The 49th Precinct Community Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 24th 7:30 PM
Kings Harbor Multicare Community Center, 2000 East Gun Hill Road
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
NYC POLICE DEPARTMENT KICKS OFF 27TH ANNUAL NEW YORK CARES COAT DRIVE
NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF OF TRANSIT JOSEPH FOX AND FORMER NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR EMEKA OKAFOR KICKOFF THE 27TH ANNUAL NEW YORK CARES COAT DRIVE
New York Cares Needs Coats Immediately; Already Received Requests for 100,000 Coats to Date
New York City Police Department Chief of Transit Joseph Fox and former NBA Rookie of the Year Emeka Okafor joined New York Cares today at The Bowery Mission on the Lower East Side to launch the 27th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive.
Chief Fox, Okafor, and New York Cares distributed coats to 100 homeless residents of The Bowery Mission. In addition to today’s coat distribution, another is scheduled on Thursday, December 10th at the Coalition for the Homeless. The need for coats is immediate, as New York Cares has received requests for 100,000 coats to date. In addition, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, the winter of 2015–2016 looks similar to last winter, with bitter cold and snow in New York:http://farmersalmanac.com/
From today through Thursday, December 31, 2015 individuals can donate gently used, freshly laundered coats at hundreds of locations throughout the five boroughs including all NYPD Police Precincts, New York Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and many other sites. The New York Cares Coat Drive is in its 27th year and is an annual citywide tradition that has collected more than 1.7 million winter coats for men, women and children in need throughout the city since 1989.
“Building relationships and helping those in need are such characteristic parts of public service – thus it comes as no surprise that our officers are so proud to continue to be a part of this important effort,” said Chief Fox.
“Can you imagine going through an entire winter without a warm coat?” said Gary Bagley, Executive Director at New York Cares. “This is the reality for more than 100,000 New Yorkers, from the homeless to working families forced to make tough choices between rent, food, and warm clothing. We all need to step up and donate a coat this holiday season.”
“With 60,000 men, women and children homeless in New York City, this will be another tough winter for New York’s neediest. Every day at The Bowery Mission, generous New Yorkers help us meet the need,” said David P. Jones, President and CEO of The Bowery Mission. “The New York Cares Coat Drive is another shining example of this generosity. The Bowery Mission is proud to be part of this 27-year tradition.”
New York Cares’ iconic ‘Shivering Statue of Liberty’ Coat Drive PSA will air on the TOSHIBA VISION screens located at the top of One Times Square to raise awareness of the Coat Drive from Tuesday, November 17th to Wednesday, December 30th. The PSA will also appear on billboards, in magazines, and online thanks to efforts by media partners Mindshare, Xaxis, Group M, and Kinetic Worldwide, and will air on NBC 4 New York and Bloomberg TV.
About The 27th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive
The New York Cares Coat Drive is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Since 1989, New York Cares has collected and distributed more than 1.7 million coats.
The thousands of donated coats will be counted, sorted and distributed to organizations serving the homeless and other low-income New Yorkers, at an 8,600 square foot temporary warehouse space located at 157 West 31st Street in midtown Manhattan.
The sponsors for this year’s New York Cares Coat Drive are the New York City Police Department, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), Vornado Realty Trust, Toshiba, KKR, Delta Airlines, Mindshare, NBC 4 New York, Bloomberg, and Time Warner Cable.
New Yorkers can make financial donations in support of the Coat Drive and New York Cares’ year-round work online, by text or by mail. For more information about the New York Cares Coat Drive, locations, news, or to make a financial donation, the public can visit www.newyorkcares.org or call 646-801-4022.
Where to Donate Coats
New Yorkers can donate gently-used, freshly laundered coats at almost 300 public sites around the city, as well as hundreds of private sites hosted by corporations and civic groups.
New Yorkers may donate coats at the following locations through Thursday, December 31, 2015. Please visitnewyorkcares.org for exact times and locations, and additional collection sites.
· Every New York City Police Precinct (24 hours a day)
· Every library branch in the Queens Public Library system (during open hours)
· The New York Cares Warehouse, 157 West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues (9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday)
· New York Cares office, 65 Broadway (weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
· New York Penn Station - LIRR concourse (weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
· Grand Central Terminal - Track 16/Graybar Passage (weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
· And many more sites citywide.
About New York Cares
New York Cares is the largest volunteer network in the city. Last year, 62,000 New Yorkers made the city a better place by volunteering in New York Cares programs at 1,400 nonprofits and schools – improving education, meeting immediate needs, and revitalizing public spaces. For more information, visit newyorkcares.org.
About The Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879. This year, The Bowery Mission provided more than 406,000 meals to men, women and children, 91,000 nights of shelter and 44,000 articles of clothing, as well as showers, haircuts, and expert medical and optometric care. Each meal and every night of shelter is an invitation to residential recovery programs, where men and women get a second chance and lives are transformed from hopelessness to hope. Last year, the Mission’s residential programs served nearly 300 men and women who are regaining sobriety, reconnecting with family and faith, pursuing educational goals, and preparing for work and independent living. To ensure that at-risk children have a positive first chance at life, The Bowery Mission’s city camp and summer camp serves nearly 1,200 at-risk children from poor city neighborhoods. www.bowery.org
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Tenants Rising NYC
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Monday, November 16, 2015
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Department of Homeless Services, NYC Police Department, and Acacia Network are Opening Themselves Up for a Lawsuit
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén DÃaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York
You should know that this past Friday, November 13, 2015, a woman who resides at the homeless shelter located at 941 Intervale Avenue, Bronx, New York, was reportedly stabbed by a resident of the same shelter. The shelter, which is run by Acacia Network is across the street, right in front of my District Office.
According to reports and statements people have given me, the perpetrator was caught on tape breaking the security cameras in the homeless shelter during the weekend (November 7 - 8) before Friday’s stabbing.
The assailant’s vandalism did not come to Acacia’s attention until Monday, November 9, because no one on Acacia’s staff took a look at the cameras over the weekend. On Tuesday, November 10th, Acacia’s staff reported the destroyed cameras to the police, providing copies of the video tapes to the 41st Precinct, with footage of the suspect smashing the security cameras.
Even though Acacia gave this information to the police, the perpetrator was not questioned or arrested until afterFriday’s stabbing took place.
The family shelter residents at 941 Intervale Avenue went unprotected for a whole week without their building’s security cameras working, and with no one to check for their safety.
It is important for you to know that this shelter, run by Acacia Network, has been the subject of controversy for some time. Before Acacia, this shelter was run by Aguila, Inc. The NYC Department of Homeless Services took the contract away from Aguila in order to reduce costs, and transferred the shelter to the Acacia Network.
In February, 2015, the Acacia Network submitted a contract to the NYC Department of Homeless Services for services to be provided to the homeless families including security.
Nine months later, that contract continues to flounder somewhere between the NYC Department of Homeless Services and NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office, leaving the residents of 941 Intervale Avenue without the proper security and services they need. This situation has forced Acacia Network to borrow money in order to even try to provide minor security services for the families in that shelter, such as staff to check security cameras. Without these services, the residents are subject to danger and violence.
We all know, and it has been widely reported, that NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer is refusing to sign many contracts, forcing organizations throughout the City, such as Acacia Network, to cut services or to borrow money from banks, paying interest and incurring extra expenses which the City of New York may never pay back.
As you can see, my dear reader, the incident in which a woman was stabbed, could have been avoided:
1. If Acacia Network had been able to do their job and hire the security personnel in order to have someone to check the cameras round-the-clock and provide actual and real security to the shelter residents, and not have to wait for a few days before checking their broken cameras;
2. If the NYPD had acted promptly on the report they received showing the perpetrator on the video destroying the security cameras at 941 Intervale Avenue. We all know that people who destroy a security camera do so for a reason, often to prevent a future crime from being recorded;
3. If the City of New York’s Department of Homeless Services had been responsible and diligent, knowing that if an agency does not have a properly and officially executed contract, that agency, under their supervision, will not have the necessary resources to provide the needed services that homeless families deserve. If the Department of Homeless Services knew that, they should have had emergency funds available and not have to force the agency to borrow money;
4. If the NYC Comptroller Mr. Scott Stronger stopped holding up contracts to agencies, placing homeless families in situations where their lives, services and protection are put in jeopardy. He should not have waited 9 months for an incident like the stabbing of this woman to realize that agencies need resources in order to protect the homeless.
You should all know that this mess could have been avoided, and this woman who was stabbed would not be suffering today if all of the agencies mentioned above would have done their part.
You should also know that if I were a relative of the woman who was stabbed, I would be taking her to consult a lawyer to see what her options are.
I am Senator Reverend Rubén DÃaz and this is what you should know.
BP Diaz Urges Bronx Residents to Apply to Their Local Community Board
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is inviting Bronx residents to make a difference in their community by joining their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in The Bronx.
“Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and talents,” stated Borough President Diaz. “There are great things happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of community boards. It is important that community residents participate in the decisions that are building and revitalizing our borough, and our community boards are a great place to do so,” said Borough President Diaz.
In addition, Borough President Diaz is encouraging young people ages 16 and 17 to apply for community board membership. Last year, the borough president appointed five young people to the community boards, and is working to insure that there is a least one youth member per community board.
“I believe that the earlier young people become engaged in community affairs and interact with government officials and agencies, the better they will understand government and become active leaders in their communities. It is important to hear the voices of our youth when planning for our neighborhoods.” said Borough President Diaz.
Applications are available at the Borough President’s Community Board office at (718) 590-3914 or at your local community board office. Interested applicants may also get the application on line atbronxboropres.nyc.gov.
The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of appointments is February 5, 2016.
David Plouffe Reception for Michael Blake
JOIN US
for a Reception
inSUPPORT of
of
MICHAEL BLAKE
Assemblymember of New York, 79th District
"We wouldn't beHERE without Michael Blake." -President Barack Obama
without Michael Blake." -President Barack Obama
With Special Guest
DAVID PLOUFFE
2008 Campaign Manager for President Barack Obama
Master of Ceremonies: Mike Muse, Entrepreneur
Music by Hip Hop DJ Legend DJ D-Nice on the 1s & 2s
Tuesday, December 1
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
The 40/40 Club
6 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010
RSVP to Blake/Plouffe Event - RSVP79districtbx@gmail.com
$2,500 VIP Co-Host (VIP Entrance, Seating, Photoline and Post Event Dinner)
$1,000 Sponsor (VIP Entrance, Seating, and Photoline)
$500 Supporter (Photoline and Reserved Area)
$250 Friend (Group Photo)
$100 Individual
$50 OFA Alum who are Young Professional
(30 years old and younger. Proof requested on site.)
To learnMORE call (917) 975-8565
call (917) 975-8565
VOTEMICHAELBLAKE.COM
BIG THANKS TO OUR HONORARY CO-CHAIRS: The Honorable Gale Brewer, The Honorable Dr. Una Clarke, The Honorable Maritza Davila, The Honorable Bob Duff, The Honorable Phil Goldfeder, The Honorable Eric Lesser, The Honorable Walter Mosley, The Honorable Nily Rozic, The Honorable Rebecca Seawright, and The Honorable Luis Sepulveda. BIG THANKS TO OURHOST COMMITTEE IN FORMATION: Raul Rodriguez & Cynthia Cortijo-Rodriguez, Gillea Allison, Emily Anderson, Jerry Arzu, Geoff Berman, Adolfo Carrion, Chanel Cathey, Charles Cooper, Matt Doran, Mitch Draizin, Rashad Drakeford, Phillip Ellison, Ashley Emerole, Larry English, Demetris Giounnalias, Katy Glickman, Teddy Goff, Dr. Garth Graham, Heather Grantham, Danielle Gray, Rachel Haltom-Irwin, Eric Henry, Andrea Hoffman, Chantel Jackson, Patrick Jenkins, Craig Johnson, Charlie King, Reggie Love, Tamika Mallory & Don Coleman, Brennon Marcano, Keshia Mark, Annie Minguez, Denise Miranda, Eric Newman, Walter Newsome, Lance Polivy, Hasoni Pratts, Tiffany Raspberry, John Rhea, Diallo Shabazz, Jacquie Williams, Democrats For Education Reform, Kate Stevens, Ny Whitaker, Michelle Minguez, Campbell Glenn.
COMMITTEE IN FORMATION: Raul Rodriguez & Cynthia Cortijo-Rodriguez, Gillea Allison, Emily Anderson, Jerry Arzu, Geoff Berman, Adolfo Carrion, Chanel Cathey, Charles Cooper, Matt Doran, Mitch Draizin, Rashad Drakeford, Phillip Ellison, Ashley Emerole, Larry English, Demetris Giounnalias, Katy Glickman, Teddy Goff, Dr. Garth Graham, Heather Grantham, Danielle Gray, Rachel Haltom-Irwin, Eric Henry, Andrea Hoffman, Chantel Jackson, Patrick Jenkins, Craig Johnson, Charlie King, Reggie Love, Tamika Mallory & Don Coleman, Brennon Marcano, Keshia Mark, Annie Minguez, Denise Miranda, Eric Newman, Walter Newsome, Lance Polivy, Hasoni Pratts, Tiffany Raspberry, John Rhea, Diallo Shabazz, Jacquie Williams, Democrats For Education Reform, Kate Stevens, Ny Whitaker, Michelle Minguez, Campbell Glenn.Bronx District Attorney-elect Darcel Clark Proposes Stronger Oversight and New Reforms for Rikers Island
Bronx District Attorney-elect Darcel Clark announced her plans to bring stronger accountability and reform to Rikers Island upon taking office.
During her campaign for office, District Attorney-elect Clark released the VISTA plan, outlining her ideas on how to improve accountability, efficiency and responsiveness in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. While implementing the VISTA plan will be of utmost priority, under District Attorney Clark the office will be specifically focused on providing strong leadership in addressing long lingering issues associated with Rikers Island.
“There’s no sugarcoating it - we face a crisis at Rikers Island and the next Bronx District Attorney must play a lead role in addressing the very real challenges there,” said Clark. “Rikers is part of the Bronx, and if elected, I will use the power of the Bronx District Attorney’s office to bring together all stakeholders to get the reforms we need.”
Following her election on November 3rd, District Attorney-elect Clark has already met with a number of key stakeholders who are like-mindedly focused on bringing meaningful change to Rikers Island. Clark believes collaboration is imperative to begin to make progress.
“No office can do this alone – these are issues that ultimately can only be resolved with input from the Department of Correction, the Board of Corrections, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the City Council, the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association (COBA), the Chief Judge, and the Office of Court Administration, the Department of Investigations’ Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Correction, and NYPD” she continued.
“Everybody has to do their part, but I believe we can find consensus to restore order and improve the safety of all those who are either incarcerated or work on the Island.”
District Attorney Clark’s reforms for Rikers Island will include the following:
- Collaboration, including joint investigative training with the Bronx DA’s Office, the City’s Department of Correction, the Department of Investigations’ Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Correction, and NYPD to actively investigate and prosecute crime at Rikers
- Creation of the Rikers Island Task Force in the Bronx District Attorney’s office that will be specifically trained on Rikers Island procedures and policies to address issues of violence, narcotics trafficking, sexual assaults, mental health issues and other concerns specific to Rikers
- Supporting bail reform for low level, non-violent offenders
- The assignment of an Assistant Bronx District Attorney and other staff to specifically facilitate real time prosecution of Rikers cases and to help eliminate delays caused by transferring inmates to the Bronx Courts for arraignment
- Reduction and the ultimate elimination of the case backlog within the District Attorney’s office and assurance of timely prosecutions, so no one remains on Rikers any longer than appropriate
- Working closely with New York City’s four other District Attorney’s Offices to jointly prosecute underlying inmate offenses and their Rikers Island offenses
- Demanding that our criminal court system allocate appropriate and sufficient resources to the Bronx, including the placement of a judge on Rikers Island to expedite arraignments and other court proceedings related to the prosecution of Rikers cases
- The request for adequate funding from the City Council to ensure the District Attorney has the proper resources to properly investigate and prosecute Rikers caseloads and reduce backlogs
- Bringing together the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the Department of Correction, the New York Police Department, the Department of Investigations’ Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Correction, the City Council, COBA, and the Board of Correction to develop effective reforms and proper oversight for Rikers
“The problems at Rikers cannot be allowed to continue. As the Bronx District Attorney, my focus will be on using this office to aggressively pursue all criminal activity in every corner of the Bronx, and that specifically includes Rikers Island,” said Clark. “I will demand and expect that my office will be prepared to achieve real-time prosecution on every case possible, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to bring safety and the rule of law to Rikers Island.”
A lifelong resident of the Bronx, District Attorney Clark was raised in Soundview Houses and attended Bronx public schools before going to college and law school. Prior to her election as the Bronx District Attorney, she served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx for 13 years before being appointed a Criminal Court Judge by Mayor Giuliani. Elected in the Bronx as a State Supreme Court Justice in 2005, Clark later on was elevated to the Appellate Division by Governor Cuomo, serving in that capacity for three years.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
CONSTITUENT SERVICE DAY Monday, November 16, 2015 10:00am - 2:00pm
REP. CHARLES B. RANGEL
INVITES YOU TO
CONSTITUENT SERVICE DAY
Monday, November 16, 2015
10:00am - 2:00pm
(Program from 10:00-11:30am at Auditorium)
Bronx Library Center
310 East Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10458
Congressman Rangel and staff, as well as representatives from government agencies, will be available to meet with you to address your questions and concerns about Washington and federal benefits.
PRESENTATIONS BY:John Shallman, Social Security AdministrationLakezia Carmichael, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesJermaine Williams, Human Resources AdministrationEarleen Sealy and Olga Alvarez, Department of Housing and Urban Developmentand Representatives from the Veterans Administration
RSVP: http://rangel.house.gov/
Questions?
Visit RANGEL.HOUSE.GOV or Call 212-663-3900
INVITES YOU TO
CONSTITUENT SERVICE DAY
Monday, November 16, 2015
10:00am - 2:00pm
(Program from 10:00-11:30am at Auditorium)
Bronx Library Center
310 East Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx, NY 10458
Congressman Rangel and staff, as well as representatives from government agencies, will be available to meet with you to address your questions and concerns about Washington and federal benefits.
PRESENTATIONS BY:John Shallman, Social Security AdministrationLakezia Carmichael, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesJermaine Williams, Human Resources AdministrationEarleen Sealy and Olga Alvarez, Department of Housing and Urban Developmentand Representatives from the Veterans Administration
RSVP: http://rangel.house.gov/
Questions?
Visit RANGEL.HOUSE.GOV or Call 212-663-3900