Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson Attends Wednesday's Morris Park Community Association Meeting

The special guest at Wednesday's MPCA meeting was Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. BP Gibson spoke of her first three months in office. Going from a staff of five people as a city council member to a staff of eighty-five people as borough president. She  mentioned the toll of the Twin Parks fire shortly after she  took office, and how things were progressing for those who survived the fire, and the families of those that didn't. BP Gibson rattled off many of her goals as  borough president such as full scholarships to Brown and Yale Universities for two Bronx high school seniors, but that is not enough for her. Starting a Bronx Veterans Council, BP Task Force on people with Disabilities, Girls Empowerment group, reinstating a Bronx Youth Council, a new unit on Bronx Public Safety working with all aspects of the judicial process, and much more.

BP Gibson added that she will be making community board and CEC appointments, then spoke about the new East Side Metro North stations, Hip Hop Museum, rejuvenation of the Spofford Youth Detention House, restarting from scratch the future of the Kingsbridge Armory, and the upgrading of the Hunts Point Market to which Mayor Adam has dedicated one-hundred million of the six-hundred million dollars that is needed. 

BP Gibson then took questions from the audience which ranged from the now abandoned homeless shelter at 2028 White Plains Road, which she said could come up again somewhere else in the future at another location if the community is not vigilant. To a question on Bail Reform the answer was that judges do have some discretion, but are not using it. She did not expect the state budget to be on time, and joked that she was glad to be out of the state assembly where she served in, over eight years ago. When asked about the adding more cops, the answer was that those doing civilian jobs would be placed back on patrol. She also said that there are no extra police officers being hired, just those who are replacing police officers who are leaving the force for retirement or other reasons. More questions included the use of guns, which BP Gibson called Coward Culture, and BP Gibson gave a detailed explanation of how the 4.3 million dollars is being spent, and just how much is left 3.5 million dollars. 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson speaks about her three months in office, her goals for the borough, and what has to be done in the future. L - R, in the mask and glasses is Elio Morales MPCA Treasurer, BP Gibson, Yahay Obeid Vice-President MPCA, and Lefty Negron head of the MPCA Safety Patrol. 

After speaking BP Gibson sat down to take several questions.

BP Gibson stayed to hear the area NCO police report on the new Neighborhood Safety Team of one Sergeant and five officers. 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CITY HALL, OTHER CITY BUILDINGS TO BE LIT LIGHT BLUE, PINK, AND WHITE TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY

 

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that City Hall and other municipal buildings will be lit light blue, pink, and white tonight to commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility. The day is an important moment to celebrate all transgender people and to acknowledge that many continue to face discrimination, violence, and harassment to this day.

“New York City has a place for everyone at the table, especially for our transgender community,” said Mayor Adams. “On International Transgender Day of Visibility, we celebrate the tremendous contributions of transgender people, reaffirm our commitment to standing up against hate, and continue to strive as a city to provide the resources needed for our transgender community to thrive.”

 

In addition to City Hall, the following municipal buildings will be lit up in the colors of the transgender flag starting tonight at sundown:

 

• The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007
• Queens Borough Hall: 120-55 Queens Boulevard, Queens, NY 11424
• Bronx Borough Hall: 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451 (Pink only)
• Brooklyn Borough Hall: 209 Joralemon St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Blue only)

Two Senior Leaders Of Lev Tahor Sect Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison For Kidnapping And Sex Trafficking Crimes

Nachman Helbrans and Meyer Rosner Orchestrated a scheme to Kidnap 14-Year-Old Girl to Return Her to Her Child Marriage 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NACHMAN HELBRANS and MAYER ROSNER were sentenced today to 12 years in prison for child sexual exploitation offenses and kidnapping.  The defendants, leaders of an extremist religious sect called Lev Tahor, masterminded a scheme to kidnap a 14-year-old girl (“Minor-1”) and a 12-year-old boy (“Minor-2”) from their mother in Woodridge, New York.  The defendants then smuggled the children across the U.S. border to Mexico, where they reunited Minor-1 with her adult “husband” to allow him to continue his illegal sexual relationship with Minor-1.  HELBRANS and ROSNER were convicted in November 2021 following a four-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated: “No mother should ever have to wake up to find her children missing.  And no child should ever be forced into a sexual relationship.  Today’s sentencings send a clear message: those who kidnap and sexually exploit children will be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law.”

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment, other court filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

NACHMAN HELBRANS and MAYER ROSNER are U.S. citizens and senior leaders of Lev Tahor, an extremist religious sect that has been located in several different jurisdictions, including New York, Israel, Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala.  HELBRANS became the leader of Lev Tahor in or about 2017 and ROSNER served as a top lieutenant.  After HELBRANS and his leadership team took over, they seized tight control over the group and embraced several extreme practices, including child marriages and underage sex.

In or about 2017, HELBRANS arranged for his then-12-year-old niece, Minor-1, to be “married” to a then-18-year-old man.  Though they were never legally married, they were religiously “married” the following year, when Minor-1 was 13 and her “husband” was 19.  Lev Tahor leadership, including HELBRANS and ROSNER, required young brides such as Minor-1 to have sex with their husbands, to tell people outside Lev Tahor that they were not married, and to lie about their ages.  For example, HELBRANS and ROSNER instructed child brides to  deliver babies inside their homes instead of at a hospital, to conceal the mothers’ young ages from outsiders.

In or about October 2018, the mother of Minor-1 determined that it was no longer safe for her children to remain in the Lev Tahor community, which was then living in Guatemala.  The mother escaped from the group’s compound and arrived in the United States in early November 2018, and was eventually joined by all six of her children, including Minor-1.  Also in November 2018, a Brooklyn family court granted her sole custody of the children and prohibited the children’s father, a leader within Lev Tahor, from communicating with the children.

After the mother fled and settled in New York with her children, HELBRANS and ROSNER devised a plan to kidnap Minor-1, then 14 years old, to return her to Guatemala and to her then-20-year-old “husband.”  In December 2018, they kidnapped Minor-1 and her brother in the middle of the night from a home in upstate New York and transported them through various states and, eventually, to Mexico.  In order to carry out the kidnapping, the defendants used disguises, aliases, drop phones, fake travel documents, and an encrypted application.  At the time of the kidnapping, Lev Tahor leadership was seeking asylum for the entire Lev Tahor community in the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

Following a three-week search involving hundreds of local, federal, and international law enforcement entities, Minor-1 and Minor-2 were recovered in Mexico and returned to New York.  In or about March 2019 and March 2021, members of Lev Tahor again tried to kidnap the children but were unsuccessful.

In addition to the prison sentences, NACHMAN HELBRANS, 40, and MAYER ROSNER, 45, were sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the FBI, the New York State Police, the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, United States Customs and Border Protection, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, the Village of Spring Valley Police Department, Special Agents with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of State, the Transportation Security Administration, and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, and Israel.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT AGAINST LANDLORD ON NYC’S “WORST LANDLORD WATCHLIST”

 

Moshe Piller Amassed More Than 1,900 Violations Across 15 Buildings and Harassed Tenants With Illegal Construction

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that the city has filed a lawsuit against Moshe Piller, a building owner who has amassed more than 1,900 violations across 15 buildings he owns throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Piller is one of the city’s worst landlords — ranking number 28 on the New York City public advocate’s 2021 “Worst Landlord Watchlist” — and has been criticized by numerous tenant organizations, including the Flatbush Tenant Coalition and the South Bronx Tenants Movement. The city’s lawsuit seeks to compel Piller to repair his properties or face tens of millions in civil penalties.

 

“The time of landlords openly flouting the law and harassing tenants is over. This lawsuit sends a clear message that those who break the law will pay,” said Mayor Adams. “For years, Moshe Piller has ignored his responsibilities as a landlord and racked up more than 1,900 violations — landing him a spot as one of the city’s ‘worst landlords.’ While Piller made millions in profits, his tenants paid the price. Our administration won’t allow people to willfully endanger the safety and well-being of their tenants.”

 

“Safe housing is a fundamental right for every New Yorker, and we’re asking the court to compel Mr. Piller to address these longstanding violations,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix. “As counsel for all the city’s code enforcement agencies, the Law Department is uniquely situated to address the full range of unsafe conditions that plague tenants and the public. We’ll use the full extent of our legal resources against individuals who think they are above the law and put tenants at risk.”

 

“This lawsuit is an excellent example of how the city can and will employ enhanced enforcement and interagency coordination to hold consistently noncompliant landlords accountable and to make our housing stock safer and healthier for New York City tenants,” said New York City Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “Moshe Piller had the funds and ability to provide safe and dignified housing for his tenants, but he chose not to do so. Because of his persistent failures to do what the law requires, we are now asking the court to hold him accountable.”

 

Today’s lawsuit focuses on Piller’s most serious violations and activities. Some violations constitute public nuisances, such as work performed without a permit or repeated failures to correct immediately hazardous conditions at the premises, which pose additional risks to tenants.  Based on this data analysis, the lawsuit targets 15 of Piller’s properties.

 

There are numerous examples of dangerous conditions at each building. For example, at 1742-1758 East 172nd Street in the Bronx, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has issued 189 violations, the Department of Buildings (DOB) has issued 150 violations, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has issued seven violations, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has issued six violations. These violations include, among others, serious elevator safety conditions; unsafe electrical wiring; work without a permit, including the installation of unlawful electric, gas, and plumbing lines; lead-based paint hazards; failure to make multiple doors self-closing to contain a fire; storage of combustible materials and other fire hazards; and a vacate order on cellar and laundry rooms that were illegally converted into five single-room occupancy units, with one unit having no secondary means of egress in the event of a fire.

 

Similar conditions were found to exist at 730-760 Rogers Avenue (also known as 155 Linden Boulevard) in Brooklyn. HPD has issued 202 violations, DOB has issued 52 violations, FDNY has issued five violations, and DOHMH has issued three violations. Here, too, there are broken doors that should be self-closing to contain fires; a vacate order on three units that were illegally converted and did not meet legal habitability standards, including one unit without a secondary means of egress in the event of a fire; illegal partitions to create additional apartments or rooms; installation of gas and water lines without a permit; façade violations, including cracked masonry and a leaning parapet wall; failure to comply with lead-based paint hazard laws; and mold and bedbug infestations.

 

At 1025 Boynton Avenue in the Bronx, many of the same kind of violations exist. In addition, there are violations concerning the elevator’s only building, which is out of service.

 

Today’s lawsuit is another in the city’s ramped-up, comprehensive enforcement against building owners who put tenants at risk by violating city laws and codes. The New York City Law Department develops tenant protection cases in close cooperation with the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT). MOPT then works in partnership with the numerous city agencies charged with inspecting for code violations, including HPD, DOB, DOHMH, FDNY, the Department of Sanitation, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

 

“It is time for Moshe Piller to finally see real consequences for harassing tenants and forcing us to live in dangerous conditions. Right now, we have a roof that leaks whenever it rains. He’s endangered peoples’ lives right here in Brooklyn and in the Bronx,” said Altagrace Aime, tenant leader, Flatbush Tenant Coalition. “For years, Moshe Piller has been targeting tenants, taking us to court for nonpayment, and trying to evict us, all while he ignores repairs and acts like the law doesn’t apply to him. He’s been overcharging us, he’s been harassing us, and now he’s trying to use the pandemic to collect even more money, while we live in decrepit and dangerous conditions. Enough is enough from Moshe Piller.”

 

Attorney General James and Governor Hochul Issue Statement on Redistricting Decision

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Governor Kathy Hochul issued the following joint statement in response to the New York Supreme Court’s rejection of the state’s current redistricting plans:

“We intend to appeal this decision.”

Statement from NYGOP Chairman Langworthy on Judge's Ruling Democrat Gerrymandered Maps are Unconstitutional

 

“The Court’s decision is a complete validation of what we have been saying all along —Democrats are attempting to cheat and rig elections. The judge’s ruling is an unequivocal and full-throated rebuke of New York Democrats’ brazenly illegal and unconstitutional power grab. Kathy Hochul, who admitted her goal was to gerrymander seats to rubberstamp Joe Biden’s disastrous agenda, has the same craven disrespect for the law as her former partner, Andrew Cuomo. They got caught violating the constitution and undermining the will of the people--they must get to work immediately to comply with the judge’s ruling and fix the maps.” 

Governor Hochul Announces Nearly 70 Million COVID-19 Tests So Far Distributed to New Yorkers

 

68,890,256 Tests Already Distributed Throughout the State in Recent Months, More Than 90 Million Tests Procured To Date, Nearly 23 Million Tests in Precautionary Stockpile 

State to Scale Down Testing Sites As More New Yorkers Utilize At-Home Tests, Ready to Re-Open if Needed; Vaccine Sites Remain Open 

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that nearly 70 million COVID-19 over-the-counter tests have been distributed by the State so far as part of ongoing efforts to protect New Yorkers during the pandemic.  

"As we've seen throughout the pandemic, test kits are a critical tool in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent exposure to others," Governor Hochul said. "We have already distributed nearly 70 million COVID-19 tests, and we will continue to focus our efforts on distributing at-home tests to New Yorkers and build up our stockpile so we can bolster our preparedness for the future, keep our communities safe, and safely move forward through this pandemic." 

As more New Yorkers utilize at-home tests over on-site testing, the State is scaling down its testing sites. The State has retained contracts to swiftly re-open testing sites through June if needed. Nearly 100,000 tests have been conducted at state testing sites since January 7. There are 1,910 registered locations to obtain a test in New York State, locations can be found here. All 15 of the State's vaccine sites remain open and New Yorkers over the age of 50 are encouraged to get a second booster in accordance with the recently expanded CDC guidance. 

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "The distribution of at-home COVID-19 tests is a critical tool helping to curb spread in our communities. I thank Governor Hochul and our partners at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for distributing millions of rapid test kits statewide, particularly to high risk communities. New research released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us that we must continue to center equity across all of our pandemic response efforts. In getting tests to nursing homes, senior centers, food banks, and NYC Housing Authority tenants, and in keeping our state-run mass vaccination sites open to all, that's exactly what New York State is doing."

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "COVID is still a very real threat and it's critical we remain vigilant in our work to protect communities. Thanks to Governor Hochul's leadership, New York has expanded our testing distribution operation to a scale few might have thought possible just a year ago, but we cannot rest on this accomplishment alone. As we move forward into the spring, we will continue to support our local partners however we can to ensure New Yorkers have the tools to stay safe and healthy."

Since the beginning of the year, 68,890,256 million tests have been distributed throughout New York, including over 33 million tests to schools, 19.5 million tests to nursing homes and adult-care facilities, and more than 12.5 million tests to local officials, including counties, for public distribution in their respective communities. The distribution efforts follow the procurement of more than 90 million rapid tests in recent months. 

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced that more than 20 million COVID-19 over-the-counter tests will be distributed across the state through the Spring to bolster New York State's ongoing preparedness efforts. 

The Spring plan includes distributions of over-the-counter test kits to nursing homes, adult care facilities, NYC Housing Authority tenants, food banks, senior centers, and schools, while also partnering with elected officials for distribution to the public, during the next few months to help identify new COVID-19 cases and keep New Yorkers safe.  

Ahead of the Omicron surge in late 2021, Governor Hochul and her team identified the need to secure over-the-counter test kits to combat the Omicron surge, providing regular distributions to the general public, prioritizing schools and adult care facilities across the state.  

Of the over 90 million tests procured, nearly 23 million tests have been stored to help prepare for any potential surges later this year.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 31, 2022

 

8 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

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

"The vaccine has been proven to work in minimizing the effects of COVID-19 and we are fortunate enough to have it easily within our reach," Governor Hochul said. "If you haven't taken advantage of the vaccine by getting your first dose, second dose, or booster, I encourage you to do so immediately. The vaccine is safe, effective, and readily available throughout the State. Get yours today to keep yourself and your loved ones safe."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:    

• Test Results Reported - 151,908 (152,167*) 
• Total Positive -  4,234 (4,493*)
• Percent Positive - 2.78% (2.95%*)
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 2.61%
• Patient Hospitalization - 825 (+8)  
• Patients Newly Admitted - 138
• Patients in ICU - 134 (+4)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 56 (-2)  
• Total Discharges - 290,731 (+127) 
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 8
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS -  55,127       

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 - 70,247 

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 - 37,451,989  
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 19,127
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 89,718 
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.4%
• 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) - 86.1%    
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.5%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.6%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.5%    
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.8%    
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.6%    
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.2% 

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:    

Borough	Monday, March 28, 2022	Tuesday, March 29, 2022	Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Bronx	0.96%	1.00%	1.03%
Kings	1.76%	1.76%	1.84%
New York	2.51%	2.52%	2.74%
Queens	1.54%	1.55%	1.68%
Richmond	1.86%	1.92%	2.14%