NYC DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION OFFICER INDICTED FOR RAPE OF INMATE IN RIKERS ISLAND JAIL

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and Department of Investigation Commissioner Mark G. Peters today announced that a New York City Department of Correction Officer has been indicted on first-degree Rape and other charges for engaging in sex acts with an inmate in Rikers Island. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “Correction Officers or any other staff in Rikers Island cannot use their position to abuse inmates. We will prosecute any jail employee who undermines the public’s trust and tarnishes the honest, hardworking members of the Department of Correction.” 

 Commissioner Peters said, "DOI takes allegations of sex assault at Rikers extremely seriously. Today's case is part of a larger set of investigations on the issue that we are undertaking." 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jose Cosme, 36, of Brooklyn, has been indicted on first-degree Rape, first-degree Criminal Sexual Act, first-degree Sexual Abuse, third-degree Rape, third-degree Criminal Sexual Act, Sexual Misconduct, second-degree Sexual Abuse, Forcible Touching and third-degree Sexual Abuse. 

 Cosme was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ethan Greenberg, who set bail at $75,000 bond/$25,000 cash. Cosme is due back in court on September 20, 2016. If convicted of the top count, Cosme could face 50 years in prison. 

 According to the indictment, on November 30, 2015, in the Rose M. Singer Center on Rikers Island, Cosme allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the female inmate by forcible compulsion. He also allegedly engaged in other sex acts with the inmate, who is unable to consent by reason that she is incarcerated.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Pascale, Supervisor of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Joseph Muroff, Chief of the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau, and the overall supervision of Maria T. Rivero, Chief of the Special Victims Division and Jean T. Walsh, Chief of the Investigations Division. 

 District Attorney Clark thanked DOI's Office of the Inspector General for the New York City Department of Correction for their assistance in the investigation. 

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

Violent Member Of Robbery Crew Sentenced In Manhattan Federal Court To 70 Months In Prison

 

Robbery Crew Targeted Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, Taxi Drivers, and Deliverymen in the Bronx, Elmsford, Pleasantville, Yonkers, and New Rochelle, New York, During Month-Long Crime Spree

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Charlie Patterson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), and William J. Bratton, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that ANTHONY GREEN was sentenced on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams to 70 months in prison for being a member of a robbery crew that committed 11 commercial robberies, and numerous other street robberies of individuals, in August and September 2015.  ANTHONY GREEN personally participated in three of those robberies, and was arrested in the midst of attempting to commit a fourth.  During one of the robberies, ANTHONY GREEN assaulted a 61-year-old robbery victim, throwing the victim to the floor and beating him.  GREEN pled guilty before Judge Abrams on February 26, 2016.        

According to the Indictment and statements made at court proceedings and in court filings:

From at least on or about August 27, 2015, through on or about September 3, 2015, ANTHONY GREEN joined with his co-defendants Lennox Josephs and Cameron Green (as well as another individual) to commit at least three commercial robberies of gas stations and convenience stores in the Bronx and Elmsford, New York, and they planned to commit a fourth such robbery in Pleasantville, New York.  These robberies were the last in a weeks-long spree that Josephs and Cameron Green had been on since at least August 12, 2015, during which they robbed at least 11 commercial businesses and individuals engaged in commercial activity, such as restaurant deliverymen and taxi cab drivers.  Prior to August 27, 2015, ANTHONY GREEN had also joined Josephs and Cameron Green to commit street robberies, during which they physically assaulted victims and snatched wallets and cellphones.

During the three commercial robberies in which ANTHONY GREEN participated, the defendants wore masks and used BB guns that appeared to be real firearms.  The victims of the robberies were terrorized and in several instances subjected to physical violence by ANTHONY GREEN and his associates, including one robbery in which Cameron Green dislocated a pregnant woman’s shoulder.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the SPARTA Task Force, which comprises agents and detectives of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the New York City Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Cameron Green pled guilty on February 19, 2016, and was sentenced by Judge Abrams on July 8, 2016, to 78 months in prison.  Lennox Josephs pled guilty on March 9, 2016, and was sentenced by Judge Abrams on August 8, 2016, to 78 months in prison.

Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo in partnership with State Senator Gustavo Rivera will hold another Family Fun Day today at M.S.363.

  This event will offer fun activities for the children and information for parents on health, education and housing issues from partners like Union Community Health Center, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (IDNYC), South Bronx Healthy Families, VIP Community Services, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Department of Education, New York Public Library and more.

What: Family Fun Day

Who:  Assemblymember Victor M. Pichardo

          State Senator Gustavo Rivera

When: Saturday, August 27, 2016

            11:00 am – 6:00 p.m.

Where: MS 363 School Yard

120 East 184th Street

 Bronx, NY 10468

Trains: 4 train, nearest stop: 183 Street

            Bx2, nearest stop: Grand Concourse/Field Pl

Family Fun Day in St.James Park

  Yesterday was Family Fun Day in St. James Park. This event was sponsored by Assemblyman Victor Pichardo and State Senator Gustavo Rivera. There were information tables at the event from various New York City agencies, and neighborhood non-profit organizations. The photos should tell the rest of the story. 

Above - You can see some of the informative tables that were at St. James Park.

Below - State Senator Gustavo Rivera was given the task of handing out ticket stubs for a free backpack to the hundreds of children as you see in this photo. The good senator was also able to tell parents of his work in the community. 

Above - Assemblyman Victor Pichardo smiles as he gives out a back pack to a child to get prepared for the first day of school, which starts in two weeks. 

Below - There were 1,000 back packs on hand to give out, that were made in the USA. Assemblyman Pichardo is able to catch a break for a sip of water as has given out several hundred back packs already.  

Councilman Eric Ulrich to Join NYC Transit Museum for Vintage Subway Car Ride

   Councilman Eric Ulrich will join the NYC Transit Museum Today for a ride on a vintage subway car round-trip between Beach 116th Street and Rockaway Boulevard. 

The ride will feature both BMT Standard cars and D-Type Triplex cars.  The BMT Standard cars were in service from 1916 to 1969 and featured larger windows, brighter lighting and center doors.  The 134 foot-long "Triplex" cars were ordered in 1924 and featured an enclosed passageway between cars. 

What: Councilman Eric Ulrich joins the NYC Transit Museum for a ride on a vintage subway car

Where: Begins and ends at the Beach 116th Street Subway Station (Beach 116th Street between Beach Channel Drive and Rockaway Beach Boulevard)

When: Saturday, August 27, at 11:30 am

System: New York City Transit
Line: IND Rockaway
Location: Between 108th st and 116th St/Rockaway Park
Car: BMT D-Type Triplex 6019 
Collection of: David Pirmann

DCP Jerome Ave Rezoning Scoping Hearing Details

  Community Board 7 was notified by the Department of City Planning (DCP) that the scoping document for the Jerome Avenue Neighborhood Study will be released this coming Monday. On Thursday, September 8th DCP will be holding a public meeting at the Davidson Community Center, 2038 Davidson Avenue, from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM to discuss the ULURP and Scoping processes. It will be informational so residents and stakeholders have a better understanding of the project’s next steps. In addition, DCP plans to hold a scoping hearing on Thursday, September 29th at 4pm at Bronx Community College to review the proposed rezoning plan based on the study. I hope you can all attend. For more information please call or visit the board office.

Andrew Sandler   District Manager
Bronx Community Board 7
229-A East 204th Street   Bronx, NY 10458
P: 718-933-5650/51

Senator Klein, NYCHA Chair Olatoye Delivered Hundreds of Refrigerators to Sack Wern Houses Tenants

Klein secured $200,000 for over 370 brand new appliances

State Senator Jeff Klein and NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, and Councilwoman Annabel Palma joined tenants of the Sack Wern Houses to announce the delivery of hundreds of new refrigerators today.

“New York City public housing residents deserve to live in clean, safe homes, and I have been proud to work towards a reinvestment in the New York City Housing Authority. As part of my work, I secured $200,000 of state funds to deliver over 370 long-needed, brand new refrigerators to these tenants. As we struggle to hold on to affordable housing throughout the city, we must ensure that our public housing receives the support it needs to thrive,” said Senator Klein.

After hearing residents’ concerns and learning about the need to replace the badly-worn appliances, Senator Klein worked to ensure that the agency received the resources necessary to deliver new ones. Partnering with NYCHA Chair and CEO Olatoye, the refrigerators will be delivered and installed starting on August 25, through September 2. A total of 377 appliances were purchased, ensuring that every apartment in need will receive one.

“NYCHA is focused on improving quality of life for residents across our city – and this collaborative effort in The Bronx is delivering for Sack Wern residents,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Olatoye. “Thanks to a strong partnership with Senator Klein, Sack Wern residents are receiving high-quality, brand-new refrigerators – an upgrade that should show this community we are investing in them and the next generation of public housing.”

Sack Wern Houses is seeing improvements as part of NextGeneration NYCHA (NextGen), the Authority’s ten-year strategic plan to stabilize the financial crisis facing New York City’s public housing while creating safer, cleaner, and more connected communities. NextGen’s 15 targeted strategies support four principal goals: change the way NYCHA is funded; operate like a more modern, efficient landlord; (re)build existing public housing and new affordable housing; and engage residents in meaningful ways.

In 2015 the roofs were replaced on all 7 buildings at Sack Wern Houses. The work funded through bond proceeds, costs $11.3 million to complete and included repairs to the building facades. There is currently a comprehensive effort underway to resurface the parking lot at the development. The basketball court was resurfaced last year and brand new play equipment was installed at the development’s playground.

“It’s always pleasure to work alongside Senator Klein as he fights for the people of our community. This funding will deliver new appliances to residents of NYCHA and demonstrates the Senator’s commitment to improve the quality of life of our constituents,” said Assemblyman Crespo.

“Thanks to Senator Klein and NYCHA Chair Olatoye for helping facilitate the acquisition of nearly 400 refrigerators for the residents of Sack Wern Houses. I see this act as a step forward, in that maintenance of our public housing infrastructure is no longer being sidelined, in an earnest effort to improve the quality of life of tenants in comprehensive and actionable ways. Securing funding is vital to ensuring NYCHA apartments remain viable places to live; this is a big step towards achieving that goal,” said Councilwoman Palma.

“Many thanks to Senator Klein from the Residents of Sack Wern Houses.  The Senator worked tirelessly for  over a year to get the refrigerators that were requested during a door-to-door conducted by a member of his staff . A good working refrigerator is essential in keeping a household in good working order,” said Tenant Leader Loretta Masterson.

State Senator Klein, Assemblyman Crespo, Councilwoman Palma, and NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye show off the new refrigerator.

The Press conference was however not without questions such as the new stoves which one tenant said were also promised along with the new refrigerators. Senator Klein said that he wanted to get the new refrigerators first, then he will work on the stove issue.

NYCHA CEO Shola Olatoye responds to my question about water leaks in the Noble Avenue Houses by saying that NYCHA has many building problems, and is embarking on a ten year plan to fix up the aging houses. She added that however that will take a lot of money which has to be found somewhere.