Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 1/17/22-1/21/22

 

Dear Community,

New York State’s eviction moratorium expired on January 15th, 2022. Unfortunately, as of yet, the Legislature has failed to take action to extend the moratorium or pass legislation to protect New Yorkers from displacement. I understand that this is a stressful time for many New Yorkers across our state, and I promise to remain committed to fighting to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to safe and affordable housing without the risk of being evicted. In the midst of this situation, I want to provide New Yorkers with the resources and rights you should be aware of.  

As of right now, the best way to protect yourself against eviction is to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), which reopened on January 11th, 2022. ERAP was created to provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance. While we are fighting for additional rental assistance from the State and Federal Government in the coming weeks, applying for ERAP will provide applicants with protection against eviction until a final decision on their application is made. Apply here. 

I also want to make sure that everyone is aware of their rights as a tenant. The following are important rights every tenant should be aware of: 

1. Your landlord cannot directly evict you – Even if you owe rent and your landlord tells you to move, they cannot legally evict you without taking you to court first. Only a judge can legally evict you and a Marshall with a court order can move your belongings. 
2. Your landlord cannot change your locks without your permission – Unless your landlord has a warrant for eviction, changing the locks on your apartment without giving you a key is illegal.
3. Harassment by landlords is illegal - Any form of harassment by landlords, especially if the goal is to get you to move out, is illegal. This includes and is not limited to physical violence, sexual harassment, property damage, turning off the heat or hot water, and threats of eviction.

CASA Bronx, a tenants rights organization in the Bronx, has also created useful tenants’ rights fliers with more information that are available here in both English and Spanish. The NYC Housing Preservation and Development website also provides resources for tenants. I strongly encourage you to take a look, as knowing your rights can also serve to protect you against eviction. 

My office and I are here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please email my office at biaggi@nysenate.gov or call us 718-822-2049, and a member of my team will assist you. 

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

Statement from Governor Kathy Hochul on Shooting of NYPD Officers in Harlem

 "I am horrified by tonight’s tragedy in Harlem. My thoughts are with the family who answered the phone to receive the news they've always dreaded: that their loved one, who had sworn to protect and serve New Yorkers by joining the NYPD, will not be coming home. I am praying for the recovery of his partner, the officer who is fighting for his life, and for his family. I know that all of New York is standing with these officers and their families.

We must urgently confront the plague of gun violence in our state. Too many lives are being lost, and too many New Yorkers are living in fear. This is a crisis. That's why earlier today, I extended an Executive Order declaring a gun violence State of Emergency. In the Executive Budget I released earlier this week, I put forward a plan to triple resources for our gun interdiction efforts, so that we stop the flow of illegal guns into our state, and also triple resources for violence interrupter programs to address the root causes of violence. 

I refuse to allow our cities to be gripped with fear. New​ Yorkers deserve action from their elected officials — and they will get it. I’ve pledged my full support to Mayor Eric Adams and look forward to working with him and other leaders to continue to take meaningful actions to make New Yorkers safer."

NYPD Commissioner Sewell Announces New Executive Designations and Appointments

 

 Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell today announced additional appointments to her executive staff team following the recent appointments of First Deputy Commissioner Edward A. Caban and Chief of Department Kenneth E. Corey. The appointments are key operational positions that are critical to the success of the NYPD’s sustained commitment to crime reduction, intelligence-driven policing, training, transparency, and community engagement.

“The NYPD, the city, and its people can share in my confidence in this group of distinguished policing leaders that I have selected as my core command staff,” said Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell. “Each of these executives has displayed exceptional leadership and vision in guiding the NYPD to many accomplishments across all five boroughs. They are consummate police professionals who also reflect the values and concerns of the citizens the NYPD serves. I look forward to working with them as we rise to new challenges.”

Announcements include:

Chief Kathleen O’Reilly was appointed Chief of Patrol from her previous position as Chief of Transit.

Chief Juanita Holmes was appointed Chief of Training, having served as Chief of Patrol.

Chief Jeffrey Maddrey was appointed Chief of Housing from his previous position as Chief of Community Affairs.

Chief David Barrere was appointed Chief of Internal Affairs from his previous position as Chief of Housing.

Chief Donna Jones was promoted to Chief of Staff to the Police Commissioner from her previous position as Commanding Officer of the Criminal Justice Bureau.

Assistant Chief Jason Wilcox will be promoted to Chief of Transit from his previous position as Assistant Chief in the Detective Bureau overseeing the Specialty Enforcement Division.

Assistant Chief Philip P. Rivera was appointed Borough Commander Patrol Borough Bronx from his previous position as Borough Commander of Patrol Borough Manhattan North.

Deputy Chief Olufunmilola F. Obe was appointed Borough Commander Patrol Borough Manhattan North from her previous position as Commanding Officer School Safety Division.

Deputy Chief Gin Y. Yee was appointed Commanding Officer Patrol Borough Staten Island from his previous position of Executive Officer at Patrol Borough Staten Island.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON THE SHOOTING OF TWO NYPD OFFICERS IN HARLEM

 

"I offer and extend my prayers to the family of the NYPD officer killed tonight, to the officer fighting for his life, and to their fellow officers at the 32nd Precinct and across the city. These men answered a plea for help, both risked and one lost their life, all while trying to protect another New Yorker’s safety as countless officers across our city do each day. 

"Sometimes in the face of tragedy, words fail, and feelings overlap. Shock, that an officer who went to work today to protect New Yorkers will never come home and another lays critically injured in a hospital bed. Grief, for a family, a community, a city. Anger, that the plague of gun violence continues to take a devastating toll. And resolve, to not accept tragedy as normal — to support those in pain tonight, treat the trauma to come, and prevent nights like this one from happening again."

Manhattan Borough President Levine Last night's tragic events in Harlem

 

Last night in Harlem, our community witnessed the tragic shooting of two NYPD officers responding to a domestic disturbance at a home on 135th Street. Just 22 years old, Officer Jason Rivera of Inwood tragically has lost his life responding to that call, while Officer Wilbert Mora remains in the hospital in critical condition. I have a 22-year old son. I am at a total loss thinking about what the Rivera and Mora families are going through. I am praying that they find strength and solace amidst the shattering pain. These officers were responding to a call for help to protect their fellow New Yorkers. They are heroes and my heart breaks for their families, for the 32nd Precinct, and for their brave fellow officers at the NYPD.  I cannot claim to have the answers to end this senseless violence, but I do know what we must strive towards. A future with gun-free streets. With gun-free schools. With gun-free homes and gun-free houses of worship. A gun-free community where all New Yorkers are safe. We must work together to achieve that vision, and every solution must be on the table. Our city can not and will not allow this epidemic of gun violence to continue. In the coming days, our community must grieve together and then must do the hard work to heal and to end this cycle of senseless loss and violence. I'm here to do that work with you and ask that Manhattanites come together to join us as we work to achieve a better future. In the meantime, there is an active NYPD investigation into this tragedy in Harlem to determine the chain of custody of the gun, possible motive, and any other relevant information. If you have any information, please contact the 32nd Precinct Detective Squad at (212) 690-6315), or Crime Stoppers (800-577-TIPS). As always my office is ready to help, so please do not hesitate to reach out.  Praying with you and our community, Mark

Permits Filed For 91 Bruckner Avenue In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

91 Bruckner Avenue in Mott Haven, The Bronx

Permits have been filed for a seven-story residential building at 91 Bruckner Avenue in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Located at the intersection of Willis Avenue Bridge and Bruckner Avenue, the corner lot is near the Brook Avenue subway station, serviced by the 6 train. Anshel Fridman of Artist Construction LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 70-foot-tall development will yield 60,999 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 89 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 685 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar, a 38-foot-long rear yard, 20 open parking spaces, and 25 enclosed parking spaces.

S. Wieder Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits were filed earlier this month for the single-story warehouse on the site. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Governor Hochul Announces Statewide COVID-19 Percent Positivity Below 10% - JANUARY 21, 2022

 

First Time Below 10% Since December 20

Cases Per 100k (7-Day Average) Declining in All Regions

154 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.   

"For the first time since December 20, New York State's percent positivity is in the single-digits," Governor Hochul said. "I want to thank New Yorkers for doing the right thing to get where we are in fighting this winter surge. However, this isn't the time to take our foot off the gas. Let's keep using the tools - the vaccine, the booster and masking up - to further bring the numbers down and keep our vulnerable loves ones safe from this virus." 

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 290,107
• Total Positive - 28,296
• Percent Positive - 9.75%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 12.27%   
• Patient Hospitalization - 11,016 (-354)   
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1,357  
• Patients in ICU - 1,548 (-35)   
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 880 (-5)   
• Total Discharges - 261,073 (1,706)   
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 154
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 51,532 

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.     

•   Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 64,120                

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.     

• Total vaccine doses administered - 35,329,715
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 81,968
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 518,068
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 90.5%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 81.5%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%   
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 84.0%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 79.7%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 71.2%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 86.7%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.4%