COUNCIL MEMBER ERIC DINOWITZ AND ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ CELEBRATE WIN IN FIGHT FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT KAPPOCK STREET AND JOHNSON AVENUE

 

The pair of legislators had advocated for pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection following a fatal crash between a bus and pedestrian.

 The NYC Department of Transportation has approved a traffic signal to be installed at the intersection of Kappock Street and Johnson Avenue. This decision follows months of advocacy from Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, and community residents for pedestrian safety improvements after local resident Ruth Mullen was fatally struck by a turning bus while she crossed the street at night. DOT has already made several changes to the intersection following the collision, including the relocation of a street light, the addition of a second luminaire to the relocated light post, the addition of left-turn delineators, and re-painting of the crosswalk markings.

 

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Council Member Dinowitz issued the following joint statement in reaction to this decision from the NYC Department of Transportation:

 

“A new traffic signal will not bring back our neighbor, Ruth Mullen, but it will hopefully prevent future tragedies from occurring from the moment it is installed. Kappock Street and Johnson Avenue has been a chronic problem spot for vehicles that roll through stop signs, frequently ignoring the presence of pedestrians. A traffic signal should significantly increase the number of vehicles that come to a complete stop at this intersection, which in turn should make this a safer place for people to walk. This traffic signal is a great example of how our neighborhoods are safer when community members and elected officials work together and speak out as one voice. Walkable communities are livable communities, and we will continue to fight for pedestrian safety improvements wherever they are needed.”

 

MAYOR ADAMS APPOINTS PHILIP BANKS AS DEPUTY MAYOR FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Philip Banks III as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. He most recently served as the New York City Police Department (NYPD) chief of department. As deputy mayor, Banks will be tasked with coordinating all agencies on public safety matters to ensure they align with the Mayor’s vision. Mayor Adams noted Banks’ long and distinguished career in law enforcement, and how he is well-suited to fill the role of the City’s first deputy mayor for public safety since the 1990s. 

 

“I say it often: Public safety and justice are the prerequisites to prosperity. As someone who wore a bulletproof vest protecting the children and families of this city for 22 years, and now has the privilege of serving as mayor, I need a partner in government who understands what it takes to keep New Yorkers safe. Phil Banks is that person, and I am grateful for his continued public service in this new role to help our administration deliver the safety we need and the justice we deserve,” said Mayor Eric Adams. 

 

“I thank Mayor Adams for appointing me as Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. The fact that he is restoring this position in his administration speaks volumes about how dedicated he is to tackling the real public safety crisis on our streets. My goal will be to carry out the Mayor’s plan, working with all City agencies to make this a safer, more equitable city for all New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. 

 

“Congratulations to Deputy Mayor Banks on his historic appointment as deputy mayor of public safety, the first to be appointed since former mayor David Dinkins did so Like Mayor Dinkins, Mayor Adams understands how essential it is that we get public safety right, protecting our most vulnerable in the right way,” said National Action Network Founder and President Reverend Al Sharpton.

 

“Chief Banks has always been there for our community. He has been a faithful servant and a man for all seasons. We trust him,” said NAACP New York State Conference President Dr. Hazel Dukes.

 

Banks joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 1986, beginning his career on patrol in the 81^st Precinct. In 2010 he was appointed Chief of Community Affairs, a role he served in before being appointed chief of department in 2013. Banks earned a B.S. in business administration from Lincoln University. He is a graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University, and has completed advanced management training for senior executives in state and local government at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Executive Leaders Program in Counterterrorism at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. Banks is also a member of the founding chapter of the philanthropic institution 100 Black Men, Inc. and has served on the board of South Bronx Overall Development Corporation. He has also served as adviser to a number of mid- and large­-sized cities on best practices for implementing relationship­-based solutions to address public safety challenges. 

Governor Hochul Announces Availability of $4.5 Million in Funding to Improve Addiction Prevention Efforts in High-need Communities

 

Federal Funds Under The Substance Abuse Prevention And Treatment Block Grant Will Be Used For Substance Use And Prevention Coalitions

Coalitions Will Engage Vulnerable, Underserved Communities To Develop And Implement Change Prevention Strategies

 Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of up to $4.5 million in federal funding under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program to develop substance use and misuse prevention coalitions in underserved areas of New York State. These coalitions are designed to better engage vulnerable and isolated communities in developing and implementing environmental change prevention strategies. Funding will be awarded through a Request for Applications (RFA) process administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).

"Addiction can impact any family, suddenly and harshly. Fighting the opioid crisis is a personal battle to me, and I want to let all New Yorkers who struggle with addiction know that we are here for you," Governor Hochul said. "Treatments services should be accessible to everyone, and this new funding will go a long way towards ensuring New Yorkers in underserved communities have the resources they need to address addiction and move towards recovery."

 

Coalitions receiving funding will use the Strategic Prevention Framework to develop culturally appropriate and tailored prevention for underserved communities and populations, including veterans, LGBTQ youth, Latinx, people over the age of 50 years, people with disabilities, rural communities, and migrant communities. This approach involves using local data sources that can identify culturally specific substance use and misuse issues, helping to foster specific prevention strategies to reduce underage substance use and instill lasting positive changes for high-risk communities. 

 

Up to $150,000 annually will be awarded to one coalition in each of the 10 Economic Development Zones in New York State for 3 years. The RFA for this initiative can be viewed here.

 

OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Properly addressing the circumstances that lead to substance use and addiction requires a community-based approach, with the recognition that different communities and populations require different services. This allows us to target our services wherever there is the greatest need, and with these new coalitions we will be able to bring these vital prevention services to a number of high-need communities and populations.”

Over the past several years, New York State has instituted an aggressive, multi-pronged approach to addressing the opioid epidemic, and created a nation-leading continuum of addiction care with full prevention, treatment, and recovery services. To combat this epidemic, the state has worked to expand access to traditional services, including crisis services, inpatient, outpatient, and residential treatment programs, as well as medication assisted treatment, and mobile treatment and transportation services.

 

Governor Hochul was a member of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force, which in 2016, recommended new, non-traditional services, including recovery centers, youth clubhouses, expanded peer services, and open access centers, which provide immediate assessments and referrals to care. These services have since been established in numerous communities around the state and have helped people in need access care closer to where they live.

 

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. 

 

If you, or a loved one, have experienced insurance obstacles related to treatment or need help filing an appeal for a denied claim, contact the CHAMP helpline by phone at 888-614-5400 or email at ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Warns of Cyberattacks Targeting Consumers Reusing Passwords for Online Accounts

 

Simple Steps Can Help Consumers Safeguard Online Accounts From “Credential Stuffing” Attacks

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers of cyberattacks targeting consumers that use the same username and password (login credentials) on more than one website or app. In these cyberattacks, known as “credential stuffing” attacks, cybercriminals attempt to log in to online accounts using login credentials stolen from other online services. Specialized software enables attackers to generate and send tens of thousands of login attempts in quick succession. 

“With billions of stolen credentials floating around on the internet, credential stuffing attacks have the ability to hurt both businesses and consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Fortunately, consumers can help safeguard their online accounts against credential stuffing. As we work with businesses to better safeguard consumers’ private information, I encourage all New Yorkers to remain vigilant against these types of attacks and take the appropriate steps to protect their data and their wallets.”

Credential stuffing attacks occur with alarming frequency. One company reported that it witnessed more than 193 billion credential stuffing attacks in 2020 alone. And, earlier this week, Attorney General James announced that a sweeping investigation by her office had identified more than 1.1 million online accounts compromised in credential stuffing cyberattacks on just 17 well-known companies. 

Attorney General James recommends consumers take the following steps to safeguard their online accounts against credential stuffing attacks:

• Never reuse passwords: While reusing login information may be convenient, it also puts consumers at risk. Consumers are encouraged to always create a unique password for each of their online accounts.

• Use a password manager: A password manager on a phone or computer can keep track of a consumer’s passwords, automatically filling them in when they log in to a website or an app. Many modern web browsers include this functionality. Browsers and other password managers can also check if a consumer’s passwords have been stolen in a data breach, and even generate new passwords when creating new online accounts.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA can provide an extra layer of security by requiring anyone logging in to an account to provide another credential, such as a one-time code sent by SMS or email. Most attackers that have access to a stolen password will not have access to a secondary credential. Consumers should ensure that if a website or app offers 2FA, that it is enabled for their account.

• Check regularly for unauthorized activity: Not all companies will notify their users when their online accounts have been compromised. Consumers are encouraged to regularly check their online accounts for unauthorized transactions and activity, and immediately contact their online service (and credit card company, if appropriate) if they see something suspicious.

• Sign up for updates: Consumers should register with a breach notification service, like Have I Been Pwned, that will send them a notification if an account associated with their email or phone number has been compromised.

• Take Suspicious Activity Seriously: If an online service notifies a consumer of suspicious activity on their account, they should immediately change their password. If consumers use the same password for other accounts, they should be sure to change the password for those accounts as well.

VCJC News & Notes 1/7/22

 

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Reminders Shabbos Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar. Here are the times you need:   Shabbos Candles Friday 1/7/22 @ 4:26 pm Shabbos morning services at 8:45 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.  Shabbos Ends Saturday 1/8/22 @ 5:30 pm   Sisterhood Meeting Cancelled Because of COVID concerns the Sisterhood meeting scheduled for Sunday, 1/9, has been cancelled.

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

DiNAPOLI URGES NEW YORKERS TO SPEND HOLIDAY GIFT CARDS

 

$16 Million in Unused Cards Turned Over to DiNapoli’s Office in 2021

 New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging New Yorkers to spend the gift cards they received this holiday season in a timely fashion. If not, the money could eventually get turned over to the Office of Unclaimed Funds. In the last seven years, the amount returned to DiNapoli’s office in unused gift cards has risen sharply from $5.8 million in 2014 to $16 million in 2021.

“Misplacing your gift cards after the holiday season is easy to do,” DiNapoli said. “Don’t wait too long to spend your gift cards to avoid possible inactivity fees or having the money turned over to my office as lost funds.”

After five years of dormancy, money from unused gift cards issued by New York businesses is turned over to the Office of Unclaimed Funds as abandoned property.

DiNapoli urges recipients to read the fine print for details about the fees and expiration dates on any cards they received and to register the card with the retailer. Under the federal Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, many types of retail gift cards sold after August 22, 2010 are not permitted to charge inactivity fees unless the card has been inactive for at least 12 months. Gift cards cannot expire within the first five years after purchase.

Currently, state law provides that gift cards cannot be assessed a monthly service fee against the balance prior to two years or the 25^th month of inactivity. Beginning in December 2022, with a few exceptions, state law will eliminate fees and expiration dates on gift cards.

New York requires companies offering rebates to disclose whether they will be issued in the form of a gift card and whether any fees will apply to those cards. Rebate cards are not all covered by the same rules as regular gift cards, so this disclosure helps consumers to identify the different cards and how they can be used.

Gift cards may have other terms and conditions that can decrease the value. These may include:

• Service fees when the card is purchased;
• Dormancy fees if the gift card is not used within a certain time period;
• Fees to call and check the balance remaining on the card; and
• Replacement fees for lost or stolen gift cards.

DiNapoli’s office is currently holding more than $17 billion in unclaimed funds. He urges New Yorkers to visit www.osc.state.ny.us to see if they are owed money.

Manhattan Man Arrested For Acting As An Unregistered Agent Of The Egyptian Government In The United States

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Matthew G. Olsen, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging PIERRE GIRGIS, a dual Egyptian and U.S. citizen, with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as an unregistered agent of the Arab Republic of Egypt. GIRGIS was taken into custody earlier today, and will be presented this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “As alleged, Pierre Girgis failed to meet his requirements to register as a foreign agent in the United States.  At the behest of Egyptian officials, Girgis’s alleged prohibited conduct included attempting to covertly gather non-public intelligence about the activities of political opponents of Egypt’s president, and attempting to gain access for foreign officials to attend law enforcement-only trainings in Manhattan. This Office will continue to strictly enforce foreign agent registration laws, which remain critically important to ensuring that our government is not secretly influenced by foreign governments.”

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said: “The Department of Justice will not allow agents of foreign governments to operate in the United States to pursue and collect information about critics of those governments. Working at the direction of the Egyptian government, Girgis agreed to target its perceived critics located in the United States. This indictment begins the process of holding him accountable for his actions in contravention of our laws and values.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said: “Agents of foreign countries are required to register with our government for a good reason - they often act in their home country's interests and against those of the United States.  We allege Mr. Girgis sent non-public information back to Egypt for the benefit of the Egyptian government. Mr. Girgis broke our laws, and we must hold him accountable.”

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, and statements made during court proceedings[1]:

From at least approximately 2014 to 2019, GIRGIS, a native of Egypt, acted in the United States as an agent of the Egyptian government, without notifying the U.S. Attorney General as required by law. GIRGIS operated at the direction and control of multiple officials of the Egyptian government in an effort to further the interests of the Egyptian government in the United States. Among other things, at the direction of Egyptian government officials, GIRGIS tracked and obtained information regarding political opponents of Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. GIRGIS also leveraged his connections with local U.S. law enforcement officers to collect non-public information at the direction of Egyptian officials, arranged benefits for Egyptian officials who were visiting Manhattan, and coordinated meetings between U.S. and Egyptian law enforcement in the United States, including by attempting to arrange for Egyptian officials to attend police trainings.

On or about May 7, 2018, GIRGIS discussed his status as an agent of the Egyptian government with an Egyptian official (“Egyptian Official-1”) using an encrypted messaging application. During the conversation, Egyptian Official-1 expressed frustration that GIRGIS had communicated with personnel from a different Egyptian government agency, warned GIRGIS that “it is not possible to open with all the agencies,” and stated that Egyptian Official-1 was “letting you [GIRGIS] open with us only.”[2] Later in the encrypted messaging exchange, Egyptian Official-1 advised GIRGIS that other Egyptian government agencies “want sources for themselves, and you [GIRGIS] have become an important source for them to collect information.” GIRGIS responded, “I know and I see and I learn from you,” and then informed Egyptian Official-1, “it will not be repeated again.”

Approximately one year later, on or about March 8, 2019, in the course of GIRGIS’s continuing operations as an Egyptian agent, GIRGIS and Egyptian Official-1 discussed an upcoming trip of certain Egyptian officials to the United States. During that telephone conversation, GIRGIS stated, “Tell me what you want me to do,” and Egyptian Official-1 responded by inquiring about GIRGIS’s relationship with a particular U.S. law enforcement officer. Egyptian Official-1 then instructed GIRGIS “to ask [the U.S. law enforcement officer] for something. We want you to find out if there are any police trainings happening in Manhattan in the coming days, and if so, who are the people in charge of these trainings? We would like to attend.” Later in the conversation, GIRGIS again asked, “What you want me to do?” Egyptian Official-1 directed GIRGIS, “Make follow up, Ok?” and GIRGIS agreed by responding, “Ok.”

GIRGIS, 39, is a resident of Manhattan. GIRGIS is charged with one count of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the Attorney General, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division, and thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, for their assistance.

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

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

[2] The statements described in the Indictment and herein are set forth in substance and in part.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JANUARY 6, 2022

 

108,132 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

130 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"Wearing a mask, washing your hands, getting your vaccine, your second dose, your booster - we are not defenseless and these are things you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy," Governor Hochul said. "As we make our way through the winter surge, it is important to keep the wellbeing of others in mind. Be mindful of how your actions impact others so we can keep our communities open and thriving."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 377,565
• Total Positive - 84,202
• Percent Positive - 22.30%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 22.48% 
• Patient Hospitalization - 11,184 (+317)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 2,020
• Patients in ICU - 1,404 (+45)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 695 (+38)
• Total Discharges - 238,342 (+1,658)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 130
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 49,029

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only. 

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 61,225

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings. 

• Total vaccine doses administered - 34,082,745
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 108,132
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 568,560
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 89.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 80.8%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 83.1%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 78.4% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 70.1% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 84.8% 
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.1%