafficking charges in October of 2024. They will be sentenced at a later date.

Under President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order 14159, DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are taking a whole of government approach by setting up Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) across the nation. HSTFs will bolster the fight against organized crime as it creates a unified effort to fight the transnational criminal gangs and cartels that have led a reign of terror on our hemisphere.

NYC Council’s Latest Economic Forecast Projects Nearly $2 Billion More in Tax Revenue than Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget in Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027

 

Driven by stronger-than-expected collections in personal income and business taxes, stronger outlook enables City to fund major budget priorities for New Yorkers while bolstering reserves

The New York City Council on Tuesday released its June 2026 Economic and Tax Revenue Forecast, which estimates nearly $2 billion more in tax revenue for Fiscal Years (FY) 2026 and 2027 combined than projected by the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The forecast, which estimates an additional $1.5 billion in collections in FY 2027 alone, was released on the second-to-last day of Executive Budget hearings for FY 2027 held by the Council. The updated forecast was driven by stronger-than-expected collections in personal income and business taxes, and represents an improved outlook compared to the last forecast issued in March.

The Council expects tax revenue to grow at an average rate of 4.3% annually through FY 2030, a projection that is higher than its previous forecast and OMB’s expectations. Robust aggregate wage growth, higher Wall Street bonuses along with capital gains realization, and recent economic and collections data contributed to the Council’s improved outlook. However, despite improvements, this growth is still lower than the 5.5% annual average tax revenue growth New York City experienced between FYs 2010 and 2019.

The Council’s forecast uses data from May and is more recent than OMB’s latest revenue estimates, which were based on data as of April. The full economic forecast report can be found here. The Council’s second-to-last Executive Budget hearing will be livestreamed here.

“From the beginning of the budget process, the Council has maintained a measured and consistent view of the City’s fiscal outlook, prioritizing the identification of savings, efficiencies and revenue generators as ways to bridge potential budget gaps,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “This updated forecast confirms the overall resilience of the city’s economy and provides an opportunity to more fully fund priorities that address the affordability crisis, improve quality of life, and support working families. Just as importantly, it allows us to continue building reserves and protecting the City’s long-term fiscal health. We can invest in New Yorkers today while planning responsibly for tomorrow.”

With nearly $2 billion in additional tax revenues projected over FYs 2026 and 2027, the Council believes there is sufficient revenue to set aside some of those funds into reserves, while responsibly funding its top budget priorities, including greater investments for college savings accounts through NYC Kids RISE, for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to support its expanded responsibilities, additional personnel to clean up and improve city parks, expanding the Fair Fares discount transit program, providing greater support to cultural institutions, and adding a fifth firefighter for dozens of engine companies. More funds for programs to financially support homeowners and provide services to help older adults through the Department for the Aging will also be sought. Recognizing greater than usual uncertainty in the economy, the Council is also calling for a meaningful portion of the nearly $2 billion to be set aside as the first deposit into the City’s Rainy Day reserves since 2021.

The Council’s tax revenue forecasts have consistently been closest to predicting the actual collections compared to OMB and other monitors, according to an analysis measuring the variance between pre-fiscal year revenue projections and actual collections at the close of each fiscal year. A prior analysis conducted by the City Comptroller’s office in 2024 had similar findings, showing the Council’s forecast with lowest variance, using a different methodology reviewing forecasters’ projections for FY 2024 revenues measured in early 2020 and early 2024.

Attorney General James Reminds New York Hotels to Help Prevent Human Trafficking Ahead of the World Cup

 

AG James Urges Hotels and Lodging Facilities to Post Required Human Trafficking Resources and Exercise Increased Diligence as Millions of Visitors Travel to New York for the World Cup

New York Attorney General Letitia James today took action to help prevent human trafficking and protect New Yorkers as millions of visitors travel to the New York region for the FIFA World Cup. In a letter to ten New York hospitality and tourism associations, Attorney General James reminded hotels, motels, inns, and other lodging facilities of their legal obligation to post human trafficking information cards and hotline resources in visible locations. Large-scale international events such as the World Cup can increase demand for hospitality, temporary labor, transportation, and nightlife services, creating opportunities for traffickers to exploit vulnerable people. Attorney General James urged lodging facilities to remain vigilant and do their part to help identify, report, and prevent human trafficking. 

“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that can hide in plain sight, and hotels are often on the front lines of helping victims get the support they need,” said Attorney General James. “As New York prepares to welcome visitors from around the world, my office is reminding hotels and lodging facilities of their responsibility to post critical safety information and help protect vulnerable people from exploitation. A simple hotline card in the right place can help save a life.”

The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, with the first match in the New York area scheduled for June 13 and the final scheduled for July 19. As New York prepares to host World Cup visitors and related events, hotels and other lodging facilities will play a critical role in preventing, identifying, and responding to human trafficking. Traffickers may use the hospitality industry to move, control, or exploit victims of commercial sex or forced labor. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, between 2007 and 2017, 75 percent of trafficking survivors reported coming into contact with hotels at some point during their trafficking situation.

In her letter, Attorney General James reminds the hospitality industry that New York state law requires hotels, motels, inns, and other lodging facilities with at least five rooms for guests to post informational cards concerning services for human trafficking victims and prominently display the National Human Trafficking Hotline telephone number. These cards must be made available in plain view in public restrooms, individual guest rooms, and near the public entrance or another conspicuous location in clear view of the public and employees.

Attorney General James has previously provided lodging facilities with cards containing information about services available to human trafficking victims, signs of exploitation, and guidance on how to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Potential signs of exploitation may include individuals who appear unusually anxious, fearful, or submissive; are not in control of their own identification documents or money; work unusually long hours; are paid below minimum wage or not paid at all; owe a large debt to an employer or another person; live and work in the same place; or perform commercial sex for another person’s profit.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline number is: 1-888-373-7888. Individuals can also text HELP or INFO to 233733 for help. More information on human trafficking can be found on the Office of the Attorney General’s website and through New York’s Interagency Taskforce Against Human Trafficking.