Congressman Jamaal Bowman Arrested During Voting Rights Protest

 

 Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, was arrested alongside at least 20 others, including faith leaders and youth who have been hunger striking for our democracy.

 

“Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman joined a voting rights non-violent direct action at the North Barricade of the U.S. Capitol Building and was arrested by the U.S. Capitol Police,” said Marcus Frias, Director of Communications for Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D (NY-16). “We will provide more information and updates as we gather them.”

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We do hope that the congressman and 20 others were not put in the same cell, as the congressman said he found 20 people in one cell during his taxpayer paid trip to the southern border.  

By the way Congressman Bowman, we are still waiting for our interview on your trip to the Southern border, and what else you found out.

MAYOR ADAMS CREATES MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT BY CONSOLIDATING CITY TECH AGENCIES UNDER NEW OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

 CTO Matt Fraser Will Lead Office 

Office Will Lead Key City Tech Initiatives Including Closing the Digital Divide and Setting Up MyCity Portal

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed an executive order to consolidate all city technology agencies under a single authority to streamline their operations and foster interagency cooperation. The authority will be granted to the city’s New York City Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Matthew C. Fraser, who will lead the Office of Technology and Innovation.

 

“I made a commitment to New Yorkers that we would leverage technology to improve the delivery of government services and track agency performance in real time, and we are doing just that,” said Mayor Adams. “Before serving as a transit cop, I worked as a programmer at the NYPD, so I understand how important it is to bring our city’s government into the 21st century. With today’s announcement, we are ensuring that all of our technology agencies are unified under one voice and one leader. I thank Matt Fraser for his dedication to this mission, and his commitment to using innovation to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New Yorkers.”

 

“The Office of Technology and Innovation will streamline technology operations across the city and revolutionize how New York City does business, as well as how the city provides services to its residents and visitors” said Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. “I thank Mayor Adams for his commitment to elevating technology across city government and look forward to working with the entire administration to make government even more efficient and responsive to the 8.4 million New Yorkers who call our city home. We are now entering the era where we can truly use technology in real time to overcome what were perceived to be insurmountable challenges and ‘Get Stuff Done.’”

 

Executive Order 3 delivers on Mayor Adams’s promise to promote the use of civic technology across city government to make agencies more efficient and responsive, while breaking down silos between disparate agencies. It will also ensure the city can collaborate with New York’s burgeoning technology sector, which has continued to grow in recent years despite the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Office of Technology and Innovation will be tasked with carrying out Mayor Adams’ key tech initiatives, including the creation of MyCity, a single one-stop shop portal for all city services and benefits, and closing the digital divide. The office will also oversee and coordinate efforts among the following agencies:

• New York City Department of Information, Technology, and Telecommunications 
• Mayor's Office of Data and Analytics
• Mayor's Office of the Chief Technology Officer
• Mayor's Office of Information Privacy
• New York City Cyber Command 
• Algorithms Management and Policy Office
• NYC 311

 

“Consolidating the city’s overlapping technology agencies, something Tech:NYC has long supported, is crucial to improving how New Yorkers interact with technology day-to-day and how the fast-growing tech sector builds in our city,” said Julie Samuels, executive director, Tech:NYC. “I applaud Mayor Adams for prioritizing this measure, and we look forward to working with Matt Fraser as he leads this new effort.”

 

 

 

 

MAYOR ADAMS, COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ, COMMISSIONER SEWELL ANNOUNCE MAJOR NEW ACTIONS & INVESTMENTS TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT INTERSECTIONS

 

Major Design Changes and Increased NYPD Enforcement Will Target Intersections Where 79 Percent of Pedestrian Injuries Occur

 

Mayor Adams and DOT Commit to Improvements to Make 1,000 Intersections Safer

 

New Traffic Rule Protecting Pedestrians Takes Effect Today

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today was joined by New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Keechant Sewell to announce major new actions and investments in pedestrian safety at intersections. With intersections the leading site of pedestrian injuries and fatalities, DOT will make design improvements to make 1,000 intersections safer with improved traffic signals, raised crosswalks, and other expanded pedestrian space and visibility measures. Empowered by a new traffic rule protecting pedestrians that takes effect today, the NYPD will immediately begin expanded enforcement against drivers who fail to recognize the primacy of pedestrians in crosswalks. The agencies also announced a new education campaign to ensure that all drivers know the rules of the road.

 

“After the tragedy of 2021, when traffic fatalities in New York City reached their highest level in nearly a decade, we clearly need to turbo-charge Vision Zero — and fast,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “I thank my two commissioners for putting this early focus on enforcement and design within intersections, where we have the tools that can and will save lives.  Drivers need to know that intersections are where most crashes happen — and so if you do not drive safely through them, NYPD officers will make sure you pay a price.” 

 

“Thanks to Mayor Adams’ leadership, we are taking these early actions to save lives,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Rodriguez. “As we take a new approach to Vision Zero, we know intersections are where pedestrians and cyclists face the greatest dangers — and so we can and will make hundreds of crosswalks safer with a range of treatments, both new ones and more of those that we know work. We will not be complacent or accept any life lost on our streets. My thanks to Commissioner Sewell and the NYPD for their serious focus this year on failure-to-yield, which sends a strong signal to New York drivers about how serious we are about this.”

 

“Ensuring the safety of New York City streets and all who use them is paramount, and this new plan is critical to the NYPD’s important work with its city partners,” said Police Commissioner Sewell. “The NYPD continues to be relentless in enforcing the laws, including this new rule that protects pedestrians crossing city intersections. Through Mayor Adams’ leadership, and by working hand-in-hand with the Department of Transportation in this new approach to Vision Zero, the NYPD will keep innovating to make our streets safer.”

 

Intersections pose a special safety challenge in New York City, where crashes at intersections typically comprise 50 percent of all fatalities and 70 percent of all injuries. For pedestrians, the dangers are more pronounced: 55 percent of pedestrian fatalities and 79 percent of pedestrian traffic injuries occur at intersections. Today’s intersection-focused announcement includes the following elements:

 

DOT Design Toolkit Focus on Intersections

 

DOT announced that in 2022 it would undertake new and expanded efforts focused on intersection design at 1,000 locations, including through: 

 

·     Increased focus on intersections in Street Improvement Projects: DOT will use its full toolkit of street design treatments as redesigns happen, focused on Vision Zero priority geographies, locations where fatalities and serious injuries have occurred, and Priority Investment Areas as detailed in the NYC Streets Plan. These changes include new turn signals and “head-starts” that allow pedestrians to enter the intersection before vehicles can turn.

 

·    Raised crosswalks: DOT will begin a program to construct 100 raised crosswalks at curb level annually. Raised crosswalks serve a dual purpose of increasing accessibility for the disability community, while at the same time serving as speed bumps that slow drivers. This work will be done primarily via a new contract with the New York City Department of Design and Construction.

 

·     Bike corrals at intersections: DOT will “daylight” at least 100 intersections with bike corrals this year, as part of its planned installation of more than 10,000 bicycle racks by the end of 2022. Bike corrals at intersections help provide visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, while preventing drivers from cutting corners and turning too quickly.

 

·     Parking lot and gas station traffic-calming: Curb cuts at high-traffic locations like parking lots and gasoline stations, often at intersections, can create danger as drivers cut across sidewalks unpredictably — a particular concern for vulnerable student and senior pedestrians. DOT efforts will target dozens of problem locations, largely outside Manhattan, reducing driver “short cuts” and better channeling vehicle traffic to increase visibility and predictability.

 

·     Doubling the Turn-Calming Program: Research has shown that drivers take turns more slowly and deliberately when physical elements are in place to force turns at more appropriate speeds. DOT will double the production of such efforts to 100 intersections this year.

 

Increased Enforcement Within Intersections

 

The NYPD will strongly enforce failure-to-yield (FTY), a violation that especially endangers pedestrians and cyclists at intersections, with a goal of doubling 2021 FTY enforcement efforts.

 

While enforcement will be at intersections citywide, officers will also be empowered by a new DOT traffic rule that goes into effect today for such violations at over 1,200 intersections citywide that are governed by neither a traffic signal nor a stop sign. Under the new rule, drivers and cyclists passing through such intersections must not simply yield but fully stop until a pedestrian has completely crossed the street. The new rule is intended to clarify enforcement and remove any subjectivity from such violations.

 

New “Stop. Let Them Cross” Public Awareness Campaign

 

This month, DOT will begin a public awareness campaign on social media and in community and ethnic media publications to raise awareness for the new stop for pedestrians’ rule for uncontrolled intersections. The message also underscores the importance of slowing down and being aware of pedestrians while driving in New York City.

 

 

Defendant Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Armed Robbery Scheme

  

Defendant Committed Eleven Robberies and Attempted Robberies of Luxury Watches in New York City, New Jersey, and Long Island, Including Shooting a Victim During One Robbery

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that VICTOR RIVERA pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery between October 2019 and November 2020. RIVERA is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he has now admitted, Victor Rivera committed a year-long spree of armed robberies and attempted robberies of jewelers and other owners of luxury watches, threatening his victims with guns and, during the course of one robbery, shooting a victim. Now Rivera awaits sentencing for this terrifying conduct.”

According to the Superseding Indictment, statements made in court, as well as other publicly filed documents in this case:

From at least in or about October 2019 up to and including November 2020, VICTOR RIVERA, and others known and unknown, agreed to rob victims of luxury watches worth up to hundreds of thousands of dollars each.  The watches owned by victims targeted in the robberies included Richard Mille, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe watches owned by jewelers as part of the jewelers’ businesses based in Manhattan’s Diamond District.  RIVERA used guns to commit several of the robberies, and in one robbery, shot a victim, who survived. 

The eleven robberies and attempted robberies included the following: 

1. On October 3, 2019, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in Long Island City, New York, of, among other things, a Richard Mille watch worth over $250,000.

2. On October 25, 2019, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in Jamaica, New York, of, among other things, a Rolex watch worth over $150,000.

3. On December 10, 2019, RIVERA and two co-conspirators robbed a jeweler in Brooklyn, New York, of, among other things, a Patek Philippe watch worth over $160,000 and a diamond necklace worth over $77,000.  During the robbery, a firearm was shown to the victim.

4. On January 14, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in Rego Park, New York, of, among other things, a Richard Mille watch worth over $500,000.

5. On February 16, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in Jamaica Estates, New York, of, among other things, an Audemars Piguet watch worth over $28,000.

6. On February 20, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed an individual in Long Island City, New York, of, among other things, an Audemars Piguet watch worth over $125,000.

7. On June 11, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in Brooklyn, New York, of, among other things, a Richard Mille watch worth over $148,000.  During the robbery, a firearm was shown to the victim and a victim was shot.

8. On July 6, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in Hoboken, New Jersey, of, among other things, a Richard Mille watch worth over $81,000.  Following the robbery, RIVERA and others transported the stolen watch from New Jersey to New York.

9. On July 20, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator participated in an attempted robbery of a jeweler in Queens, New York, attempting to steal a Richard Mille watch worth over $180,000.

10. On August 2, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed an individual in the vicinity of Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, of, among other things, a Richard Mille watch worth over $250,000.  During the robbery, a firearm was shown to a victim.  Following the robbery, RIVERA and others transported the stolen watch from New Jersey to New York.

11. On October 27, 2020, RIVERA and a co-conspirator robbed a jeweler in the vicinity of Woodbury, New York, of, among other things, an Audemars Piguet watch worth over $26,000 and assorted jewels and gold links worth over $60,000.  During the robbery, a firearm was shown to a victim.     

RIVERA, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum prison term of twenty years. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the New York City Police Department.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Englewood Cliffs Police Department, the Weehawken Police Department, and the Nassau County Police Department for their assistance.

KZA Realty Closes $1.8 Million Deal for Commercial Property in Bronx, NY

 

 KZA Realty Group has secured the $1.8 million dollar sale of a developmental property located in the Morrisania section of the Bronx. The property, which has been purchased as an investment opportunity by the owner, is located at 1155-1159 Southern Boulevard, between Home Street and & 167th. Plans for the property have not been disclosed of as of yet.

Kathy Zamechansky, alongside Duley Paniagua of KZA Realty Group, represented both the seller, Texas Southern, LLC, and the buyer, 1150 Southern Blvd. Partners during the sale of the developmental property in the Bronx.

The lot spans across 7,500 sq ft. and currently holds two multi-level buildings that are, respectively, 9,500 sq. ft and 4,750 sq. ft. in size. The buildings face the eastern side of Southern Boulevard, which is home to other small businesses in the area. The property is within walking distance to the #2 and #5 subway station at Freeman Avenue and the #6 subway station at Whitlock Avenue.

“As a company who is committed to the development of the Bronx, we are thrilled to help support ventures that breathe new life into our community” said Kathy Zamechansky, President of KZA Realty Group. “The sale of this property shows that real estate in the Bronx is still thriving despite many of the financial hardships brought on by the pandemic.”

Located in the southwestern section of the Bronx, Morrisania is a residential neighborhood known for its unique history and diversity. The area is home to an abundance of cultural organizations, public institutions, like the New York Public Library’s Morrisania Branch at E 169th Street, and community programs dedicated to the neighborhood’s lively music scene.

GLOBAL SUPERSTAR AND BRONX NATIVE CARDI B PARTNERS WITH MAYOR’S FUND TO ADVANCE NEW YORK CITY TO COVER FUNERAL COSTS OF BRONX FIRE VICTIMS

 

Cardi B and Mayor’s Fund Partner to Help Cover Funeral Costs for Victims’ Families

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City today announced a partnership with global superstar Cardi B to cover the burial expenses for each victim of the tragic Bronx fire in an effort to alleviate the financial burden for their families. The Bronx native and Grammy Award-winning artist has committed to paying costs, including repatriation expenses for some victims buried in the Gambia, through the Mayor's Fund's Bronx Fire Relief Fund.

 

"The resilience of this city reflects everyday New Yorkers who never turn their back on one another," said Mayor Eric Adams. "We are grateful for Cardi B, a real superstar on and off the mic, for granting some critical financial relief to families of the victims. The city will be forever thankful to her and also to the grassroots donors and corporate partners who have been able to offer immediate support for our neighbors in need, to reestablish themselves during this difficult time."

 

“Cardi B, in true New York fashion, swiftly answered the call to help those affected by this tragic fire,” said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, co-executive directors, Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. “We are grateful for her generous commitment to cover funeral expenses and lessen the financial burden for the families during this most difficult time.”  

 

“I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help,” said Cardi B. “I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal. I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”

 

The Bronx Fire Relief Fund has received thousands of grassroots donations, as well as support from business and philanthropic community partners. To date, the fund has raised more than $2.5 million. For local updates, individuals can text '181STFIRE to 692692 for updates and resources for victims.

 

New Yorkers interested in contributing to the fund can donate online at www.nyc.gov/fund, or by mailing a check — made payable to "The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City," indicating that donations are for the “Bronx Fire Relief Fund” in the memo field or a note enclosed with the check — to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, 253 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

 

 

Attorney General James Sues Energy Service Company for Overcharging and Misleading Consumers

Major Energy Overcharged New Yorkers Despite Promising Savings, and Switched Consumers’ Energy Service Providers Without Consent

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today filed a lawsuit against Major Energy Services LLC and Major Energy Electric Services, LLC (together, Major Energy) for overcharging and misleading New York consumers with false advertisements. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that consumers throughout the state paid tens of millions of dollars more for Major Energy’s services than they would have paid to their local utilities, despite promises that they would save on their electric bill.

“Scamming New Yorkers out of their hard-earned money is unacceptable,” said Attorney General James. “We are holding Major Energy accountable for misleading New Yorkers and falsely promising lower prices, but actually overcharging consumers to make a profit. Hardworking New Yorkers deserve accuracy and honesty when it comes to paying their basic bills, and my office is committed to protecting their wallets from fraudsters.”

Attorney General James’ investigation revealed that since at least 2011, Major Energy used deceptive marketing tactics with false promises of savings to lure consumers. Often the company’s sales representatives misled consumers by falsely claiming the representatives worked for the consumer’s local utility, displaying phony badges, or wearing construction hard hats and vests during door-to-door solicitations, all to get consumers to change their services to Major Energy. In many instances, consumers did not realize they had been enrolled with Major Energy because some sales representatives enrolled them without their consent.

Records obtained by OAG show a Major Energy representative responding to a complainant saying, “I’ve worked here for a long time…I’ve heard some amazing lies, let me tell you.” In a separate instance, another Major Energy representative admitted the company receives a lot of complaints because of “misinformation” provided by the door-to-door representatives.

Major Energy serves customers in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Capital Region, the North Country, and Western New York.

Through her lawsuit — filed in New York County State Supreme Court — Attorney General James is seeking a permanent injunction to stop Major Energy’s misleading advertising and marketing practices, as well as restitution, disgorgement, penalties, and costs.

Today’s lawsuit is part of OAG’s long-standing, ongoing investigation of illegal practices by energy service companies (also known as ESCOs). Investigations into this industry have resulted in ESCOs paying millions of dollars in restitution and penalties. Over the last five years, OAG has recovered approximately $4.8 million in settlements from five ESCOs.

When purchasing gas and electricity, consumers have two choices: (1) buy directly from a utility company or (2) contract the purchase through an ESCO. ESCOs purchase energy on the open market and then resell it to consumers. Because ESCOs buy the electricity and gas from the same sources as the utility companies, there is no difference in the actual electricity and gas that is purchased by consumers, regardless of whether it is supplied by an ESCO or a consumer’s local utility.

Consumers can protect themselves from unscrupulous ESCOs by remembering the following tips:

• If you receive an offer for energy services, make sure you understand whether the offer is from your utility or an ESCO.
• You do not have to choose an ESCO to supply your gas or electricity. You may choose to use your utility as your direct supplier.
• Make sure you understand whether an ESCO contract involves a termination fee and, if so, find out the fee amount and the length of your contractual commitment.
• You have the right to cancel an ESCO contract with no obligation within three days if you change your mind.
• Before accepting any offer, ask the ESCO to show you how its rates have compared with your utility’s rates during each month in the past year. This can help you judge how competitive the ESCO’s rates have been in the past and might be in the future.
• If you are uncomfortable with how a salesperson behaves, end the conversation with a request to look over their offer in writing so that you can make a decision free of any pressure and after consulting with someone you trust.
• If you receive a notice that your service is being switched to an ESCO and you did not authorize the switch, contact the utility and the ESCO immediately to tell them to halt the switch. If you are unable to get an ESCO switch cancelled, contact the New York Public Service Commission at 1-888-697-7728 or file a complaint on their website.
• If you have any concerns about your interaction with or the business practices of an ESCO, contact the New York Attorney General's Office and submit a complaint on our website.

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 20

 

Light rain transitions to snow Thursday morning with potential to impact the morning commute  

 

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for NYC, in effect from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday  

 

Alternate Side Parking Regulations are suspended Thursday, January 20; parking meters remain in effect 

The New York City Emergency Management Department today issued a travel advisory for Thursday, January 20. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for New York City, which is in effect from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. According to the latest forecast, light rain is expected late Wednesday night with a transition to light snow early Thursday morning through the early afternoon.  A light snowfall accumulation could result in snow-covered roads for the Thursday morning commute. A total of 2 inches of snow is expected with locally higher amounts possible. 

   

“As more snow heads our way, New Yorkers should prepare for slippery road conditions and a messy commute on Thursday,” said NYC Emergency Management Acting Commissioner Christina Farrell. “We urge New Yorkers to exercise caution. If you must travel, we encourage the use of mass transit and please allow for extra travel time.”  

     

“Rain-to-snow events such as this present unique challenges, and slick, icy roadways are possible at any time Thursday. We urge New Yorkers to stay off the roads, and to give plows and salt spreaders the space to do their jobs,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson.   

   

The City’s Sanitation Department is pre-deploying over 700 salt spreaders to pretreat roadways ahead of the first snowflake and is prepared to dispatch plows in all sectors when more than two inches of snow accumulates.    

Safety Tips  

 

• Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation.    
• If you must drive, drive slowly. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.    
• Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.   
• Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces; some ice may not be visible. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.    
• Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult. Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.    
• Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.     

   

For more safety tips, visit NYC.gov/SevereWeather. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, to stay informed about the latest weather updates and other emergencies. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or download the free app for your Android or Apple device. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.