THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | DECEMBER 22, 2022

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

Howard Beach Celebrates the Season with Tree Lighting Event

Photo Courtesy of Vincent M. Coronati

Area families gathered outside Assembly of God church Saturday evening for Howard Beach 11414’s second annual Christmas spectacular.

Howard Beach Families Come Together for Community Christmas Tree-Lighting Event

By Michael V. Cusenza

Dozens of Howard Beach families gathered outside Assembly of God church Saturday evening for the second annual tree-lighting event organized by community leader Eddie Earl and his Howard Beach 11414 group.

“It’s my second annual Christmas tree lighting with Santa,” Earl told The Forum on Wednesday.

Saint Nick did make an appearance

and had gleeful children—and some grown-ups—sit on his lap to let him know what they wanted for Christmas this year.

Families braved the bitter cold temps to light the tree, sing carols with Santa and watch amazing performances by the Powerhouse Dance Academy and Angelo Venuto’s two grandchildren, Marcello and Arianna.

Check out the tree at Assembly of God church at 158-31 99th St.

Photo Courtesy of Vincent M. Coronati

Event organizer Eddie Earl tells Santa what he wants to see under the tree this year.

Photo Courtesy of Vincent M. Coronati The Powerhouse Dance Academy performs.

Photo Courtesy of Vincent M. Coronati

Photographer extraordinaire Vincent M. Coronati and family enjoy the Saturday spectacular.

Photo Courtesy of Vincent M. Coronati

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola and State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. at the tree lighting Saturday evening.

Photo Courtesy of Vincent M. Coronati Members of Girl Scout troops 4615 and 4738 are all smiles Saturday evening.

Photo Courtesy of Vincent M. Coronati Dozens of families brave the bitter cold temps for the community event outside Assembly of God church.

By Forum Staff

In Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday, Parveg Ahmed was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to 153 months’ imprisonment and 15 years supervised release for one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge in June 2018.

As detailed in publicly filed court documents, Ahmed, 27, is a United States citizen living in Ozone Park who traveled to Saudi Arabia in June 2017, purportedly to celebrate an Islamic religious holiday.  Upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Ahmed attempted to travel to Syria to join ISIS.  Ahmed was apprehended in a Middle Eastern country during his attempted travel to ISIS-controlled territory.

Previously, Ahmed had repeatedly expressed support on social media for ISIS and for individuals who provided support to the foreign terrorist organization’s mission of violent extremism. On July 17, 2017, JTTF agents obtained a search warrant for his personal computer, and learned that he had viewed or listened to recordings of radical Islamic clerics Anwar al-Awlaki, a United Statesborn cleric and prominent leader of the foreign terrorist organization al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, who was killed on or about September 30, 2011, and Abdullah el-Faisal, a Jamaican-born cleric, who was found guilty in the United Kingdom of solicitation to commit murder for preaching to followers to kill individuals, including Americans, because he deemed them to be enemies of Islam. Ahmed was deported to the United States

on August 28, 2017, where he was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport.  Subsequent review of electronic devices found in Ahmed’s possession when he was detained attempting to travel to Syria also revealed draft messages explaining that the defendant planned to join ISIS in Syria to wage violent jihad and expressing farewell to the defendant’s family members.  Specifically, a draft message stated “[W]e have made it to Dawlatul Islam [ISIS] in Syria.  In sha Allah [God willing] we will join the Jihad very soon and in Sha Allah [God willing] we will then join the ranks of the Shuhuda [martyrs].  The West has invaded the land of the Muslims and is constantly attacking it.”

“Ahmed nearly fulfilled his goal to join a group of violent terrorists who have killed numerous in nocent victims, including American citizens, and expressed that he planned to fight against ‘the West’ if he made it to Syria,” Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Bre on Peace said. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that a significant prison sentence is the end result for radicalized individuals pursuing a misguided path of terror and violence.”

City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell added, “An American citizen, Ahmed traveled to the Middle East with the sole intention of betray ing his own country by taking up arms against it in the name of ISIS,” stated NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. “Identifying and stopping indi viduals like this before they can harm the United States and our people are the ideals upon which the Joint Terrorism Task Force was established. I com mend and thank the investigators from the NYPD, FBI, and all of our partner agencies on the nation’s first JTTF, here in New York City, for their tireless work on this important case.”

Photo Courtesy of JFK

Ahmed was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in August 2017.

Hochul Signs Laws Protecting Animals, Prospective Owners

By Michael V. Cusenza

Governor Kathy Hochul this month signed two bills into law aimed at protecting animals and prospective owners, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) announced Wednesday.

This week, Hochul signed into law Addabbo’s bill that will provide comprehensive standards of care for municipal shelters, not-for-profit humane societies, and not-for-profit animal rescues.

The State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry will oversee implementation, maintenance and compliance with these comprehensive facility standards.

“With the signing of this bill into law, we are looking to strengthen the standards of care at all shelters across the state, while also eliminating unenforceable laws to have a comprehensive set of laws that all shelters will have to adhere to,” Addabbo said. “The animals in these shelters have already had

a difficult life, and they deserve the highest care and conditions as they await to be adopted to their new homes. I want to thank the Hochul administration for signing my bill and for protecting these animals.”

Additionally, earlier this month Hochul also signed a piece of legislation into law that would prohibit retail pet shops from selling dogs, cats and rabbits from what are known as puppy mills, and instead offer these animals up for adoption.

Addabbo supported the bill and was a co-sponsor on the legislation.

“This bill — which is now law — will

prevent retail pet shops across New York State from selling cats, dogs and rabbits from puppy mills,” Addabbo said. “Largescale puppy mills often mistreat the animals they are responsible for and force them to live in deplorable conditions where they face cruelty and abuse. Instead of selling pets, retail shops can charge animal shelters or rescue organizations rent to use their retail space for the adoption of these pets.”

While this legislation will take effect in 2024, Addabbo added that it is vital that they monitor how this law is implemented to ensure it done correctly.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Agencia Brasilia

Governor Hochul has signed into law a bill that will provide comprehensive standards of care for municipal shelters, not-for-profit humane societies, and not-for-profit animal rescues.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo “The animals in these shelters have already had a difficult life, and they deserve the highest care and conditions as they await to be adopted to their new homes,” Sen. Addabbo said.

Two Charged in JFK Taxi Dispatch Hack

By Forum Staff

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and John Gay, the Inspector General of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, announced on Tuesday the unsealing of an indictment charging Daniel Abayev and Peter Leyman with two counts of conspiracy to commit computer intrusions.  The indictment charges that Abayev and Leyman, both 48 and Queens residents, hacked the electronic taxi dispatch system (the “Dispatch System”) at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Taxi drivers are required to wait in a holding lot at JFK before they are dispatched to pick up a fare.  A computer system ensures that taxis are dispatched in the order in which they arrived.  Abayev and Leyman conspired with Russian nationals to hack the Dispatch System and move certain taxis to the front of the line, in exchange for payment. Abayev and Leyman were arrested Tuesday morning in Queens.

As alleged in the indictment, from at least September 2019 through September 2021, Abayev and Leyman and Russian nationals residing in Russia engaged in a scheme to hack the dispatch system at JFK.

At all relevant times, taxi drivers who sought to pick up a fare at JFK were required to wait in a holding lot at JFK before being dispatched to a specific terminal by the dispatch system.  Taxi drivers were frequently required to wait several hours in the lot before being dispatched to a terminal and were dispatched in approximately the order in which they arrived at the holding lot.

Beginning in 2019, Abayev and Leyman explored and attempted various

mechanisms to access the Dispatch System, including bribing someone to insert a flash drive containing malware into computers connected to the Dispatch System, obtaining unauthorized access to the dispatch system via a Wi-Fi connection, and stealing computer tablets connected to the dispatch system. The members of the hacking scheme also sent messages to each other in which they explicitly discussed their intention to hack the dispatch system.  For example, on or about Nov. 10, 2019, Abayev messaged the following to one of the Russian hackers in Russian: “I know that the Pentagon is being hacked[.]. So, can’t we hack the taxi industry[?]”

At various times between November 2019 and November 2020, Abayev and Leyman, working with others, successfully hacked the dispatch system.  They used their unauthorized access to alter the dispatch system and move specific taxis to the front of the line, thereby allowing drivers of those taxis to skip other taxi drivers waiting in the line. Abayev and Leyman charged taxi drivers $10 each time they were advanced to the front of the line. Taxi drivers learned that they could skip the taxi line by paying $10 to members of the hacking scheme through word of mouth, and members of the hacking scheme offered some taxi drivers waivers of the $10 fee in exchange for recruiting other taxi drivers to pay the $10 fee to skip the taxi line. The hacking scheme also used large group chat threads in order to communicate with taxi drivers. For example, when the Hacking Scheme had access to the dispatch system for the day, a member of the hacking scheme would message the group chat threads, “Shop open.”

HOLIDAY TRAVEL ADVICE FROM YOUR PHARMACIST

Getting Warmed Up Is Harder For Some...

Grumbling about the cold won’t make it go away, and for some people, those dealing with thyroid conditions, the winter can be especially taxing.

We’ve put together some tips for those of you with thyroid conditions and how to survive the winter in a little more comfort.

The thyroid gland is like a thermostat for our bodies. People with a sluggish thyroid are prone to having low body temperature and are prone to cold intolerance. If your thyroid function is low, you need to take some precautions to protect your health.

Strategies for warming up and giving your thyroid a break:

Get plenty of rest.

Keep your home temperature warm.

If you happen to have a landlord that is stingy with the heat, getting a note from your doctor may provide some prodding. If you do need to go out into the cold, dress in layers.

Hot baths are a nice way to get yourself warm without making your thyroid do all the work!

If you can’t make it to your local pharmacy to buy a heating pad, try filling an old sturdy sock with rice. Make sure you tie the end securely and then heat it in the microwave for two minutes—just be careful that it’s not too hot when applying it to your body!

Soaking your feet in hot water for 5-10 minutes will warm up the rest of your body.

Cuddling and holding hands with your significant other or your pets can help you get through the cold. Spouses and pets are will share their heat with you for back and belly rubs. Did you know that the saying “Three Dog Night” is thought to originate from Eskimos who would keep dogs in their igloos to help them warm up on particularly cold nights!

Balancing your blood sugar will help you stay warm. Be sure to eat high quality fats and proteins every few hours and limit sugary and starchy foods.

Foods known as thermogenic can increase the metabolism, and can actually create heat when converting food to energy. Some common spices in this category are: chili, mustard, red pepper, black pepper and red-hot chili peppers.

Don’t leave friends and family “out in the cold,” let them know you need a little more heat than the average bear.

Remember, people with thyroid conditions are more likely to experience the "Winter Blues".

Last but not least, winter puts us at risk for Vitamin D deficiency. Stop in and talk to your pharmacist about a quality replacement. Stay warm…Until next time.

For your family’s prescription needs, please call CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

Twenty-Four Pounds of Cocaine Seized at JFK

Earlier this month, U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers and a dog stationed at John F. Kennedy International Airport prevented a roughly 24-pound load of cocaine from entering the country.

On Dec. 10, following the arrival a flight from Guayaquil, Ecuador, CBP officers and a dog inspected all checked luggage taken off the aircraft. The CBP dog alerted its handler to a particular, abandoned duffel bag, which officers X-rayed and noticed an anomaly. Officials probed all 10 bricks in the bag, revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

CBP seized the bricks of cocaine and turned it over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.  The weight of the cocaine seized was approximately 24 pounds, with an estimated street value of $400,000.

This translates to approximately 70,000 doses; a lethal dose of cocaine is roughly one to three grams, so the amount seized would be roughly 5,500 lethal doses.

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

Photo Courtesy of JFK

According to federal prosecutors, from at least September 2019 through September 2021, Abayev and Leyman and Russian nationals residing in Russia engaged in a scheme to hack the taxi dispatch system at JFK Airport.

Photo Courtesy of CBP

Schumer Urges FDA to Probe Area Shortages of Tylenol, Motrin, Robitussin, and More

By Forum Staff

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Sunday decried a shortage of kids’ over-thecounter medication such as Tylenol, Motrin, Robitussin, and more in the five boroughs and on Long Island.

Schumer detailed what is going on and publicly called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate these local “spot shortages” across NYC and Long Island. He urged the FDA to take official action if the shortage(s) might loom or worsen. Schumer detailed what the FDA could do as he made the case and discusses next steps if things don’t improve.

“With surging rates of RSV, the flu and even COVID and colds, New York City and Long Island drug stores are struggling to keep children’s medicines in stock. These ‘spot shortages’ are becoming a real problem for many parents and caregivers, and so today, I am asking the FDA to investigate them locally and determine if official action might be required to address them,” said Schumer.

“The FDA has special tools and powers to address OTC drug shortages like kids’ medicines and if those actions are needed, we want New York to see the action. I’ve been talking with many young parents who have been going from uptown, downtown, east, west for Children’s Tylenol. They can’t keep that up,” the senator added.

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently released “’New’ New York: Making New York Work for Everyone,” a set of 40 proposals intended to make the five boroughs the best place to work and serve as a roadmap for the city's future.

The New New York panel was launched in May 2022 and is being led by co-chairs and former New York City deputy mayors Richard Buery, now CEO of Robin Hood, and Daniel Doctoroff, former CEO of Sidewalk Labs. The panel of civic leaders and industry experts worked for six months to generate recommendations for the city and state to partner with each other and across sectors to reimagine a “New” New York that propels the city and the region forward for its next chapter of equitable, inclusive growth.

The plan proposes 40 initiatives – to be advanced through legislation, policy changes, additional funding, and other actions –that Adams and Hochul embrace as a roadmap for the future, including the following five key areas of action for 2023:

1. Make Midtown and other business districts more mixed-use and flexible: Actions include facilitating market-based conversion and redevelopment of outdated office buildings to residential uses, easing conversion of buildings built before December 1990, eliminating the 12 floor area ratio cap on residential buildings, and passing the

sin, and Ibuprofen are the three most hard to find medicines this holiday season, as the Daily News reported last week. Amoxicillin is also another medicine that is in shortage. Pharmacies are either waiting for shipments or are sold out. And many people across New York City and Long Island are traveling from store-to-store, and stocking up on medication due to there not being a limit on how much they can

buy. Schumer said the main reason for this

“operating facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week” to keep up.

Schumer localized “spot shortages” that have occurred:

• Duane Reade/Walgreens in Ridgewood, Queens (NY Daily News)

• Target on the Upper East Side

• CVS Lexington Ave

• The Dan family, who are parents to 10-month old Ayelet, also had trouble finding kids’ meds in New Hyde Park on Long Island.

What the FDA could do:

• Expedite importation approvals of foreign manufacturers, work with The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services office to make emergency orders from foreign suppliers.

• Work closely with industry to target basic chemical and material shortages that go into making the drugs.

• Look at national and local chokepoints.

shortage is because of the tripledemic (flu, RSV, and COVID) that has also put hospitals in New York City and on Long Island in a demand crisis.

According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents producers of over-the-counter medications, major US manufacturers of children’s medications – including Perrigo in Michigan and Johnson & Johnson in Pennsylvania – are

• Investigate the licensing of new companies to make the drugs temporal under strict safety conditions.

Schumer said Canada recently made emergency orders from the U.S. back in November, so there is a precedent for how other governments have responded and that the FDA is already working with suppliers on the chokepoints issue, but more action might be needed.

Adams, Hochul Release ‘Making New York Work for Everyone’ Action Plan

confidence that they can retain and attract talent in New York City. To meet this urgent moment of our housing crisis, this set of city and state legislative changes will encourage housing production for all income levels to address the need for hundreds of thousands of new housing units across the city and state over the next decade.

4. Increase access to jobs and decrease commute time to Midtown and other business districts: Actions include dramatically expanding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) CityTicket program to make all Long Island Rail Road and MetroNorth Railroad trips, including peak travel, that begin and end within New York City cost only $5, while encouraging greater housing density around downstate regional transit-oriented development.

“City of Yes for Economic Development” zoning text amendment to create needed flexibility to fill vacant storefronts and allow businesses to evolve and expand.

2. Create modern, pedestrian-oriented districts with major public realm interventions: Actions include appointing a director of public realm at City Hall to oversee all public realm-related policies and projects, advancing a coordinated master plan to re-

claim street space for new pedestrian and cyclist spaces in Midtown, and bringing public realm improvements to business districts and job hubs in all five boroughs.

3. Increase the supply of housing by removing regulatory barriers to housing growth across the city, to increase affordability, reduce displacement and encourage inclusive communities,ensure workers have access to stable housing, and give employers

5. Help working families participate in the labor force and drive an equitable recovery by making childcare accessible and affordable: Actions include continuing to implement the city's childcare blueprint, encouraging uptake of the recent Business Income Tax Credit and Property Tax Abatement for creation of new childcare seats, exploring expanded eligibility for childcare vouchers and the Empire State Child Tax Credit, and clarifying and streamlining city regulations around using second floor and basement spaces for childcare centers.

Schumer explained, Tylenol, Robitus-

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul said the New New York panel generated recommendations for the city and state to partner with each other and across sectors to reimagine a “New” New York that propels the city and the region forward for its next chapter of equitable, inclusive growth.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Schumer

“The FDA has special tools and powers to address OTC drug shortages like kids’ medicines and if

those

actions are needed, we want New York to see the action,” Sen. Schumer said.

Uber, Lyft Drivers Snarl Traffic to Protest Lawsuit Blocking Pay Raises

By Forum Staff

More than 500 New York Uber and Lyft drivers with the Independent Drivers Guild hit the streets Monday morning in protest of a New York State Supreme Court judge’s new decision to grant Uber’s request to temporarily halt essential pay raises that Uber has sued to roadblock. The drivers caravanned over the Brooklyn Bridge and into Manhattan to circle the New York courthouses at 60 Cen-

tre St. and Foley Square, where they held a rally on the courthouse steps demanding that Uber pay their raise.  The caravan of cars displayed flags, signs, and posters as they drove over the Brooklyn Bridge and circled the New York Supreme Court and Foley Square.

The Independent Drivers Guild, the nation’s largest rideshare advocacy organization and a Machinists Union affiliate, fought for years for this pay increase and is demanding that Uber pay up. The planned pay increase

was supposed to go into effect Monday, Dec. 19. Despite record corporate profits, rideshare giant Uber sued the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission to  block the driver pay increases, a necessary adjustment to ensure drivers are paid no less than the equivalent of New York City’s minimum wage after expenses.

“Uber is the grinch who stole Christmas for tens of thousands of New York City families and today drivers showed up in force to

send a clear signal to Uber. We are not going to take this!” said Independent Drivers Guild Organizing Director Aziz Bah, a longtime Uber driver based in Corona. “Thousands of New York drivers fought for years to win these raises. We testified, we rallied, we produced reports on our expenses. While Uber is pocketing larger and larger commissions from every fare, drivers are being squeezed with the rising cost of living, gas, and car insurance.”

Photo Courtesy of IDG

IDG drivers protest a State Supreme Court judge’s decision to grant Uber’s request to temporarily halt essential pay raises that Uber has sued to roadblock.

Photo Courtesy of IDG

The drivers caravanned over the Brooklyn Bridge and into Manhattan to circle the New York courthouses at 60 Centre St. and Foley Square, where they held a rally on the courthouse steps.

MTA Outlines Subway Service Adjustments Coming in 2023

By Forum Staff

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit on Monday announced targeted service adjustments coming to subway schedules in June that better reflect post-COVID travel patterns. The New York City subway will reallocate scheduled service to better serve periods of higher ridership by increas -

ing scheduled trips on the weekends and by modifying Monday and Friday scheduled service, where ridership recovery has shown to be the slowest.

The changes will add scheduled trips to the G, J, and M lines on weekends, improving headways by approximately two minutes. These three lines are used by Brooklyn and Queens riders to transfer to other subway lines and have longer waiting time

between trains on the weekends than many other lines. New York City Transit is also proposing an earlier start to weekday A/C express/local rush hour service to reflect post-COVID morning rush hour patterns. Manhattanbound A express service will commence one trip earlier during the early morning rush hour to help riders in eastern Queens and the Rockaways.

To complement the early start to A express service, one rush hour C trip will be shifted earlier in the morning. To make these additional scheduled trips possible, New York City Transit will make strategic reductions to scheduled trips on Mondays and Fridays on the 1, 6, 7, E, F, L and Q lines. Subway ridership overall has been consistently lower on Mondays and Fridays than on mid-week days, reflecting the growing trend of hybrid office work. The changes are expected to go into effect in June 2023.

“We continually analyze ridership pat-

terns to better serve riders,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “These adjustments reflect higher ridership recovery on the weekends, and lower relative ridership on Mondays and Fridays in the post-COVID hybrid work era. As riders continue to return to mass transit and patterns change, New York City Transit will adapt service accordingly as we strive to provide faster, cleaner and safer rides.”

DOT Makes Safety Improvements at 1,400 Intersections across City

By Forum Staff

City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced on Tuesday that the agency has successfully made safety improvements at 1,400 intersections as the city experiences among the fewest annual pedestrian fatalities on record. Rodriguez also highlighted trends that show New York City is likely to end this year with fewer traffic fatalities than in 2021, stopping the rise in traffic fatalities that began in 2019.  Pedestrian deaths are down 8.8 percent this year, compared to last year, with the current total the third lowest in the City’s recorded history.  New York City is bucking trends being experienced in the rest of the country, which has seen pedestrian fatality rates reach a two-decade high.

According to Rodriguez, pedestrian safety has been a primary priority of DOT in 2022, starting in January when the Adams Administration made intersections a particular focus – as a majority of pedestrian fatalities and injuries occur there.  After exceeding its original 1,000 intersection improvements goal this fall, DOT has now also reached its expanded commitment to improve 1,400 intersections, in addition to delivering a host of projects to reimagine the city’s greatest public space, our streets, to create new dedicated space for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders. DOT achieved these improvements through a variety of treatments, including intersection rede-

signs, signal upgrades, all-way stop installations, daylighting, turn-calming, and raised crosswalks.  Injury and severe injury analysis shows DOT’s treatments are effective; and while New York City is experiencing one of lowest rates of cycling and pedestrian deaths in the city’s history, the agency

is committed to continuing to drive deaths down under Vision Zero.

Through November 30, New York City had recorded 233 traffic fatalities, down from 248 at that point last year. As pedestrian deaths have risen across the country, NYC experienced a 8.8-percent decline in

the first 11 months of the year, with 114 pedestrian fatalities last year and 104 recorded through the end of November.

“While traffic deaths are on the rise across the country, New York City is turning the tide and is moving in the opposite direction by taking action to protect pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and all road users,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “After reaching our goal of making 1,000 intersections safer months ahead of schedule, we have reached an even more ambitious goal of improving safety at 1,400 intersections across the five boroughs. Other critical successes like 24/7 speed cameras and groundbreaking new programs like Trick-or-Streets and the Fifth Avenue Open Street show that our administration is not afraid to be creative and bold in fighting for true traffic safety. But we won’t have achieved that until we reach Vision Zero, and our administration will always continue working towards a day when no one dies from traffic violence in New York City.”

“Let me be clear: any loss of life on our streets is unacceptable. That’s why DOT is committed to using every available tool to make our streets safer and end reckless driving,” Rodriguez added. “New York City is leading the nation as an example of how cities can use engineering, education, and enforcement to reduce senseless traffic violence. And we will continue to take an equitable approach to delivering our life-saving projects across the city.”

File Photo

New York City Transit is proposing an earlier start to weekday A/C express/local rush hour service to reflect postCOVID morning rush hour patterns.

File Photo

According to the MTA, the targeted service adjustments coming to subway schedules in June better reflect post-COVID travel patterns.

Courtesy of DOT

Adams Announces Seizure of $4M of Illegally Sold Items after Crackdown on Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced the results of a two-week interagency pilot program conducting enforcement against unlicensed establishments selling cannabis, cannabis-infused edibles, illegal vaping products, illegal cigarettes, and other illegal tobacco products. The program — conducted jointly by the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) — resulted in the seizure of more than $4 million worth of products being sold illegally and the issuance of 566 civil and criminal summonses, Adams noted.

“We will not let the economic opportunities that legal cannabis offers be taken for a ride by unlicensed establishments,” said Adams. “Today, we are not only announcing the seizure of $4 million in products that were being sold illegally to New Yorkers. Thanks to this joint interagency task force pilot, the city and the state collaborated to crack down on bad actors who are putting New Yorkers’ — particularly young people’s — health and safety at risk, and who sought to cut the

“We will not let the economic opportunities that legal cannabis offers be taken for a ride by unlicensed establishments,” Mayor Adams said.

line and undermine the legal market. It's high time that unlicensed stores stopped selling illegal products and comply with the law.”

The program was conducted the week of Nov. 14 to Nov. 19, and the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 3.

The results of the task force included:

• Inspections of 53 locations throughout the five boroughs.

• Seizure of more than 100,000 illegal products, totaling an estimated retail value of $4,143,647.

• Issuance of 500 civil violations and 66 criminal summonses.

• Two felony arrests and one arrest on an outstanding warrant.

“The New York City sheriff’s task force was successful in seizing hundreds of illegal products that were being sold by unlicensed businesses, many of which had the potential to endanger the health and safety of the public,” said City Sheriff Anthony Miranda. “We have an obligation to support the legal cannabis industry and create a fair opportunity for legal dispensaries to

succeed, and that means taking enforcement action against those who continue to operate illegally by selling contraband and evading taxes. The collective efforts of the task force, under the direction of Mayor Adams, sends a clear message to illegal businesses that their actions will not be tolerated, and it will be necessary for them to comply with licensing laws.”

In August, Adams and the City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced the launch of Cannabis NYC, a first-of-its-kind initiative to provide a broad suite of services to industry stakeholders and those looking to participate in the legal cannabis market. Mayor Adams also announced the appointment of Dasheeda Dawson — a nationally renowned cannabis advocate, who played a pivotal role in the passage of the New York Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act — to lead the initiative.

“For years, the city and state signaled to the business community that they were better off not operating legally and above board,” said City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth). “I applaud Mayor Eric Adams for his urgency, willingness to listen to elected officials who brought up this issue and others to his attention, and for taking swift action to crack down on this illicit behavior.”

Flushing Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child on the Internet

By Forum Staff

On Tuesday, in federal court in Central Islip, Kevin Rizo was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually exploiting a minor. Rizo will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. He pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2021.

In December 2016, a 14-year-old boy and his parents reported to Nassau County police officers that on the night of Nov. 30, 2016 to Dec. 1, 2016, the victim had been contacted by Rizo on Instagram. Rizo was using the moniker “Alyssa,” and pretending to be a teenage girl. After the victim com-

plied with “Alyssa’s” request to see explicit photographs and videos of the victim, the defendant threatened to share those photographs and videos with the victim’s friends unless the victim provided even more explicit material.  On that same day, several friends of the victim received nude photos of the teen from Rizo.

The government’s investigation revealed that Rizo had communicated with at least 130 boys and that most of them sent him nude images and videos of themselves at his behest. After Rizo received the images and videos, he threatened to disseminate them to others, including the boys’ friends

Courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of NY Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Peace called Rizo’s sextortion “unconscionable and extremely harmful.”

and family members, if more images and videos were not sent.

“The defendant’s sextortion is unconscionable and extremely harmful to the young boy who should be commended for bravely coming forward to law enforcement to stop this predator,” Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said. “Today’s substantial prison sentence will protect the

community here and elsewhere from Rizo, who trolled the Internet for more than 100 boys to entice and terrorize.  I urge parents and caregivers to have frank conversations with their children about the dangers of communicating online with strangers who can pretend to be anyone or anything while making inappropriate requests for photos and videos.”

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Photo

Rizo pleaded guilty to the charge in September 2021.

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5 rm, garden co-op, 2 bedrms, 1 bth, just painted, move in cond, 2nd fl, Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

Hi-Rise 2nd fl, 5 rm, 2 bedrm, 2 bth, formal ding rm, updated kit & bth. Call Now !

WOODHAVEN

Excel Cond, 4 bedrm Colonial, wood burning fireplace, pool w/deck, gar & pvt drive, perfect for entertaining, Call Now!

Low Ranch, 6 rms, 3 bedrms, full basement, private drive, Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

1 fam, det raised ranch, 8 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 bths, pvt drive, full bsmt, Call Now !

MATERNAL HEALTH

COACHING LLC filed w/ SSNY on 10/10/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: THE LLC, 11835 QUEENS BLVD, SUITE 400, FOREST HILLS, NY,11375 USAPurpose: any lawful..

WALLFLOWER MURAL COMPANY LLC filed Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/06/2022. Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process and shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to WALLFLOWER MURAL COMPANY, 83-35 139TH STREET, #3N, BRIARWOOD, NY, 11435, USA. Purpose: any lawful act.

31-46 35TH STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/16/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 61-22 231st Street, Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Seeds Mental Health Counseling PLLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/30/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 67-04 Myrtle Ave., PMB 1564, Glendale, NY 11385. Purpose: Mental Health Counseling

154-33 BROOKVILLE BLVD., LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/28/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 14-26 136th Street, College Point, NY 11356. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

SOLO BUDIN LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/21/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the SOLO BUDIN, 3505 28TH ST. Basement, Astoria, NY 11106, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Legal Notices

CLARUS HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/03/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o S & E Azriliant P.C., 501 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

135 MCCZ LLC, Arts of Org. filed SSNY 09/22/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served & mail to c/o Michael A. Capasso, 54-08 Vernon Blvd., Queens, NY 11101. General purpose..

Flushing 162 LLC filed w/ SSNY on 9/29/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: P.O. Box 610026, Bayside, NY 11361. Purpose: any lawful..

DREAMSWORL RENTAL LLC filed w/ SSNY on 11/30/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 414 BEACH 30TH STREET, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY, 11691, USA. Purpose: any lawful.

GLAZED BY A. MARIE, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/17/2020. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ANN COATES, 135-35 243RD STREET, ROSEDALE, NY 11422 Purpose: ANY LEGAL PURPOSE

Notice of Formation of 6801 NORTHERN LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/02/22. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Citizens Development Co., 111-15 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Linden Villa Group LLC filed w/ SSNY on 8/25/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 33-35 Farrington St., #3A, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a license number 1354999 for an on premises license has been applied for by Ma Kin Inc. d/b/a Kam Rai to sell liquor, wine, beer and cider at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 43-11 28th Avenue, Astoria, N.Y. 11103 for on premises consumption.

TRISTAR NY27, LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 12/04/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to SURENDRA RAMOTAR, 14220 131ST AVE, JAMAICA, NY,11436, USA.

PURPOSE:General Purpose

LUXE N ROYALE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/15/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 199-12 119TH AVENUE, SAINT ALBANS, NY, 11412, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

LUXE N ROYALE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/15/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 199-12 119TH AVENUE, SAINT ALBANS, NY, 11412, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

ALLY

VANESSA