MAYOR DE BLASIO, CHANCELLOR CARRANZA, AND COUNCIL MEMBER BRANNAN HIGHLIGHT NEW BAY RIDGE PRE-K CENTER

New 250-seat pre-K center in Bay Ridge fully equipped with interactive white boards, community meeting room, and multipurpose room

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza, and Council Member Justin Brannan today toured a brand-new pre-K center in Bay Ridge. Opening for the 2018-19 school year, the new three-story, state-of-the-art building will offer seats to more than 250 pre-K students.

“Early childhood education has the power to put kids on the path to success, said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As a parent, I believe that it should be a right – not a privilege - and that all New York City children deserve that opportunity. This new Bay Ridge school is the brick and mortar proof of our commitment to expanding Pre-K for All and ensuring that every young New Yorker has a chance to succeed in school.”

“This building is a concrete testament to our investment in the education of our youngest New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Mayor Phil Thompson. “We are incredibly excited for the students in Brooklyn who will get to learn and play in this brand new space in just a few weeks.”

“Pre-K for All is a game-changer for young students and families across this City, and this new state-of-the-art building will benefit hundreds of Brooklyn students every year,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “In this amazing learning environment, our four-year-olds will get an early start to their educational career that will form the foundation of their long-term academic success.”

The District 20 Pre-K Center at 369 93rd Street is fully ADA-accessible and includes:

•         14 classrooms

•         Interactive white boards 

•         An outdoor playground

•         An indoor multipurpose recreation room

•         A community meeting room

 “This new state-of-the-art school building will bring excitement and an eagerness for learning to hundreds our youngest New Yorkers,” said Lorraine Grillo, President and CEO of the NYC School Construction Authority. “This news space includes all the amenities we expect in a world class education facility, and we are thrilled to open this space up to Bay Ridge families.”

Parents with children enrolled in free, full-day pre-K save an average of $10,000 annually on childcare costs. Additionally, a 2017 NYU study found that Pre-K for All increases the chance that a low-income child in New York City is properly diagnosed with asthma or vision problems and receives screenings or treatment for hearing or vision problems. Independent research from the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity demonstrated high satisfaction with Pre-K for All: 92 percent of families surveyed rated their program as excellent or good, and 83 percent of families said their child learned a lot in pre-K. Across the board, the research shows that both students and families are seeing critical benefits from Pre-K for All.

Pre-K for All and 3-K for All are part of the Mayor and Chancellor’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda. Together, the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our students are starting school earlier, with free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All; and our schools are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier, with Universal Literacy and Algebra for All. Our schools are also offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework, as Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All works to give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, our schools are providing students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms are central to this pathway.

DISTRICT COUNCIL 37 LOCAL 420 ENDORSES JUMAANE WILLIAMS FOR LT. GOVERNOR

  Lt. Governor candidate Jumaane Williams announced today that his campaign has received the endorsement of District Council 37 Local 420 AFSCME. The prominent local union represents a wide range of employees in the health sector, including those who work in health and hospitals corporations, fire departments, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health.

DC 37 Local 420 released the following statement regarding the endorsement, "As a councilman, Jumaane has fought tirelessly to better the lives of his constituents. As a New York City resident, he readily gave up his freedom fighting for the freedom of others. As Lieutenant Governor, we can trust him to protect and preserve the rights of all New Yorkers. Local 420 AFSCME is proud to endorse Jumaane Williams for Lieutenant Governor of New York!"

Local 420 is the leading force in DC 37's organizing efforts in the health sector. Unlike in years past, the DC 37 governing body did not endorse a candidate for this year's Lt. Governor race, which has led to the 51 local unions to make individual endorsements. 

"I'm proud to have Local 420's support to become New York's next Lieutenant Governor," said Williams. "The politics of the past are failing workers across the state, which is why Albany needs bold progressive leaders to advance a truly progressive agenda. I am grateful to the nearly 9,000 members of Local 420 for their support, and look forward to working along side of them during the final stretch of this important race."

Local 420 is the third union to endorse Jumaane's insurgent campaign in the Democratic primary for Lt. Governor. He was previously endorsed by DC 1707 AFSCME and SSEU Local 371. This endorsement builds on two separate endorsements this week by New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera, Co-Chair of the Counci's Women's Committee, and New York State Senate candidate Jessica Ramos.

BP DIAZ & TENANTS TO NYCHA: WHERE’S THE MONEY?

Borough President highlights agency’s funding fiasco,

Calls for NYCHA to open its books to public review

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined more than 100 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) tenant leaders and residents of all ages for a rally today at the Bronx River Houses to bring attention to the agency’s failure to spend money that has been given to it to improve tenants’ lives. The borough president also called on the agency to open its books to the public for review.

“No matter how great or small an issue, NYCHA can always find a way to fail. Be it lying about lead paint inspections or failing to provide adequate heat during the coldest months, NYCHA has demonstrated time and time again it cannot deliver for its more than 400,000 tenants,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This latest escapade shows that NYCHA cannot even do something nice for its residents when someone else pays them to do it.”

Last year, Borough President Diaz allocated $139,000 in capital dollars to NYCHA to provide computers and other technical assistance to the community centers in three Bronx developments—the Bronx River Houses, the Sonia Sotomayor Houses and the Soundview Houses.

The money was intended to kick-off a pilot program to provide new programming opportunities within NYCHA developments and activate community centers in new ways in order to assist tenants with everyday tasks, be it homework for young people to job searches for adults and everything in between. To date, not a penny of this money has been spent.

Tenant leaders at these developments have circulated petitions throughout the summer, collecting nearly 1,000 signatures from residents of the Bronx River Houses. The petitions demand that NYCHA move to spend the money and bring new computers to these centers before the start of the upcoming school year.

“I'm very disgusted because the community center is a resource, not just an after school or senior center but a safe haven, a tool. The director of this center fulfilled every step with regarding this grant through the Bronx Borough President Office, and Bronx River was one of the chosen centers to solidified the grant. Now NYCHA has not answered any of our questions. We have residents that need this computer room to create resumes, students that need to apply for college. NYCHA, do right and release the funding,” said Norma Saunders, tenant leader at the Bronx River Houses.

At the press conference Borough President Diaz called for NYCHA’s books to be opened for public review, adding that NYCHA should be forced to explain how it spends—or does not spend—money that has been allocated to the agency.

“It is time for the agency to open its books to the public. Put them online. Let’s be transparent. Let’s see how much money has been allocated to NYCHA, and just how much of that money has been spent,” said Borough President Diaz. When money sits unspent, we need to know why that is. We can no longer accept this level of unaccountability.”

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - Back to School Health and Literacy Community Fair

Allerton Avenue International Food Festival

NEWS FROM STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA

THIS FRIDAY: SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS HIS FIRST BACK-TO-SCHOOL CELEBRATION AT CROTONA PARK!

With the start of the new school year quickly approaching, State Senator Gustavo Rivera will host three Back to School events on Friday, August 24, Tuesday, August 28 and Friday, August 31 at Crotona Park, Saint James Park and Tremont Park respectively.

The three events, part of Senator Rivera's Bronx CAN Health Initiative, will offer families in Senate District 33 an afternoon filled with free backpacks, fun activities and free health screenings. The number of backpacks is limited and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children between 5 and 13 years old must be present and in the company of an adult while youths between the ages of 14 and 18, do not need a parent present.

SCHEDULE OF BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS:

1) Back To School Event at Crotona Park

Who: State Senator Gustavo Rivera

When: Friday, August 24, 2018

            3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: Crotona Park (Bathgate Playground on E 173rd Street and Fulton Avenue)

2) Back To School Event at Saint James Park

Who: State Senator Gustavo Rivera

When: Tuesday, August 28, 2018

            3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: St. James Park (entrance on Jerome Avenue and W 192nd Street)

3) Back To School Event at Tremont Park

Who: State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo, and              Council Member Ritchie Torres.

When: Friday, August 31, 2018

            3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Where: Tremont Park (corner of E Tremont Avenue and Arthur Avenue)

**This event is free and open to the public. Participating organizations include Hispanic Federation, Kars for Kids, VIP Community Services, Union Community Health Center, Bronx Care Health System, 32BJ, DC37, the New York City Police Department 52nd Precinct, the New York City Police Department 52nd Precinct, the New York City Police Department 48th Precinct Explorers Program, Bronx Community Board 6, Bronx Community Board 7, NAC, North West Bronx Community Clergy Coalition -Sistas and Brothas United. 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces New York City Agrees to Make Accessibility Modifications to Facilities and Provide Accommodations to Inmates with Disabilities

NYC Department Of Correction, And NYC Health And Hospitals Corporation To Remedy ADA Violations And Ensure Equal Access To Services, Programs, And Activities At City Jails

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that the United States has reached a settlement with the City of New York (“the City”), the New York City Department of Correction (“DOC”), and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (“HHC”) to resolve its investigation into violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Under the agreement, the City, DOC, and HHC must provide inmates with disabilities equal access to services, programs, and activities by, among other things, timely providing inmates with needed accommodations, including auxiliary aids and services, assistive devices, and medical equipment.  In addition, DOC has agreed to make hundreds of architectural modifications to the Rikers Island units that house inmates with significant mobility and visual impairments and to DOC’s visitation areas to bring these facilities into compliance with applicable accessibility standards.     

 

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “For too long, the City has been violating the ADA by depriving inmates with disabilities of their right to have equal access to services, programs, and activities available in the jail setting, and by failing to make its visitation areas fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.  Through this agreement, the City has committed to providing needed accommodations to inmates with disabilities, as well as making visitation areas more accessible to members of the public with disabilities.” 

As part of its investigation, the Office conducted on-site inspections of (a) the North Infirmary Command Annex, including the unit where DOC houses male inmates with significant mobility and visual impairments; (b) the area of Rose M. Singer Center where DOC houses female inmates with significant mobility and visual impairments and the common areas used by these inmates; and (c) the Central Visits Control Building and the visitation areas of each of the jails operated by DOC.  The Office also reviewed DOC’s ADA policies and training, records relating to requests for accommodations submitted by or on behalf of inmates, and information concerning the availability of programs and services at City jails. 

The Office identified widespread violations of applicable architectural accessibility standards for each of the facilities inspected.  In addition, the Office found that DOC failed to consistently:  (a) timely and adequately respond to accommodation requests from inmates with disabilities; (b) place inmates with mobility and visual impairments in accessible housing areas; (c) provide inmates with mobility impairments with access to appropriate mobility devices; and (d) ensure that hearing impaired inmates have equal access to telecommunications services.

The out-of-court settlement agreement requires the City, DOC, and HHC to:

• Complete hundreds of architectural modifications to the facilities that were inspected.  The City will retain an independent architect to determine whether the required modifications have been performed and comply with applicable standards.
• Provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to inmates who are deaf, have hearing loss, have speech disabilities, are blind, or have low vision.
• Provide safe and appropriate assistive devices and medical equipment to meet the needs of inmates with disabilities.
• Promptly address complaints concerning the functioning or condition of any auxiliary aid, assistive device, or medical equipment.
• Provide inmates who are deaf, have hearing loss, or have speech disabilities with access to a TTY device, a hearing aid compatible telephone, the New York Relay Service, and, within three years, a Video Relay Service or an alternative way to communicate via a video link.
• Evaluate new inmates to determine whether they have any physical, mental, intellectual, or developmental disabilities and are in need of an accommodation.
• Place inmates with vision or mobility disabilities in accessible housing units where they will have access to all areas of the facility that inmates are permitted to use, including but not limited to common housing areas, recreational areas, worship areas, libraries, dining areas, visitation areas, medical treatment areas, mental health treatment areas, and areas where educational or vocational programs are offered.
• Promptly respond to requests by or on behalf of inmates to be transferred to more accessible housing.
• Adopt and implement a new policy governing how requests for accommodations and ADA complaints are submitted, processed, reviewed, resolved, and tracked.
• Maintain a computerized system to accurately track information concerning requests for accommodations and ADA complaints. 
• Develop and provide new ADA training to DOC and HHC staff.
• Submit bi-annual compliance reports to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

BRONX MEN INDICTED FOR ROBBING, ASSAULTING OFF-DUTY LONG ISLAND COP IN THE BRONX

Defendants Allegedly Beat Victim And Robbed His Gold Chains; Victim Shot Defendants and Himself During Altercation

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that two Bronx men have been indicted for robbing and assaulting an off-duty Hempstead, L.I. police officer who was driving in the Bronx. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendants, along with others, allegedly assaulted the off-duty police officer as they stole several gold chains he was wearing. The victim fired his gun and wounded two defendants, as well as himself, during the fight, and suffered a serious wound to his leg.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Saikou Sumareh, 20, of 1470 Grand Concourse, and Musa Krubally, 24, of 303 East 135 Street, were arraigned today on two counts of first-degree Robbery, three counts of second-degree Robbery, third degree Robbery, and first-degree and second-degree Assault before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Efrain Alvarado. Sumareh’s bail was set at $50,000 cash/$50,000 bond, while Krubally’s bail was continued at $75,000 cash/$150,000 bond. The defendants are due back in court on December 17, 2018. 

 According to the investigation, on July 21, 2018 at the corner of Sedgwick Avenue and Hall of Fame Terrace, the victim, Joseph Page, was driving his SUV and was struck from behind by a dark-colored Toyota sedan. The victim and the driver of the Toyota exited their vehicles, and a red Nissan sedan pulled up and the two defendants emerged from the vehicle. Another individual exited the Toyota and the four men allegedly assaulted the victim and stole his gold chains.

 According to the investigation, the victim said he saw the butt of a firearm and subsequently pulled out his own gun and fired at the individuals. Sumareh was shot in the arm and abdomen and Krubally was shot in the abdomen. The victim suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot. The investigation is continuing.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Charles Awani and Lieutenant Carlos Lopez of the 46th Precinct for their assistance in the investigation. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.