WATER FULLY CLEARED FOR DRINKING AT NYCHA’S JACOB RIIS HOUSES AFTER LAST BATCH OF TESTS COME BACK NEGATIVE FOR CONTAMINENTS

 

Water at Riis Houses Already Cleared Safe from Arsenic

 New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after test results came in clearing the water for drinking at the Jacob Riis Houses in Manhattan:

 

“I know the last eight days have been unbearable for the residents of Jacob Riis Houses, but, this morning, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reviewed the final test results for contaminants and found the water to be well within EPA drinking water quality standards. We can confidently say the water at Riis Houses is and has been free of any discernible amount of arsenic since the initial tests were initiated in August and meets EPA standards. I would not ask the residents of Riis Houses to do anything I wouldn’t do, which is why I have already stopped by Riis Houses and drank the water myself.

 

“While having the basic need of drinking water is welcome news, it is the bare minimum. It is unacceptable that Environmental Monitoring and Technologies introduced arsenic into the samples that not only led to the false results, but to fear, turmoil, and massive inconvenience.

 

“As we stated yesterday, NYCHA nor any other city agency will test water through Environmental Monitoring and Technologies any longer, and the city intends to pursue all available legal options on behalf of the residents of Riis Houses and will look for how we can reimburse residents for costs incurred over the last week.

 

“In regard to the Legionella bacteria reported earlier this week, we suspect these results are inaccurate. As public health experts have noted, Legionnaires Disease cannot be contracted by drinking water. Additionally, we are actively reviewing our Legionella surveillance data, and have found no reported or confirmed cases of Legionnaires Disease at Riis Houses over the last 12 months.

 

“We will continue to be transparent about the information we receive, and have already publicly released all the arsenic reports, both true and what we now know to be false. We will work to get these additional reports up online as soon as possible.”

 

All test results related to claims of arsenic in the water at the Jacob Riis Houses can be found online.

NEW ROCHELLE MAN SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PRISON FOR GUN POSSESSION, ROBBING A MAN AND STEALING HIS CAR

 

Defendant Was Convicted by Jury

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a New Rochelle man has been sentenced to nine years in prison and five years of post-release supervision for gun possession, robbing a man and stealing his car in the Bronx.

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant robbed a man and took his car, recklessly driving through red lights and speeding while police pursued him for seven blocks before he crashed into a subway pillar. Officers found a loaded .22 caliber revolver in his possession. If you possess a loaded illegal gun in the Bronx, you face prison time.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Shamel Rodriguez, 33, last of 72 Drake Avenue, in New Rochelle, NY, was sentenced September 7, 2022 to nine years in prison for second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon and nine years for second-degree Robbery, to run concurrently, and five years of post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle. The defendant was found guilty of the charges on March 18, 2022 after a jury trial.

 According to the investigation, on September 13, 2019 at 4:00 a.m. in the vicinity of Jefferson Place and Franklin Avenue, Rodriguez approached the victim asking for marijuana, then demanded his personal property. After receiving the victim’s car keys, he stole the vehicle and attempted to escape. Officers followed the car and after pursuing the defendant for several blocks as he drove recklessly, the defendant crashed the car into a subway pillar. NYPD officers found Rodriguez in possession of a loaded .22 caliber pistol.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Daniel Banek of the DA’s Squad for his assistance in the case. District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Officer Nadja Brightman of the Bronx Evidence Collection Team, Detective Michael Riggio and NYPD Officer Stephanie Gallardo, both of the Bronx Strategic Response Group, and retired Detective Steven Hearns of the NYPD Ballistics Lab, and NYC Department of Correction Investigator Josiette Mclean for their work in the investigation.

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIZATION APPROVING A MERCHANT CATEGORY CODE FOR GUNS AND AMMUNITION STORES

 

"I want to thank the International Standards Organization for answering our call and newly approving a merchant category code for guns and ammunition sales, and thank Amalgamated Bank, Comptroller Brad Lander, and everyone who was instrumental in pushing for its creation. Every illegal gun was legal at some point, and the usage of these codes can be extremely important in monitoring and tracking those gun sales as well as future gun trafficking. This simple step can help detect suspicious activity and prevent violence." 

"Now that the standard has been approved, the three major credit card companies – in which New Yorkers' pensions are invested – must adopt this code, just as they have for retailers from utilities to transportation to clothing. As an elected leader and a trustee of the New York City Employees' Retirement System, there is a fiscal and moral responsibility to protect New Yorkers' safety and finances by urging these companies to exercise that same responsibility and utilize this code. There's no good reason for them not to adopt this common sense standard to strengthen accountability and save lives."

 

Nos Quedamos and Pregones/PRTT continue to bring you Stage Garden Rumba (SGR) fiestas at South Bronx community gardens TODAY—Saturday, September 10th—from 2pm-5:30pm at Rincón Criollo - La Casita de Chema, located at 749 Brook Avenue (off 157th Street). This 6th season of SGR is dedicated to Bronx Bees & Honey.   This is a FREE outdoor event featuring artisans, poets, activists, musicians, and YOU!   Saturday's fiesta features: poets Paul LaTorre, Ray Jane, and Matthew Marroquín; DJ spins by DeLaCeiba; live music by Oñí Añá, Bámbula Project, and La Manga; and activists Fitzroy Christian and Edward García.

EMCEE Simply Rob – This Bronx-based poet and LGBTQ+ activist is one of the original members of El Grito De Poetas, an all-Latinx poetry collective. Among many other accolades, Rob is also the subject of the 2011 film “Simply Rob” by Tom Shrapnel.   MUSIC DeLaCeiba is an Hondureño born poet/rapper/DJ/scholar/father/husband/activist that grew up in South Central Los Angeles.   Oñí Añá is a group of drummers who have studied the art of batá drumming and the chants of the Yoruba tradition. Their aim is to show how these traditions are being passed on to and preserved by new generations via live performance.   Bámbula Project is a vibrant and dynamic quartet fusing Afro-Puerto Rican “Bomba” rhythms with Jazz, and led by Alex “Apolo” Ayala.   La Manga is a cultural identity laboratory honoring Black and Indigenous oral traditions, celebrating Afro-Colombian life through storytelling and bailes cantaos.   POETRY Paul LaTorre, aka Paulconqueso, is a poet, professor, publisher, performer, and activist from Newark, NJ.    Ray Jane is a Black female poet born in Brooklyn and raised in Far Rockaway Queens. She uses her poetry to lift herself and other women of color.   Matthew Marroquín is a Salvadorian-American writer, actor, and spoken word poet originally from the cornfields of Storm Lake, Iowa.   ACTIVISM Fitzroy Christian is a social justice and housing advocate and a member of the leadership team at Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA).    Edward Garcia is a proud Bronx resident who has lived in the borough since he moved to New York City from the Dominican Republic as a teenager.    ARTISANS Olga Ayala: “Hecho A Mano” handmade crafts. Jewelry and functional art in polymer. Stacey Toro – Herbal Crafted Body and Wellness Products. Offerings and products include tinctures, salves, body butters & herbal packs. Esperanza Martell – Hand-made Taíno-themed decorative plates. Click on map at below for directions.

Permits Filed For 2336 Valentine Avenue In Fordham, The Bronx

Permits have been filed for a seven-story residential building at 2336 Valentine Avenue in Fordham, The Bronx. Located between East 183rd and East 184th Streets, the lot is near the 182-183 Streets subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Mendy Tessler is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 74-foot-tall development will yield 7,907 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 17 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 465 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a penthouse and a 45-foot-long rear yard.

Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced. 

Statement from Comptroller Lander on Approval of a Merchant Category Code for Gun and Ammunition Retailers

 

 New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement on the announcement by Amalgamated Bank that their application to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was approved to establish a merchant category code for gun and ammunition retailers:

“Stopping the scourge of gun violence will take action on the part of everyone, and I’m pleased that the ISO voted to advance a key step to prevent the next tragedy. American Express, Mastercard, Visa and other credit card companies now have a responsibility to implement the new merchant category code, so that financial institutions can do their part to flag suspicious activity and save lives.

“I am grateful to Amalgamated Bank, the broad coalition of advocates, elected officials and fellow investors who have advocated for years to make this a reality.”

Comptroller Lander and trustees of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System and Board of Education Retirement System filed shareholder resolutions at Mastercard and American Express requesting transparency around the companies’ decision-making relating to the creation of the merchant category code and sent a letter alongside the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to American Express, Mastercard and Visa.

Attorney General James Applauds Requirement for Credit Card Companies to Categorize Gun Sales

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today applauded the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for requiring credit card companies to create a merchant category code (MCC) on gun and ammunition purchases. Attorney General James released this statement in response:

“Today’s decision requiring credit cards to categorize gun sales is a big victory that will help us better address gun violence and avoid tragedies. Labeling gun and ammunition sales is a responsible, common-sense way to help protect Americans and I thank Amalgamated Bank for their bold leadership on this critical issue. I urge credit card companies to take the next step and flag suspicious transactions on gun and ammunition sales, like they do for fraud and money laundering. By working together and using the tools at our disposal, including this new categorization, we will help protect our communities and save lives.”

Today's decision follows a letter sent last week by Attorney General James and California Attorney General Bonta calling on credit card companies to take this common-sense step to help address gun violence and prevent tragedies.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR HAVING GUNS AND HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES IN HIS CAR

 

Police Found Defendant Parked in Bus Lane

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to four years in prison for second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon for having five handguns, an ammunition feeding device and high-capacity magazines in his car.

 District Attorney Clark said, “If you are planning to illegally bring firearms that can drive up violence in the Bronx, you will be prosecuted. The defendant pleaded guilty to having guns and ammunition feeding devices in his car. Thankfully, an alert patrol officer intercepted this cache of weapons.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Tyrell Livingston, 29, last of East 143rd Street, was sentenced today to four years in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Albert Lorenzo. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on July 25, 2022.

 According to the investigation, on November 18, 2020 in front of 436 East 149th Street, Livingston was in a 2007 Mercedes Benz with dark tinted windows that was double-parked in an active bus lane when NYPD Officers approached him and told him to move the car. The defendant told them he did not have his license on him and that it was suspended. As Officers proceeded to arrest him, they found under the driver’s seat a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, loaded with seven rounds.

 The defendant’s vehicle was taken to the 40th Precinct and during an inventory search, Officers found a .9 mm Taurus Pistol with three magazines, a .9 mm Glock with 15 cartridges in the magazine, a .9 mm Taurus pistol containing two magazines, and a .9mm Millennium pistol inside a backpack in the trunk of the defendant’s car. Officers also found a drum feeder with 41 .40 mm cartridges, 14 .9mm cartridges, one magazine, and one high-capacity magazine.

 District Attorney Clark thanked arresting NYPD Officer Bismal Tineo of the 40th Precinct.