Dawn Smalls’ Plan To Address NYC’s Homelessness Crisis

The HOPE survey, which aims to tally an accurate number of Homeless New Yorkers, is set for tonight. Dawn Smalls, candidate for Public Advocate, will be participating in the effort which she hopes will continue to shed light on the total population of homeless New Yorkers - from the people sleeping in the streets to the growing number of women and children being shuffled from shelter to shelter around the city.

"There has long been a perception in NYC that homeless people are riddled with mental illness or drug addiction. Yet, there are more homeless children under the age of 6 than single men," said Smalls of the crisis facing the city. "That is why this survey is so important - so that we can get the full picture of who is living on the streets and who is making it into the shelter system. That way, we can be sure to provide the best services and solutions for those in need."

Smalls has made housing and homelessness one of her major priorities over the course of her campaign for Public Advocate, vowing to dedicate a team to focus on the issue day in and day out if elected to office. She proposes a three-point plan to reduce homelessness:

1. Prioritize women and children first. Smalls proposes adding women and children living in shelters and transitional housing to those given preference for affordable housing lotteries, which currently includes individuals with disabilities or individuals living within the same Community Board district.

2. Expedite transitions to long term housing. Smalls would advocate to increase the availability of supportive housing with physical and mental health services, prioritize transitions to permanent housing instead of offering generous checks to short-term landlords, and ensure that voucher values increase in line with rents.

3. Initiate a 'Children's Advocate' program: Smalls would seek to appoint ‘Children’s Advocates’ to help homeless and low-income families navigate the school system and other services that will help children feel safe and secure. She intends to build a coalition between the Departments of Mental Health, Housing, and Education to help leverage the funds so that advocates can address the academic, mental health, and social challenges students face when experiencing homelessness.

"As a mother of 3 who is raising my children in this city, I am keenly aware of the long term impact on the social and emotional development of these kids," said Smalls. "I believe we need to reframe the conversation around homelessness to focus on women and children."

You can learn more about the policies Dawn Smalls plans to implement as Public Advocate at dawnfornewyork.com.

Charter Commission Meeting - 1/31, City Hall Council Chambers

NYC Charter Revision Commission 2019’s upcoming meeting on January 31, 6:00 p.m., at City Hall, Council Chambers, where the commission will consider focus areas. This is a meeting, not a hearing, so there will be no public testimony. For more information, visit: http://charter2019.nyc/hearings/8

Police Department City of New York - CompStat Bronx Report Covering the Week 1/14/2019 Through 1/20/2019

                            Week to Date                             Year to Date*
                            2019  2018  % Chg                    2019  2018  % Chg

Murder -               0          2      -100.0                     4         7        -42.9
Rape -                    6          7       -14.3                      20       17         17.6
Robbery -            65        73      -11.0                    178     163          9.2
Fel. Assault-      100      106       -5.7                   289     278          4.
Burglary -            39        25       56.0                   106       84       26.2
Gr. Larceny -      79      110      -28.2                   274      311      -11.9
G.L.A  -                 22        20       10.0                     62        64        -3.1
TOTAL                311      343      -9.33                   933      924       0.97

40th Precinct 
TOTAL                 39        36        8.33                     115      109      5.50
41st Precinct
TOTAL                 15        22      -31.82                    37          44    -15.91
42nd Precinct
TOTAL                 28        26         7.69                    96          67      43.28
43rd Precinct
TOTAL                 20        40       -50.00                  83         113     -26.55
44th Precinct
TOTAL                 42        37         13.51                   99         124     -20.16
45th Precinct
TOTAL                 17        19       -10.53                   65           50       30.00
46th Precinct
TOTAL                 39        36          8.33                  100          79       26.58
47th Precinct
TOTAL                 45        38        18.42                  111         105        5.71
48th Precinct
TOTAL                 12        24       -50.00                   50           53       -5.66
49th Precinct
TOTAL                 16        26       -38.46                   55           66      -16.67
50th Precinct
TOTAL                 14        11        27.27                    46           35        31.43
52nd Precinct
TOTAL                 24        28       -14.29                   76           79        -3.80

Brooklyn South
TOTAL               208      243       -14.40               652         671        -2.83
Brooklyn North
TOTAL               241      263         -8.37               721         710         1.55
Manhattan South
TOTAL               229      276       -17.03               723         717         0.84
Manhattan North
TOTAL               185      204         -9.31               548          597       -8.21
Queens South
TOTAL               147      174       -15.52               400          454      -11.89
Queens North
TOTAL               164      187       -12.30               477          499        -4.41
Staten Island
TOTAL                 36        49       -26.53               125          127        -1.57

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted that there are 12 police precincts in the Bronx. Brooklyn South has 12 precincts, Brooklyn North has 10 precincts, Manhattan South has 10 precincts, Manhattan North has 12 precincts, Queens South has 8 precincts, Queens North has 8 precincts, and Staten Island has 4 precincts. 

Is it to early to notice any crime patterns, but of the only two Bronx precincts that reported a drop in Murder and rape in 2018 the 46th precinct was one of the four precincts that show the greatest increase in overall crime. the 50th precinct which showed the second most increase in murder and rape in 2018 is now the precinct with the second greatest increase in overall crime. In August 2018 extra police officers were assigned to the 40th and 48th precincts. Last week extra police officers were assigned to the 40th, 41st, and 42nd precincts. While the 42nd precinct shows the greatest increase in overall crime for the first three weeks of 2019, the 45th, 46th, and 50th precincts show the three other highest increases in overall crime.

What did I know on January 8th when I said to Mayor Bill de Blasio (at a press conference at Lincoln Hospital) that crime was on the increase in the Bronx, especially the 50th precinct where overall crime has risen all three weeks of 2019?

All crime figures come from the NYPD CompStat reports. 

Bronx Democratic County Committee - Judicial Screening Application Now Open!

Judicial Screening Application Now Open!    The Independent Judicial Screening Committee of Bronx Democratic Party (IJSC) is currently accepting applications for all of the elected judicial positions that will occur in the 2019 election in and for the Bronx and the City of New York.  All potential candidates for Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York and Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York must complete and submit a 2019 questionnaire. Questionnaires must be completed and submitted no later than Friday, February 1st at 4:00 p.m. to the office of Ululy Rafael Martinez located at 3602b East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465. Candidates who qualify will be interviewed by a judicial screening panel on Saturday, February 9th at the Law Office of Jose Antonio Rodriguez, located at 644 Soundview Avenue, Bronx, NY 10473.  For more information on the application process, please visit: http://bronxdems.org/ijsc/  P.O. Box 580032 652 East 187th Street Bronx, NY 10458 T: 347-281-9759 www.bronxdems.org info@bronxdems.org

First Casualty of the Public Advocate Race - Count Down to 22 Candidates Now

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Comrades,  I’ve felt so blessed to have your support so far and we need it even more now. Last Friday, our team was alerted that our election attorney did not file the necessary Certificate of Acceptance form to the Board of Elections. This means that even though we have submitted the form in question upon this revelation, my name is unlikely to be on the ballot for the February 26th special election without intervention from the Commissioners of the Board of Elections. What we did win: The Board of Elections approved the name of our party, “Bring A Chair,” recognized as a tribute to the first African-American Congresswoman and Brooklyn’s own Shirley Chisholm. In the spirit of #BringAChair, we are continuing to explore every avenue and on January 29th, I will appear before the Commissioners to plead my case and fight for the 5,000+ New Yorkers who petitioned to have me as their nominee. Regardless of their decision, this is not the end. I am not out of public life, and I will forever be an advocate.

Democracy In Action: Woodlawn Neighborhood and Legislative Priorities Town Hall

REP. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT RECOGNIZES INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

CONGRESSMAN ADRIANO ESPAILLAT

Representing the 13th District of New York

  

  Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day:

“Today, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we reflect on the atrocities committed towards Jewish people during World War II, and we honor the memory of the six million Jews whose lives were taken and bear witness to their legacy,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

“Despite the traumatizing memories they carry, Holocaust survivors continue to educate each of us on the courage and wisdom required in our efforts to uphold human rights and ensure equal protections for all. Anti-Semitism and racism continue as destructive forces in our world, and it remains incumbent upon all of us to act against these dangerous ideologies. As the Holocaust moves further into history, it is our job to ensure that it remains present in our minds as well as in our convictions to dismantle hatred and to prevent this terrible injustice from repeating itself.

“This International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. We all should take this day as a reminder to contemplate the meaning of our vow, ‘never again’, and recommit to stand united against all forms of bigotry, hatred, and social injustices today and for all time.”

John Fratta Says Good Bye to Bronx Community Board 11

Pictured Above - (l-r) Anthony Vitaliano 1st Vice-Chair, Albert D'angelo Chair, Jeremy Warneke District Manager, John Fratta (speaking), Joanne Russo-Rubino 2nd Vice Chair, 49th Precinct Captain Andrew Natiw.

  Thursday night was the last time that former District Manager and Business Promotion Coordinator at Bronx Community Board 11 John Fratta sat up front in an official role. During his Good Bye speech which came after a well attended retirement party, he wished the board, its members, and the CB 11 community a fond farewell after dedicating so many years of his life to CB 11. 

  After serving fifteen years as CB 11 District Manager John Fratta became the Business Promotion Coordinator at Cb 11, and also mentored Jeremy Warneke to adjust to his role as the new District Manager of CB 11. Many words of praise came from most of the current members of CB 11 who have been on the board from when John Fratta became the District Manager of CB 11.