Two Individuals and Company Indicted for Making and Selling Fake OSHA and Buildings Department Site Safety Cards

 

Allegedly Sold Counterfeit Safety and Training Certifications to Construction Workers Who Never Received the Required Training

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata and New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, today announced that the owner and an associate of a company with locations in Brooklyn and Queens that was authorized to provide jobsite safety training and certification have been arraigned on an indictment charging them with making and selling fake safety cards to construction workers who never received the required training. 

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Proper safety training is a foundational safeguard for everyone on a construction site. When individuals or companies cut corners and issue certifications without the required instruction, they undermine the integrity of our safety systems and endanger workers and the public. This case reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that training standards are followed and that fraudulent practices are identified and addressed promptly. I am grateful to our prosecutors and our partners at DOI and DOB for their excellent work on this important case.”

Commissioner Shihata said, “City and state workplace safety standards exist to protect workers. Put simply, shortcutting required training and coursework puts lives at risk. As charged, these defendants allegedly sold fraudulent safety cards to construction workers who never completed the required training. I thank the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Buildings for their continued commitment to holding accountable those who undermine workplace safety in our City.” 

Commissioner Tigani said, “Since Site Safety Training card requirements were implemented in New York City, data has shown consistent improvements in safety. Simply put, fraudulent cards risk undermining those gains and putting lives in danger. Fraud will not be tolerated. Allowing untrained workers onto a job site puts them at risk and can put their coworkers in danger as well. The invalidation of SST cards issued by Redcode was done because we cannot, in good conscience, allow untrained workers on job sites. I want to thank our partners in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Department of Investigation, and all of the dedicated members of DOB who helped uncover and stop this fraudulent activity.”

The District Attorney identified the defendants as Lutfur Rahman, 34, of Jamaica, Queens, Mohammed Tushar, 34, of Howard Beach, Queens, and Redcode Inc., with locations at 529 McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn and 146-04 Hillside Avenue in Queens. The defendants were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which they are charged with three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, three counts of second-degree receiving reward for official misconduct, and six counts of second-degree falsifying business records. They were released without bail and ordered to return to court on November 4, 2026. 

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, between April 22, 2025 and July 16, 2025, undercover investigators from the Department of Investigation (DOI) posed as construction workers and went to Redcode’s locations in Brooklyn and Queens. They allegedly met with Rahman, the owner of the company, and Tushar, an associate, who agreed to provide the undercovers with site safety training (SST) cards and OSHA cards for $500 each without the undercovers completing the required training. 

The undercovers were allegedly asked to sign attendance sheets, making it seem as though they had attended training sessions. Redcode then allegedly sent information regarding the training to the DOB and to an OSHA designated training intermediary falsely indicating that the “students” completed the training. As a result, OSHA’s intermediary issued the “students” OSHA cards and DOB issued SST cards.

The DOB requires construction workers to undergo training in worksite safety before being allowed to work on most construction jobsites in New York City. OSHA, a subdivision of the United States Department of Labor, sets standards for workplace safety throughout the United States, including a 30-hour course in accident prevention. DOB requires this coursework plus an additional 10 hours of Site Safety Training (SST). 

By issuing OSHA cards and SST cards to students who did not complete the coursework, it is alleged, the defendants allowed for workers who were not properly trained in the required safety protocols to work on construction sites posing a danger to themselves, other workers and members of the public. 

An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Virginia Man Convicted of Investor and Bankruptcy Fraud Scheme

 

A federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, convicted Jihoon Park, 52, of Chantilly, Virginia, today for his participation in a fraud scheme that victimized individuals and defrauded a U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

“Jihoon Park claimed he would invest his community members’ life savings, retirement, and money and promised a high-yield return. Instead, he stole the millions of dollars entrusted to him to enrich himself,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Unsuspecting families and individuals suffered devastating financial crises because of Park’s crimes. The Criminal Division’s White Collar Section is using every available resource to stop criminals from destroying people’s livelihoods and retirements.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Park convinced people in his community to let him invest their money and grow their assets.  He used his personal relationships and his former affiliation with a large national financial institution to gain victims’ trust and convince them to give him money to invest on their behalf. Park promised safe investments with high returns. But he lied. Instead, he transferred over $2.5 million from the multiple victims to himself. Among other things, he used the stolen money to buy a house and cryptocurrency for himself. 

When one of the victims sued him, Park transferred assets to his wife and concealed millions of dollars in cryptocurrency assets before filing for bankruptcy and falsely claiming he had only $0.34 in financial assets and no cryptocurrency to avoid paying his victim creditors any money back from his fraud.  

Park was convicted of three counts of wire fraud and two counts of bankruptcy fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10, 2026. Park faces a maximum penalty of 20 years on the wire fraud counts and a maximum penalty of five years on the bankruptcy fraud counts. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case. 

NEW YORK STATE RECOGNIZES ‘988 DAY’

More New Yorkers Utilizing State’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Following Robust Statewide Investments

State Landmarks and Bridges to be Illuminated in Green and Teal at Dusk Today

The New York State Office of Mental Health recognized ‘988 Day’ today, highlighting the growth of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which has become the nation-leading service for individuals who are or know someone experiencing a behavioral health issue. New York’s 988 contact centers now have the highest in-state call volume nationally and are providing free, confidential, service around the clock via phone, text, or chat. 

“988 is available for anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis or concern of any size 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said. “For some individuals who are feeling hopeless enough to think about suicide, 988 contact centers are especially skilled in offering hope and help in that moment. New Yorkers have contacted 988 more than 1.6 million times by call, chat, and text since 2022.” 

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched in July 2022 and provides New Yorkers with a connection to local trained crisis counselors who can help anyone thinking about suicide, struggling with substance use, or experiencing a mental health crisis or any other kind of emotional distress. Crisis counselors provide personalized support, can offer immediate help, and can connect callers with follow-up services, when needed. 

Administered by OMH, 988 provides a coordinated connection to other components of the state’s crisis response system, including mobile crisis services, crisis residential programs, and crisis stabilization centers. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, New York State has significantly expanded the capacity of 988 Crisis Contact Centers, increasing funding from $35 million in FY 2023 to $60 million annually today. 

The effectiveness of 988 was the subject of a study published last spring, which found that the rate of suicides among young people in the United States dropped 11 percent below projections, decreasing most sharply in states with a higher volume of answered 988 calls. OMH conducted a separate internal analysis of emergency department claims for intentional self-harm reported by hospitals between 2021 and 2024, which similarly indicated that rates for New Yorkers between the ages 15 and 34 were about 12 percent lower after 988 was launched in July 2022.  

Calls to 988 also now use georouting, so that individuals reaching out on a wireless device are connected to an in-state contact center closest to their proximity without divulging their precise location. This enhances the relevance and quality of care available to each caller by ensuring that the crisis counselor answering the call is well-versed in the specific community’s’ services and resources available in that area. 

In 2025 alone, there were roughly 664,000 contacts routed to the state’s 14 contact centers – 508,000 calls, 72,000 chats, and 83,000 texts. 988 is supported statewide. Additionally, there were more than 59,000 calls originating from New York State that routed directly to the specialized Veterans Crisis Line.  

The top reasons New Yorkers cite for contacting 988 have evolved since 2022, highlighting that this critical service can help with a broad array of issues, not only suicide-related concerns. During FY 2025, about 20.2 percent of help seekers cited family and relationship issues, 17.4 percent for thoughts of suicide, 16.8 percent for anxiety, 10.5 percent for depression, and 10.3 percent for loneliness.  

The theme of this year’s 988 Day is ‘your reason is reason enough’ – a reminder that individuals don’t need to be in crisis to reach out for help. In support of this message, Governor Hochul directed 12 bridges and landmarks across New York to be illuminated in purple and teal at dusk tonight, including:  

• Albany International Airport Gateway
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• 'Franklin D. Roosevelt' Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• Moynihan Train Hall
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Niagara Falls
• Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
• State Education Building
• State Fairgrounds – Main Gate and Expo Center

NAMI New York State Government & Community Affairs Manager James Norton said, "The 988 Lifeline has been one of the most impactful mental health and suicide prevention innovations in recent years – connecting millions of people in crisis to immediate, lifesaving care. Callers or their loved ones can receive help with safety planning, be connected with additional resources, or just talk about what they're going through. As an organization founded by individuals and families advocating for services, we place the value of this crisis resource and service navigation at the heart of our advocacy. While we continue to advocate for more mental health resources, 988 Day and the 988 Number remain a core lifeline for people feeling overwhelmed and alone – connection is available." 

Mayor Mamdani Opens New John Dewey Annex, Adding 553 Seats for Brooklyn Students

 

One of 10 New School Facilities Opening for 2026–27 School Year, Adding More Than 4,600 Seats Citywide  

  

New Schools Expand Access to Modern, State-of-the-Art Learning Facilities and Support Compliance with Class Size Law

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) President and Chief Executive Officer Celeste A. Ramirez today officially opened the new John Dewey Annex in Gravesend, adding critical middle school capacity for families in Brooklyn.

The new annex is one of 10 new school facilities opening across New York City for the 2026–27 school year, together adding 4,656 seats citywide and providing students with modern classrooms, specialized learning spaces and facilities designed to support students with a range of educational needs.

Located at 106 Avenue X, the new three-story, 553-seat intermediate school will serve students in grades 6–8 and provide a pathway to the adjacent John Dewey High School. The $77.71 million annex was designed by the SCA’s in-house team and built entirely with union labor.

The facility includes 18 general education classrooms and two special education classrooms, as well as dedicated reading and speech resource rooms. It also features science laboratories, art and music classrooms, a gymatorium with locker rooms, an exercise room, library, guidance and medical suites, a full kitchen and student dining areas, administrative and staff spaces and an outdoor playground.

“Every child deserves a school where they can learn and feel supported. This new annex is an investment in Brooklyn’s children and in the future of this community,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By adding 553 new seats and building modern learning spaces, we are giving more families in southern Brooklyn access to a public school they can be proud of. This is what it looks like when we invest in our children, our public schools and the communities they call home and for our City, our schools and our communities work together to build a stronger future for our children.”

“I am grateful to Mayor Mamdani for giving me the opportunity to deliver modern learning environments that support student achievement while advancing the Authority’s priorities—accelerating classroom construction to help meet class size requirements, modernizing aging school infrastructure, expanding sustainable building practices, and ensuring every project reflects the needs of the communities it serves,” said Celeste A. Ramirez, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York City School Construction Authority. “That means delivering projects safely and on time; prioritizing green, accessible schools that can serve every child; and, most importantly, earning the trust of our communities through meaningful partnerships with NYC Public Schools, families, parents, educators, and local stakeholders. The John Dewey Annex is a tremendous example of what we can accomplish when we work together.”

"I am proud to invest in our children by partnering with City Hall and the SCA to build new, modern facilities for our students to learn and grow," said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. "This new annex at will create access to high-quality instructional spaces for over 550 students while helping us meet class size requirements. When we build for our children, we are building a stronger future for our entire city."

Other new facilities opening this school year include:

• Q497 New High School, 165-15 88 Avenue, Queens – 876 seats
• P.S. 206 Addition, 2224 East 23rd Street, Brooklyn – 517 seats
• K004 New Intermediate School, 4012 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn – 487 seats
• J.H.S. 216 Addition, 64-34 175th Street, Queens – 463 seats
• Q340 New Elementary School, 46-10 70th Street, Queens – 451 seats
• P.S. 116 Addition, 107-01 Wren Place, Queens – 325 seats
• NY Harbor School Annex, 555 Short Avenue, Manhattan – 275 seats
• P.S. 95 Addition, 88-40 179th Place, Queens – 229 seats
• K280 Educational Campus, 500 19th Street, Brooklyn – 96 seats

In addition, room-conversion projects at 10 existing schools are adding another 384 seats across the five boroughs, expanding critical capacity and supporting the City’s continued efforts to comply with the class size law.

Secretary Mullin Meets with Local Law Enforcement Officials, DHS Personnel in Ohio Visit

On Friday, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin kicked off Labor Day Weekend in Ohio by meeting with local law enforcement officials and DHS personnel on the front lines of making America safe again.

In the morning, Secretary Mullin held a law enforcement roundtable to facilitate discussions among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leaders and representatives from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office on the importance of federal, state, and local law enforcement cooperation through 287(g) agreements which make our communities safer. Secretary Mullin also highlighted record low crime rates under the Trump administration, and record high arrests by ICE in August 2026. In August, ICE arrested 50,925 illegal aliens across the country. This surpasses the previous record held by July 2026, which saw 50,208 illegal aliens arrested, and marks the second consecutive month with over 50,000 illegal alien arrests. 

Participants in the roundtable included ICE Detroit Field Office Director Matthew Putra, ICE Detroit Acting Deputy Field Office Director Ronald Whalen, ICE Columbus Acting Assistant Field Office Director Luke Affholter, ICE Cincinnati Acting Assistant Field Office Director Christopher Norris, Warren County Sheriff Barry Riley, Captain of Warren County Jail Division Brian Payne, and Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio’s 8th Congressional District.

“On Friday, I had the privilege of meeting with the men and women of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and saw firsthand how their officers are working with ICE to make America safe again,” said Secretary Mullin. “In August, ICE arrested nearly 51,000 illegal aliens. This success could not have happened without the officers of the Warren County Sherrif’s Office, and the thousands of law enforcement partners like them.” 

Secretary Mullin also visited U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Sandusky Bay Station in Port Clinton, Ohio, where he met with Detroit Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo, Jr., Sandusky Bay Station Acting Patrol Agent in Charge Ben Panek, Toledo-Sandusky Port Director Steven Baca, and Marine Interdiction Agent Daniel Sheehan, prior to taking a facility tour that included a CBP X-ray demonstration and a Border Patrol K9 demonstration.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with some of the agents responsible for keeping our communities safe and enforcing lawful commerce,” said Secretary Mullin. “CBP Toledo-Sandusky Port’s personnel are especially critical because they are responsible for some of the most traversed areas on Lake Erie, Interstates 80 and 90, and the surrounding communities.”

In his last stop, Secretary Mullin visited U.S. Coast Guard Station Marblehead in Marblehead, Ohio, where he met with Capt. Caren Damon, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Sector Detroit; Chief Warrant Officer Steven White, Commanding Officer of Station Marblehead; and Chief Petty Officer Michael Reggio, the station’s Executive Petty Officer before participating in a CBP Air and Marine Operations Boat Pursuit Demonstration.

“Visiting Coast Guard Sector Detroit and witnessing the Air and Marine Operations Boat Pursuit Demonstrations was a fantastic way to end my visit,” said Secretary Mullin. “I am confident that whether in our communities, our waterways and maritime approaches, or in the air, our border is secure, and the American people are safe because of the men and women I met with on Friday.”

D.A. Bragg Announces Guilty Plea In Triple-Murder Fentanyl Drugging And Robbery Pattern

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the guilty plea of TABITHA BUNDRICK, 39, for using fentanyl-laced drugs to rob four men, killing three of them. BUNDRICK pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to three counts of Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the Second Degree. She is expected to be sentenced to 27 years-to-life in state prison on October 6.

“The defendant knowingly killed three people by providing them fentanyl-laced drugs,” said District Attorney Bragg. “As they laid unconscious, she robbed her victims and left them to die. In several instances, the victims’ bodies were found by their friends or family members. The defendant showed a shocking indifference to the lives of her victims and is now facing significant consequences for her conduct.”

As admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea, between April 2023 and February 2024, BUNDRICK purposely provided men fentanyl-laced drugs. While the men were unconscious, she robbed them of their personal belongings, including their phones, money, watches, clothes and sneakers. 

The first incident occurred on April 30, 2023, in Washington Heights. BUNDRICK approached two men on the street under the guise of selling them soap. She then offered to have sex in exchange for money and led them back to an empty apartment on West 159th Street that she broke into. 

She then offered both men fentanyl-laced drugs, which she claimed was cocaine.

The next morning, one of the men woke up to find his friend, 42-year-old Mario Paullan, dead beside him. The victim had no recollection of what occurred and found many of their personal belongings were missing, including his cellphone. BUNDRICK used the stolen cellphone to make phone calls. 

The second death occurred on September 27, 2023, in Washington Heights. BUNDRICK met 39-year-old Miguel Navez and eventually went back to his apartment on West 158th Street, where she provided him fentanyl-laced drugs. On September 30, Mr. Navez’s brother found him dead. Many of his personal belongings were missing, including his phone. BUNDRICK used the stolen cellphone to make personal calls. 

The third incident occurred on February 25, 2024, in Upper Manhattan. BUNDRICK followed 34-year-old Abrihan Fernandez on the street towards his apartment building on West 144th Street. They chatted outside before going upstairs. BUNDRICK again provided fentanyl-laced drugs. 

A few hours after entering the apartment, BUNDRICK entered and exited several times. She rigged the building’s door to get in and out more easily and took several large bags from the apartment, including Mr. Fernandez’s backpack. She got into a cab and took the items back to her apartment. Mr. Fernandez’s credit card was used multiple times over the next several days. 

The defendant was arrested on March 5th in her apartment during the execution of a search warrant. Four pairs of the victims’ sneakers were recovered from her home. 

The Bundrick case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A. and Senior Trial Counsel Dafna Yoran, Assistant D.A. Arielle Evans and Assistant D.A. Julia Hooks under the supervision of Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Major Case Analyst Anastasia Trico and Trial Preparation Assistants Grace Gallen and Mariana Zieve-Cohen, and Analyst Maddie Plansky are also assisting with the case. Former Analyst Eva Nikitovic also assisted with the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked Former Detective Manuel Cordova and Detective Raymond Low of the Narcotics Borough Manhattan North Major Case Task Force, and Detective Keisha Lawhorne of the 30th precinct squad. 

Justice Department to Conduct Election Monitoring in New Hampshire Primary Election

 

Today, the Department of Justice is monitoring polling sites in two New Hampshire cities — Manchester and Nashua — for the state’s primary election to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.

“The Department of Justice is continuing its monitoring efforts all the way through primary season,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This is the last week before the Division begins ramping up preparations for midterm election monitoring, which will help ensure trust and transparency throughout the country.”

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire is proud to partner with the Civil Rights Division on election integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan for the District of New Hampshire. “New Hampshire’s elections, including our critical First-in-the-Nation Primary, deserve to instill the highest possible confidence. My office will continue bringing together state and federal partners to ensure that Granite State elections are free, fair, and in accordance with all applicable laws.”

The Department, through the Civil Rights Division, enforces federal voting rights laws to ensure the right to vote is protected for all eligible citizens. The Department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities across the country.

The Department is currently monitoring polls with four DOJ staff from the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in each city.

The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces various federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Acts.

From now and up to Election Day on Nov. 3, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. If you would like to request election monitoring in a particular jurisdiction, please contact the Voting Section at VEM@usdoj.gov, and the Civil Rights Division will determine whether monitoring is warranted.

Ahead of Jewish High Holidays, Governor Hochul Announces Distribution of Record $70 Million to Protect Community-Based Organizations Vulnerable to Hate Crimes and Attacks

Amid Troubling Rise in Antisemitic Hate Crimes, Governor Has Directed Increased State Police Presence and Coordination With Local Police To Keep New Yorkers Safe Throughout High Holidays

Grants Awarded Through the State’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes

Program Will Allow Organizations to Strengthen Physical Facilities and Cyber Security

Since Taking Office, Governor Hochul Has Secured More than $200 Million in Grant Funding for 2,035 Projects Statewide

Latest Round of Funding Builds on Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Public Safety, Preventing Hate and Bias Crimes and Safeguarding the State Against Terrorism

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that a record $70 million will be distributed to 290 nonprofit community-based organizations that are vulnerable to hate crimes and attacks due to their ideology, beliefs or mission. Administered by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program will allow these organizations to strengthen both their physical facilities and cyber security as well as increase the safety of staff and individuals they serve. To date, Governor Hochul has delivered more than $201 million in State funding for 2,035 projects through the grant program since taking office five years ago.

Governor Hochul also announced today that she has directed New York State Police to increase presence and coordination with local police around sensitive sites across New York State during the Jewish High Holidays, which begin later this week. Even as violent crime in New York City and statewide has reached historic lows, recent New York City data showed that hate crimes have continued to rise — with more than half of those crimes targeting Jewish New Yorkers. State Police will maintain high-visibility patrols in Jewish communities and at religious institutions throughout the upcoming holiday period. Troopers have initiated proactive outreach to religious leaders to establish open communication and remain in contact with the Anti-Defamation League, Community Security Initiative and the Secure Community Network as well as the NYPD and federal partners.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority — and even as we’ve driven violent crime to historic lows, any increase in hate crimes is absolutely unacceptable,” Governor Hochul said. “As Jewish New Yorkers prepare for the High Holidays, we’re continuing our record investments to protect sensitive sites and surging State Police resources to keep communities safe across our state.”

Nonprofit organizations eligible to apply for Securing Communities Against Hate Crime grants include religious organizations and houses of worship, community and civic centers, cultural museums, daycare centers and other nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attack because of their ideology, beliefs or mission. The program allowed eligible organizations to request a maximum of $250,000 each — the most ever since the program’s creation in 2017 — for physical security measures at their facilities and cyber security projects. In addition to helping improve public safety, these grants reflect the state’s longstanding commitment to protecting people of all faiths, backgrounds and identities.

This newest round of grant funding comes as hate crimes in New York State have increased, with the New York City Police Department reporting a 16 percent increase (425 vs. 367) in reported hate crimes through Aug. 30, 2026, compared to the same time last year. Anti-Jewish crimes in the five boroughs increased 8 percent (229 vs. 212) during the same period, accounting for more than half (53.9%) of the confirmed hate crimes. Preliminary data reported to the state by the more than 500 police departments and sheriffs’ offices outside New York City for the first quarter of 2026 versus the same time last year also show a 16 percent increase (57 vs. 49), with anti-Jewish crimes most frequently reported; these data are the most current available.

The funding is used to support exterior or interior security improvements, such as lighting, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, barriers, access controls, shatter-resistant glass, blast-resistant film, public address systems, cybersecurity enhancements and impact protection improvements, as well as to cover the cost of security training.

DCJS will begin to notify successful grantees of their awards within the week. The agency does not disclose the names of recipient organizations as that would pose a security risk. Organizations in eight of the state’s 10 regions received funding through this award cycle:

• New York City: 147 grants totaling $35,792,289
• Mid-Hudson: 99 grants totaling $24,187,697
• Long Island: 25 grants totaling $6,014,460
• Capital Region: 10 grants totaling $2,021,100
• Finger Lakes: 3 grants totaling $750,000
• Central New York: two grants totaling $500,000
• Southern Tier: two grants totaling $372,350
• Western New York: two grants totaling $347,000

Successful applicants submitted required vulnerability assessments demonstrating that they are at risk, while outlining how the proposed security projects will help safeguard their facilities and protect the people who use them.

The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state’s criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy.

The state Division of Human Rights enforces New York’s Human Rights Law, the country’s oldest state-level anti-discrimination law, and one of the most comprehensive sets of civil and human rights protections in the nation. Anyone who believes they have experienced discrimination can report it by calling (844) 697-3471 or visiting dhr.ny.gov. The Division also offers resources and services for individuals and communities impacted by hate and bias. Learn more at dhr.ny.gov/nohate.

Additionally, the New York State Office of Victim Services funds more than 200 programs across the State that provide services, support and assistance to victims of crime, including hate crimes. The agency also can provide eligible individuals with financial assistance for expenses resulting from being the victim of hate or other crimes. Visit ovs.ny.gov/connect to locate a program.