NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE CALLS FOR RENEWED ACCOUNTABILITY, REALLOCATED SPENDING IN CITY’S PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGETING

 

 New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams today called for a city budget that invests in public safety services and infrastructure beyond simply law enforcement, and emphasized the need to strengthen accountability and oversight through the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) and other efforts. In a statement prepared and submitted to the City Council Committee on Public Safety, he urged a holistic approach to protecting and producing public safety.

“Typically, I would be asking the City Council for more funds to bolster and expand the vital services that our city’s agencies provide to millions of New Yorkers every day,” opened Public Advocate Williams. “In the case of the NYPD, however, it is more appropriate to pinpoint where portions of their budget are better served being reallocated to other agencies. The NYPD is by far the biggest and most expensive police department in the country, and serves social service functions that are not appropriate and should be reassigned to other agencies.” He opposed the proposed reduction in CCRB headcount and highlighted actions the City Council can take to strengthen accountability. 

The Public Advocate further pushed for non-police responses to people experiencing homelessness and mental health crises, and called for reallocation of funding spent on a surge of law enforcement into the subway system, particularly for officer overtime. 

Public Advocate Williams commended the administration’s focus on strengthening the Crisis Management System, saying that “This is what public safety should look like: an investment in communities, robust support services, and allowing those closest to the problem to lead the solution.” He further argued for expanded funding of public defender services, noting “ It is low-income New Yorkers who ultimately face the consequences of a budget that favors district attorneys’ offices, deprived of the robust legal representation that they need and deserve. The city budget must ensure a high standard of quality legal representation for low-income New Yorkers.”

Read the full statement as submitted by the Public Advocate below.

STATEMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS

TO THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

MARCH 20, 2023

Good morning,

My name is Jumaane D. Williams, and I am the Public Advocate for the City of New York. I would like to thank Chair Hanks and the members of the Committee on Public Safety for holding this important hearing.

Typically, I would be asking the City Council for more funds to bolster and expand the vital services that our city’s agencies provide to millions of New Yorkers every day. In the case of the NYPD, however, it is more appropriate to pinpoint where portions of their budget are better served being reallocated to other agencies. The NYPD is by far the biggest and most expensive

police department in the country, and serves social service functions that are not appropriate and should be reassigned to other agencies.

One of the major problems with the NYPD is our city’s lack of effective oversight. The CCRB has the ability to investigate complaints of police misconduct and abuse, but they are understaffed, underfunded, and without the legal power to carry out their recommendations for discipline. The proposed budget reduced the CCRB’s headcount by 22 positions; as this reduction must come from vacant positions, it will result in a racial profiling unit of only 13, when the CCRB recently testified that their headcount goal is 50. Further, since the implementation of the NYPD’s disciplinary matrix, the number of cases being sent to the CCRB’s Administrative Prosecution Unit increased 40 percent between 2020 and 2021. While OMB allowed the APU to hire four more prosecutors, they still need more staff.

Although the CCRB cannot enforce their disciplinary recommendations, there are budgetary ways for the City Council to make cuts related to abusive policing by:

Removing the use of paid administrative leave for officers under investigation

Withholding pensions and halting all rehirings of officers involved in excessive force

Requiring NYPD to be liable for misconduct settlements

The NYPD should not be involved in providing assistance and services to people experiencing homelessness or mental health crises. Dispatching police to remove people perceived as being homelessness or experiencing symptoms of mental illness to a hospital is not helpful and only wastes city resources. The city instead must invest in non-police responses to people in mental health crisis; affordable, community-based mental health services; subsidized housing; and respite and drop-in centers. 

The mayor’s harmful Subway Safety Plan has exacerbated a police overtime surge. The NYPD has a history of underestimating their overtime spending: for Fiscal Year 2023, the NYPD had budgeted $454.8 million, but as of December 31, 2022, they had spent nearly $412 million, making the overtime bill for FY 2023 on track to pass $820 million. It does not make New Yorkers safer to spend millions of dollars on overtime for police officers to remove people perceived as homeless or mentally ill from public spaces, or to stand around in subway stations looking at their phones. The bloated overtime budget is much better spent reallocated to agencies and programs that actually serve and protect New Yorkers.

Mayor Adams and I may often disagree on the most impactful ways to address crime and violence in our city, but I applaud his support of alternative solutions to violence, including violence interrupters and cure violence programs. The city’s Crisis Management System (CMS) is a network that deploys teams of credible messengers who mediate conflicts on the street and connect high-risk individuals to services that can reduce the long-term risk of violence. CMS provides non-punitive, wrap-around services including school conflict mediation, employment programs, mental health services, and legal services.

We have evidence that these alternatives to policing work to reduce violence: CMS data from 2010 to 2019 shows that the program has contributed to an average 40 percent reduction in shootings across program areas, compared to a 31 percent decline in shootings in the 17 precincts in New York City with the highest rates of violence.

Brownsville, Brooklyn’s 73rd Precinct exemplifies the success and necessity of cure violence programs. In December 2020, the police withdrew from their regular posts on Mother Gaston Boulevard for five days. Instead of a police presence, a cure violence group called Brownsville In, Violence Out watched over the two blocks between Pitkin and Sutter Avenues. No valid 911 or 311 calls were made during this pilot. A second round of this experiment a few months later saw the cure violence group and their community partners finding a missing 4-year-old and intervening in a fight brewing between groups of teenage girls, all without the help of police.

This is what public safety should look like: an investment in communities, robust support services, and allowing those closest to the problem to lead the solution.

It is also vital to adequately and robustly fund our public defender services. While free legal defender services for anyone who needs them are mandated by federal and local law, these organizations are consistently underfunded. It is low-income New Yorkers who ultimately face the consequences of a budget that favors district attorneys’ offices, deprived of the robust legal representation that they need and deserve. The city budget must ensure a high standard of quality legal representation for low-income New Yorkers.

Previously, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) contracted with community-based organizations and hotels to provide housing to people just released from prison. While meant to be a short-term solution, the housing that this program provided to people who otherwise would have had to turn to the shelter system was critical for many people’s successful reentry into their communities. These hotels were staffed by security, case managers, and nurses, giving people in-home access to resources they would not have in a shelter. In January of last year, Mayor Adams awarded a new $40 million no-bid contract to the organization Exodus Transitional Communities; while Exodus ultimately shut down their program, the city should allocate new funding for a request for proposals to continue operating this service.

Lastly, in 2021, my office released a report on reimagining safety in our schools, including phasing out School Safety Agents and policing infrastructure. Prior to the pandemic, there were roughly 5,000 SSAs assigned to schools; as of late last month, according to a report released by the Independent Budget Office, that number had decreased to 3,900. The IBO also reported no indication the city plans to significantly expand the safety division to pre-pandemic levels over the next four years. The presence of SSAs and police more broadly serve only as a reaction to violence or criminal behavior and do not create safety. This natural attrition of SSAs provides an opportunity for the city to invest in creating safe school environments by hiring more guidance counselors and social workers, expanding restorative justice and violence interruption programming, implementing trauma-informed and healing-centered school environments, sustaining and creating new Student Success Centers, and increasing youth employment opportunities.

Thank you.

DEC Announces 2023 DEC Camping Reservation Changes

 

New Features Include Same-Day Reservations, Among Others

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced changes to reservations at DEC campgrounds for the upcoming season, including new same-day reservations to help add flexibility and ease to last-minute bookings.

“DEC is excited to make some changes and updates to this year’s reservation window for DEC campgrounds,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “While many campers book weeks or months in advance, there continues to be a high demand for last-minute bookings. Adding same-day reservations will allow our customers to check availability and book a reservation on their way to a campground. An additional 17 hours to book a camping stay will ensure sites are available before arriving and prevent anyone from arriving to a full campground.”

The change will afford last-minute campers the security of a reserved campsite at any of DEC’s 52 campgrounds and aligns the Forest Preserve-based campgrounds with the reservation window currently employed by the facilities operated by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. All New York State campgrounds will now accept reservations as late as the same day.

Reservations will be required, and patrons can now book a camping reservation as late as 5 p.m. on the desired day of   arrival. The public will also be able to book a one-night stay for the 2023 season at any DEC campground beginning April 7, 2023. This will mean that gaps between reservations will be able to be filled earlier than in the past.

For more information on DEC-operated campgrounds, including a list of campgrounds and schedules, visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/camping.html or call DEC's Bureau of Recreation at 518-457-2500. To make reservations at any of DEC’s camping facilities, call ReserveAmerica at 1-800-456-CAMP (2267) or visit https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com.

CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers to be Cautious of Practices Targeting Jewish Communities Before Passover

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert urging New Yorkers to be cautious of potential discriminatory pricing practices at car washes in advance of Passover. In previous years, there have been reports of car wash businesses in predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City raising prices by as much as 50 percent for Jewish customers seeking cleaning services close to Passover. In the days leading up to Passover, many Jews clean their homes, cars, and other spaces to remove “chametz” (leavened products). According to reports provided to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), some companies have advertised “specials” for car washing services related to Passover, but instead, charged higher prices to customers. To protect New Yorkers from these practices, Attorney General James has previously sent letters to organizations representing car wash owners in New York to remind their members that any such business practice is illegal and should be reported to OAG.  

“Taking advantage of someone’s religious observances and practices is offensive, discriminatory, and absolutely unacceptable,” said Attorney General James. “For millions of observant Jews in New York and beyond, Passover is an important holiday, and their preparations should be respected, not manipulated for profit. I urge any New Yorker who is concerned that they have been a victim of discriminatory behavior because of their religion, race, or background to contact my office immediately.” 

“Last year, we brought this matter to the attention of Attorney General Letitia James and she swiftly issued a consumer alert for which we are grateful,” said Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein. “As Passover approaches again, the Attorney General is being proactive and has issued another consumer alert. Let’s be clear. Car wash establishments who shamelessly overcharge their Jewish customers for services before the Passover holiday are clearly discriminating against one religious community. That is unacceptable and illegal. Car wash operators, you have now been warned. Don’t do it.”

Anyone who is aware of businesses using discriminatory practices or believes that they were charged more for services because of their religion, race, or background is encouraged to file a complaint with OAG online or call 1-800-771-7755.  

Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and Partnership for New York City Launch Citywide Civic Action Campaign

 

Campaign Celebrates What Makes NYC Great and Empowers New Yorkers to Show their Love by Getting Involved

 Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and the Partnership for New York City today launched "We ♥ NYC," a civic campaign to showcase the city's strengths and mobilize New Yorkers in every community to help ensure that New York remains the greatest city in the world and inspire New York City's post-pandemic resurgence. The citywide campaign will kick-off with a celebration of New Yorkers who are making a difference through community service and will identify volunteer opportunities that everyone can contribute to.

"From its iconic views and vibrant arts and culture to its thriving businesses and world-class cuisine, New York City represents some of the best that our state has to offer," Governor Hochul said. "This We ♥ NYC campaign will help to capture that energy and preserve the city's spirit by encouraging New Yorkers of every background to come together, get involved, and make a positive change in their community."

New York City Mayor Adams said, "This city overcame the darkest days of the pandemic because of the selfless work of everyday New Yorkers, and if each of us gives just one hour a week in an act of service, the result will be transformative. That is why I am proud to announce the launch of 'We ♥ NYC,' in partnership with Governor Hochul and the Partnership for New York City. The 'We ♥ NYC' campaign asks everyone who loves the greatest city in the world to show it by lending a helping hand and spreading that love to every block across all five boroughs."

The themes of the campaign are focused around ways New Yorkers can help improve the city, prioritizing public safety, support for small businesses, caring for parks and litter cleanups. As part of its effort to empower residents to drive change in their own communities, the campaign will involve several partnerships with public agencies and nonprofits across the city aimed at achieving a safer, more livable and more business-friendly city. Planned activations include:

• Earth Day kick off of events in partnership with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation that aim to engage one million New Yorkers in caring for their local parks
• Community cleanups in partnership with the NYC Department of Sanitation across the five boroughs
• Public engagement to vote for your favorite MTA MUSIC (Music Under New York) performer
• Small business promotions and opportunities to support entrepreneurs, including "Shop Black" and a competition to identify the best menu items offered by local restaurants
• NYC Service, a one-stop-shop of volunteer opportunities across the city

The We ♥ NYC campaign is led by marketing executive Maryam Banikarim, Andrew Lerner, and their team at MaryamB, working with the ad agency Founders, Grain Group, and Graham Clifford. Support is being provided from a variety of contributing partners here.

Among partner organizations participating in the campaign are 32BJ SEIU, Association for a Better New York, Breaking Ground, Brooklyn Public Library, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island Chambers of Commerce, Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York, Church of the Heavenly Rest, The Citizens Committee for New York City, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Episcopal Charities, Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, League of Women Voters of the City of New York, LISC New York, Midtown Community Court, New Visions for Public Schools, New York Building Congress, New York Cares, New York City Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, New-York Historical Society, New York Public Library, New York Urban League, NYC Hospitality Alliance, Open House New York, Queens Library, Tech:NYC, The Broadway League Inc., The City University of New York, The Garment District BID, Times Square Alliance BID, and UJA-Federation of New York.

The We ♥ NYC mark is a trademarked adaptation of Milton Glaser's design for the "I ♥ NY" campaign that launched in 1977. Both marks are owned by New York State's Department of Economic Development, which made the adaptation available at no charge.

Today's news conference was produced by The Broadway League with support of the Times Square Alliance. It featured a performance by Anna Uzele, a star of the upcoming Broadway musical "New York, New York," which features the iconic title song written by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Also performing at the launch event was Lucky Chops, a brass ensemble that is part of the MTA Music Under New York program.

The day will end with a lighting ceremony with the Empire State Building that will shine its world-famous spire in a heartbeat red, with a red We ♥ NYC heart in its mast.

The campaign launch also features examples of New Yorkers making a difference and who are celebrated on the We ♥ NYC website, including Bobby Akumah from Dare 2 Dream, John Wang from the Queens Night Market, Catie Savage from Hell's Kitchen Litter Legion, Anthony and Janique Edwards from Eat Okra, and Sasha Gutiérrez of the Opera Nextdoor.

The campaign is supported by contributions from over 60 businesses and individuals, including Accenture, Advance / Condé Nast, AlleyCorp, Amazon, BFC Partners, Blunt Action, BXP, Charter Communications, Inc., Citi, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Deanna Mulligan, CEO, Purposeful, Edelman, Ehrenkranz Partners, Empire State Realty Trust, Epicenter-NYC, Ernst & Young LLP, Fisher Brothers Foundation, General Atlantic Foundation, Google/YouTube, Hearst, Hess Corporation, IBM Corporation, Intersection, Jamestown and One Times Square, JCDecaux, KKR, KPMG US, Lee & Associates, Macy's, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., Mastercard, Meta, Nasdaq, NBCUniversal, New York Life, Nina and Tim Zagat, Ogilvy, OUTFRONT Media Inc., Paramount, Pfizer, RXR, Salesforce, Shutterstock, Inc., Spotify, Sprinklr, Spyscape, Standard Industries, The CITY, The Daily Beast, The Georgetown Company, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, The John Gore Organization, The New York Stock Exchange, The New York Times Company, The Nicotra Group - Lois and Richard Nicotra, The Related Companies, L.P., The Travelers Companies, Inc., TikTok, Tishman Speyer Properties, Two Trees Management Co., U.S. News & World Report, United Airlines, Inc., Vornado Realty Trust, Vox Media, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and WPP, VMLY&R and BCW.

NYPD Overspending on Overtime Grew Dramatically in Recent Years

 

Comptroller projects that NYPD will spend nearly double its overtime budget in FY 2023, as it did in each of the two prior years.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released Overtime Overview, a budget snapshot of the City’s overtime cost overruns. New York City’s total overtime expenditures increased over the last decade by more than $700 million, from $1.46 billion in FY 2013 to $2.22 in FY 2022. The City overspent its overtime budget by 93% in FY 2022.

The New York Police Department (NYPD)’s uniformed officer overtime costs make up the largest share of overtime over-spending. Through February 2023, NYPD has spent $472 million on uniformed overtime, already exceeding its $374 million budget for FY 2023 by $98 million. The Comptroller’s Office projects that NYPD uniformed overtime will reach approximately $740 million in FY 2023, nearly double the amount budgeted.

“Over the past decade, NYPD overtime has grown without any regard for what’s in the budget agreed upon by the Mayor and the City Council – and with no accountability for overspending each year by hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “If New York City had unlimited cash, it would be lovely to allow teachers unlimited overtime to stay after school to help every kid learn to read or pay social workers unlimited overtime to help counsel New Yorkers struggling with mental illness. But other agencies aren’t allowed to show total disregard for their overtime budget, and we can’t afford for the NYPD to do so year after year.”

Over the past decade,. Actual overtime expenses were nearly double what was budgeted in FY 2021 and FY 2022 and are projected to remain nearly double budgeted overtime in FY 2023 – FY 2027.

Between FY 2013 – FY 2021, the City’s total actual overtime costs averaged 39% higher than budgeted. In FY 2022, actual overtime costs ($2.2 billion) were double the budgeted amount ($1.15 billion). While civilian overtime expenditures remained relatively consistent, uniformed overtime ballooned over the last decade. Uniformed police overtime accounts for about half the overtime costs of uniformed employees, and a third of all city employees.

Despite a significant increase in NYPD headcount between FYs 2015 and 2019, overtime costs did not decrease over those years, but in fact continued to rise. At other uniformed agencies, such as FDNY, overtime costs can decrease as headcount increases.

The 2023 January Financial Plan budgets $372 billion for uniformed NYPD overtime in FY 2024 and 2025, and $371 million in FY 2026 and 2027. Without any shifts in accountability for overtime overspending, the Comptroller’s office projects that the NYPD will continue to wildly overspend its overtime budget.

More information is available in the Comptroller’s budget brief here.

 

FIGHTING FOR THE HOMELESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING "Every New Yorker deserves to be treated with dignity, especially those in the shelter system" The New York City Council passed Council Member Rafael Salamanca's bills, Intro 124, which will create ‘housing specialist’ positions in all NYC Department of Homeless Services shelters to help individuals and families find permanent housing, and Intro 431, which requires DHS to provide biannual client relations training to all shelter personnel who have direct contact with shelter residents. "Approving such significant legislation is even more meaningful than doing it with my son, Aidan, by my side. It’s been incredible sharing these memories with Aidan during my time on the Council" Said Council Member Salamanca. ***** “Todos los neoyorquinos merecen ser tratados con dignidad, especialmente aquellos en el sistema de refugios” El Concejo de la Ciudad de Nueva York aprobó los proyectos de ley del Concejal Rafael Salamanca, Intro 124, que creará puestos de "especialista en vivienda" en todos los refugios del Departamento de Servicios para Personas sin Hogar de la Ciudad de Nueva York para ayudar a las personas y familias a encontrar una vivienda permanente, y Intro 431, que requiere que el DHS proporcione Capacitación en relaciones con los clientes para todo el personal del refugio que tiene contacto directo con los residentes del refugio. Aprobar una legislación tan significativa es aún más significativo que hacerlo con mi hijo, Aidan, a mi lado. Ha sido increíble compartir estos recuerdos con Aidan durante mi tiempo en el Consejo...Dijo el Concejal Salamanca. Did you know four new MTA Metro-North Railroad stops are coming to the Bronx in 2027? From shorter commutes into Manhattan to significantly new employment/educational opportunities in Westchester and Connecticut, Metro-North will be one of the largest expansion projects in the Bronx’s history. Along with the new stations, we have the opportunity to create considerable new housing, jobs & community infrastructure, said Council Member Salamanca. ***** ¿Sabía que cuatro nuevas paradas de MTA Metro-North Railroad llegarán al Bronx en 2027? Desde viajes más cortos a Manhattan hasta oportunidades laborales/educativas significativamente nuevas en Westchester y Connecticut, Metro-North será uno de los proyectos de expansión más grandes en la historia del Bronx. Junto con las nuevas estaciones, tenemos la oportunidad de crear una cantidad considerable de nuevas viviendas, empleos e infraestructura comunitaria, dijo el Concejal Salamanca. PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG Very few issues can unite New Yorkers like the displeasure over those who do not ‘pick up’ after their dogs. At the New York City Department of Sanitation budget hearing, Council Member Rafael Salamance, Jr. wanted to know what actions DSNY is taking to address this issue.   ***** Muy pocos temas pueden unir a los neoyorquinos como el descontento por aquellos que no 'recogen' los desechos de sus perros. En la audiencia presupuestaria del Departamento de Saneamiento de la ciudad de Nueva York, quería saber qué medidas está tomando el DSNY para abordar este problema. BRONX HEALTH DISPARITIES Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr., who represents a district that suffers from many health disparities - asthma, obesity, addiction - "it is important members of the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Board of Health understand the needs of communities like mine". Council Member Salamanca asked Mayor Eric Adams’ Board of Health nominations about their proposals for the Bronx.   *****   El concejal Rafael Salamanca, Jr., que representa a un distrito que sufre muchas disparidades de salud (asma, obesidad, adicciones), "es importante que los miembros de la Junta de Salud del Departamento de Salud e Higiene Mental de la Ciudad de Nueva York comprendan las necesidades de comunidades como la mía". . El concejal Salamanca preguntó a las nominaciones de la Junta de Salud del Alcalde Eric Adams sobre sus propuestas para el Bronx. THE HOUSING CRISIS IN NYC   The housing crisis in NYC is real. While the New York City Council is approving projects on a regular basis, they must continue to think outside the box to create more housing. Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr., joined PIX11 this morning to discuss what NYC & NYS should consider moving forward. ***** La crisis de la vivienda en Nueva York es real. Si bien el Concejo de la ciudad de Nueva York aprueba proyectos de manera regular, deben seguir pensando como crear más viviendas. El concejal Rafael Salamanca, Jr., se unió a PIX11 esta mañana para discutir lo que NYC y NYS deberían considerar para avanzar. ADDICTION IS A HEALTH CRISIS   "The purpose of this bill is to ensure we are saving lives,’ stated Salamanca. "Addiction is a health crisis, and we need to tackle this issue". Thank You News 12 The Bronx, for covering this bill that will vastly expand the availability of fentanyl testing strips in NYC. *****   “El propósito de este proyecto de ley es asegurarnos de que estamos salvando vidas”, afirmó Salamanca. “La adicción es una crisis de salud y debemos abordar este problema”. Gracias News 12 The Bronx, por cubrir este proyecto de ley que ampliará enormemente la disponibilidad de tiras reactivas de fentanilo en la ciudad de Nueva York. BRONX ZOO AND ELEPHANTS   At a time when New Yorkers are struggling to find affordable housing, pay their monthly bills, or help a loved one through addiction issues, Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. is being asked to support legislation that seeks solutions to problems that don’t exist in banning elephants from zoos. The Bronx Zoo, the only zoo in NYC with elephants, made the decision in 2006 to phase out its elephant program, thus, making this bill unnecessary. Council Member Salamanca, Jr. strongly opposes this legislation and hopes we can resume discussing matters that truly impact New Yorkers. COUNCIL MEMBER RAFAEL SALAMANCA, JR. CELEBRATES WOMEN HISTORY MONTH Email Council Member Salamanca Visit our District Office at:  1070 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York 10459 (718) 402-6130 salamanca@council.nyc.gov

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PLAN TO COMBAT LITHIUM-ION BATTERY FIRES, PROMOTE SAFE ELECTRIC MICROMOBILITY USAGE

 

City Will Pilot New Technology to Promote Safe Charging, Storage, and E-Bike Usage, Including Programs to Incentivize Safe Device Usage

 

City Will Continue to Advocate for Additional Regulation and Expand Outreach and Education for Safe E-Micromobility Usage

 

Plan Includes Bolstered Enforcement Efforts Against “Hot Spot” High-Risk Situations

 

To Further Increase Safe E-Bike Usage, City Will Pilot Allowing E-Bikes in Parks, Greenways This Summer

 

Mayor Adams Also Signs Five Pieces of Legislation to Help Reduce Fires Caused by Lithium-Ion Batteries

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced “Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan” to protect New Yorkers from fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and promote safe electric micromobility usage. The plan focuses on four key areas: Promoting and incentivizing safe battery use, increasing education and outreach to electric micromobility users, advocating for additional federal regulation of these devices, and expanding enforcement against high-risk situations. Mayor Adams also signed five bills into law to further regulate lithium-ion batteries sold in New York City and strengthen fire safety related to battery fires.

 

“Today, we are supercharging safety for all of our e-bikes and e-scooter users,” said Mayor Adams. “These are convenient transportation options for New Yorkers, but faulty and illegal devices are making their way into our homes and streets, causing fires and putting lives at risk. Through promoting safe devices, expanding education, increasing enforcement on high-risk situations, and pursuing additional regulation, I’m proud that New York City is leading that charge. E-bikes and e-scooters are here to stay, and with this plan and these five pieces of critical legislation I’m proud to sign, we are going to ensure that they are safe for all New Yorkers to use.”

 

“I am proud that this administration brought expertise from all corners of government to produce a comprehensive plan that meets the urgent need to address battery fires while ensuring we’ve met the needs of delivery workers and the broader public to use this sustainable transportation mode,” said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack.

 

“So many of the risks associated with these devices are preventable, but education and awareness are key,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “Even with our enforcement efforts, the goal is not punishment; the goal is safety. Safety is the priority here, and this legislation will no doubt help save lives.”

 

“This is a huge start to pressing and novel safety work, and New York City must lead the way,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “This is a broad responsibility, and our agency partners, delivery apps, and labor partners must work together to ensure that this equipment critical to delivery worker’s livelihood does not take lives instead.”

 

“Fires caused by e-bikes and the lithium-ion batteries they rely on have increased dramatically in our city, with deadly consequences for citizens and first responders,” said Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “It is a problem we are tackling aggressively with our partners in city, state, and federal government. We are grateful to the mayor for signing these bills into law and to the City Council for passing legislation that supports the FDNY in addressing this critical safety matter.”

 

“Legal electric micromobility is a critical part of a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation landscape. These devices can make moving around the city easier for New Yorkers and are critical tools used by thousands of delivery workers to support our economy,” said New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Through this plan, DOT is working closely with its sister agencies to develop the street infrastructure, safety education campaigns, and public charging options to support their growth and safe use.”

 

E-bikes and e-scooters are an affordable and convenient alternative to cars and are essential for delivery workers and other New Yorkers who rely on this mode of transportation for their livelihoods. However, these new transportation options have also brought serious challenges regarding fire risks. Fires caused by batteries that power e-micromobility devices are a significant problem in New York City, growing from 44 in 2020 to 220 in 2022. These fires are particularly severe and difficult to extinguish, spreading quickly and producing noxious fumes.  From 2021 to 2022, these fires resulted in 10 deaths and 226 injuries. In the first two months of 2023 alone, they resulted in two deaths and 40 injuries, posing a clear danger to New Yorkers when not properly used.

 

The “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” plan identifies four pillars to achieve the administration’s goals for safer e-micromobility and a safer city:

 

Supporting New Yorkers’ Transition to Safe and Legal E-Micromobility Use

 

Through innovative pilot programs and testing of new technologies to store and charge lithium-ion batteries, the city will support New Yorkers’ transition to safe and legal e-micromobility use by:

• Working with New York State to design and implement a program that incentivizes the purchase of safe and legal electric micromobility devices;
• Continuing to work on nation-leading deliverista hubs to provide delivery workers with safe places to rest and charge their devices throughout the city;
• Piloting safe, outdoor e-micromobility storage and charging solutions at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, and applying for federal grant funding to support this work; and
• Identifying, testing, and evaluating the most promising public-facing battery-charging solutions through the 2023 DOT Studio Challenge. This initiative will invite startup companies specializing in e-micromobility charging technology to deploy their products at locations supporting food delivery workers. The city will also test and evaluate fire safety and prevention equipment for homes and commercial settings.

Increasing Education and Outreach About Safe Device Usage

 

The city will expand education and outreach efforts around safe e-micromobility usage, storage, and charging practices by:

• Expanding engagement to immigrant and worker communities, focusing on the communities most affected by these fires;
• Working to provide lithium-ion battery and e-micromobility safety training through New York City Emergency Management’s (NYCEM) Ready NY platforms, as well as directly to NYCEM’s Community Emergency Response Teams to reach everyday New Yorkers, in addition to certified emergency responders; and
• Launching a series, in partnership with Los Deliveristas Unidos, to train communities on fire safety best practices regarding lithium-ion batteries and e-micromobility.

Bolstering Regulation and Enforcement Against Illegal Device Usage

 

In addition to the legislation Mayor Adams signed into law today, the city will continue to advocate for additional regulation for these devices and bolster enforcement against illegal device usage by:

• Creating a fire marshal task force focused on identifying violators of the fire code. The task force will use data to identify potential violators and high-risk situations or “hot spots,” which will be targeted for both outreach and inspection for compliance with existing fire codes;
• Continuing to advocate to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other federal partners to ensure that devices on New York City’s shelves — both virtual and brick-and-mortar — meet applicable safety standards; and
• Seeking partnerships with local, state, and federal partners to further research the health impacts on first responders handling lithium-ion batteries, which can be extremely toxic when they burn.

Promoting the Growth of Safe E-Micromobility and Cycling

 

New York City is a leader in sustainable transportation, and electric micromobility is a key tool to help New Yorkers get around efficiently, safely, affordably, and sustainably. In addition to work to prevent battery fires, the city will also work to make it easier and safer to use electric micromobility by:

• Launching a pilot program to allow e-bikes and other legal electric micromobility devices on park drives and greenways this summer and
• Updating and piloting different street designs to accommodate the growth of e-micromobility devices on the roads. To boost these efforts, DOT recently won a Federal Highway Administration “Safe Streets and Roads for All” grant that will be used to further develop and test a new generation of street designs and policies.

In addition to the city’s new action plan, Mayor Adams signed five bills into law today, strengthening the city’s efforts to improve e-micromobility safety:

 

Intro. 656 — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer — will require the FDNY, in consultation with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), to develop an informational campaign educating the public on fire risks posed by powered mobility devices and how to mitigate those risks.

 

Intro. 663 — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz — will prohibit the sale, lease, or rental of powered mobility devices, such as e-bikes and electric scooters, and storage batteries for these devices, that fail to meet recognized safety standards.

 

Intro. 722 — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Robert Holden — will require the FDNY to submit five reports relating to fire risks and powered mobility devices, such as e-bikes and electric scooters. Reports will include data on fires during the previous year caused by these devices and recommendations for changes to changes to the administrative code to further decrease fire risk.

 

Intro. 749 — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Alexa Avilés — will require the DCWP, in consultation with the FDNY, to publish materials that provide guidance on safe use and storage of powered mobility devices.

 

Intro. 752 — also sponsored by Councilmember Brewer — will prohibit the assembly or reconditioning of lithium-ion batteries using cells removed from used storage batteries and prohibit the sale of a lithium-ion batteries that use cells removed from used storage batteries.

 

“As e-bikes and e-scooters become increasingly essential to our city’s residents and workforce, it is vital that we take every step to ensure that they are safe,” said New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “These hazards are preventable, so it is imperative that we work together to educate the public, reduce risk, and improve the quality and reliability of these vehicles. The NYPD is proud to join the mayor’s office and dozens of other city agencies in this collective effort.”

 

“We’ve seen the growth in electric micromobility use, and in coordination with our sister agencies, we are working on a pilot plan to safely introduce these devices into our parks,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Our parks and greenways are critical parts of the city’s cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. We are committed to supporting delivery workers and community members who use e-micromobility and want all park users — pedestrians, children, families, cyclists, and more — to feel safe and welcome in city parks.”

 

“Delivery workers use e-bikes more than any other form of transportation in our city, and we must ensure that they are safe and protected from preventable fires caused by faulty batteries,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Thank you to Mayor Adams and our fellow agencies, the Department of Transportation and the Fire Department, for investing in these life-saving safety measures. DCWP is committed to helping spread the word to delivery workers about the risks of lithium-ion batteries.”

 

“The ‘Charge Safe, Ride Safe’ plan will protect New Yorkers from fires caused by lithium-ion batteries,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “With the growing problem of fires caused by batteries that power e-bikes and e-scooters, New York City is taking the necessary steps to prevent these emergencies and provide New Yorkers with the tools, resources, and information to live and work safely.”

 

“The safety of NYCHA residents is our chief priority and central to the work we do every day,” said NYCHA Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We are pleased to partner with Con Edison on this pilot program, which will provide NYCHA residents with a safe, outdoor charging and storage alternative, while supporting the growth of this sustainable mode of transportation.”

 

“As we promote sustainable modes of transportation, such as e-micromobility, it’s imperative that we ensure the safety of our residents by preventing battery fires and traffic crashes,” said Mayor’s Office of Operations Director Dan Steinberg. “By breaking down silos between agencies and offices, this task force has developed a robust plan that offers solutions toward a safe and more equitable environment for e-micromobility. It’s an honor to work with our leaders in City Hall and across government to ‘Get Stuff Done’ for all New Yorkers.”

 

“Tragic fires can and have happened when lithium-ion batteries are stored or used unsafely. HPD has been working more closely than ever with the FDNY to keep homes fire-safe, and we want all New Yorkers to know about the precautions they can take to keep themselves, their neighbors, and first responders safe,” said New York City Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr.

 

“New York City is dedicated to leading the way on electric micromobility and ensuring that equitable, affordable, and sustainable transportation is available to all New Yorkers — as described in ‘Making New York Work for Everyone.’ We applaud Mayor Adams’ leadership to ensure e-micromobility’s safe use and expansion,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “We look forward to continuing to work with the mayor, our partners in city government, and the private sector, on spurring new and safe innovation in this space, and we are excited to work with DOT and Newlab to test new solutions for safer e-micromobility charging.”

 

“Lithium-ion batteries appear in more and more devices, but they're also appearing more and more in the back of our trucks and at our transfer stations, where they cause fires and put ‘New York’s Strongest’ at risk,” said New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “We need a meaningful, permanent strategy on micromobility safety that addresses this problem once and for all, and today, the Adams administration is taking the steps to get us there.”

 

“DEP’s Division of Emergency Response and Technical Assessment has been instrumental in guiding the development of the ‘Charge Safe, Ride Safe’ plan, specifically as it pertains to the storage, charging, and disposal of lithium-ion batteries — an issue of environmental and worker protection,” said Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala. “Collaborating with our sister agencies, we can educate riders on how to use and enjoy e-micromobility in ways that keep them and their surroundings safe.”

 

“Today’s announcement is the latest example of how the Adams administration is taking a smarter, more holistic approach to emerging technologies,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser. “This action plan will keep New Yorkers safe, support delivery workers and riders, and support the continued growth of legal e-micromobility in New York City.”

 

“As we prepare for an electric future in New York City, it is undeniable that e-micromobility is at the forefront of this transportation revolution, but safety is also of paramount importance,” said New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “We applaud Mayor Adams’ efforts, in collaboration with DOT and FDNY. At DCAS, we stand ready to support in any way we can.”

 

“Keeping cyclists and e-micromobility riders safe makes all of us safer and healthier,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “As a city, we are cutting through jurisdictional boundaries to tap every leaders’ expertise to find solutions for knotty problems. It’s an honor to work with so many great colleagues to protect New Yorkers as more and more people rely on e-bikes and e-scooters to get around in the city.”

 

“Having many transportation and mobility options is critically important for New Yorkers of all ages, including older adults. As these options expand and grow, especially in the e-micromobility arena, it is our duty to ensure they are used safely and responsibly,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “The plan released and the laws signed today by Mayor Eric Adams, including the education and new street design initiatives, will help make our city an even more safe and equitable place for older adults. This is another step by Mayor Adams to ensure New York is an age-inclusive place to live and work.”

 

“As we see more e-bikes and e-scooters take to the streets — which is great news for the environment — we need to ensure that the batteries that power these and other micromobility vehicles are regulated and safe to operate,” said Julie Tighe, president, New York League of Conservation Voters. “We applaud Mayor Adams for his electric micromobility and safe battery charging action plan, as well as Speaker Adams for the recent City Council legislation addressing this issue, which together will give New Yorkers the confidence they need to get out of their cars and safely into more environmentally friendly transportation modes. Now, we urge the state and federal governments to step up their regulation of lithium-ion batteries and for the state to create an e-bike/e-scooter rebate as part of this year’s budget.”

 

“As electric bikes and scooters grow in popularity, we want to explore ways to ensure that New Yorkers have access to safe, convenient charging and secure storage,” said Raghu Sudhakara, vice president, distributed resource integration, Con Edison. “Making micromobility safer and easier will be a plus for the many hard-working people who earn their living delivering food to our homes and businesses. Our demonstration project with NYCHA will provide us with information on how we can support these forms of transportation, which provide environmental benefits, convenience, and enjoyment when used safely.”

 

“New York City’s deliveristas are essential to the city’s economy and well-being, keeping restaurants humming and New Yorkers fed, and e-bikes and e-scooters are helping shape a micromobility revolution,” said Eric McClure, executive director, StreetsPAC. “At the same time, dangerous, substandard batteries are a tremendous safety concern, and it’s essential that we take comprehensive steps to get unsafe batteries off the streets and out of dwellings and ensure that safe storage and charging facilities are readily available. We appreciate the Adams administration’s commitment to action and look forward to supporting these efforts however we can.”

 

“This is a pivotal moment for the city to demonstrate its commitment to advancing equitable climate solutions while keeping people safe,” said Melinda Hanson, principal, Brightside; and co-founder, Equitable Commute Project. “More than just a means of getting around, electric micromobility is expanding access to economic opportunity, reducing car trips, and saving New Yorkers up to one hour of commute time each day. The recommendations in the Micromobility Action Plan will mitigate fire risk, expand micromobility infrastructure, and support access to high-quality e-bikes, providing a model for cities and communities nationwide.”

 

Triple Chocolat opens at 712 Morris Park Avenue

 

Triple Chocolat a new Crepe, Waffle, Pancake, Latte, Smoothie, Juice, Shake, Frappuccino, Mojito, and Ice Cream place opened up Saturday March 18th at 712 Morris Park Avenue off White Plains Road in the Little Yemen section of Van Nest. 

Delicious sample of the entire line were given out, and the ones I had were delicious. The Fruity Waffle, and delicious Ice Cream. Triple Chocolat can be reached at 929-614-7444 so you can order in advance so your order will be ready when you arrive to pick it up. 

Triple Chocolat owner Assaedi Hemyiar is with front runner Republican candidate for City Council Kristy Marmorato.