MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE AHEAD OF WINTER’S COLDEST NIGHT

 

Mamdani Administration taking additional emergency measures to accelerate opening of new safe haven beds and stand-up new warming centers as quickly as possible 

TODAY, ahead of the coldest night of the winter, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced additional emergency actions to expand shelter and warming facility capacity across the city and bring vulnerable New Yorkers indoors.   

  

On Friday night, the Mamdani administration accelerated the opening of 48 new safe haven beds in the Bronx for homeless people who are resistant to traditional shelter settings. The expansion was carried out with support from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Buildings.  

  

The administration has also deployed more than 150 additional outreach workers — supplementing the more than 400 Department of Homeless Services outreach staff already working around the clock — to conduct direct street outreach throughout the weekend. More than 50 school nurses have also been deployed. Since January 19th, the city has made more than 1,300 shelter placements and involuntarily transported 29 New Yorkers.  

  

On Saturday, the Department of Education announced it is supporting the opening of two additional warming centers – one in Far Rockaway and one in Washington Heights – in addition to the 10 reopened school-based warming centers announced Friday by the mayor.   

  

In response to community concerns, Mayor Mamdani also directed city agencies to increase the size and visibility of signage and labeling on warming vehicles and at warming centers across all five boroughs.  

  

Earlier today, Mayor Mamdani travelled to Staten Island to thank firefighters and emergency medical service workers for their efforts to keep New Yorkers safe and warm. City workers and partners continue operating with a heightened capacity to bring people indoors as temperatures drop.   

  

“The temperature tonight will be the coldest we have seen all winter,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If you are still outside, please come inside. Being outdoors for even a brief period of time can be lethal. City government is doing everything in its power to keep vulnerable New Yorkers safe and warm during this winter weather crisis. The cold is persistent, but so is this city. Let’s keep looking out for one another. Stay safe. Check on your neighbors. And if you see someone in need, please call 311.”   

  

Today’s announcement builds on emergency actions announced Friday, including:  

•   The expedited opening of 64 new hotel shelter units in Queens.  

•   Operation of nearly 65 warming facilities citywide throughout the weekend.  

•   Expansion of NYC Health + Hospitals’ mobile warming outreach initiative to 33 mobile units. The program has already engaged nearly 3,000 vulnerable New Yorkers, provided more than 1,000 clinical consultations, and distributed essential supplies, including blankets, warm clothing, socks, warm meals, and water, to more than 80% of those engaged.  

•   A pilot “peer outreach” initiative through DHS deploying formerly homeless New Yorkers to conduct street outreach and build trust with people still outside.  

•   A citywide message campaign in partnership with LinkNYC featuring a direct appeal from Mayor Mamdani for New Yorkers to come indoors, along with a new tool to locate the nearest warming center.   

•   Collaboration with 311 to cut the amount of time in half that it takes to call for help for a homeless individual since the start of the Code Blue emergency.   

  

As the City responds to this weather emergency, Mayor Mamdani said the administration is using every available tool to keep New Yorkers safe. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 for emergency updates. More information here.   

  

As Mayor Mamdani has repeatedly said: If you are still outdoors, please come inside. We want to help. We want to keep you safe.   

Third Coconspirator in Fatal Benghazi Attacks in U.S. Custody, Charged in Washington D.C. with Murder and Terrorism Counts

 

Zubayar Al-Bakoush, an armed coconspirator in the 2012 attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, was charged in an eight-count indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court on multiple terrorism and murder counts.

Bakoush, who is in federal custody, is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya for the District of Columbia.

“The terrorist attack on our Benghazi Embassy was a dark and tragic day for our nation that robbed us of four American heroes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Now, thanks to our brave federal agents, one of its alleged key participants will be prosecuted in an American courtroom on American soil. Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice will never rest in our mission to Make America Safe Again and deliver swift, severe justice to our enemies.”

"The FBI and our U.S. government partners have worked tirelessly to hold accountable those responsible for the heinous terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya that resulted in the deaths of the U.S. Ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. government personnel Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The latest result of our efforts is bringing  Zubayar Al-Bakoush  to the U.S. to face charges for his alleged role in the attacks against our citizens and our facilities in Libya. You can be assured that no matter how long it takes, or where you are located, the FBI remains steadfast in our duty to see justice served against those who harm our citizens. I’m grateful to the men and women of the FBI for their unrelenting efforts to bring us to where we stand today – this defendant will be prosecuted on U.S. soil.”

“This indictment against Zubayar Al-Bakoush is indicative of President Trump’s resolve to hold accountable anyone who harms Americans, no matter where,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the District of Columbia. “Al-Bakoush is now on U.S. soil, because the FBI and Department of Justice never forgot those Americans who were seemingly forgotten in that outpost in Benghazi, Libya. President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, FBI Director Patel, and I will do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes, to pursue justice for the victims and their families.”

“Over thirteen years have passed since the 2012 attack in Libya, and over eight since the last arrest in this case, but the Department of Justice’s resolve has not wavered,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “We never forgot those four Americans who were killed in service of our Nation, and we will continue to seek justice for them, their families, and for the United States.”

“In September 2012, Zubayar Al-Bakoush allegedly facilitated the terrorist attack on the United States Mission and Annex in Benghazi in which four Americans – including an ambassador – were murdered in an effort to incite additional violence against our country’s presence in Libya” said James Barnacle, Assistant Director in Charge of New York Field Office. “This bloody campaign waged unnecessary brutality against Americans and forever altered the lives of the victims’ families. May today’s significant disruption send a clear message: the FBI New York’s Joint Terrorism Task Force will never cease its tireless pursuit of any terrorist involved in the massacre of our nation’s citizens, regardless of when or where the onslaught occurred.”

The indictment charges Bakoush with:

• Conspiracy to Provide Material Support and Resources to Terrorists Resulting in Death
• Providing Material Support and Resources to Terrorists Resulting in Death
• Murder of an Internationally Protected Person
• Murder of a United States National Outside of the United States (Two Counts)
• Attempted Murder of a United States National Outside of the United States
• Arson and Placing Lives in Jeopardy Within the Special Maritime and Territorial

Jurisdiction of the United States and Attempting to Do the Same

• Maliciously Destroying and Injuring Property and Placing Lives in Jeopardy within the Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States and Attempting to Do the Same

The charges stem from the Sept. 11, 2012, terrorist attack on the U.S. Special Mission and nearby CIA Annex that killed Ambassador Stevens and U.S. government personnel Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty.

According to the indictment, Bakoush was a member of Ansar Al Sharia (AAS), an Islamist extremist militia in Benghazi, which had the goal of establishing Sharia law in Libya.

On the evening of Sept. 11, 2012, a group of more than 20 heavily armed men – including Bakoush assembled outside the main gate of the U.S Special Mission in Benghazi.  They were armed with assault rifles, other firearms, and explosive devices.  At about 9:45 p.m., the group of armed men violently breached the main gate of the Mission. Upon entry, the men fanned out across the Mission complex, setting fires to building within the Mission compound.

When the attackers could not gain entry to the secure area of Villa C, the Ambassador’s residence, they set fire to it.  Ambassador Stevens and Mr. Smith suffocated from the thick, black smoke that enveloped the residence. Diplomatic Security Services (DSS) Special Agent Scott Wickland, who had tried to guide Ambassador Stevens and Mr. Smith to safety, was injured and repeatedly took small arms fire while trying to rescue the two Americans.

The extremist group also attacked the Quick Reaction Force building, which was occupied by local Libyans serving as guards for the Mission.

About 10 p.m., Bakoush entered the Mission compound with other conspirators, and conducted surveillance of the Tactical Operation Center and the Villa. After Bakoush attempted to gain entry to vehicles belonging to Mission staff, he and his co-conspirators temporarily retreated to an area just outside the Mission.

About 11:15 p.m., conspirators assembled outside the southern gate and launched a second violent attack on the Mission using AK-type assault rifles, grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades. After 30 minutes, the group entered the compound and plundered the Mission’s office of documents, maps, and computers containing sensitive information about the location of the CIA Annex.

At 12:30 a.m., conspirators attacked the Annex with small arms, assault rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades.

Following the attack at the Mission, in the early hours of September 12, 2012, the violence continued at the CIA Annex, first with gunfire and then with a precision mortar attack. While defending the Annex, Mr. Woods, Mr. Doherty, DSS Special Agent David Ubben, and CIA security specialist Mark Tiegen were hit by a precision mortar attack, leading to the deaths of Mr. Woods and Mr. Doherty. Special Agent Ubben and Mr. Tiegen were seriously wounded but survived.

The Department of Justice previously charged and convicted two leaders in the Benghazi attack on federal terrorism charges and other offenses. Ahmed Abu Khatallah, aka Ahmed Mukatallah was sentenced in June 2018 to 22 years in prison and resentenced in September 2024 to 28 years in prison. Mustafa al-Imam was sentenced in January 2020 to nearly 20 years.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office with substantial assistance from the Department of War, the CIA and the Department of State. The National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section provided additional assistance.

Attorney General James Wins Court Order Preventing Shutdown of Hudson Tunnel Project

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after a federal judge granted her motion for a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from shutting down work on the Gateway Program’s Hudson River Tunnel project: 

“This is a critical victory for workers and commuters in New York and New Jersey. I am grateful the court acted quickly to block this senseless funding freeze, which threatened to derail a project our entire region depends on. The Hudson Tunnel Project is one of the most important infrastructure projects in the nation, and we will keep fighting to ensure construction can continue without unnecessary federal interference.” 

Attorney General James and New Jersey Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport sued the administration on February 3 to prevent a work stoppage resulting from the Trump administration’s monthslong Hudson Tunnel funding freeze. The lawsuit warned that, without court intervention, construction could be forced to shut down completely as early as February 6, threatening thousands of jobs and leaving a crucial transit corridor in dangerous disrepair.  

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from continuing to withhold project funding for now. 

Permits Filed for 2441 Morris Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx

 

2441 Morris Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx via Google Maps

Permits have been filed for a six-story residential building at 2441 Morris Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located between East 184th Street and East Fordham Road, the lot is near two Fordham Road subway stations, served by the B, D, and 4 trains. Kristjan Marashi is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 77-foot-tall development will yield 12,432 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 23 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 540 square feet. The masonry-based structure will also have a cellar and a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Jakov Saric of Node Architecture, Engineering, Consulting PC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed in November 2025. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Ohio Man Charged for Threatening to Kill the Vice President of the United States

 

While investigating the alleged threats, federal agents discovered multiple files of child sexual abuse materials in the defendant’s possession

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a 33-year-old man with threatening to kill the Vice President of the United States during his visit to the Northwest Ohio region in January.

Shannon Mathre, of Toledo, is accused of making a threat to take the life of, and to inflict bodily harm upon, a successor to the presidency, in violation of Title 18 U.S. Code Section 871(a). In the indictment, he allegedly stated, “I am going to find out where he (the vice president) is going to be and use my M14 automatic gun and kill him.” Mathre was arrested by U.S. Secret Service agents Feb. 6.

The grand jury further charges that from about Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 21, 2026, Mathre was also engaged in the receipt and distribution of images that visually depict minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, in violation of Title 18 U.S. Code Section 2252(a)(2). While investigating the threats allegedly made against the vice president, federal agents discovered multiple digital files of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) in Mathre’s possession.

“Our attorneys are vigorously prosecuting this disgusting threat against Vice President Vance,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “You can hide behind a screen, but you cannot hide from this Department of Justice.”

“While arresting this man for allegedly threatening to murder the Vice President of the United States, a serious crime in and of itself, federal law enforcement discovered that he was also in possession of child sexual abuse materials,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Thank you to federal, state and local partners in working together to bring justice twofold to this depraved individual.”

“Hostile and violent threats made against the Vice President, or any other public official, will not be tolerated in our District,” said David M. Toepfer, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “Anyone threatening this kind of action will face swift justice and prosecution. We commend the actions of our local and state law enforcement who collaborated with U.S. Secret Service to take this individual into custody.”

Mathre made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio Feb. 6. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 11.

If found guilty as charged, Mathre faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 for threating the life of the vice president. Mathre faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 if found guilty of the CSAM charge.

U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio and the U.S. Secret Service Toledo and Cleveland Field Offices made the announcement.

An indictment is merely an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, their role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

The United States Secret Service leads the investigation, with valuable assistance from the Toledo Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Leader Of Criminal Tow Truck And Auto Repair Company Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison For Murder

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that CHRISTIAN LUGO, a/k/a “Coco,” was sentenced to 19 years in prison for LUGO’s leadership role in a racketeering conspiracy that used fraud and violent intimidation to run a tow truck and auto repair shop known as Certified Auto.  On February 7, 2022, LUGO allowed and encouraged a co-conspirator who worked for him at Certified Auto to shoot at members of a rival tow truck company, which resulted in the death of Gloria Ortiz.  In August 2025, LUGO pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy and firearms offenses, while admitting to his role in the murder, before U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho, who imposed this sentence. 

“As Christian Lugo has now admitted, his rivalry with other tow truck companies set in motion a deadly chain of events, which caused a broad daylight shooting, killing Gloria Ortiz,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Lugo used a gun to further his tow truck business, itself part of a criminal enterprise.  His actions led to the murder of a woman.  He is now where New Yorkers want him—off the streets and in prison.” 

According to the indictment, public court filings, and statements made at court proceedings:

LUGO, along with others, corrupted the operations and activities of Certified Auto, which was a company that provided towing and auto repair services to vehicles damaged in car accidents.  LUGO and his co-conspirators used Certified Auto to commit wire, mail, and insurance fraud and to assert control over the towing and auto repair industry in their territory in the Bronx, New York, using violence and threats of violence.

LUGO had a rivalry with a nearby tow truck shop owned by Gloria Ortiz.  On February 7, 2022, one of Lugo’s tow truck drivers got into a minor car accident while driving one of LUGO’s pickup trucks (illegally used as a tow truck) with a passenger vehicle in Ortiz’s shop’s claimed territory, resulting in a physical dispute with workers for that shop over the right to tow the passenger vehicle. LUGO then contacted another subordinate member of Certified Auto (“CC-1”) to pick up the driver, after which they all met up with LUGO.  At that meeting, LUGO allowed and permitted CC-1 to shoot at members of the rival company. Specifically, during that conversation, LUGO told CC-1 “are you going to take care of it or am I?” and CC-1 stated that CC-1 would do so.  CC-1 then drove to Certified Auto, where Gloria Ortiz and her workers had gathered. CC-1 opened fire, causing the death of Gloria Ortiz and nonfatal injuries to two other people outside of the Certified Auto shop.

In addition to the prison term, LUGO, 38, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced to six years of supervised release. 

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of Special Agents from the FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force and the New York City Police Department.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation. 

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

 

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE COMMUNITY

WEATHER ADVISORY

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch for New York City for this weekend. Code Blue is still in effect, and we want to ensure that the constituents of the 33rd District have the necessary information and resources you need to stay warm and safe during these cold and frigid temperatures.



If you or someone you know experiences a life-threatening emergency, please call 911. If you are experiencing no heat or unsafe weather conditions, call 311 for most up to date resources and information.

Stay warm, stay safe!

Places to Go for Warmth in NYC Warming Centers + Buses Safety precautions from the FDNY

DSS Announcements and Resources

Heat or Hot Water Complaints in a Residential Building

Subscribe to Notify NYC, and receive informationabout emergency alerts and important City services.

Last weekend, Senator Rivera attended the appointment ceremony of Dr. Alister Martin as Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new Commissioner for Health and Mental Hygiene. He also celebrated the appointment of several commissioners for the Mamdani administration.

As Chair of the Health Committee, Senator Rivera looks forward to working together with Commissioner Martin and the Mamdani administration to champion sound public health measures that will make our healthcare system more equitable and accessible to all New Yorkers.

Last weekend, Senator Rivera joined the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Park East Synagogue. The event gathered elected officials, community and institutional leaders, and members of New York’s Jewish community who came together to celebrate and talk about the issues that matter most to our city. 

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS SAR'S 57TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Last weekend, Senator Rivera joined Principal Rabbi Binyamin Krauss and the Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy (SAR), to celebrate their 57th anniversary, where he had the honor of meeting Natan Sharansky, an author, human rights activist, and hero in the Jewish community. Thank you Rabbi Krauss for the kind invitation! 

Senator Rivera joined several nurses including Nancy Hagans, President of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), at Montefiore’s Weiler campus to stand with them in solidarity as they enter their fourth week of strike. 

 

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Montefiore Health System cut health benefits for those nurses on strike. 

 

Senator Rivera urges all parties to come to the table and find a resolution that will provide nurses with a fair contract, uphold our State’s safe staffing laws, and ensure patients in The Bronx receive the care that they deserve. 

This week, the Senate Health Committee held their second meeting of this legislative year and passed all 16 bills including 6 sponsored by Senator Rivera:

S.1618: Enacts the “New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act,” which will allow New York State to enter into partnerships resulting in the production or distribution of generic prescription drugs in order to make them more affordable to private and public consumers.

S.8902: Provides School Based Health Centers with a managed care model by making the carve-out permanent.

S.353: Requires the New York Medicaid Director to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

S.427: Requires chain restaurants to label menu items that have a high content of added sugars.



S.1918: Establishes a specialized health home program to serve certain individuals with physical disabilities

S.355A: Allows individuals who have comparable coverage to a Medicare Part D plan to also be eligible for EPIC if they otherwise qualify.

Watch Senator Rivera’s remarks about his New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act, one of his legislative priorities for this session, here.

Next Tuesday February 10, the Legislature will hold its annual public hearing on the health budget proposal. Senator Rivera invites New Yorkers to submit written testimony about the healthcare issues that you want legislators to address in the state budget.

Whether you are a member of a union, a nonprofit worker, an advocate, or a New Yorker, you are encouraged to participate! Send your testimony to financechair@nysenate.gov by February 10 at 5PM.

FEBRUARY 2026: SENATOR RIVERA OFFERS FREE IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE!

ADDITIONAL COLD BLUE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND SUPPORT

Code Blue & Outreach Support: The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) activates Code Blue when temperatures drop to 32°F or below (including wind chill) between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM. During Code Blue:

• People can call 311 for information on shelter, warming centers, and assistance
• Calls to 311 related to Code Blue are routed to 911 so first responders can reach people quickly
• Outreach teams are intensifying efforts citywide to connect people to shelter and lifesaving support
• All DHS facilities, shelters, Safe Havens, stabilization beds, and drop-in centers, have an open-door policy. Please seek help in any of these locations.
• Intake procedures are relaxed, and outreach teams can directly place people into Safe Havens and stabilization beds.

Warming Centers (Open until further notice): The City has opened warming spaces and buses in all five boroughs to provide safe, heated indoor spaces. They will remain open throughout the period of cold weather. 

A regularly updated list of warming center locations and hours can be found HERE.

BRONX:

Warming Spaces

All locations below have warm spaces and food:

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Belvis

545 East 142nd Street 

Open 7PM-7AM

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania

1225 Gerard Avenue

Open 7PM-7AM

Warming Buses

Warming vehicles are parked outside the following locations:

Dewitt Clinton High School

100 Moshulu Parkway

Open 24/7

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

1400 Pelham Parkway South

Bus is in front of building #6. Open 7PM-7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln

234 East 149th Street

Building open 24/7, Warming Center 7 PM - 7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

3424 Kossuth Avenue

Bus is in front of main entrance. Open 7PM-7AM.

For the latest warming center updates, please visit the dedicated webpage and/or sign up for Notify NYC alerts.

The Bronx Defenders invites anyone who lives, works, or studies in the Bronx to step into your power by applying to the Bronx Changemakers Institute—an 8-week transformative experience rooted in organizing, policy, and hands-on engagement in the heart of the Bronx from February 23 - April 20.

This hybrid program (in-person and virtual) is designed to help you discover your voice, strengthen your skills, and shape public life with purpose and clarity. 

With limited spots available, applicants will go through a short interview process. All participants will receive a certificate of completion. 

Applications close February 15. There are no age or educational requirements!

Please email communityengagement@bronxdefenders.org if you have any questions.

Applications for the 2026 Summer Youth Employment Program are open. Apply here: nyc.gov/syep. The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026.

 

You can also refer any potential SYEP employers to nyc.gov/hirenycyouth.

ATTENTION PARENTS! APPLICATIONS TO 3-K AND PRE-K ARE NOW OPEN!

Fall 2026 Admissions Timeline:   

Wednesday, January 14, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Open 

Friday, February 27, 2026: 3-K and Pre-K Applications Close 

Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Pre-K Offer Release 

Tuesday, May 19, 2026: 3-K Offer Release